MAY 2025 EAST MIDLANDS LEADING BUSINESS MAGAZINE www..co.uk WWW.EASTMIDLANDSBUSINESSLINK.CO.UK WWW.EASTMIDLANDSBUSINESSLINK.CO.UK £3.50 Workforce development goes digital Making the most of an office Bricks, bolts, and bobbiesEast Midlands Business Link Bricks 2025 A celebration of those helping to create the landscape for the next generation EAST MIDLANDS The prestigious East Midlands Bricks Awards are back for its 10th year! Shining a light on the region’s property and construction industry, this year’s event will take place on Thursday 2nd October, at the Trent Bridge Cricket Ground. The East Midlands Bricks Awards, organised by East Midlands Business Link Magazine, is an independent awards and publicity programme recognising development projects and people in commercial and public building across the region – from office, industrial and residential schemes, through to community projects such as leisure schemes and schools. Visit www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk for more information. BUSINESS Thursday 2nd October 2025 at Trent Bridge Cricket GroundSummer approaches and that’ll doubtless lead to the usual questions of how hot an office has to be before employers are legally required to give employees the day off. That’s a perfect example of the problems caused by climate change in all honesty, as the summers have been hotter each year. Air conditioning may soon become a necessity for those who don’t have it installed already. Our offices had it done a few years back after repeatedly blistering summer days, but make sure staff don’t overuse it or worse, leave it on when they leave. The costs can be sky-high. Speaking of costs, many are looking at the cost of doing business in the region and worrying about the future of the UK, especially with Donald Trump in power in the US throwing threats around and then walking back on them days later. The problem is that he’s making it hard for US companies too, so while times may be hard in the UK, they’re not exactly easier anywhere else. One bit of good news came the other month in the Labour Government stepping in to protect British Steel in Scunthorpe, but good will among business owners for that may well have dried up after the Employment Rights Bill, which many say is putting the brakes on hiring, and also on changes made to HMRC tax and pension protections. With Making Tax Digital set to target the self-employed from 2027 onwards, things are set to become more complicated before they get easier, but such has always been the way business is. If it were easy, everyone would be a billionaire. Good reading, as always. Michael Fisher Editor www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk East Midlands Business Link 3 EDITOR’S NOTES welcome…@BLMEastMidlands BLMEastMidlands Latest news 6 A round-up of the latest news from our region. APSS Q&A 16 Moving office? Deep breaths. It doesn’t have to be a logistical nightmare. We sat down with Richard Mycroft, the new MD of office design and fit out company APSS, to break down the big questions, and even bigger pitfalls, of office relocation. Relocation and inward investment 18 The economy is not in a great place – so should relocation be the last thing on a business owner’s mind? Not always. Commercial property 22 A number of significant deals have taken place across the East Midlands since our last issue, with investors, businesses and developers setting their sights on the region. Security 26 Beyond digital defences, securing physical premises with traditional methods is paramount for businesses across the East Midlands. Corporate finance 29 All businesses should be appropriately financed at every point in their journey, but determining which form of funding is suitable is not always easy. Tax32 Theresa Waddingham, partner at Streets Chartered Accountants, helps navigate changes to national insurance. Contents May 2025 18 26 29 Online training 34 As the need for agile and affordable training solutions grows, online courses are proving a popular and effective way for employers to invest in their teams’ futures. Public relations 38 Greg Simpson, founder of Press For Attention PR, dissects a PR blunder. Energy and environmental management 40 High energy prices and green legislation are squeezing East Midlands firms. Can a sustainable approach offer a lifeline? AutoLink 44 We’ve selected a range of vehicles for all types of people this month – from those looking for something rugged, something high tech, something new and something a little more on the supercar end of the scale. • We put the Aston Martin Vantage through its paces. Corporate hospitality 50 Taking place on Thursday 2nd October, the East Midlands Bricks Awards returns for its 10th year in 2025, shining a light on property and construction businesses. Events52 A timely look at forthcoming business events around the East Midlands. And finally...54 Here’s Frazer’s collection of the weird and wonderful ‘news’ that came his way over the last few weeks.40 Group Editor Steve Fisher s.fisher@blmgroup.co.uk Editor Michael Fisher m.fisher@blmgroup.co.uk Journalist Tess Egginton t.egginton@blmgroup.co.uk Sales Director Angela Cooper a.cooper@blmgroup.co.uk Tel: (01472) 310310 Accounts & Subscriptions Angela Sharman accounts@blmgroup.co.uk Tel: (01472) 310301 Fax: (01472) 310311 Design & Production Gary Jorgensen, Mark Casson studio@blmgroup.co.uk Tel: (01472) 310304 E-Mail: eastmidlands@blmgroup.co.uk Publisher Haychart Ltd, t/a Business Link Magazine Group, Huntingdon House, 278-290 Huntingdon Street, Nottingham NG1 3LY Cover photographs courtesy: • stock.adobe.com/AddMeshCube • cherdchai • Andrey Popov • LIANG • Robert All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, transmitted, photocopied, recorded or otherwise without express permission of the copyright holder, for which application should be addressed first to the publisher. While every reasonable care is taken, neither the publisher nor its participating agents accept liability for loss or damage to prints, colour transparencies, negatives or other material of whatever nature submitted to this publication. The views expressed in this publication are not necessarily the views of those held by the publisher.GENERAL NEWS Midlands mid-sized businesses target new international trade routes despite tariff uncertainty Expanding or exporting overseas is a top priority for more than half (53%) of Midlands mid-sized businesses over the next year, despite complex international trade conditions. BDO’s Economic Engine survey of 500 mid-sized businesses shows that companies plan to target territories such as Australia (43%), Africa (31%) and Asia (28%). Europe also remains a healthy market, with 53% focusing on the EU in 2025. Mid-sized businesses are continuing to push for growth through international trade despite grappling with supply chain pressures. This includes uncertainty around tariffs in receiving countries, delayed deliveries or a shortage of the skills needed to support overseas exports. According to the BDO survey, more than two-fifths (41%) of Midlands businesses face skills shortages in export operations or supply chain management teams at a time when they hope to grow overseas trade. Kyla Bellingall, regional managing partner at BDO in the Midlands, said: “Although economic conditions remain challenging, mid-sized businesses in the Midlands are highly ambitious and have their sights firmly set on driving growth, with overseas trade playing a central part in helping to realise those ambitions.” Hydrogen propulsion lab set to boost UK clean-tech R&D Construction is underway on a £5 million hydrogen propulsion systems laboratory at the University of Nottingham’s Jubilee Campus, with completion expected by December 2025. Delivered by Midlands contractor G F Tomlinson, the facility is designed to support high-power testing of propulsion systems using gaseous hydrogen, ammonia, and other alternative fuels. It will serve key industries including aerospace, automotive, marine, and power generation. The lab will include advanced testing environments such as cryogenic capabilities and environmental chambers capable of altitude simulation. It will also be connected to the university’s existing Power Electronics and Machines Centre (PEMC), giving researchers access to megawatt-class physical testing infrastructure. Targeting a BREEAM ‘Very Good’ rating, the lab will feature on-site renewable energy generation through integrated photovoltaic panels. Noise levels during operation will be managed with acoustic doors. The building’s steel frame and cladding are being designed to align with the surrounding campus architecture. This initiative aligns with broader national goals to advance clean energy technologies and strengthen the UK’s low-carbon industrial base. Northampton brewery products provider snapped up Rawlings Group, a Bristol-based specialist in the packaging and drink processing equipment industry, has acquired Northampton brewery products and services provider Niche Solutions. The Rawlings Group is a multi-brand enterprise consisting of Rawlings, Vigo, Paperbagco, Glass Jars and Bottles, Aqua, and Rawlings Retail. Through the acquisition of Niche Solutions, which specialises in fermentation aids, cleaning chemicals, kegs, and laboratory testing, Rawlings Group will be able to expand its offerings and provide a one- stop-shop for breweries. Tom Wood, CEO of Rawlings Group, said: “We’re pleased to welcome Niche Solutions into the Rawlings Group. The acquisition represents an exciting step forward for our business, allowing us to strengthen our services and further support the needs of breweries across the UK. “Niche Solutions shares our passion for quality and innovation, and we’re excited to deliver an unmatched end-to-end service to drinks producers.” GS Verde Group supported Rawlings Group with the acquisition. 6 East Midlands Business Link www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk © YMD Boon Kyla Bellingall, regional managing partner at BDO LLP in the MidlandsGENERAL NEWS • Commercial • Events • Headshots • Automotive • Fashion CALL OR EMAIL FOR A QUOTE 07506 998855 STEVE@STEVEEDWARDSPHOTOGRAPHY.COM STEVEEDWARDSPHOTOGRAPHY.COM Creating eye-catching images to help businesses build their brands and engage with clients. Fraud losses in Derbyshire jump 467% as scam activity spikes in Q1 2025 Derbyshire businesses and residents suffered £1.3 million in scam-related losses during the first quarter of 2025, according to Santander’s latest Scamtracker report—a dramatic 467% increase on the previous quarter. The report tracks the scale and nature of Authorised Push Payment (APP) scams and other financial fraud incidents. While Kent led in terms of scam volume outside London with 208 recorded cases, Derbyshire followed with 104 incidents. Despite fewer cases, Derbyshire tied with Devon for the second-highest monetary losses outside the capital, each reporting £1.3 million lost. The volume of scam activity in Derbyshire rose by 10% compared to the final quarter of 2024, signalling growing challenges for financial crime prevention in the region. Other counties, including Hampshire and Greater Manchester, also saw significant increases in fraudulent activity. The data signals a rising threat for firms managing business payments and customer interactions, particularly as APP scams continue to evolve. The findings reinforce the importance of tightening internal controls, staff training, and client verification procedures to mitigate fraud risks. © stock.adobe.com/Яна Василевская Sale of Leicester packaging company set to deliver major growth Accelerated growth is the target for The Packaging Company (Midlands) following the company’s sale to Antalis. A provider of bespoke packaging solutions to customers across the Midlands from two premises in Leicester, The Packaging Company (Midlands) was originally established in 1994 as a supplier of packaging consumables to the hosiery sector. The company has subsequently developed a customer base spanning the healthcare, logistics, engineering and manufacturing industries, with annual revenues of £3.2m and a dedicated team of 24 professionals. Jacob Lord, KBS Corporate deal executive, advised on the sale of The Packaging Company (Midlands) to Antalis, a global leader in distributing paper, packaging and visual communications solutions. The acquisition will enable Antalis to expand its presence and enhance its service capabilities in the UK packaging market. “Joining Antalis represents an exciting new chapter for our business,” said Mark Charles, co-founder and CEO of The Packaging Company (Midlands). “This partnership provides significant opportunities to accelerate our growth, expand our technical packaging range and further innovate sustainable solutions. “Our customers will benefit greatly from access to enhanced resources and the latest packaging technologies. We look forward to collaborating closely to shape the future of packaging.” © stock.adobe.com/Zamrznuti tonovi www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk East Midlands Business Link 7 Image courtesy of KBS CorporateKey appointment sees Howes Percival increase support for charitable and not-for-profit sector East Midands law firm Howes Percival is expanding its offering for the charitable and not-for-profit sector following the recruitment of sector specialist Sally Hopwood. Sally specialises in advising charities and not-for-profit organisations in relation to their legal and regulatory affairs. She has broad experience in charity matters, gained over many years in both private practice and in-house roles working as Group Legal Counsel and Company Secretary in UK charities. Sally is experienced in constituting and registering charitable entities of all kinds and has a particular interest in charity governance, supporting clients with board development, preparing and advising on policy documents, recommending improvements to governance procedures and advising on and implementing restructuring. She is also experienced at assisting with complex registration issues and charity disputes. Sally holds the Chartered Governance Institute Certificate in Charity Law and Governance and is a member of the Charity Law Association. APPOINTMENTS New MD for Gateley RJA Leicestershire-headquartered Gateley RJA, the specialist quantity surveying, employer’s agent, project management and clerk of works arm of professional services group, Gateley, has appointed Steven Collin as managing director. Chartered quantity surveyor, Collin, joined the business in 2017 and has spent the last six years in a director role. His appointment is part of the implementation of a succession plan following Richard Julian stepping down as managing director. In his role, Collin will continue to drive the consultancy’s national growth across the private rented and affordable housing, commercial and insurance sectors. On his appointment, Collin said: “It’s an honour to be taking up the position of managing director at Gateley RJA and I’m extremely grateful for Richard’s guidance, as well as the support of the directors and wider team. “Thanks to some big instruction wins, the business has experienced rapid expansion over the past two years, which has seen our team reach a headcount of 80 colleagues. I look forward to building on this trajectory as we begin the next chapter following the acquisition.” Freeths expands employment team Law firm Freeths has bolstered its national employment team with a number of new hires. Led by partner and national head of employment, pensions and immigration, Rena Magdani, the team has announced eight new lawyers across seven of its 13 offices, including in Leicester and Nottingham. The team has welcomed Fergus Currie (employment barrister, Bristol), Mitchell Roberts (senior associate, Leicester), Lisa Aitken (senior associate, Birmingham), Stephanie Clarke (senior associate, Milton Keynes), Jainika Patel (senior associate, Manchester), Sophie Lloyd (associate, Nottingham), Claudia Booth (associate, Sheffield) and Ellie Wise (qualifying as associate, Milton Keynes). Rena Magdani said: “I am delighted to welcome our eight new lawyers to the Team. This expansion is a direct response to our unprecedented growth and the increased demand for employment law advice, particularly driven by the Employment Rights Bill. This strategic growth ensures we continue to provide first-class, commercially astute, and pragmatic advice to our national client base.” 8 East Midlands Business Link www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk Howes Percival’s Sally Hopwood (centre) with Geraint Davies and Alexandra Hornsby. Picture and all rights attributed to Howes Percival Steven CollinPall-Ex strengthens senior team with operations director Pall-Ex Group, a Leicestershire-based palletised freight distribution network, has appointed Kevin McDonagh as operations director following a strategic restructure amongst the business’s top talent. Kevin joins the company with over 30 years of experience in the logistics sector across warehousing, distribution and pallet network services. Joining from Bow Distribution, Kevin boasts an extensive portfolio of qualifications and a proven track record in increasing operational performance. Key responsibilities in his new role involve enhancing the efficiency of Pall- Ex’s UK hub operations, strengthening collaboration with Pall-Ex’s shareholder members and driving continuous improvement to service levels across the network. Kevin said: “What initially attracted me to join Pall-Ex Group was the company’s culture and its openness to embracing change. Pall-Ex Group has a strong reputation within the industry for innovation and adaptability and I was inspired by the opportunity to contribute to a business that is committed to evolving and improving.” Focus areas that Kevin will be prioritising in upcoming months include addressing the growing volume across the UK hubs and refining the current banding structure to streamline efficiencies. Increasing overall service levels across the network is another priority that Kevin will focus on as he heads up the operations team. Leicestershire Business Voice appoints new board director Leicestershire Business Voice (LBV), the business advocacy group for Leicester and Leicestershire, has appointed Dillan Shikotra as its new board director. Dillan joins 10 other directors on the LBV board alongside new chair, Sue Tilley. Dillan will help the board to deliver on its strategy of supporting members by shaping the conversation and influencing the future of business in the region. Dillan Shikotra is managing partner at Leicester- based Microtech, a leader in cybersecurity, software solutions and IT support. He is also vice president of the Shree Wanza Community charity in Leicester. Commenting on his new role at LBV, Dillan Shikotra said: “I was born and raised in Leicester, and as a local business leader, I am looking forward to working with the LBV board and its members to grow and develop the business community across Leicester and Leicestershire. “Having proudly been selected for the prestigious Goldman Sachs Accelerator Programme, I’m a staunch advocate of the opportunities that can be realised through strategic business mentoring and making connections with other business leaders. “I hope that I can champion this approach across the membership base and beyond to help LBV deliver growth and learning opportunities for the local business community.” Sue Tilley, chair of LBV, added: “We’re delighted to welcome Dillan to the LBV board. He brings a range of specialist experience and skills from within his particular sector that will further strengthen the expertise that our board can offer to support our members.” APPOINTMENTS Reward Funding expands Midlands team Reward Funding has strengthened its presence in the Midlands by appointing a new business development director to support its continued growth. Carl Perry brings over 25 years of experience in the financial services sector across the region. He spent the majority of his early career in commercial banking roles before moving into senior lending roles within challenger and alternative finance organisations, where he delivered both asset based lending and structured credit facilities to SMEs. Carl will be focused on expanding Reward’s network of introducers, as well as providing flexible asset-secured funding solutions across the Midlands to help ambitious entrepreneurs and businesses achieve their goals. Steph Brown, Reward’s regional director in the Midlands, said: “We’re building a hugely talented team here in the Midlands, and Carl is a fantastic addition. “It is great to welcome someone with his extensive and diverse lending experience, strong professional connections and the ability to really support the entrepreneurs and businesses we work with. “I am looking forward to working with Carl to strengthen and grow our relationships with professional business advisors, brokers and accountants across the Midlands, as we continue to expand our regional presence and lending book.” www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk East Midlands Business Link 9 Carl Perry and Steph Brown from Reward Funding Dillan Shikotra Kevin McDonaghNext >