“I wouldn’t say I was the best PR manager in the business. But I was in the top 5”: By Greg Simpson, founder of Press for Attention PR
Greg Simpson, founder of Press for Attention PR, discusses awards and taking advantage of them even if you lose.
As the World Cup is now over (certainly by the time you read this) and with apologies to the greatest manager that the England football team never had, I thought I might provide a little update on the awards I was up for recently.
Which awards you may well ask (if you are not paying attention at the back).
They were the Enterprise Nation Awards, created to “celebrate the best and brightest advisers from across the UK and Ireland, whose support and expertise has shaped some of the most successful small businesses.”
They invited small business owners from across the UK to nominate their favourite advisers across 10 categories and by the end of November, I got a little note to say I’d made the final. The NATIONAL final.
Spoiler alert…I DIDN’T win!
Now why would I tell you that? Why would I “admit” that I lost? Because I know that there will be plenty of people reading this that would have hidden this “failure.” That’s how a lot of people see awards. It is a risk/reward question to some. Some won’t even blog about making a final or a shortlist ahead of the big event in case people “find out we didn’t win.”
Take a look at The East Midlands Bricks Awards this year. I was a judge of one of the categories so I always take a close interest in what the entrants get up to pre and post awards. Being harsh, most of them don’t get up to a lot! Why? Fear of failure? Lack of confidence? Lack of resource? All of the above?
NEWSFLASH
Most people don’t follow your every move and also…you made the final! Take a look at my case. There are thousands of PR consultants out there in the UK and I made the top 5. In the country. Does that mean there are people better than me? Yep. Does it mean I’m better than most? Yep!
On the way to the final, I posted on social media, blogged and ran webinars mentioning the fact that I was in the final. Do you think that some of that might have been noticed? You betcha.
I’m “confessing” to my failure here right now. More awareness of my loss. Am I a masochist? No, I’m a marketer. Often mistaken!
Now, will SOME people go “oh well, Greg’s only in the Top 5 in the UK, probably not worth speaking to.” Well, SOME might. In fact, you might (boo hiss!). Or, you and many more people might think “I’ve been meaning to speak to him” or “our PR is pants, this guy must be half decent.” So loathe as I am to say that it is the taking part that counts, sometimes, it is. So long as you do something with it.
Yours inconsolably better than most,
Top 5 PR consultant in the UK.
A former business journalist, Greg Simpson is the author of The Small Business Guide to PR and has been recognised as one of the UK’s top 5 PR consultants, having set up Press for Attention PR in 2008.
He has worked for FTSE 100 firms, charities and start-ups and conducted press conferences with Sir Richard Branson and James Caan. His background ensures a deep understanding of every facet of a successful PR campaign – from a journalist’s, client’s, and consultant’s perspective.
See this piece in the January issue of East Midlands Business Link Magazine here.
2023 Business Predictions: Sam Kirk, CEO of Clockpress Holdings
It’s that time of year, when Business Link Magazine invites the region’s business leaders to offer up their predictions for the year ahead.
It has become something of a tradition, given that we’ve been doing this now for over 30 years.
Here we speak to Sam Kirk, the CEO of Clockpress Holdings, the parent company of J-Flex Rubber Products and Composites Evolution.
In recent years the phrase “cautiously optimistic” has been mooted, however as we head into 2023 it feels more cautious than optimistic.
For SMEs in manufacturing, there are still plenty of supply chain related challenges to overcome in the New Year.
Like many sectors and households, the cost of energy could have a considerable impact on manufacturing output, and although the government support provided some relief, many will be eager to see what happens once that scheme comes to an end.
The raw material market remains volatile in certain areas with whispers of further shortages or price increases to come. This feels like history repeating itself – certainly over the last 2-3 years – and at times it’s felt like cartel-type behaviour by the multi-billion-dollar corporations producing the raw materials.
There is hope that transport costs – whether that’s sea, air, or road – will start to return to more normal levels soon, and despite the price at the petrol pump gradually reducing, many of the “temporary surcharges” remain in place.
Cashflow is also likely to be a major issue for SMEs next year. In addition to the challenges highlighted above, many businesses like ours have increased their employment costs in 2022 whether that be pay rises, bonuses, or cost of living payments. Whilst some will be able to absorb those increases, plenty of firms are still recovering from the impact of the pandemic which means that further price increases are likely next year.
It’s not all doom and gloom though! That cautious approach presents opportunities and that’s exactly why my business partner, Chris Barnes, and I set up Clockpress Holdings. Our ambition is to invest in and/or acquire Midlands-based SMEs in the manufacturing sector, and we are always looking for those opportunities to expand our portfolio of businesses.
“Strong first quarter” for Topps Tiles
The CEO of Leicester-based Topps Tiles has hailed a “strong first quarter,” with sales rising.
In a trading update for the 13-week period ended 31 December 2022, the tile specialist, currently in a feud with one of its major shareholders, indicated that group sales were 10.2% higher year on year, with approximately half of this growth due to the comparative period in 2021 being prior to the acquisition of Pro Tiler Tools.
Topps is expecting group profitability in the current financial year to be more second half weighted than is usually the case, driven by a significant year on year increase in its gas expense which will be weighted towards the autumn and winter period, the timing of various accruals, the impact of the newer businesses and some easing in supply chain costs as the year progresses.
Rob Parker, CEO, said: “We are pleased with what has been a strong first quarter of the new financial year, with strong like-for-like sales growth in Topps Tiles of 5.1%, excellent performance from our recent acquisition, Pro Tiler Tools, and overall group sales up 10.2% compared with the same period last year.
“We remain mindful of the macroeconomic headwinds which may impact UK consumers and businesses in the forthcoming year, but the group’s strong balance sheet, world class customer service, specialist expertise and ambitious growth strategy gives us confidence that we will continue to deliver value over the medium term.”
Local businesses invited to help shape the future of education and skills delivery
‘Careers Made In Chesterfield’ – a brand new Careers Workshop pilot, which is designed to inspire and inform local students, will be launched at this year’s Chesterfield and North Derbyshire Employability and Skills Conference.
Schools and employers, who are keen to support the future career and job opportunities for local young people, are being urged to attend the free annual conference to learn more about the initiative.
The Chesterfield and North Derbyshire Employability and Skills Conference, which aims to strengthen links between education providers and businesses, is returning for a seventh year and will take place at the Winding Wheel Theatre on Wednesday 8 February, from 8am -11am.
Confirmed speakers at the go-to event include Andy Byrne, property development director for the Devonshire Group, which is behind the Staveley Works scheme. He will be updating on the innovative Construction Skills Hub, which is set to provide specialist training for thousands of learners as part of the Staveley Town Deal.
Alongside Andy Byrne, Julie Richards, principal of The Chesterfield College Group will be speaking at the event. The College, with support from the University of Derby, has been appointed as the training provider for the new Hub. Over 10 years, the public/private sector collaboration aims to provide training, careers insights, and work experience for over 5,000 learners.
The conference will also welcome students from Whittington Green School and apprentices from Tarmac as well as Cllr Amanda Serjeant, deputy leader of Chesterfield Borough Council.
The conference is an opportunity for businesses, schools and education providers in Chesterfield and North Derbyshire to come together and shape the future of education and skills delivery in the area.
During the morning, businesses are invited to feed into local and regional skills plans and help shape the strategic direction through discussion of business needs, challenges and successes.
Organised by Chesterfield Borough Council and Destination Chesterfield, with support from Derbyshire North Careers Hub, the conference is part of the Festival of Business programme and open to all businesses, schools and education providers in Chesterfield and North Derbyshire to attend.
Councillor Amanda Serjeant, deputy leader of Chesterfield Borough Council, said: “This year’s Skills and Employability Conference looks set to be another packed showcase of the exciting opportunities and aspirations which exist across our borough. It’s a great way to strengthen the links between business and education, which ensures that our young people can develop the skills local employers need – creating a thriving and ambitious local workforce for the future.
“On the day, we will be delighted to be joined by students from Whittington Green School and look forward to hearing from senior leaders at Brookfield Community School about steps we can take together to develop robust career strategies that will further benefit the borough’s young people, along with an employer panel that will be chaired by Tarmac’s apprentice.
“The spotlight will also be on some of our innovative skills projects which are moving ahead in the borough, including investment in the Construction Skills Hub through the Staveley Town Deal which is set to create some fantastic opportunities for thousands of learners over the coming years, especially young people living in the Staveley area.”
Peter Swallow, chair of Destination Chesterfield, said: “With over 15,000 students set to gain their GCSEs and A Levels over the next five years in North Derbyshire, a strong and successful partnership between education providers and local businesses is critical.
“We need to ensure young people have the right skills, are work-ready and can make the most of the employment opportunities available in a wide range of sectors and industries on their doorstep. This conference is the first step in making this happen.”
Geldards law firm announce trio of partner promotions
As part of its annual promotion round leading law firm Geldards, who has offices in Nottingham and Derby, has announced a raft of promotions including three new partners across different disciplines.
The new partner promotions recognise contribution to the ongoing success and growth of the firm and came into effect from 1st January, bringing total number of partners at the firm to 62.
Senior Associates promoted to Partner include:
Senior Associates promoted to Partner include:
- Clare Hardy – Public Sector
- Laura Alliss – Probate Litigation
- Kevin McManamon, Education
- Gosia Evans – Dispute Resolution
- Josie Bradford – Commercial Property
- Kate Keenan – Family
- Lewis Adamson – Dispute Resolution
- Llinos Davies – Property Dispute Resolution
- Alex Wood – Family
- Catrin Green – Commercial Property
- Douglas Hamer – Education
- Esther Trevelyan – Private Client
- Gweni Reeves – Family
- Stewart Knights – Corporate
Availability of staff in the Midlands deteriorates amid ongoing economic uncertainty
At the end of 2022, the KPMG and REC, UK Report on Jobs: Midlands survey signalled a renewed uplift in temp billings but the second fall in permanent staff placements in three months. Meanwhile, with candidates reportedly reluctant to move positions, supply for both temporary and permanent candidates deteriorated. Wage inflation was sustained in December but displayed tentative signs of easing.
The KPMG and REC, UK Report on Jobs: Midlands is compiled by S&P Global from responses to questionnaires sent to around 100 recruitment and employment consultancies in the Midlands.
Second reduction in permanent staff placements in three months
Having increased in November, permanent staff appointments in the Midlands declined in the final month of the year. According to surveyed recruiters, falling demand for permanent staff resulted from recent company budget reviews amid the current tough economic conditions.
On a regional level, the reduction was broad-based and led by the South of England.
Renewed upturn in temp billings
For the first time in four months, billings received from the employment of short-term staff rose in December. Where an expansion was reported, panellists linked this to an increase in client workloads. The rate of increase, however, was only slight and much softer than the rates recorded throughout much of the period following the COVID-19 pandemic.
All four monitored English regions registered growth in temporary billings in December with the strongest expansion recorded in the South of England and the weakest in the Midlands.
In line with the trend seen over the majority of the past two years, job vacancies at firms in the Midlands increased in the final month of 2022.
Permanent job openings rose once again in December, but at the slowest pace since February 2021. A similar increase was registered for temporary job openings which grew at the fastest pace in four months. On a regional level, the Midlands recorded the second-strongest growth in both permanent and temporary job vacancies of the four English regions.
Permanent candidate availability declines following increase in November
Recruiters in the Midlands signalled a reduction in the availability of permanent staff at the end of 2022. According to anecdotal evidence, nervousness about current economic conditions led to a growing reluctance to move jobs among candidates. Overall, the latest drop in availability was sharp but softer than the average for the past two years as a whole.
Led by the Midlands, three of the four monitored English regions registered lower permanent staff availability in December. London bucked the wider trend and recorded the first uplift in 20 months.
Supply of temporary staff deteriorates at slowest rate in current 22-month sequence
The supply of temporary workers in the Midlands decreased in December. Recruiters mentioned that candidates were seeking more stability in permanent roles amid ongoing economic uncertainty. Notably, the rate of deterioration was the weakest in the current 22-month sequence of reduction.
All four monitored English regions registered a reduction in the supply of candidates for temporary positions, with the strongest fall seen in the North of England.
Softer rise in permanent starting salaries
The seasonally adjusted Permanent Salaries Index posted above the 50.0 no-change mark for the twenty-second month in a row in December to signal further growth in starting salaries in the Midlands. Companies reportedly increased pay in an attempt to attract fresh talent.
All four monitored English regions recorded increases, with Midlands-based recruiters seeing the fastest inflation and London the slowest.
Slowest increase in temp pay rates since April 2021
As has been the case since December 2020, recruiters in the Midlands registered an increase in temporary pay rates in the final month of 2022. That said, the rate of inflation softened for the fourth month in a row with the latest reading the weakest in 20 months. Temporary pay inflation was sustained across the four monitored English regions in December and led by the North of England.
Commenting on the latest survey results, Kate Holt, people consulting partner at KPMG UK, said: “The challenging economic environment continues to constrain the jobs market, as December’s data shows. The ongoing industrial relations turmoil in many sectors, along with the scarcity of available staff in all sectors, means that wage inflation may soften only slightly in the near term.
“Yet, at the same time, vacancy growth rates are trending down again this month from a historically high peak in July 2021, as employers continue to rein in permanent hiring and employees choose to stay put. Overall, the jobs market looks less than rosy at the start of 2023, so employers who hold their nerve and continue to invest in skills in particular are likely to benefit most when the economic upturn comes.”
Neil Carberry, Chief Executive of the REC, said: “A slowdown in permanent placements is not unusual in December. Recruiters tell us that this was because firms pushed hiring activity back into January in the face of high inflation and economic uncertainty. The big test of the labour market will come this month.
“Permanent job openings in Midlands rose once again in December, and temporary job openings, in the run up to festive Christmas, grew at the fastest pace in four months.
“As we move into 2023, the need to ensure our labour market can deliver economic growth and prosperity should be a critical concern to politicians. People telling recruiters that they are anxious about moving jobs is a concern in this regard – as a move is a great way to boost pay and build up skills.
“If people are less willing to move jobs, this could make shortages worse in the near term. That is why a stable economy, and support to address labour and skills shortages – from welfare to work support to immigration and skills reform, need to be major priorities for all the UK governments.”
East Midlands furniture manufacturer wins its largest school fitout contract
Mansfield-based Deanestor has been awarded its largest contract to date in the education sector – a £5m project for BAM to manufacture furniture and fit out the two high schools on the new Dunfermline Learning Campus.
The Deanestor team will supply and install more than 42,000 items of loose and fitted furniture for St Columba’s RC High School and Woodmill High School – that are relocating to Dunfermline Learning Campus in Fife.
Due to open by Summer 2024, the high school project is part of a wider learning campus development, which also sees the construction of the new Fife College. The schools project is being delivered by the Council’s partner, hub East Central Scotland.
William Tonkinson, Managing Director of Deanestor, said: “This is our largest school fitout contract to date and we are even more thrilled that it is local to our Scottish offices in Dunfermline. We are pleased to be playing our part in such a visionary and ambitious education scheme which will provide world class facilities for students, the local community, and businesses across the region.”
Deanestor will manufacture a range of education furniture for the new high schools, including teaching walls, storage solutions, worktops, shelving, and kitchen units. Its team will fit out over 500 rooms across both schools and the shared facilities.
The interior design theme is based around the principles of openness, connectivity, and inclusiveness. The fitted furniture and joinery from Deanestor will be finished in white and different tones of grey to reflect the history of Fife and its industrial heritage.
Frontier Software named as supplier on G-Cloud 13 Framework
Frontier Software have been named as a supplier on Crown Commercial Service’s G-Cloud 13 Framework, Lot 2 Cloud software, for applications that are accessed over the internet or private network and hosted in the cloud.
With forty years of experience, Frontier Software is a proven supplier of cloud software delivering functionally rich, highly configurable, and truly integrated HR & Payroll solutions.
The company has offices across the UK, including one in Nottingham providing outsourced payroll services to a wide range of organisations across all market sectors.
For more information visit www.frontiersoftware.com.
The company has offices across the UK, including one in Nottingham providing outsourced payroll services to a wide range of organisations across all market sectors.
For more information visit www.frontiersoftware.com. Friends and family combine as Northants’ “flagship” franchise acquired by new owner
A family-run Northamptonshire-based domestic cleaning business is celebrating a milestone moment for the company as their “flagship” territory, in their hometown, has been acquired by a new franchisee.
Time For You Cleaning, which has over 150 franchisees across the UK, began in the town with one small territory, run by the co-founder, Freddie Rayner, in 2001.
It was then successfully developed as a pilot for the growing franchise and has continued to grow as a business in its own right. Now, the Northampton franchise will be taken forward by a new owner, with Mia Garrod taking the helm.
Speaking about her new business, Mia said: “As a friend I’ve been pretty close to the family for many years, in fact I’ve known Sam’s (current MD Sam Stawarz) wife Emma since I was 3 and my husband James has been friends with Sam for years too.
“James runs his own firm and we’ve often discussed business opportunities and naturally, one of which has been looking at franchises with Time For You because Emma has run hers for 13 years with great success.
“However, until now, the timing hasn’t been right because I’ve been focused on bringing up the kids and even with the work/life balance which is great in this business, the location hasn’t quite been right in terms of available franchises.
“My youngest is now 7 though so the time was right and then the ‘home’ franchise became available which was pretty incredible really and I just had to take the opportunity.”
Curiously, Time For You franchisees like Emma don’t actually do any cleaning, instead, they access a business model that attracts the cleaners, whilst they focus on running a profitable franchise.
Meanwhile, the Team at Time For You’s Northamptonshire franchise headquarters help to drive demand from the local customer base via marketing and administrative support.
It was set up by husband and wife team Freddie and Ruth Rayner in 2001 and has grown sustainably ever since, with global expansion now on the cards since son Sam Stawarz took over as Managing Director in the summer of 2022.
Speaking about Mia taking over the franchise, Sam comments: “I’m delighted for Mia. To be honest, the Northampton franchise is the big one for us as a family business because this is where it all started. I was speaking to Freddie about it when the franchise was looking like it might become available for a new owner last year and it is a really personal thing for him and for all of us.
“We know that it is in safe hands with Mia and we will be right behind her, just as we are with our 150+ franchisees across the UK. Of course, Mia has known our business model, from the outside at least, for many years, so we’re confident that she will have a flying start to her business in the new year.”
As for Mia, her focus is now on balancing marketing her cleaning services with attracting and recruiting hard-working cleaners to look after her clientele.
“There is plenty of work out there for cleaners who are professional and reliable because now more than ever, people value their time very highly. That’s what we’re actually giving our clients, time. Time to do whatever they want to do that isn’t cleaning!
“There are great earning opportunities for our cleaners too. They can work as little or as much as they want with us and we will sort out all of the logistics and paperwork. So if anyone is looking for a new career in the new year or just to supplement their current earnings, they know where I am.”
New solar farm proposed for North Kesteven, powering over 180,000 homes
EDF Renewables UK and Luminous Energy have announced plans and a public consultation for Springwell Solar Farm, a proposed new solar farm with battery storage located between Lincoln and Sleaford in Lincolnshire.
Springwell Solar Farm would provide enough clean energy to power over 180,000 homes every year – that’s the equivalent of around half of all the homes in Lincolnshire.
Consultation on early plans for Springwell Solar Farm will run for six weeks from Tuesday 24 January. Feedback from local communities will help shape the plans for Springwell and identify potential benefits that it could support in the local area.
EDF Renewables UK’s head of Solar, Ben Fawcett said: “At EDF Renewables UK, we’re passionate about creating a future where clean energy powers our lives. Springwell Solar Farm would produce much needed low-carbon electricity here in the UK, helping to power thousands of homes and businesses every year.
“We are currently at a very early stage on Springwell, with local views vital to helping us develop our plans. We encourage everyone to get involved in the upcoming consultation to find out more about Springwell and let us know their thoughts.”
Jolyon Orchard, CEO of Luminous Energy, said: “Our company was established to make a meaningful contribution towards mitigating climate change and we now have numerous renewable energy projects in development, under construction or operating across four continents. When we initiated this project, we recognised it provided a real opportunity to help the UK transition to net-zero.
“We are looking forward to working with EDF Renewables UK and the local community to create a scheme that delivers affordable, clean energy.”
As part of the consultation, members of the public are invited to a series of public exhibitions to meet the team behind Springwell and share feedback. The exhibitions will take place at the following dates and locations: Tuesday 31 January – Blankney Old School House (2pm –7pm); Wednesday 01 February – Scopwick Village Hall (2pm – 7pm).
Law firm makes third Yorkshire takeover
Regional law firm Sills & Betteridge LLP continues its expansion drive with its acquisition of Sheffield city centre practice Acclaimed Family Law. Acclaimed Family Law who will continue to operate under their own well-established name from Cathedral Chambers, Campo Lane in the city are a multi-award winning niche firm dealing exclusively with private divorce and family law matters. They will now make available to their clients the full range of personal and commercial services provided by Sills & Betteridge. Sills & Betteridge Chief Executive Martyn Hall explained their decision to join forces. “This move is a strong strategic fit both for our existing operations in Yorkshire and our ongoing investment aspirations. Michelle and her team are dynamic and enterprising and share our service-first culture. We are delighted to have them onboard and look forward to building on the strong foundations both firms already have in the area.” AFL director Michelle Cooper is delighted with the merger. “We will continue to provide the exceptional service we are renowned for as Acclaimed Family Law under the Sills & Betteridge umbrella so our clients will benefit from direct access to other departments including commercial, probate and conveyancing to provide them with an enhanced service from beginning to end which other stand alone family teams cannot offer.” The collaboration sees the firm’s Yorkshire network grow to 5 offices since it first opened a small family practice in Doncaster in 2018. It later acquired South Yorkshire full-service firm Bridge Sanderson Munro and Rawson Family Law also of Sheffield, and in 2022 opened the doors to its first office in the East Riding of Yorkshire, in Howden near Hull.
The Nottingham appoints new chief financial officer
The Nottingham Building Society has named Anthony Murphy as its new CFO, subject to regulatory approval. Anthony is set to join the Society in March 2023 to lead the Finance team and continue the Society’s strong financial performance and drive strategic growth.
Anthony joins the Society from digital challenger bank, Tandem, where he had been CFO since January 2019. During his time at Tandem, Anthony played a pivotal role as it navigated through a strategic review, migrated to a new core banking platform, concluded a number of capital raises, merger and acquisitions activities and significantly grew its deposit offering, all of which culminated in the Group achieving profitability in Q1 2022.
Prior to his most recent role, Anthony worked in the United Arab Emirates as CFO for a listed regional bank before returning to the UK to join Tandem. He has also held a number of senior finance and strategy roles with Lloyds Banking Group, including as finance director of their Middle East business based in Dubai where he supported its sale to HSBC.
The broad range of experience, both domestically and internationally within challenger and established banks, that Anthony brings will help The Nottingham progress its commitment to transforming the housing market. It recently signed a partnership agreement of up to £600m with innovative fintech mortgage lender Generation Home.
Anthony will ensure a smooth transition by working closely alongside Paul Astruc, who served as CFO and Board Member for the last two years with great success, maintaining a stable financial performance and leading key elements of the Society’s technology strategy. Paul Astruc is retiring to pursue a Non-Executive career and will leave the Society on 6th April.
Commenting on his appointment, Anthony said: “This is a great time to be joining The Nottingham as it emerges from a thorough and exciting strategic review process, with an eye on the future. I have been hugely impressed by the vision for the Society and look forward to meeting more of the team and continuing The Nottingham’s journey.”
Chief Executive Officer, Sue Hayes, said: “I’m delighted that Anthony is joining The Nottingham. His wealth of experience means he brings both solid foundations and genuinely innovative thinking to us at this exciting time as we build for the future.
“Anthony will be a key stakeholder in helping forecast and shape our strategic roadmap to deliver our purpose. As we welcome Anthony, I would also like to thank Paul Astruc for the integral role he has played navigating our strategic review process as CFO over the last two years.”
The appointment marks another key C-level addition to the Senior Leadership Team, following the arrival of Paul Howley as chief technology & transformation officer, since the new Chief Executive Officer joined the Society last January. During this time the executive team has also launched the Society’s strategic blueprint for future growth through delivery of its new purpose to colleagues.
Plans in for new public garden and entertainment space in Derby
Gleeds secures role on STEP fusion programme
Property and construction consultancy Gleeds has been commissioned via Perfect Circle to deliver procurement, commercial, and cost management services to the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority’s (UKAEA) ground-breaking Spherical Tokamak for Energy Production (STEP) programme.
Property, construction and infrastructure consultancy Perfect Circle was appointed to support STEP with the delivery of this ambitious programme which sets out to explore the options, challenges, and solutions for accelerating fusion delivery, by bringing on board partners who will engineer and construct the prototype fusion energy plant, capable of producing net electricity.
The plant will be located at the West Burton power station site in Nottinghamshire and will demonstrate that fusion energy can be used to deliver net electricity to the grid, paving the way for future commercial energy plants to be commissioned and constructed.
One of Perfect Circle’s founding partners, Gleeds will initially be responsible for providing comprehensive procurement services to support the selection and on-boarding of STEP’s whole plant partners through a complex procurement process.
Andy Ellis, global head of energy at Gleeds, said: “Gleeds is delighted to support the UKAEA STEP programme in delivering its prototype fusion energy plant. This is an incredibly exciting project; not only does it demonstrate viable net energy production, but it also represents an important opportunity for the UK to maintain its role as world leader in fusion technology.
“Fusion will play a hugely important role within the UK clean energy transition as we seek clean, sustainable, low-cost energy sources to replace fossil fuels, and has the potential to generate almost limitless clean energy for future generations. I am delighted that Gleeds’ extensive expertise in the energy sector has secured us a place on the team to support the procurement of future partners.”
Perfect Circle and Gleeds’ work on the project will be supported and accelerated forward through the SCAPE Consultancy framework, which helps to drive collaboration, efficiency, time and cost-savings.
Victoria Brambini, Managing Director of Perfect Circle, added: “I’m delighted that our founding partner Gleeds will be delivering this truly ambitious scheme for the UKAEA. The Government-backed STEP programme will bring the site of this former coal-fired power station back to life, creating thousands of jobs during construction and operation, and undoubtably attracting other high-tech industries to Nottinghamshire in the process.”
Mark Robinson, group Chief Executive at SCAPE, said: “We are proud to be collaborating with Perfect Circle and Gleeds on this ground-breaking project, helping to accelerate the scheme forward. As we move closer to the government’s net zero by 2050 target, projects like these are significant in demonstrating how clean power production can be delivered effectively and sustainably to support many future generations to come.”
Sarah Palmer, STEP strategic procurement manager, said: “We’re pleased to be working with Gleeds in support of the highly complex procurement of whole plant partners that will work with us through design and construction of the prototype plant.
“Fusion energy has great potential to deliver safe, sustainable, low carbon energy for generations to come. It is sometimes described as the ultimate energy source and is based on the same processes that power the sun and stars.”
This is Gleeds’ second win for the UKAEA, having been named one of just six organisations appointed to its existing Project Delivery Services Framework, which aims to bolster the range of expertise across the UK’s world-leading fusion energy programmes.
Nottingham contractor files for administration
A Nottingham-based contractor has filed for administration, ceasing trading on Monday.
According to Construction Enquirer, roughly 30 staff are expected to lose their jobs at DAKO Construction.
Established in 2018, the company expanded into London in 2021.
Quoting a letter to staff, Construction Enquirer highlights the firm’s founder and Managing Director Assan Hussain as saying that dealing with COVID-19, a recession and soaring material prices, as well as recent non payment from certain clients has made its situation untenable.
Strong trading momentum continues at Leicester online electrical retailer
Marks Electrical Group, the Leicester-based online electrical retailer, has seen continued strong trading momentum with improved profitability in the nine months ended 31 December 2022.
According to a trading update, revenue grew 22% to £72.9m, up from £59.8m in the same period of the prior year.
Strong performance was driven across product categories, according to the firm, but particularly in A-rated energy efficient laundry appliances, televisions, refrigeration and small domestic appliances.
Mark Smithson, Chief Executive Officer, said: “I am proud of the entire team at Marks Electrical for delivering a record quarterly performance, with year-on-year growth of 33.4% against a tough economic back-drop. This further demonstrates the resilience of our business model and the attractiveness of our market-leading customer offering, which more people are discovering up and down the country.
“To continue our focus on growing brand awareness, we further invested in highly targeted television, radio and out-of-home campaigns over the Black Friday and Christmas sales peaks. This led to increased website traffic and broad-based revenue growth across the UK, but with particularly strong improvements year-on-year in London, South East England and the East Midlands.
“We’ve worked closely with our suppliers throughout the quarter, enhancing our position as a growing, but agile, national retail partner of choice. As supply has stabilised during the last 12 months, we have been able to capitalise on our strong net cash position to enhance our inventory range and product availability, further improving our offering for customers.
“After an improvement in profitability in the third quarter, we look forward to maintaining our performance management discipline on revenue, profit and cash in order to achieve our full year targets and continue to demonstrate our differentiated proposition.”
Shoe Zone hails “a very positive year”
Shoe Zone has experienced “a very positive year” with revenue and profits rising.
In audited results for the 52 weeks to 1 October 2022, the Leicester retailer posted revenue of £156.2m, up from £119.1m in the prior year. This saw store revenue grow to £129.8m from £88.6m, while digital revenue dipped to £26.4m from £30.5m.
Profit before tax sat at £13.6m, up from £9.5m.
Shoe Zone ended the period trading out of 360 stores, having closed 63 stores, opened 13 new stores and converted a further 11 existing stores to new formats.
Anthony Smith, Chief Executive, said in a statement: “Shoe Zone had a very positive year due to trading for the full 52 weeks, strong trading over our key back to school period and due to the incredible hard work from our teams. These increases are primarily due to the increased revenue and resultant gross profit generated in a normalised trading period post pandemic.”
Record half year sales performance for Games Workshop
Games Workshop has delivered another record half year sales performance. However, having set itself a higher sales growth goal, the record number, “isn’t where [it] wanted to be,” thanks in particular to flat sales in the US.
According to results for the 26 week period to 27 November 2022, revenue grew to £226.6m, up from £211.6m in the same period last year.
Profit before tax at the Nottingham firm meanwhile dipped to £83.6m from £88.2m.
Kevin Rountree, CEO of Games Workshop, said: “Games Workshop and the Warhammer hobby are in great shape.
“Another rewarding and successful period for the global team with core sales for the six months of over £200 million for the first time.
“We will continue to focus on making the best miniatures in the world, sign new licensing contracts with partners to exploit our IP outside of our core business and support our staff. I’m so proud of their considerable hard work and commitment, thank you all.”
2023 Business Predictions: David Santaney from WestBridge Group
It’s that time of year, when Business Link Magazine invites the region’s business leaders to offer up their predictions for the year ahead.
It has become something of a tradition, given that we’ve been doing this now for over 30 years.
Here we speak to David Santaney from WestBridge Group which provides specialist tax and SSAS administration services to business owners and professional advisers.
Most predict a bleak economic outlook for 2023 with help being sought from any quarter. One area of predicted growth however is within the Small Self-Administered Scheme (SSAS) pension arena.
SSAS has become the forgotten pension product in recent years following the rise in popularity of the better-known Self Invested Personal Pension (SIPP). The SSAS offers all of the same features in that it can acquire the premises from which a business trades (allowing the payment of rent into another pocket of the business owners wealth) but has one key advantage – it can lend money back to the founder employer.
With interest rates on the rise, obtaining or renegotiating borrowing terms from the high street lenders may become problematic. A SSAS can lend up to half of its value back to the business to assist cashflow or fund special projects. The interest rates should be commercial but usually there are no up-front arrangement fees and interest when paid is routed back into the pension fund rather than to a third-party lender.
A SSAS can also acquire the premises from which a business trades. The release of capital to the business might be opportune in the predicted environment and control of the premises is not lost as it becomes an asset of the SSAS.
Unlike SIPPs which are a regulated product of the pension provider, a SSAS is controlled by its trustees, almost always the scheme members themselves. With these features, the re-emergence of SSAS as the preferred pension vehicle of choice for business looks likely.
Plans submitted for £14m, 50 home development in South Normanton
Housebuilder Honey has submitted plans to deliver a £14m development comprising 50 new two, three and four-bedroom homes in the village of South Normanton, near Alfreton.
Called Amber and located on Lees Lane, if planning is granted the 4.5-acre development will be the Sheffield-based housebuilding company’s first in Derbyshire.
Amber will feature 14 housetypes which Honey says have all been specifically designed to combine “style, substance and sustainability” for the benefit of buyers. Prices will start from £184,950 for a two-bedroom mid-terrace home.
If given the go ahead by Bolsover District Council, work at Amber is anticipated to start in spring with the first residents expected to move into their new homes this December.
As well as providing new homes for the area, if planning is granted, Honey will also make a £160,000 contribution to initiatives that will benefit the local community.
Honey was founded by former Avant Homes CEO, Mark Mitchell. He said: “We have worked very hard to ensure all our homes will provide buyers with an ideal combination of style, substance and sustainability.
“We know there is strong demand for high quality, high specification new homes in South Normanton so we are pleased to submit our plans for consideration by Bolsover District Council.”
