< PreviousCOMMERCIALPROPERTYEdmundsonsparksexpansioninDerbyAnationalelectricalwholesalecompanyhasrelocatedandexpandeditsoperationinDerbyonAscotBusinessPark.EdmundsonElectricalhasagreedadealwithDerby-basedConderDevelopments,partoftheCWCGroupfora15yearleaseona14,526sqfttradecounterunitonLongbridgeLane,AscotBusinessPark.DerbypropertyagentsSallowaysecuredtheleasewiththecompanyonbehalfoflandlordConderDevelopments.PaulShanley,managingdirectoratConderDevelopments,said:“WearedelightedthatEdmundsonElectricaldecidedtorelocatetoAscotBusinessParkalongwithourotherhighprofileoccupiers.Thisdealconcludesthis10acredevelopmentsitewhichhascreatedhundredsofjobssinceitsinceptionanddemonstratesourcontinuinginvestmentandconfidenceinDerby”JennyClarkeofSallowaysaid:“TheunitatAscotBusinessParkismodernandwellequipped,whichisperfectforthisgrowingbusiness.EdmundsonElectricalwaslookingtorelocatetomoremodernpremises,andwehavemanagedtoworkwithboththemandthelandlordtosecureadealsuitabletobothparties.”PlanningapprovedforDMU'sFletchercomplexPlanningpermissionhasbeensecuredforthenewFletcherComplexatDeMontfortUniversityinLeicester,anewcitycentreschemedesignedbyNottingham-basedarchitects,CPMG.TheFletcherComplexwillbecomethebasefortheUniversity’sfacultyofArt,DesignandHumanities,creatingnewstate-of-the-artteachingfacilitiesforthefaculty.“WearedelightedthatplanningapprovalhasnowbeensecuredforthenewFletcherComplex,”saidNickGregory,directoratCPMG.“ItisgoingtobeincrediblyexcitingseeingthispartoftheUniversitycampusbeingtransformedandabrilliantnewfacilitybeingcreatedforthefaculty.”UmeshDesai,deputydirectorofestatesatDMU,said:“Itisgreatnewsthatplanningpermissionhasbeengranted.ItmeanswecannowlookforwardtobuildingahugelyimpressivenewcomplexwhichwilltotallytransformDMUand,Ihavenodoubt,giveouruniversityoneofthefinestcitycentrecampusesintheUK.DMUisalsoproudtobeworkingonceagainwithCPMGArchitectswhodesignedourawardwinningHughAstonBuilding.”TheFletcherComplexisdueforcompletionin2016.NewtenantfliesintoAirCargoCentreAnaviationbusinesshasmovedpremisesonEastMidlandsAirport,inadealbrokeredbyInnesEnglandandFHP.LandlordAngloScandinavianEstateshasletthe3,000sqftindustrialpremisestoGroundOperationEquipmentSupport(GOES).HeadquarteredinBirmingham,GOEShasaddedaseconddepotattheAirCargoCentreinCastleDonington.DaveChristiefromGOESsaid:“ThisisagreatlocationforGOEStoexpandandcontinuetosupportourcustomersandalsocreatenewaccounts.”NickHosking,directoratInnesEngland’sDerbyofficewhichactsonbehalfoftheassetmanagersCommercialEstatesGroup(CEG),said:“WearedelightedtohaveachievedthisfirstlettingonbehalfofAngloScandinavianEstates.GOESwasalreadyworkingattheairportbutneededagoodqualityandconvenientlylocatedbasefromwhichtoexpandthebusiness.”TheAirCargoCentreislocatedoffBeverleyRoad,withintheEastMidlandsAirportcampus.EastMidlandsBusinessLinkwww.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk10EMBLJUNE:Layout129/5/1415:05Page10COMMERCIALPROPERTYJLLincreasesturnoverdespitelackofofficespaceCommercialpropertyagencyJLL,whichhasitsEastMidlandsheadquartersinNottingham,hasreportedfirst-quarterfeeturnoverof£520mup13percentfromthefirstquarterof2013.MatthewSmith,leaddirectorinNottingham,said:"WeareinbuoyantmoodintheNottinghamofficeasearningscontinuetoriseandalreadyweareseeinggreateractivityasmarketsentimentcontinuestobemoreupbeat.AlreadywehaveseenBakerTillycommittingtothecityandtaking12,500sqftattherecentlyrefurbishedCityGateEastandfertilityclinic,Nuture,occupying15,500sqftatOctaviaHouseonHorton'sInterchangeBusinessPark.Wealsohaveanumberofotherexcitingdealsinlawyershandswhichshouldcometofruitioninquartertwo."WhilstalackofGradeAspacedoeslimitsomewhattheamountofmovementintheofficeandindustrialmarkets,withimprovedinvestorconfidenceforregionalmarketssuchasNottinghamandrecentinfrastructureimprovementsthatwillimprovetheoccupierexperience,wewillbegintounlocksitesandfundingfornewdevelopment.InthemeantimewecontinuetoexploreallmarketsandwehavebeenactiveintheEastMidlandsresidentiallandsectorwithanumberofmajortransactionscompletedorputunderofferinthepastquarter."www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.ukEastMidlandsBusinessLink11WEAREng-cs.com01159588599WEAREAWARDWINNIEMBLJUNE:Layout129/5/1415:05Page11MANUFACTURINGNEWSEastMidlandsBusinessLinkwww.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk12WrightIndustriespullsoffhotdealBurton-on-Trent-basedWrightIndustrieshascompletedahat-trickofinvestmentswiththeacquisitionofCastleMicrowave,anengineeringandsystemsolutionssupplier,specialisinginradiofrequencyandmicrowavetechnologies.Thedeal,whichisthethirdacquisitionbyWrightIndustriesinthepast18months,willseetheinvestmentcompanygrowitsportfolioofhightechnologyelectronicsengineeringserviceandmanufacturingproviders.chiefexecutiveofWrightIndustries,CraigWright,willbecomeexecutivechairmanofNewbury-basedCastleMicrowave.Wrightsaid:“WeidentifiedCastleMicrowaveasapotentialinvestmentopportunityovertwoyearsago.Sincethistimewehavebeenindiscussionswiththeownerstoensuretheygettherightexitvaluefollowing25yearsofpersonalinvestment,whilealsoensuringasustainablebusinessplanisputinplacetosafeguardandmaximisethecompany’slongtermpotential.”BernardGaskin,LyndaThomas,financedirectorandtechnicaldirector,MarkEidemcompletedabuyoutofthebusiness14yearsagohavingbeenoriginallyformedin1981.Thebusinessnowhasaturnoverofover£7mandemploys20peoplefromitstwooperatingsitesinNewbury.Followingtheinvestmentalltheownershaveretainedashareholdingandremainaspartofthecompany’smanagementteam.Gaskin,whowillcontinueinhisroleasmanagingdirector,said:“Overthepast14yearswehaveworkedhardtoexpandthecustomerandprincipalsupplybase.ThishasledtoCastlebecomingoneoftheleadingindependentpremiumbrandintheprovisionofhigh-endRF/microwaveengineeringandcomponentsupplychainsolutionsforOEMswithintheUK.“Iremainfirmlycommittedtothebusinessbutat73yearsold,itwasimportantthatIbeganlookingforasuccessionstrategy.“Thetechnologyadvancementofwirelessinfrastructurecontinuestoaccelerateandourtechniciansandsalesengineers,alongsideourprincipalsuppliers,areconstantlyinnovatinggroundbreakingsolutionsforourcustomers.WeareconfidentthatWrightIndustries’sectorexperience,investmentandstrategicfocuswillhelptakethisfurther.”TheCastleMicrowavedealfollowstheacquisitionofCustomInterconnect,anAndover-basedelectronicmanufacturingfirmandinvestmentinPureElectronics,aPCBandinternationalelectronicsupplychainspecialistbasedinChippenham.LloydsextendsdealwithmanufacturinggroupLloydsBankCommercialBankinghasenteredintoapartnershipagreementwithMadeinMidlandsfor2014/2015.MadeintheMidlandsisapeergroupdedicatedtosupportingandpromotingmanagingdirectorsandCEOsofmanufacturingandengineeringfirmsintheregion.Theprivatesectorgroupwasestablishedin2009inresponsetothecollapseofMGRoverandtheyear-on-yearcullofpublicinitiativesandfundingsupportingthesector.Itrepresentsmorethan250firms,includingsomeofthelargestemployersinthesector,withcombinedregionalmanufacturingandengineeringrevenuesofover£3bn.InJanuary2014MadeintheMidlandsappointedDavidWright,formerCEOofManufacturingAdvisoryServiceandHeadofOperationsatMorganMotorCompanyasnon-executiveChairman.LloydsBankCommercialBankingestablisheditspartnershipwithMadeintheMidlandsin2013.TheagreementcomesinadvanceofthefifthannualMadeintheMidlandsExpo,whichreturnstoWolverhamptonRacecourseonThursday22ndMay2014.Onehundredmembersoftheregion’smanufacturingcommunitywillbeexhibitingattheeventandover1,000delegateshavealreadyregisteredtoattend.DaveAtkinson,headofSMEmanufacturingatLloydsBankCommercialBanking,willbeleadtheinitiative.Hesaid:“MadeintheMidlandsprovidesessentialsupporttotheregion’smanufacturingandengineeringcommunity,championingthevitalpartitplaysintheeconomy,andisastrongvoiceforthesebusinessesonanationallevel.ThispartnershipfurtherdemonstratesourcommitmenttobackthegrowthaspirationsofmanufacturersintheMidlandsandacrossthecountry.”MadeintheMidlandsdirectorCharlesAddisonsaid:"WearedelightedtocontinueourrelationshipwithLloydsBank,webelievethattheirofferformanufacturersisexcellentandtheyhavebuiltagoodrapportwithourmembers.Workingwithsuchapassionateandproactiveteam,dedicatedtosupportingthesectorisbeneficialrightacrossourorganisation."EMBLJUNE:Layout129/5/1415:05Page12MANUFACTURINGNEWS13www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.ukEastMidlandsBusinessLinkTracsismakes£4.5mDatasysswoopTracsis,thedatacaptureandsoftwarecompanyforthetransportsectorwhichhasofficesinDerby,hasboughtManchester-basedDatasysIntegrationfor£4.5m.Datasysprovidesrailmanagementsoftwaresystems,businessapplicationsandhostingservicesandhasaclientbasewhichincludesirstGroup,Go-Ahead,Stagecoach,NationalExpress,Arriva,andVirgin.Itemploys17people.Datasysgeneratedrevenueof£2.27mandaprofitbeforetaxof£298kinitsunauditedaccountsfortheyearending31May2013.JohnMcArthur,chiefexecutiveofficer,Tracsis,said:"Wearedelightedtohavecompletedthisacquisition,oursixthsinceIPO,whichcontinuesourtrendofacquiringwellrun,profitable,technologybusinesseswithinthetransportdomain.Datasysisawell-establishedplayerwithintheUKrailmarketwithastrongproductsuite,anexcellentcustomerbaseandagreatteam."EclipseAutomotiveTechnologysetforSwadlincotemoveEclipseAutomotiveTechnologyissettomovetonewofficesinRobianWay,SwadlincoteafterwinningfundingfromboththeDerbyEntepriseGrowthFund.EclipsehasmovedtoSwadlincotetohouseitsnewspecialistcustomertrainingsuitetosupportitssupplyofhigh-techvehiclediagnosticequipmenttothecommercialvehicleindustry.DirectorRichardParkinsaid:"WithoutthesupportofDerbyEnterpriseGrowthFundandBarclaysBankwewouldnothavebeenabletoinvestinthisimportantbusinessdevelopmentwhichprovidesthefacilitiesforstaffandcustomertraining."PentaxiatoenteraerospacesectorwithDEGFfundingADerby-basedadvancedcompositesmanufacturingcompanyisexpandingitsorderbooksinthecivilaviationandautomotivemarketsaftersecuringfundingfromtheDerbyEnterpriseGrowthFund(DEGF).PentaxiainAscotBusinessParkhassecureda£168,000grantfromthe£20mDEGFtowardsits£673,000expansionandinvestmentprogramme.TheDEGFsupporthashelpedaccelerateplanstopurchasenewhigh-techmanufacturingmachineryandincreaseproductionspaceatthecompany’spremises.Theincreasedcapacityresultingfromtheinvestmentwillleadtothecreationof12newjobsacrosstheboardfromgraduatestoapprentices.PentaxiamanagingdirectorStephenOlliersaid:“TheDEGFgrantapprovalhascoincidedwithourAS9100approval.Thisenablesustomanufacturecomponentsfortheaerospaceindustrywhichpresentssubstantialopportunitiesforus.DerbyCityCouncilleadercouncillorPaulBaylisschairstheDEGFpanelofindustryandfinancialexpertswhoconsiderapplications.Hesaid:“ResearchshowsthattheadvancedcompositesmarketissettotrebleoverthenextfiveyearsandwearecommittedtosupportingbusinessesinDerbyandthetraveltoworkareaintheirexpansionplans.“Increasedproductioncapacitywillmeanmorelocaljobsforlocalpeoplewhichiswelcomenewsforthearea.”OptimismsoarsamongmanufacturingSMEsOptimismamongsttheUK’ssmallermanufacturershassurgedtoitshighestlevelsincerecordsbeganin1988,accordingtotheCBI’slatestSMETrendsSurvey.That’sonthebackofsmallandmedium-sizedmanufacturerssayingthattotalordersandoutputralliedinthethreemonthstoApril.Numbersemployedalsoenjoyedasharpboost,andemploymentisexpectedtogrowatanevenstrongerpaceduringthenextquarter.Thesurveyof366SMEmanufacturersshowedthatdomesticordersrosestrongly,whilstexportordersbouncedbackfromafallinthepreviousquarter.Bothareexpectedtoseerobustgrowthinthenextquarter.Outputgrewsolidlyforthethirdconsecutivequarter,withoutputexpectationsforthenextthreemonthsattheirhighestlevelsinceJanuary1995.Firms’investmentintentionsforbuildingsintheyearaheadareflat,butspendingforplant&machineryremainsfirmlypositive,atitsstrongestlevelsinceJuly1995.KatjaHall,CBIchiefpolicydirector,said:“It’sveryencouragingtoseerecordlevelsofoptimismamongsmallermanufacturers,onthebackofrobustgrowthindomesticandexportorders,andaleapinoutputlevels.“Hiringisalsoontheup,andissettostrengthenaswelookaheadinto2014.“Asconfidencebedsin,weneedtoseemorefirmsexportingtheirproductstohigh-growthmarketsacrosstheglobe,givingahealthyandsustainableboosttotheUK’srecovery.”EMBLJUNE:Layout129/5/1415:05Page13OctavianaddstwotoBoardOctavianSecurityhasappointedfournewseniorstaff,withtwonewdirectorsjoiningitsboard.FormersolicitorReshmaSheikhhasjoinedasdirectorofbusinessdevelopment,whilstoperationsmanagerandformerarmyplatoonsergeantNathanPotterhasbeenpromotedtooperationsdirector.SheikhwaspreviouslyasolicitoratDarbysSolicitorsforfiveyears,workingatEvershedsandGateleysolicitorspriortothat,andhaswonvariousawardsforhersuccessfullegalwork.Asaspecialistincorporaterestructuring,realestateandbusinessdevelopment,shewillnowdevelopnewbusinessopportunitiesforOctavianandfocusonstrengtheningitsexternalandclientrelationships.NathanPotteroriginallyjoinedOctavianfromtheBritishArmyinApril2011asacontractmanager.Hehassinceworkedhiswayupthroughthecompany,becomingoperationsmanagertwoyearsago.Asoperationsdirector,hewillnowheaduptheco-ordinationofthecompany’soperationsacrosstheUK,reportingtomanagingdirectorJotEngelbrecht.Thecompanyhasalsoappointedtwoseniormanagers.LauraForsterhassteppedintoanewroleashumanresourcesandcompliancemanager,andisjoinedbyMandyHundalasbusinessmanager–globalservices.RobertshawonboardatPatricellNottingham-basedPatricell,whichprovidesimmunologyandbiotechproductstoresearchlaboratories,pharmaceuticalcompaniesanduniversities,hasappointedbusinessdevelopmentmanager,LucyRobertshaw.RobertshawjoinsfromAstraZenecawhereshewaspartoftheirGlobalRedeploymentProject,whichlookedatefficiencyimprovements,associatedwithfocusedresourceutilisation.Shesaid:“Iamexcitedtobepartoftheteam.PatricellhasaloyalcustomerbasethatenjoysthepersonalapproachthatPatricelloffers.IintendtodevelopthoserelationshipsandopenupnewopportunitiesforgrowthintheUK,ScandinaviaandthewiderEuropeanmarket.”Managingdirector,PatrickMunch-Fals,added:“LucywillbeworkingwithmetoraiseourprofileinthemarketanddevelopclearstrategiestohelpustogrowPatricell.Itisnotjustabouttheproductsweoffer,butaboutourclearunderstandingofwhatourcustomersaretryingtoachieveandourabilitytoensurethatweofferthemtherightadvicetosupporttheirresearchprojects.Lucy’sexperiencewillbeofsignificantimportancetoPatricellandtoourclients.”BarclaysboostsLeicestermid-corporatebankingteamBarclayshasannouncedtheexpansionofitsLeicester-basedmid-corporatebankingteamwiththeappointmentofRichardParkeratrelationshipdirector.KeithRoss,wholeadstheteam,said:“IamdelightedtowelcomeRichardtotheteam.HebringsawealthofexperienceandthiswillenableustoensureweareservingourclientswellandwillhelptogrowBarclays’competitivepositionbyincreasingcommercialactivityatatimeofincreasedopportunity.”Parkeradded:“ThisisanexcitingtimetobejoiningtheBarclayscorporatebankingteaminLeicester.TheEastMidlandsisanimportantareaoffocusforBarclaysandI’mlookingforwardtousingmyexperiencetohelpcompaniesacrosstheregionachievetheirgrowthanddevelopmentobjectives.”APPOINTMENTSEastMidlandsBusinessLinkwww.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk14EMBLJUNE:Layout129/5/1415:05Page14ChangesatthetopforBelvoirLettingsBelvoirLettingstheGrantham-headquartedlettingsfranchisesbusiness,hasrevealedwholesalechangesatthetopofthecompany.CarlChadwickistostepdownasCEOandtoleavethecompanywithimmediateeffectinordertofocusonhisotherbusinessinterests,whichincludehisroleasCEOofSunAxisCorporateFinance.MikeGoddard,executivechairman,willreplaceChadwick,supportedbyDorianGonsalves,directorofcommercialandfranchising,whowillcontinuehisfulltimeoperationalresponsibilities,overseeingtheday-to-dayrunningofthebusiness.Meanwhile,formerImageScannumbercruncherLouiseGeorgehasbeenappointedasfinancedirector.Goddardsaid:"IwouldliketotakethisopportunitytothankCarlforhissignificantcontributiontoBelvoir,particularlyoverthepastthreeyearsduringwhichhehasheldthepositionsoffinancedirectorandmorerecentlyCEO.HisdecisiontostepupintotheroleofCEOinMarchthisyearwasgreatlyappreciatedbytheBoard."WerespecthisdecisiontofocusonleadingSunAxis,withwhichwelookforwardtocontinuingworkingonacquisitionrelatedopportunities."OnbehalfoftheBoardIwouldalsoliketowelcomeLouisetotheteam.HerconsiderablepubliccompanyexperienceandexpertisewillprovetobeofgreatvaluetoBelvoir.Iamconfidentthatthebusinesscancontinuetogofromstrengthtostrengthwithmyself,DorianandLouiseleadingthecompany."DickersonpromotedtopartneratBlusourceBlusource,therecruitmentfirmtotheprofessionalservicesandcommerceandindustrymarkets,haspromotedClaireDickersontopartner.DickersonwillberesponsibleforheadinguptherecruitmentteamfortheEastMidlandsandEastofEnglandregionsfromBlusource’sNottinghamandnewly-openedCambridgeoffices.ShewillalsoberesponsibleforthenationalrolloutofBlusourceLegal’ssupportservicesteam,placingsecretariesandparalegalstaffintolawfirmsaswellasqualifiedstaff.AndrewSpringhall,chiefexecutiveofBlusource,said:“ClairehasbeenwithBlusourcesincethedaywelaunched.Herprogressoverthelastfiveyearshasbeenexceptional,andshehasbeenamainstayofthebusinessduringthattime.“Claire’sfiveyearsyearsofcommitmenttoourbrandwhilstprovidinganexcellentexperienceintermsofcustomersatisfactionislargelyrecognisedintheamountofrecommendationsfromclientsandcandidateswereceiveandthatthishasbeenrecognisedintermsofherpromotion.IlookforwardtoworkingalongsideClaireandshepushesBlusource’sfurtherforwardinthemonthsandyearstocome.Dickersonadded:“Asthemarketreturns,wehavenoticedsignificantdemandsforourservices,bothinresponsetogrowthwithinourlawfirmclientsandalsothecandidateswhomaybestayedinaroleforthelastfewyears,butnowfeelthatthetimeisrighttomovetoanewchallenge.“Weplantoworkwithawiderrangeoffirms,coveralargergeographicalareawhilststillretainingourbespokeservicethatpeoplewhoworkwithBlusourceLegalreallyappreciate.”Dickersonwillnowdevelopateamofrecruiterstofocusona“toptobottom”legalrecruitmentservice,fromnewqualifiedsolicitorsthroughtopartners.Clairesaid:“WeintendtoworkwithmoreclientsandcandidatesacrosstheEastMidlandsandEastofEnglandaswellascontinuewithourindividualtailoredservicewhichwebelievemanyofourcompetitorsfailtooffertoahighenoughstandard.“Iamveryexcitedaboutourexpansion,bothwherewehavereachedinthelast5yearsandplansforthecomingyearsintermsofgrowthandoursuccess.”DE22addsdesignerfollowingfundingwinDE22CreativeDesign,basedinDerby,hasaddedadesignertoitsteamafterreceivingagrantfromtheDerbyEnterpriseGrowthFund.CraigLindleyhasjoinedDE22Creativeafteraspellin-houseandasafreelancer.Lindleysaid:"It'safantasticopportunitytobepartofDE22Creative'sexpandingteam.Therecentgrowthandpressactivitymeansthatit’saveryexcitingtimeforeveryoneinvolved."It'salsonicetobemovingintoChestnutHouse,whichhasahugeamountofhistory,onFriarGate;it'sabuildingthatwillhelpfeedthecreativeprocess."I'mreallylookingforwardtoworkingonthediverseandvariedgrowingclientbaseandcollaborativeprojectsthatarestartinginthenearfuture."MartinGriffiths,managingdirector,added:"ThisisourfirstnewrecruitofmanyasaresultofourrecentDEGFfunding,weareverypleasedthatCraighasdecidedtojoinourteam."APPOINTMENTSwww.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.ukEastMidlandsBusinessLink15EMBLJUNE:Layout129/5/1415:05Page15EastMidlandsBusinessLinkwww.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk16DEALSTimicoAIMsforgrowthwith£55mflotationTimicoTechnologyGroup,theNewark-basedITandcommunicationsfirm,issettofloatontheLondonStockExchange’sAlternativeInvestmentMarket(AIM),inamovewhichwillnetthecompanyanestimated£15m.TradingonAIMisexpectedtobeginonFriday30thMay,withtheflotationexpectedtovalueTimicoatapproximately£55moncelisted.TimicosaysitwillusethecashtostrengthenitsserviceofferingtocustomersthroughtheacquisitionofsmallerICTserviceproviderswithinTimico’sfourcorecompetencies:CloudandHosting,ManagedNetworks,UnifiedCommunicationsandMobileServices.Investmentwillalsobegiventothecorenetworktoupgradeandexpanddatacentrecapacity.TimRadford,CEOofTimico,said:“OurflotationonAIMwillhelpusdoublethesizeoftheCompanywithinthenextfewyears.Wehaveasuccessfultrackrecordofacquisitions,havingmadeseventodate,allofwhichhaveenhancedourserviceofferingandextendedTimico’sgeographicalcoverage.“Timicoiswellpositionedinagrowingmarket:itsstrengthinnetworkprovisioningandinvestmentintodatacentreassetsputstheCompanyinastrongpositiontobenefitfromtherapidgrowthincloudservices.Thisinturnmeansthatwewillbeabletoprovidetheverybestservicesforourcustomers.”RadfordfoundedTimicoin2004aftersellingProjectTelecomtoVodafonefor£162m.HefoundedProjectTelecomin1987with£400,000seedcapital,managingthecompanythroughitsflotationin2000,beforegrowingitsrevenuesto£330mandsecuringitssale.Fortheyear-ending31stDecember2013,revenueatTimicogrew10.4percentto£42.5m,withprofitsrising32.4percentto£4.9minthesameperiod.ActiveFleetSolutionsreadytodoubleworkforceBurton-on-TrentautomotivefleetmanagementcompanyActiveFleetSolutionsisrecruiting50newemployeesaspartofitsambitiousexpansionplans.Thecompanycurrentlyemploys52peoplebutisexpandingonthebackofanumberofcontractwinswiththelikesofEuropcar,UnitedRental,Sixt,BRS,WaitroseandJohnLewis.ActiveFleetSolutionshassecureda£250,000financefacilityfromHSBC’sDerbyshireCommercialteamtosupporttherecruitmentdriveandongoinggrowthplans.ThedealwasledonbehalfofthebankbycommercialmanagerSeetaParmarandthefinancehascomefromHSBC’snew£400mSMEFundspecificallyforEastMidlandscompanies.Thecompanyforecaststhatitwillemployupto130peopleinthenext12monthsandwantstogrowturnoverfrom£7.5mcurrentlyto£17mwithintwoyears.ManagingdirectorAndyRowesaid:“Wehavedevelopedourservicesoverthepastsixyearsandofferacomprehensiveandqualitypropositiontoourcustomers.Wearenowsetupforasustainedperiodofgrowth,startingwithourrecruitmentdrive,whichwilldoublethenumberofemployeesatthecompany.Weinvestalotinourstaffandensuretheyarethoroughlytrained,soHSBC’ssupportisimportanttothesuccessofthisproject.”DarrenJoyce,HSBCDerbyshireareacommercialdirector,added:“ActiveFleetSolutionshasexperiencedstronggrowthsincestartingin2008,butthisgrowthissettoacceleratesignificantlyoverthenexttwoyears.Thecompanyiscreatingjobsandboostingthelocaleconomy,andHSBCispleasedtobeabletosupportitsexpansionplans.”buyintoDerbycompanyTwoOlympictriathletesarejusttwoof153investorsinaDerbyshirebike-cleaningbrandthathasraised£80,000throughacrowdfundingplatform.AlistairandJonathanBrownleehaveboughtintocyclingaccessorycompanyPurpleHarrythroughthecrowdfundingwebsite,CrowdCube.TheLondon2012OlympicgoldandbronzemedalwinningtriathletesbecameinterestedinPurpleHarryafterusingtheinnovativecompany’srangeduringtraining.Theylikeditsomuchtheydecidedtosupportthebusinessdirectlybybecomingshareholders.PurpleHarrylaunchedin2010withitsBikeFossproducttocleanthemostinaccessibleareasofabikeanditscomponents.ItssuccessledtheDerby-basedcompanytoexpandtheirbikecleaningproductrangeanddevelopthePurpleHarrybrand,withpro-teamandridersponsorshipsaswellasmajoreventpartnershipssuchastheTourofBritain.FoundersRichardHargreavesandDeanPerryusedSheffield-basedMackenzieSpencerCorporateSolutionstoadviseonfundingsolutionsandtoproducethesuccessfulequitycrowdfundingpitch.Hargreavessaid:“Crowdfundingappealedtousaswewantedtoinvolvethecyclingcommunity.Peoplearenotjustmakingafinancialinvestment,butanemotionalinvestmenttoobecauseitissomethingthattheyfeelpassionatelyabout.“Itisnotjustaboutgettingthemoney.Successfulcrowdfundingmakespeoplerealizeyouareaseriousbusiness.”EMBLJUNE:Layout129/5/1415:05Page16DEALSwww.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.ukEastMidlandsBusinessLink17SterlingMcCallsnapsupAIM-listedrivalTheholdingcompanyofKegworth-basedIFAfirmissettobuyanAIM-listedrivalfor£7.35m,ina"reversedeal".SterlingMcCallwillbuyTavistockInvestmentslaterthismonth,inadealwhichwillseethenewfirmbeamongstthetoponepercentofalladvisoryfinancialservicesfirmsintheUK.RoyBotterill,partnerandcorporatelawspecialistatShakespeares’Leicesterofficehasledateamwhichhelpedtocompletetheacquisition.Hesaid:"Thisisahugelycreativedealdemonstratingthatthereisalwaysawayofgeneratingvaluefromgoodbusiness-anditdoesn'talwayshavetobeviathetraditionalroute.WearedelightedwiththeoutcomeforSterlingMcCallandbelievetheyhaveafantasticopportunitytocontinuetogrow.“Thisisaninnovativetransactionfromaninnovativebusinessandthefirstofmanymovesthecompanywillmaketogrowin2014andbeyond."AldermorefundsSecuritdealAldermorehasprovidedatotalof£785,000tolocalentrepreneurRickCooketohelphimbuySecurit,aNottinghambasedrecruitmentagency.Thefundingismadeupofa£700,000invoicefinancefacilityandanadvanceof£85,000.Cookesaid:“WhenIdecidedtobuythebusinessIexpectedittobeadifficultprocessandIworriedabouttheimpactitmighthaveonmyclientsbutAldermoredidmostoftheworkanditwasallupandrunninginlessthanaweek,myclientsdidn’tnoticeathing.“IncreasingpropertypricesarecreatinghugeopportunitiesforSecuritasitisdrivingdemandforsecurityathighendshowrooms.TheinstantaccesstofundsthatAldermore’sinvoicefinanceprovidesmeansIcanpitchformuchbiggerprojectsthanIcouldinthepastwhichhasreallyspeededupourgrowth."ChrisMeldrum,regionaldirectoratAldermoresaid:"Rick’sbusinessisnowgoingfromstrengthtostrengthcreatingjobsacrossNottinghamshire.BusinessopportunitiesandacumenareabundantacrosstheEastMidlandsregionanditisAldermore’saimtohelpfirmsmakethemostofthoseopportunities;Rick’sstoryisproofthatwe’resucceeding.”OlympicstarsAttenboroughDentalgetsteethintoTSBfundingNottingham-basedAttenboroughDentalhassecuredgrantfundingwhichwillseethedentalandorthopaedicprofessionsunite.ThecompanyhasbeensuccessfulinwinningfundingfromtheTSBStrategyBoardforaknowledge-transferpartnershipwiththeUniversityofNottinghamandtheQueen’sMedicalCentre(QMC).ThefundinghasenabledAttenboroughDentaltoemployapost-graduateresearchassistantfortwoyearsfromAugust2014.Hisroleistoapplydigitaltechnologieswhichareusedinthedentalprofessiontoorthopaedics,creatingcustom-madespinalimplants.ManagingdirectorofAttenboroughDentalEdAttenboroughsaid:“Atthemoment,nearlyalloforthopaedicsisgeneric.Patientsaremadetofittheartificialimplant,viasurgery,insteadoftheimplantbeingmadetofitthepatient.“Inmanyscenarios,theimplantwillneedreplacingafterseveralyearsorasecondoperationwillbenecessary.“Weareproposingtoscanthepatientin3Dandthenproduceacustom-madespinalimplantforthepatientusing3Dprintingandmanufacturingtechnologies.Inthebeginning,wearejustlookingatspinalimplantsbutintheorytheprocesscouldbeexpandedtokneesorhips,forexample.”InterimchiefexecutiveofInvestinNottinghamClub,SimonGray,said:“AttenboroughDental’snewprojectisahugelyexcitinginitiativeforNottingham.ThefirmhasbeenwellestablishedinEuropesincethe1960sandisattheforefrontofexportingtechnologyandproductsfromthecity.“ThisnewprojectistestamenttohowcuttingedgethefirmisandshowshowitcontinuestoputNottinghamonthemapintermsofinnovationandcreativity.”EMBLJUNE:Layout129/5/1415:05Page17BUSINESSOFPOLITICSEastMidlandsBusinessLinkwww.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk18ThepoliticsofuncertaintyUKIP'sperformanceintherecentEuroelectionswasdescribedasan"earthquake"forBritishpolitics.Butwhatwillitmeanforbusinessesinourregion?WithjustayeartogobeforetheGeneralElection,weaskedthreebusinessleadershowtheythoughtanypoliticaluncertaintywouldaffectthelocaleconomy.JodiHuggett,businessdevelopmentdirectorfor4Eco–immerSUNPoliticaluncertaintydoesn’tdoanyfavoursforthoseofuspushingtoseetheGovernmentadoptmoreprogressiverenewablespolicies.ThepledgebyEUmemberstatestoreduceemissionsto20percentbelow1990levelsby2020–aresponsetotheU.N.KyotoProtocolforClimateChange–isrightlyambitiousandrequiresaclear–minded,concertedfocusfrompoliticalleadersacrosstheContinent.Isuspect,however,thatlastweekend’sresultswillservemoretodistractWestminsterandBrusselsfromtheimportantissuesthangalvanisethemintoaction.GrowthintheUK’sgreenindustrieshasbeenoneoftheleadinglightsoftherecoveryupuntilnow–andtheEastMidlandshasplayedanimportantroleinthis.Yet,astheCBI’swarningof“fewerinwardinvestments”intheeconomyintherunuptotheGeneralElectionshows,uncertaintysurroundingtheUK’sfuturerelationshipwiththeEUandScotlandhasthepotentialtobringthecountry’srecentrenewablesmomentumtoahalt.WeneedtobebuildingonBritishsuccessessuccessrightnow,encouragingmorebusinessestoinvestinhomegrowngreensuccessstorieswherecutting-edgecleantechnologiesarebeingdevelopedandmanufacturedhereintheUKandexportedtotherestoftheworld.JamesSimmonds,UHYIt’sbeenatumultuoustimeforBritishpolitics.FewwouldeverpredictthatUKIPcouldhavehadsuchsuccessintheUK.Asitwas,UKIPachievedasignificantincreaseinpercentagevoteinboththelocalandEuroelections.IntheEastMidlands,wesawthelargestswinginvoteshareintheUK–at16.5percenttoUKIPinthelocalelections.So,asourbusinessesconsidertheimpactofchangefollowingthismassiveshiftinpoliticallandscape,anywithdrawalfromtheEUwouldcreateuncertaintyacrosstheeconomyandinertiaasbusinessleadersweighuptheiroptionsofinternationaltradewithEurope.However,businessesmaylookforpotentialnewmarketsoutsidetheEurozone.TheUK’smainmarketsaretheUS,GermanyandFrancesoifthesetieswiththeEurozoneended,thenJodiHuggettEMBLJUNE:Layout129/5/1415:05Page18BUSINESSOFPOLITICSwww.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.ukEastMidlandsBusinessLink19businessesmaylookelsewhere.WewouldundoubtedlyhaveadisconnectwithGermanyourmajortradepartnerwithintheEurozone,whichvotedoverwhelminglypro-EU,Thenofcourse,thereisthequestionofreferendum.TheTorieshavealreadypromisedareferendumonEuropeiftheyaresuccessfulinthe2015elections–andtheothermainstreampartiescouldfollowsuit.Thiswill,however,createmoreinstabilityamongbusinessleadersifpartiesincludethisintheir2015electionmanifestos.So,takingthesefactorsintoconsideration,itisdifficulttodeterminewhetherwithdrawalfromEuropewouldbebetterorworseforBritain.Ontheonehand,weloseourstrongtieswiththeEurozone,butthenwecoulddevelopmassiveopportunitiesfurtherafield.Thissortofuncertaintyinpoliticalenvironmentislikelytomeanbusinessownersconsidertheiroptions,butitismorelikelytheywilldothisbetweennowandthe2015election-notjustoffthebackofresultsfromtherecentlocalandEuroelections.TamsinCottle,JLLUKIPappearstohavestruckachordwithsomevotersandrightofcentreConservativesonanumberofkeytopicsandissues.Oneoftheseisthelossofgreenfieldlandfordevelopment,withthisraisedparticularlyatlastyear'scountycouncilelections.TheConservatives'dilemmawillbewhethertheykeeppushinghousingandhopeitwillboostthewidereconomytowinvotes,orrowbacktotryandprotecttheircoresupport."Weonlyhavetolookbackathistoryandseehowperceivedthreatsfromanewpoliticalvoicecanalteraparty'spositionand,ultimately,policy.""OneofthebiggestbooststoplanninghasbeenthelaunchoftheNationalPlanningPolicyFramework(NPPF).Ithassimplifiedtheplanningprocessandgivendevelopersallthetoolsitneedsforgeneratinggreaterhousebuildingandgettingmorechallengingschemesapprovedongreenfieldland."Localauthoritieshavebeenvirtuallypowerlesstoresistplanningapplicationsonwelllocatedgreenfieldlandwheretheycannotdemonstrateafiveyearhousingsupply.Thisisprovingdifficultforalotoflocalauthorities,astheNPPFrequirestheirdevelopmentplanstodeliver'objectivelyassessed'housinggrowthandthefiguresareimposednotonataregionallevelbutbyCentralGovernment."Asaconsequence,theLocalismagendaandthesupposedbottom-upplanningdecisionshavebecomemoretopdownagain.Moreover,localauthoritiesarebeingactivelyencouragedtorenegotiatethebestpossibledeals(fordevelopers)intermsofaffordablehousingandother106agreementcontributionstounlockschemesandmakethemviablefordevelopment.""Withjustover12monthsuntilaGeneralElectionin2015,weshouldseizethiswindowofopportunityandgetschemessortedfordevelopmentbeforepoliticsdictatesanotherseachangeinplanning."JamesSimmondsTamsinCottleEMBLJUNE:Layout129/5/1415:05Page19Next 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