- Institute of Directors; Federation of Small Businesses; The Association of Independent Professionals and the Self-Employed; Confederation of British Industry; Microbiz Matters; Liz Barclay – Small Business Commissioner; National Enterprise Network; Make UK; British Chambers of Commerce; Your business community; Yorkshire In Business; UK Finance; Chartered Institute of Credit Management; NEDonBoard; International Association of Book-keepers.
Biggest business groups unite against slow payments
Good Business Pays is spearheading an alliance involving the Small Business Commissioner and leaders from the UK’s biggest business groups including the Federation of Small Businesses, CBI, and BCC to stop slow payments from harming small businesses once and for all.
Launched today, the ‘Wait Off’ campaign is backed by 16 of the UK’s most influential groups – representing a total of over half a million businesses in the UK – to up the ante in tackling the poor payment practices of big businesses across their respective industries. The campaign is also being backed by a number of UK businesses that support faster payments to small businesses.
The latest data from the FSB suggests slow and unfair payment practices are threatening the future of almost half a million UK small businesses.
Whilst the challenges of slow payment have been well reported and become a focus for many campaigns over the last few years, the volume and variety of voices calling for change has left small businesses unclear where to show their support and therefore disengaged. The ‘Wait Off’ campaign will create a consistent platform for groups and businesses to work together in achieving lasting change.
Terry Corby, chair of Good Business Pays, said: “Slow and late payments have been a problem ignored by many businesses for a long time, but with so many small businesses struggling with rising costs and inflation, it has never been more important to ensure cash flows smoothly and quickly throughout the supply chain.”
A study commissioned by Good Business Pays and carried out by the Centre for Economics and Business Research (CEBR), estimates that if small businesses’ invoices were paid on the day they were submitted, their revenues would increase by £40bn to £60bn per year. This could provide a significant income boost for small businesses at a time when their operating costs are rising by the week.
The list of those business groups backing the campaign is:
Cawarden honoured with Green World Ambassador status 2022 at special ceremony in London
Derby-based Specialist Contractor, Cawarden, has been honoured by The Green Organisation as International Green World Ambassadors 2022 at a special ceremony held on May 30th, 2022 at The Waldorf Hilton in London.
The triple ceremony included presentations to all Green World Ambassadors, Beautiful Buildings and CSR Excellence Award winners.
Cawarden collected their award alongside a diverse range of organisations who have also been crowned Green World Ambassadors – including Balfour Beatty, TUI, Birmingham Airport and The White Rose Shopping Centre in Leeds.
Cawarden was also confirmed to have reached the finals of the Green World Awards and will represent the United Kingdom in America next year.
During the ceremony, guests enjoyed the famous ‘Tea at the Waldorf’. All nominees also received an awards gift bag for which Cawarden contributed custom wildflower seed packets as a reminder of the day.
100 trees will now be planted in Cawarden’s name as part of the United Nations Billion Trees initiative.
This latest success for Cawarden comes after receiving gold and silver recognition at the International Green Apple Awards 2021 for Environmental Best Practice for their work at Summit Colliery in Nottinghamshire. The project enabled the site to be re-developed for commercial/industrial use – all whilst providing a long-term sustainable solution to protect the existing botanical diversity that had flourished, including the Common Spotted-Orchid and Bee Orchid, and maintain the conservation status of Dingy Skipper butterflies.
William Crooks, Managing Director of Cawarden, said: “We are honoured to be presented with a prestigious Green World Ambassador Award. As an International Green World Ambassador, we look forward to continuing to support our clients to achieve their sustainable development goals. As a company, we will continue to play a vital role in providing leadership in environmentally sustainable best practices whilst making great progress on our journey to becoming a net-zero business.
“We hope our work at Summit Colliery helps others around the world to learn from our achievements.”
Green World Ambassadors promote environmental best practice. Through Cawarden’s work, they are helping others to help the environment as their award-winning paper is to be published in the Green Book – the world’s only annual global work of reference on environmental best practice that is distributed to environmental professionals, universities and libraries around the world by The Green Organisation. The book aims to encourage others to learn from the winners’ experience and to follow their lead to benefit themselves and the environment for generations to come.
The Green Apple Awards are run by the Green Organisation – an international, independent, non-profit, non-political environment group that began in 1994 to recognise, reward and promote environmental best practice around the world.
Kettering HR and H&S compliance consultancy snapped up
Marlowe, a leader in business-critical services and software which assure safety and regulatory compliance, has acquired Business HR Solutions (Consultancy) Limited and Business Human Resources Solutions Limited (together, “HR Solutions”), a HR and H&S compliance consultancy, for an enterprise value of £6.1 million.
Headquartered in Kettering and established in 2001, HR Solutions provides retained HR and H&S consulting to approximately 750 customers, helping to keep them compliant with employment law and health & safety regulations.
HR Solutions will integrate into Marlowe’s Worknest brand, offering attractive synergies and deepening Marlowe’s HR & H&S consultancy proposition.
In the year to 31 March 2022, HR Solutions generated revenues of £3.1 million and EBITDA of £0.7 million. Net assets as at 31 March 2022 were £0.8 million.
The acquisition consideration will be settled in cash and funded from Marlowe’s existing cash resources.
Gavin Snell, CEO at WorkNest, said: “We’re excited to welcome HR Solutions’ clients and all of our new colleagues into the WorkNest family. We share the same focus on employee engagement and high quality client support, and WorkNest has a strong track record of bringing such like-minded businesses together with positive outcomes. “HR Solutions’ continued client service delivery is the priority, but in the coming months, we will work on synergies and opportunities across the businesses.” Greg Guilford, CEO at HR Solutions, said: “Over the past few years we have been growing very quickly. This has been led by the great commitment our team has to our client base, their continued professionalism, as well as several acquisitions HR Solutions has made along the way. “We are excited at this development in joining WorkNest as this will further strengthen our service and bring considerable benefits to our clients through the scale and breadth of services offered by the wider group.”Record revenue for Leicester online electrical retailer
Marks Electrical Group, the Leicester-based online electrical retailer, has enjoyed a record year for revenue, with growth of 44% to £80.5m.
Meanwhile, according to audited results for the year ended 31 March 2022, the firm posted an adjusted profit after tax in line with the prior year at £5.3m.
The business noted that positive trading momentum has continued in the first months of FY23, with revenue growth exceeding 20% year on year.
Mark Smithson, Chief Executive Officer, said: “We achieved record revenue in FY22, with growth of 44% against a strong comparative of 78% in the prior year. This is testament to the hard work and commitment of the entire team. I’m particularly proud to have achieved this while maintaining our disciplined focus on margin, capital allocation and cash generation.
“While we are conscious of the challenges raised by the cost of living crisis in the UK and its impact on consumer confidence, our low-cost and execution-focused model leaves us well positioned to manage operationally, and with still only 1.6% market share of the £5.4bn UK MDA market, we see significant scope and opportunity for growth.
“Recognising the current impact on the consumer and thanks to our strong brand partnerships, we have been able to expand our range of products, across price categories, as well as introducing new credit solutions and interest free options with our finance partners. We have continued to achieve market share gains and strong revenue momentum in the months since the financial year end, as our leading customer service and free next day delivery continues to provide a compelling and unique offering that sets us apart from the competition.
“We remain well positioned moving forward to execute on our clear strategy of growing brand awareness, delivering exceptional customer service, and expanding our offering to new customers across the UK.”
Trio of East Midlands pharmacies sold
Specialist business property adviser, Christie & Co, has sold Shires Pharmacies Limited, the operator of three pharmacies; two in North Nottinghamshire and one in North East Derbyshire.
The pharmacies – Springs Pharmacy, Shire Pharmacy, Market Pharmacy – occupy two health centre adjacent/integrated locations and a high street location, and all benefit from standard hours contracts and above average dispensing volumes.
Having successfully built and operated the pharmacies since 2002, Shires Pharmacies Limited decided to sell the three sites to enable its directors to semi-retire and focus on their two remaining pharmacies in South Yorkshire.
Following a short and confidential sales process which generated multiple offers, the pharmacies have been sold to Peak Pharmacy, one of the largest independent community pharmacy groups in the UK.
Speaking on behalf of Shires Pharmacies Limited, Garry Myers says: “Having known the Peak Pharmacy business for many years, we are pleased to see the pharmacies transfer to a like-minded operator and are confident that they will go from strength to strength under their new ownership.”
Speaking on behalf of Peak Pharmacy, newly appointed Managing Director, Joe Cattee, says: “We are delighted to have acquired the three pharmacies, further enhancing our trading profile across the area. We look forward to integrating the pharmacies into Peak Pharmacy as well welcoming the Shires team into the Peak family.”
Carl Steer, director – medical at Christie & Co, who handled the sale, says: “From the outset, Shires Pharmacies Limited generated strong interest, with several group offers received, further endorsing the fact there is a continued appetite for well-performing pharmacies across the region.”
The three pharmacies were sold for an undisclosed price.
Wren Sterling acquires Mutual Financial Management
The Wren Sterling Group (Wren Sterling), providers of specialist independent financial planning advice to private and corporate clients, has acquired Mutual Financial Management LLP, an IFA based in Wilmslow, Cheshire, and MDFM Ltd, a discretionary fund manager (together “Mutual”). The deal is subject to FCA approval.
Mutual has around 1,100 clients, managing c.£675m on their behalf. The deal takes the total AuM acquired by Wren Sterling over the last 3 years over the £1bn mark and pushes its own total AuM to over £5.4bn.
The transaction is Nottingham-based Wren Sterling’s first announced deal since its secondary management buyout by Lightyear Capital completed in late 2021, and its largest to date. It follows four acquisitions in 2021 and one each in 2019 and 2020 and marks a step change in the pace and ambition of Wren Sterling’s acquisition strategy.
Mutual’s 29 employees and partners will all become part of the Wren Sterling Group. Austin Hutchinson, Mutual’s managing partner, will continue to run the business and will join Wren Sterling’s Executive Committee.
The business will be rebranded to Wren Sterling and will provide Wren Sterling with a new base in the North West to complement its seven existing locations around the UK. Once completed, Wren Sterling will comprise c. 240 staff and nearly 100 advisers.
The acquisition is in line with Wren Sterling’s strategy of acquiring strong businesses in key strategic locations, as it looks to accelerate its growth through improving its brand and proposition, simplifying its business and investing in its people. The business has a particular focus on acquiring new hubs in the London, South West, Midlands and Edinburgh markets.
Ian Darby, Wren Sterling’s executive chairman, said: “I’m delighted to welcome Austin, his fellow partners and all of Mutual’s staff to Wren Sterling. Acquiring a business of this calibre and scale is truly game-changing for us and shows the business’s renewed ambition following Lightyear’s investment.
“What truly sets Mutual apart are its people, who are highly entrepreneurial and innovation-led and share our commitment to the very highest levels of client service. Furthermore, the addition of a DFM capability gives us the option to enhance our offering for certain clients who might benefit from it, while remaining fiercely protective of our role as independent financial planners.”
Austin Hutchinson, Mutual Financial Management’s managing partner, added: “We received a lot of interest in the business, but Wren Sterling was the only company who we felt comfortable entrusting our clients and our people to. We really like the Wren Sterling business, it’s people and its growth model. These were our key considerations when choosing our long-term partner.
“Their scale, commitment to operational excellence and willingness to invest in technology and marketing, all supported by Lightyear, gave us confidence that they had both the means and the motivation to enhance our client offering and invest in our people. We’re all incredibly excited about taking the next step with our new colleagues and starting the next phase of our journey.”
Stewart Cape of KPMG acted as financial advisor to the partners of Mutual, with Nicholas Fielden of Fielden Marshall Glover Strutt providing legal advice and Rob Wardle of Azets providing tax advice.
Plans to transform derelict hall into arts and culture hub receive £1.6m boost
Plans for an arts and culture hub in the heart of Loughborough have received a £1.6 million boost from Loughborough Town Deal.
The Town Deal Board has confirmed the funding to support the Generator project which will bring a derelict hall in Packe Street back into use for the arts.
It is one of 11 projects Loughborough Town Deal is backing after securing £16.9 million of Government funding. In total, the projects are worth over £40 million of investment for the town.
The Town Deal Board is co-chaired by Cllr Jonathan Morgan, leader of Charnwood Borough Council, and Dr Nik Kotecha OBE, chairman of Loughborough-based Morningside Pharmaceuticals.
Cllr Morgan said: “We are delighted to be able to confirm the funding for the Generator project. This is a truly fascinating and unique building in the heart of Loughborough.
“It has a wonderful open space that lends itself to the arts scene and while it will support the creative community, it will also bring more footfall into the town centre and have an economic impact as well.”
Dr Kotecha said: “The Generator really showcases the variety of projects being supported by Loughborough Town Deal and I was really pleased to visit the building and see the raw potential that it possesses.
“The project team are clearly passionate about the Generator and what it can achieve, and we look forward to seeing it develop. Arts and culture are an important part of Loughborough’s social and economic fabric.”
The project is being led by Loughborough Generator Community Interest Company (CIC).
The town deal funding will support the renovation of the old Generator Hall, a 1930s building which was originally home to diesel generators that powered the then Loughborough College’s many town centre departments.
David Pagett-Wright, chair of the Generator Loughborough CIC, said: “The Town Deal funding has given us a tremendous boost. We are so pleased to be part of it.
“The Generator Hall will become the multimedia arts venue that the community of Loughborough and the wider area needs.
“It will become a cultural hub that will deliver performances, exhibitions, gigs, workshops, lectures and debates, festivals and heritage events, school visits and community engagement. We envisage a dynamic and multifunctional space serving all Loughborough communities.”
Next door to the former Generator Hall is a former art and design college building which is also part of the overall Generator project. Its renovation has been funded separately and is now home to creative industries including Ohh Deer, Cotton Clara and Our Neighbourhood. Public, a coffee shop and bakery, is on the ground floor.
So far, Loughborough Town Deal has committed to invest:
- £2.6 million to create a Digital Skills Hub at Loughborough College
- £900,000 to create a Careers and Enterprise Hub in Loughborough’s town centre
- £835,000 to help save Taylor’s Bell Foundry, the last major bell foundry in the UK
- £1.7 million to support the Bedford Square Gateway Project which is regenerating part of the town centre
- £885,000 to fund towpath improvements alongside the River Soar.
Council office move a step closer following planning approval
Innovative plans that could see Oadby & Wigston Borough Council move its primary offices to Brocks Hill Country Park have been approved by its development control committee.
The council revealed plans last year which would see Bushloe House – the borough council’s current home – sold with the intention of investing the proceeds from the sale into renovating the main building at Brocks Hill Country Park.
Now, with planning permission granted, the scheme will be progressed through the council’s decision-making processes, with councillors scheduled to consider a final report at their next full council meeting on 12 July.
The COVID-19 pandemic has led to a re-assessment of the council’s office accommodation and its new agile working policies mean far less space is needed for its day-to-day operations.
It is expected that a move from the dated, expensive to heat, costly to maintain Bushloe House to the far more modern, eco-friendly Brocks Hill will allow savings to be made every year long into the future. The cost-saving element is a major factor in the decision to investigate a move, as funding reductions continue to put pressure on council services across the country.
Brocks Hill would be fit for purpose for up to 30 years and its use as its main offices would also significantly reduce the council’s carbon footprint. The agile working space would have room for up to a maximum of around 30 staff at any one time as well as a fully functioning Council Chamber that is flexible in its design so the room can be used for other council-business, community meetings and events.
The Brocks Hill site is already owned by the borough council and the country park would continue to be available to the public as usual during and after the renovation, should it go ahead. There are no plans to remove the public café and toilets on site, although they would not be available while any renovation work takes place.
Councillor John Boyce, leader of OWBC, said: “Receiving planning permission is excellent news and it gives us excellent options on how we maximise the use of Brocks Hill for both our staff and the public. We now need to be certain this scheme offers value for money for our residents and this will be a key factor in the final decision-making process councillors will be involved in.
“Downsizing our office space by adapting a more modern, fit for purpose building that we already own is certainly an innovative and exciting plan. Having the council’s headquarters at Brocks Hill would also enhance our ability to improve our flagship park’s already fantastic offer.
“We’re developing a new Customer Experience Strategy which complements our plans and ensures that the way the council operates into the future meets the demands and needs of all of our customers and residents.
“It’s also an opportunity to vastly reduce the council’s current footprint, which is something we want to lead the way on, inspiring other organisations and businesses in the borough to follow that lead.”
Town Deal projects progress in Long Eaton
Progress is being made on projects that will see significant improvements made to Long Eaton.
The town was allocated provisional funding of £24.8m by the government last year thanks to a bid put together by the multi-agency Long Eaton Town Deal Board, led by chairman Richard Ledger and vice chairman Councillor Carol Hart, leader of Erewash Borough Council.
The first project to progress will be the Long Eaton Stable Block Managed Workspace Units. This is a project to convert the derelict stable block behind Long Eaton Town Hall into studios and offices to support new and growing Long Eaton businesses. The completed project will complement existing managed workspaces at the neighbouring Bridge House, a previously successful conversion of redundant council buildings.
Professional architects have already been contracted to produce quality design. The next milestone for this project will be the submission of a final bid to Government to release the £1.1 million of funding allocated to it.
Progress is also being made on the West Park Visitor Attraction project. Engineering and architectural designs are underway to improve the West Park event space parking area and facilities and provide a new waterfront to the Erewash Canal.
‘Project champions’ will be taken on for each aspect and new leading roles have been launched by Erewash Borough Council to help drive forward the key projects.
This will include a development partnerships project manager to focus on redevelopment ambitions for the town centre. In addition, a programme manager will also be recruited to co-ordinate across all aspects of the projects.
Councillor Carol Hart, leader of Erewash Borough Council and vice chair of the Town Deal Board, says: “It is great to see so much progress being made and the projects are really starting to move forward. The stable blocks will be converted into small business units which will bring new businesses and people into the town.”
Richard Ledger, chair of the board, says: “The projects are moving into the delivery phase and it’s great to see. We will keep residents informed as each project progresses.”
Nominations flood in – submit your entries for the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2022 NOW!
As nominations pick up pace for the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2022, now is the ideal time to enter the prestigious event.
The East Midlands Bricks Awards celebrate the region’s property and construction industry, its people, and exceptional developments, and provide the perfect opportunity to shine a light on your team, reward their hard work, and boost morale.
Award categories include: most active estate agent, commercial development of the year, responsible business of the year, residential development of the year, developer of the year, deal of the year, architects of the year, excellence in design, sustainable development of the year, contractor of the year, and overall winner.
Winners will be revealed at a glittering awards ceremony on Thursday 15 September, at the Trent Bridge Cricket Ground – an evening that will also provide plenty of time to forge new contacts with property and construction professionals from across the region.
Thanks to our sponsors:
William Crooks, Managing Director of Cawarden, reflected on winning an award at the 2021 event: “After being named Contractor of the Year at the British Demolition Awards at the start of September, we were absolutely thrilled to win the same accolade from the East Midlands Bricks Awards a few weeks later.
“The event is a real showcase for the regional property and construction sector and we are proud to be recognised for our project and service delivery expertise as a leading specialist contractor. It was a great night and provided an opportunity to catch up with some familiar faces as well as meeting new with the wonderful Trent Bridge Cricket Ground as a backdrop.
“Well done to the Cawarden team for continuously going above and beyond and maintaining high standards for our valued clients. Congratulations must also go to all the other awards finalists and award winners on the night.”
To submit a business or development for the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2022, please click on a category link below or visit this page.- Most active estate agent
- Commercial development of the year
- Responsible business of the year
- Residential development of the year
- Developer of the year
- Deal of the year
- Architects of the year
- Excellence in design
- Sustainable development of the year
- Contractor of the year
- Overall winner (this award cannot be entered, the winner will be selected from those nominated)
Book your tickets now
Tickets can now be booked for the awards event – click here to secure yours. The special awards evening and networking event will be held on 15 September 2022 in the Derek Randall Suite at the Trent Bridge County Cricket Club from 4:30pm – 7:30pm. Connect with local decision makers over canapés and complimentary drinks while applauding the outstanding companies and projects in our region. The event will also welcome John Forkin MBE DL, Managing Director at award-winning investment promotion agency Marketing Derby, as keynote speaker. Dress code is standard business attire.
To be held at:
