Research from Grant Thornton UK LLP’s latest Business Outlook Tracker research, which looks specifically at 370 leaders of businesses with a supply chain, shows that over half (52%) are finding it harder to operate their business today, compared to 12 months ago.
To manage cost pressures, 61% of respondents said that their suppliers have agreed to more flexible (longer) payment terms, and 55% said increasing costs in their supply chain are being passed onto their customers through higher prices for their products/services.
42% of the respondents had already increased their prices, with a further 51% planning or expecting to raise prices this year. This increasingly challenging operating environment has been fuelled by headwinds such as commodity prices, increased trade administration, energy costs and political uncertainty.
Building a resilient and agile supply chain is now a top priority for 57% of respondents, with around 48% saying that their business did not have a good enough understanding of their business’s supply chain to be able to respond quickly to disruption over the last 12 months. The top risks to mid-market supply chains were identified by business leaders as cyber security, Brexit disruption, ethical breaches by suppliers and rising inflation.
Sue Knight, is a partner and practice leader at Grant Thornton UK LLP in the Midlands. She says business leaders should keep action simple and practical, first creating a risk benefit analysis and then finding opportunities that have the most buy in and can be actioned quickly.
She says: “Businesses in the Midlands need to take a risk and profitability-based approach to their supply chain as changes that affect businesses are happening constantly, whether you are prepared or not. Business leaders should take time to identify the most likely and damaging risks to identify improvements that can help build resilience, increase supply chain predictability and reduce supplier risk. They should then add analysis of profitability to the picture, which will help to identify the most resilient products and customers.
“It will likely take 18-24 months for organisations to make any meaningful changes to their supply chains, and this timeline will depend on the maturity of the supply chain approach. The Midlands’ businesses should plan for 12 months at least to put systems in place. Look for simple steps that you can action right away, such as measuring and mapping, as many improvements do not need large investments.
“Finding the opportunities that have the most ‘buy-in’ and investment from the business is also vital. For example, if your internal ESG strategy isn’t in order, then your supply chain will be a long way off. Identify which initiatives bring business benefit and are either established, or will be supported in your own business, and focus on those initially.”
Five actions businesses can take to build sustainable supply chainsUse data as much as possible
You should use relevant data to identify risk, map the supply chain and identify existing profitability by product, country or customer. This will help you to make and prioritise decisions in the supply chain – whilst knowing the cost impact of the decisions.
Identify your ESG priorities
All supply chain activity is underpinned by the growing ESG agenda. Often, prominent ESG risks are in line with general supply chain risks, such as location of suppliers. Also, lenders and other stakeholders are more likely to support businesses with strong ESG cultures – for example by offering lower lending rates. Lenders and other stakeholders will increasingly look to ESG reporting and adherence to regulation, so having data ready, even before they ask, will be key. In addition, your supply chain partners need to be able to provide you with assurance that they are operating in line, not just with regulations, but with your standards, and in an objectively ethical manner.
Get visibility of tax and reporting policy
Tax and reporting policies are designed to raise revenue and change behaviours of businesses. You need to keep on top of the direction of travel in the key territories in your supply chain. More taxes are likely to be introduced relating to sustainability – such as plastic packaging taxes and, most significantly, carbon taxes and pricing mechanisms. These taxes will add significant costs into your supply chains that you may not yet be aware of or have planned for.
Understand how tax and reporting sensitivity scenarios can be built into the data you are already collecting and ensure your suppliers are doing the same
You will start to feel pressure from larger customers to adhere to their reporting requirements, perhaps even internationally. TCFD and EU initiatives will play a bigger role – many businesses are not compliant today and need to do more. If you feel you are behind, that is ok, as there is time to catch up. Start by reviewing the data you are already collecting and identify the gaps in terms of supply chain and ESG. You also need to ensure that all the suppliers and partners involved in your supply chain, from start to finish, are transparent, that they’re adhering to legislation and that you get early visibility of potential cost increases.
Educate your business on emissions
Findings from the Business Outlook Tracker around COP26 last year showed that 1 in 3 mid-market businesses in the UK had not calculated their carbon emissions for the year, and half (49%) had not set a net zero strategy. It is vital that all parts of your business understand emissions (internal and external) and their impact on the environment. If you haven’t already, you should begin by measuring your impact in terms of Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions.
Nottingham-based digital workflow firm Intoware, has appointed Brad Flook as its new sales director. Brad Flook brings to the role 25 years’ business operations and sales leadership experience, having joined from reprographics company, The Hobs Group.
This senior appointment follows Intoware’s most successful year to date since it was founded in 2015, which saw revenue of almost £1m and its monthly recurring revenue increase by 40 per cent.
Brad Flook will be responsible for growing the revenue stream of this young software-as-a-service (SaaS) company.
In this new role, Brad will increase Intoware’s existing customer relationships in the oil and gas, manufacturing, rail, utilities, construction and infrastructure sectors and its reseller partnerships by opening up new market opportunities as the company continues to accelerate growth both at home and abroad.
Previously as sales director for the Hobs Group, Brad was responsible for national sales, customer success and marketing strategy. He provided executive sponsorship for major customers and prospects, focusing on creating opportunities to drive growth and success for the company, while ensuring it always delivered on customer requirements.
Intoware’s Chief Executive Officer, Keith Tilley, says: “We are delighted to have Brad Flook as our new sales director, as businesses are increasingly capitalising on the benefits digitisation provides. Brad’s valuable experience in a senior sales position, will stand him in good stead, as he takes on the role of leading our sales team by enhancing long-term customer relationships and unlocking new markets.”
Brad Flook, sales director, Intoware, says: “I’m excited to be joining Intoware right now, as businesses are rapidly implementing the Internet of Things and cloud software capabilities so they can collect data in a transparent and interactive way, that provides ‘real-time’ visibility into industrial assets, equipment, processes and resources.
“Despite this new era of digital efficiencies, many industries still remain un-digitised or in the early stages of their digital journey. Moving forward, we aim to support these businesses by helping them to identify which assets to digitise to reduce costs and benefit the bottom line, thanks to ‘the golden thread of information’ that collaborative workflow systems provide.”
It’s never too late to pursue your passion in life. That’s the message from Nottingham man Cameron Bell, who at the age of 31 is now an active participant in the 750 Motor Club Toyota MR2 Championship. The automotive design engineer, originally from South Yorkshire, has built his own car and is now testing himself against rivals across 16 rounds at eight different circuits in the UK.
Cameron’s first two outings of the season were at Donington Park, south-west of Nottingham, and at the home of UK motorsport, Silverstone, on the national layout. The ambitious racer hopes to finish in the championship’s Top 15, while soaking up the atmosphere and enjoying the ride. His exploits have attracted the attention of Nottingham accountancy firm Page Kirk, which is backing Cameron with sponsorship.
“Racing is something I’ve always wanted to have a go at, especially growing up watching motorsport icons like Mika Hakkinen, Colin McRae and Alain Menu,” reveals Cameron. “I found a championship I wanted to enter, then bought a car suitable and over months built it in to a race car in my home garage. During that time, I also acquired my race licence. It’s difficult to explain how I feel when I’m in the car, helmet on, approaching a corner at high speed with cars all around you trying to get the best position on track. I guess it’s the adrenalin, excitement and coordination skill that attracts me to racing the most.”
The new sponsorship arrangement allows Cameron to continue to make approved modifications to his car; a 2001 two-seater Toyota MR2 Roadster, with 1800cc mid-engine. It also helps to cover some of the other inevitable costs associated with pursuing his passion.
James Haywood, partner at Page Kirk, the independent accountancy firm in the East Midlands, said: “We are delighted to be sponsoring Cameron for this year’s Toyota MR2 championship. Myself and my fellow partners have a keen interest in motorsport, and we saw this as a perfect opportunity to enter the industry, get the Page Kirk name even better known through a new medium. With Cameron also becoming a Club Racing UK ambassador this year, it was an easy decision to make.”
Anyone interested in seeing Cameron race at future meetings should visit www.750mc.co.uk for details of dates and locations.
You can follow Cameron’s progress on his social media @cameronbellracing.
Greater Lincolnshire Enterprise Partnership chair Pat Doody has officially opened the new Digital and Professional Skills Centre at Lincoln College.
Housed in the 130-year-old grade II listed Gibney Building on Monks Road, the centre is the result of a £2.5m investment from the LEP, and will help train students for careers in health and social care and cyber security.
The centre is home to the latest technology to ensure graduating students are familiar with cutting-edge industry techniques.
It is also home to the Lincoln Business Centre, an incubation hub and co-working space for start-ups in the city.
Pat Doody said: “This fully restored and iconic 130-year-old building has been transformed into a cutting edge and beautiful centre. The facilities here will give students the self-confidence and experience to enter the workplace at an accelerated pace, which is vital to our local employers who have both skills and staff shortages.
“We supported this new centre because it responds directly to the skills and training requirements for employers in our priority sectors – particularly manufacturing and engineering, health and care, and digital and IT – at a time when it is needed the most.”
Thanks to this investment, Lincoln College health and social care students are now working on £26,000 simulation mannequins that help them to learn about monitoring the breathing and heart rate of elderly patients. The life-size mannequins replicate the weight and feel of the human body, allowing students to practise moving patients as they would in a care home.
The centre also boasts a fully equipped networking lab, allowing cyber apprentices to fight viruses and penetration-test servers in a secure environment.
Lincoln College principal and CEO Mark Locking said: “Investment from the LEP, the DfE and Lincoln College has breathed new life into this 130-year-old building, transforming it into a state-of-the-art training centre.
“Thanks to this investment our students are now benefitting from an amazing, progressive learning environment that is equipped with the very latest technology.
“This represents and amazing opportunity for young people interested in careers in health and social care and cyber.”
With nominationsOPEN for East Midlands Business Link’s prestigious Bricks Awards, now is the time to reward and recognise your teams by submitting an entry.
Celebrating the region’s property and construction industry, award categories include: most active estate agent, commercial development of the year, responsible business of the year, residential development of the year, developer of the year, deal of the year, architects of the year, excellence in design, sustainable development of the year, contractor of the year, and overall winner.
Winners will be revealed at a glittering awards ceremony on Thursday 15 September,at the Trent Bridge Cricket Ground – an evening also providing the chance to forge new contacts with property and construction professionals from across the region.
Dan Stack, director at Chevin Homes, reflected on winning an award at the 2021 event: “We were absolutely delighted that Chevin Homes has been recognised and the Chase Farm scheme awarded as Residential Development of the Year. A great night away enjoyed by all and this award is a fitting reward for the team effort to create this bespoke development.”
To submit a business or development for the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2022, please click on a category link below or visit this page.
Overall winner (this award cannot be entered, the winner will be selected from those nominated)
The Overall Winner of the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2022 will also be awarded a year of marketing/publicity worth £20,000.Find out who last year’s winners were here.
Book your tickets now
Tickets can now be booked for the awards event – click here to secure yours.
The special awards evening and networking event will be held on 15 September 2022 in the Derek Randall Suite at the Trent Bridge County Cricket Club from 4:30pm – 7:30pm.
Connect with local decision makers over canapés and complimentary drinks while applauding the outstanding companies and projects in our region.
The event will also welcome John Forkin MBE DL, Managing Director at award-winning investment promotion agency Marketing Derby, as keynote speaker.
Dress code is standard business attire.
The Midlands Engine partnership is today (18 May 2022) launching the Midlands Investment Portfolio – a ‘digital front door’ opening up investment opportunities across the region.
Taken together, it is estimated these opportunities could support or create a staggering 220,000 jobs and deliver more than £33bn in Gross Development Value.
The Midlands Investment Portfolio showcases investment opportunities across Midlands core sector strengths including: Health and Life Sciences, Energy, Transport Technology, Cyber and Data, Materials and Products, and Agri-food. Within this, opportunities are available in the Industry, Infrastructure, Retail and Commercial, Research and Development, Residential and Education spaces.
The Portfolio has been developed in collaboration with Midlands Engine partners, including the region’s local authorities, local enterprise partnerships, and leading promotion and investment agencies – to present the most complete picture currently available of Midlands priority investment propositions.
Working with Midlands champions in geographies across the world, the Portfolio now becomes a vital asset for their continued advocacy and support for the economic growth and future prosperity of the region.
The Portfolio forms the keystone of Midlands Engine’s involvement at the UK Real Estate Infrastructure Investment Forum (UKREiiF). Throughout the Forum, the Midlands Engine partnership will showcase the region’s strengths in support of the urgent need to level up and drive economic growth and prosperity.
Sir John Peace, chairman of the Midlands Engine, said: “The Midlands offering to the world has always been prodigious – from our heritage as the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution, to the cutting-edge technologies that are being developed right now in sectors as diverse as health and life sciences, digital and clean energy.
“The Midlands Investment Portfolio showcases the exceptional breadth of our region’s investment potential in one place – a comprehensive resource to pinpoint the primary investment opportunities our wonderful region has to offer.
“As Midlands Engine partners continue our work, together, to accelerate growth and prosperity in our region, the Portfolio will be a vital tool in our collaborative efforts to drive inward investment.”
Minister for Investment, Lord Grimstone said: “The Midlands Investment Portfolio provides a world-leading resource to maximise investment into the region which will support jobs, boost the local economy and level up the UK.
“This government is committed to supporting the Midlands Engine through trade and investment, thanks to my department’s support and ambition in signing Free-Trade Agreements that will benefit every region of the UK.”
Minister for Levelling Up, Neil O’Brien MP said: “The Midlands is home to a hotbed of talent across a range of important sectors. With this investment portfolio, the Midlands Engine have done a great job of showcasing the very best investment opportunities across the region.
“The Government is working to ensure the Midlands Engine continues to fire on all cylinders as we deliver our mission of levelling up every corner of the country.”
UK manufacturers are to have their productivity and competitiveness boosted thanks to a new data innovation hub and testbed led by Ulster University, Industry Minister Lee Rowley announced today (Wednesday 18 May).
The £50 million Smart Manufacturing Data Hub (SMDH) will support small and medium size manufacturers to capture and better utilise their data, helping them increase productivity, growth and sustainability. Businesses in sectors spanning from food and drink, aerospace and many more will be supported to develop, test and adopt the latest data-driven technologies.
Nearly 10,000 manufacturers are expected to benefit from the hub and 13,000 jobs will be supported, helping to boost economic growth and level-up regions across the UK. The hub will be supported by £20 million from the UK government backed Made Smarter Innovation Programme, along with £30 million of business co-investment.
UK Industry Minister Lee Rowley said: “As we embrace the digital manufacturing revolution, it is vital manufacturers across the UK can capitalise on the productivity and growth gains that come with adopting the latest data-led digital technologies.
“The Smart Manufacturing Data Hub, backed by £20 million of government funds, will support companies to implement cutting edge production and process techniques themselves, helping bring the next generation of products to our shelves in a more efficient and sustainable way.”
The hub will host an online Manufacturing Data Exchange Platform that will enable companies to submit their manufacturing data and receive recommendations in return, helping to improve their products and processes. A dedicated £5 million fund will then provide companies with grants to make further improvements in areas of critical importance to their business.
Virtual manufacturing testbeds will allow companies to create a “digital twin” to simulate the implementation of digital technology on their own processes, harnessing data from other manufacturers that have already adopted the technologies to encourage investment.
The SMDH will also provide manufacturers with expert analysis of their emissions and energy data from support staff specialising in data analytics and engineering, which will help them target reductions in waste, energy use and ultimately improve sustainability.
The SMDH will first be accessible by small and medium size manufacturers in Northern Ireland in the coming months, before going live for companies across the rest of the UK. The programme will be supported across the rest of the UK by 12 delivery partners, including the D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership.
The funding comes as part of the £300 million Made Smarter Innovation Challenge, a collaboration between UK Government and industry designed to support the development and increased use of new and existing industrial digital technologies, including artificial intelligence and virtual reality.
The challenge aims to deliver a resilient, flexible, more productive and environmentally sustainable UK manufacturing sector. It will also develop new technologies that can be exploited commercially across the manufacturing industry, worldwide.
Law firm, Howes Percival has announced five senior promotions in the East Midlands, including a trio of new partners, Katherine Cereghino, Hannah Pryce, and Alexandra Kirkwood.
Neena Jakhu and Owen Franks have been made senior associates.
Geraint Davies, Howes Percival’s chairman, said: “I’d like to congratulate everyone on their promotions which acknowledge the hard work, dedication, and invaluable contribution these individuals have made to Howes Percival.
Hannah Pryce
“As a firm we have a reputation for promoting from within and it is great to be able to reward people for their exceptional efforts in supporting our clients during this challenging period.
“The whole team have been fantastic over the past 12 months. As a firm, we adapted well to the pandemic and that gave us a very strong base to move forward as things eased and the economy opened up.
“Our people have been at the heart of that and consistently provided excellent service to our clients, which has enabled us to capitalise on the opportunities that have arisen. Investment in people, through both external appointments and nurturing our existing talent, is key to our strategy, our continued success and growth.”
Katherine Cereghino
Katherine Cereghino, in the Leicester office, advises on company disposals, acquisitions, share arrangements, company restructuring, reorganisations, and company finance documentation, as well as commercial arrangements and documentation. Katherine has considerable experience advising companies on compliance with consumer protection legislation.
Hannah Pryce, in the Northampton and Milton Keynes offices, has considerable experience of providing contentious and non-contentious employment law advice to a broad range of clients. She has particular expertise in tribunal litigation, including complex discrimination and whistleblowing claims. Hannah is experienced in contentious senior exits and also delivers in-house training for clients.
Alexandra Kirkwood, in the Northampton office, joined Howes Percival as a trainee in 2010 and her practice encompasses commercial property sales and acquisitions, residential & commercial development, landlord & tenant matters and property finance. She also regularly assists the firm’s corporate and banking teams with property support work.
The East Midlands’ unemployment rate remains the second-lowest in the country after falling for the fifth consecutive month.
It was 2.7% for the period between January and March 2022 – a full percentage point below the national average, which was the lowest since 1974, and only higher than Northern Ireland (2.3%), according to the Office for National Statistics’ (ONS) regional labour market figures.
However, the region’s economic inactivity rate – which measures the proportion of 16 to 64-year-olds who have exited the labour market for reasons such as retirement, caring duties, long-term ill health or studying – continues to climb to 21.9%, up by 0.8 percentage points from a year earlier and above the 21.4% national average.
Despite the low unemployment rate, the ONS said the number of people in jobs was still below pre-COVID levels, while regular pay fell by 1.2% when adjusted for the impact of inflation, which hit a 30-year high at 7% in March.
East Midlands Chamber Chief Executive Scott Knowles said: “At first glance, the unemployment rate falling for the fifth month in succession to hit yet another record low is hugely positive for the region’s labour force. It is largely testament to the success of our businesses in steering a strong rebound for our local economy as they got back to what they do best once COVID-19 restrictions were repealed.
“However, these figures disguise a historic hiring crunch facing many of our companies. The Chamber’s latest Quarterly Economic Survey showed that while 63% of East Midlands businesses attempted to recruit in the first quarter of 2022, four in five (80%) of this cohort encountered problems with filling vacancies.
“In an increasingly tight labour market, competition for skills is ramping up wage costs, leaving many firms unable to recruit the people they need given the other increasing overheads they face, such as energy and raw materials.
“Recent increases in economic inactivity have been driven by those aged 50 to 64 leaving the workforce, according to the ONS, so it’s clear we need to find pathways to get younger people into industries including manufacturing, construction and engineering, which are among those struggling the most in recruitment.
“With the economic recovery now on a knife-edge – as illustrated by national GDP shrinking by 0.1% in March – it’s imperative the Government does more to help people access retraining opportunities for in-demand jobs. Introducing a new skills tax credit would also incentivise employers to invest in training so we can grow our next generation of skilled workers.”
Recruitment specialists, Ambitions Personnel, is celebrating its 30th year of business with 30 acts of kindness.
Initially planned for 2020, Coronavirus restrictions put a stop to planned festivities. Now, two year’s later, Ambitions Personnel is ready to kick off the celebrations with the launch of #30forThirty.
#30forThirty is a varied calendar of 30 events scheduled throughout 2022, including fundraising for charity, staff volunteering their time, and making donations to various good causes, both locally and internationally.
Managing Director, Mandy Watson, said: “1990 feels like a lifetime ago, but it also feels like yesterday. It’s humbling to look back to those early years and see how far we’ve come as a business.
“For our 30th anniversary, we wanted to give back to some regional and national and international charitable organisations, such as Children with Cancer UK, the Royal British Legion, and more. #30forThirty is our way to celebrate a fantastic 30 (+2) years in Lincolnshire and the East, all while supporting the work of some wonderful charities.”
Director Claire Bishop said: “After matching thousands of candidates with fantastic opportunities, it’s hard to believe we’ve been here for 30 years! We were brainstorming how to celebrate our 30th anniversary all the way back in 2019, so #30forThirty has been a long time coming. We can’t wait to celebrate after two years of waiting!”
The first of the scheduled events is the Yorkshire Three Peaks challenge to raise money for Children with Cancer UK. A number of staff from Ambitions Personnel will be taking part in the challenge on the 11th of June. You can support the team on their Just Giving page.
The final challenge will be the National Three Peaks, with the team aiming to scale Mount Snowdon in Wales, Scafell Pike in England and Ben Nevis in Scotland, all within 24 hours.
With so many challenges to do throughout the year, Ambitions Personnel will be announcing more of their charitable initiatives in the coming months.
Accountancy and business advisory firm BDO has announced a new regional managing partner for the Midlands.
Audit partner Kyla Bellingall takes over the role from 1 July 2022 and will oversee the 450-strong audit, tax and advisory team across the region.
Joining the firm six years ago, Kyla initially focussed on building a portfolio of large complex charity, university, and housing clients. In 2020 she took over the leadership of BDO’s Midlands audit practice and has driven transformation of the group as well as double digit growth in revenue and headcount. The now 150 strong team of audit professionals lead the AIM market in the Midlands and focus heavily on the entrepreneurial mid-market and listed businesses.
BDO, which has offices in Birmingham and Nottingham, has experienced strong growth in the Midlands, increasing headcount in the region by 20% over the past 12 months. A key part of this expansion has been developing specialist teams within the region with the skills, attributes and experience to help clients succeed.
In her new role, Kyla will be responsible for spearheading the future strategy and vision for the region with support from 28 partners based in the Midlands, as well as BDO’s wider business.
The firm is continuing its investment in people locally, having welcomed 35 new trainees in 2021. Another 50 trainees are set to join in September and over 140 employees have been promoted in the last 12 months, including 40 at the start of this month. Kyla succeeds Richard Rose, who will continue in his role as a Midlands tax partner.
Commenting on the news, Kyla said: “As a firm we’ve experienced strong growth against in a period of significant change over the past two years. I’m proud to be leading a team of multi-discipline specialists who have the agility and breadth of skills to truly meet our client’s needs from the Midlands.
“What sets BDO apart is our people and culture. As well as our own talented teams, this extends to the brilliant ambitious and entrepreneurially minded clients that we advise. I look forward to working with our people to achieve their own ambitions while helping clients navigate the ever-changing backdrop and reach their goals.”
Richard Rose added: “We have a fantastic team in the region and Kyla is the perfect appointment to continue to develop this further – I wish her every success in her new role.”
BDO has also appointed two partners to its national leadership team. Anna Draper, head of BDO in the South East and Kaley Crossthwaite, head of forensic and valuation services, will replace Wendy Walton and Jon Randall who both retire from their roles at the firm.
Works on a new, state-of-the-art fire station for Nottinghamshire Fire & Rescue Service have recently been completed by Midlands-based main contractor, G F Tomlinson.
Located at the Vesuvius development off Sandy Lane in Worksop, Nottinghamshire, the new facility has replaced the former fire station which was built in 1963 and located at Eastgate.
A ceremony to mark the official opening of the new station took place on Monday 16 May – it was formally opened by representatives from Nottinghamshire County Council including Councillor Michael Payne, chair of the fire authority, and Councillor Sybil Fielding, fire authority member and councillor for Worksop West.
Plans for the scheme were submitted by Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service at the beginning of last year and approved by Bassetlaw District Council. The scheme forms part of the wider Vesuvius development – a multi-million-pound redevelopment which aims to become the prime industrial and business location in Worksop, with a mix of light industrial units, food and drinks outlets and office spaces planned, the first phase of which completed last summer.
G F Tomlinson has been working closely with Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service’s project management consultants, Turner & Townsend, on the programme of works.
Built with the latest renewable technology, the new fire station has the capacity to self-generate up to 50% of its energy consumption. The building comprises of meeting rooms, offices, fire engine bays and a gymnasium for firefighters. An external three-storey training tower and compound store has also been built, as well as new car parking spaces and external landscaping.
Kevin Dodds, construction director at G F Tomlinson, said: “We really enjoyed attending the opening ceremony of this impressive new facility. It has been a real pleasure working collaboratively alongside Nottingham Fire & Rescue Service and their consultant team to successfully deliver this vital service for the local community.
“The fire station itself is completely state-of-the-art meaning that it is not only incredibly energy efficient, but it provides the best possible facilities for firefighters to carry out their critical work and serve the surrounding Bassetlaw community. This project represents a huge investment for the local area and we are thrilled with the final result.”
Terry Scott, head of procurement and resources at Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service, said: “I am very proud to be a part of the opening of this state-of-the-art new fire station, which is now our “flagship” property within the Estate. We have provided a fantastic working environment for our staff to best serve the local community of Worksop and the wider Nottinghamshire County. I would like to thank the whole project team on what has been a very successful project.”
Nottingham-based contract research organisation (CRO) Reach Separations has reported a significant increase in turnover in the wake of sustained demand across Europe for its chromatographic purification services.
Reach Separations, which celebrates its tenth anniversary this year, specialises in chromatography for the analysis and purification of small molecules.
When Reach Separations was founded ten years ago, its team of four people took on one small laboratory at BioCity, Nottingham. The company now occupies three large laboratories and office space at BioCity, having expanded its facilities by an additional 1600 square foot in 2020.
To facilitate the rising demand for its services, Reach Separations is set to open a new facility in Strasbourg, France later this year, which will accommodate a new team of scientists supporting purification activities in mainland Europe.
Reach Separations employs 20 people and has further plans for recruitment across its facilities in the UK and France this year.
“Since our inception, demand for our services has rocketed,” explains Peter Ridgway, Business Development Director at Reach Separations. “Passing the 10-year milestone is an incredible achievement for us. We are entering a new, exciting phase of development for the company. Introducing large scale purification capabilities and extending our presence into mainland Europe will only enhance this growth trajectory.”
Managing Director of Reach Separations Duncan Cliff, says: “Over the last decade, it has been a privilege to be able to use our expertise and technologies to support clients into early development and accelerate their programmes. As we embark on the next chapter of our growth, Reach Separations is strongly placed as the go-to chromatography provider in Europe, from early discovery to early development.”
Peter adds: “Our growth wouldn’t have been possible without the hard work and dedication of our team of specialist scientists, many of whom joined us as graduates, or as apprentices from colleges in the East Midlands region. Nurturing and developing the next generation of scientists will continue to be a key area of focus for us going forward.”
Reach Separations specialises in chromatography for the analysis and purification of small molecules. The company provides a high quality and efficient service to its clients returning purified samples and results quickly, allowing them to streamline their internal processes and accelerate their discovery programmes.
myenergi, pioneer of the world’s first eco-smart EV charger, has announced the appointment of Tom Callow as head of external affairs. Joining the business from bp pulse, Callow is widely regarded as a leading voice in the electric vehicles sector.
With more than fourteen years’ experience in senior level strategic and operational roles, Callow has worked with some of the world’s largest automotive and electrification brands. Most recently, he was head of insight and external affairs at bp pulse, with responsibility for both monitoring and influencing the regulatory landscape, as well as representing the business to a wide range of external industry stakeholders.
Prior to this, he was head of external communications at Cox Automotive (previously Manheim UK) and helped to build the brand’s national profile as a leading provider of auto auction, defleet, remarketing and retail operations. Having started his career agency side, Callow has been involved in ground-breaking low-carbon, cleantech and electrification programmes for more than a decade.
In his new role, Callow will drive myenergi’s engagement with policy and regulation, as well as leading on a wide range of public relations initiatives.
Jordan Brompton, co-founder and CMO of myenergi, commented: “As a renowned EV expert, I’ve known Tom for a number of years. His reputation within automotive and electrification is simply unmatched, so we’re delighted to welcome him to the team.
“Since founding myenergi in 2016, the business has continued to scale. We now employ more than 350 team members in the UK, with teams growing globally and subsidiaries now operational in Australia, Germany, Ireland and the Netherlands. Earlier this year, we shipped our 350,000th unit – an important milestone for our rapidly-growing global business.
“Tom’s appointment demonstrates our commitment to further developing the team with some of the sector’s most ambitious and respected leaders. I’m looking forward to working in close partnership to further drive our policy and regulation engagement activity over the coming months.”
Commenting on his appointment, Callow added: “Having followed the myenergi story almost from inception, I’ve greatly admired what Jordan, Lee and the rest of the team have accomplished in such a short space of time. As someone with a background in the automotive sector, I’ve been acutely aware for many years of the need to transition towards zero emission vehicles and believe that myenergi is truly leading the way.
“In my new role, my goal is to ensure that myenergi is not only recognised for its fantastic zappi EV charger, but becomes absolutely synonymous with smart home energy technology more generally. Indeed, with the largest share of household emissions coming from heating, decarbonising homes is of paramount importance.”
120-year-old family firm and coffee legends Stokes, has unveiled its new fast and fabulous dining destination – Stokes To Go!
The new Stokes To Go take-away, means everyone can enjoy top quality menu options, even when they are on the move.
Located next door to the Stokes iconic High Bridge café on Lincoln’s High Street, it’s the only place in Lincoln and for miles around, where you can get your hands on a genuine Cornish Pasty and lots of beautifully presented takeaway options that are making Stokes To Go an irresistible choice. Hungry locals, workers, students and visitors on the lookout for a hunger-busting breakfast, luscious lunch, veggie options, a sweet snack and of course Stokes’ famous freshly roasted coffee will not be disappointed.
Stokes To Go has a modern and vibrant interior with a beautiful seating area upstairs for those who want to rest their feet while they tuck into the delicious locally sourced produce, freshly baked pastries, genuine pasties, breakfast ciabattas, fresh-cut sandwiches and even Project D doughnuts.
Nick Peel, MD at Stokes Tea & Coffee, said: “We’re thrilled to launch the new Stokes To Go store. Customers have been asking us if we would take over the space next door to our High Bridge Café as it’s been empty for some time. It’s brilliant to see that the whole iconic building has now been brought back to life and everyone can enjoy it.
“We were conscious that there hasn’t been a lot of choice for customers who prefer locally sourced, top-quality options for their takeaway breakfasts and lunches. So, opening Stokes To Go means customers can not only enjoy a unique menu served fast, they don’t have to compromise on quality anymore even when they are short on time.”
For more information go to stokescoffee.com
A new economic report predicts that Derby’s economy will be the fastest growing in the East Midlands by the end of 2023 – but it warns that the levelling-up agenda will stall unless more Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) is attracted to the region.
According to Irwin Mitchell’s UK Powerhouse report, produced by the Centre for Economics and Business Research (Cebr), Derby’s economy is predicted to deliver year-on-year growth of 2% by the end of 2023 with GVA standing at £7.1 billion.
The economies of Nottingham and Leicester are both expected to generate 1.7% year-on-year growth by Q4 2023.
Despite this increase, economic growth in cities across the Midlands is expected to be exceeded by that of Southern counterparts. The study says the South and the East of England will by the end of next year be home to eight of the top 10 fastest growing cities. Significantly, out of the 50 locations included in the study, over half of the slowest growing economies are expected to be in the North of England.
Nottingham and Derby are closely matched in terms of jobs growth by the end of next year, with forecasted annual growth of 1.2% and 1.1%, respectively. This will see Derby adding 3,600 newly filled positions and Nottingham adding 5,500 new jobs. Leicester’s growth is lower at 0.7% with 3,400 more jobs.
UK Powerhouse also examines the latest trends in Foreign Direct Investment into the UK.
The report reveals the most recent statistics point to a general fall in the number of FDI projects into the UK with the East Midlands in 8th place.
The challenge will be for the East Midlands region to spearhead a drive for a greater share of FDI and to make inroads into the dominance of the South. The report suggests that success here is the key to levelling up northern cities as it allows them to benefit from the job creation and growth that such inward investment brings with it.
Bryan Bletso, partner and head of international at Irwin Mitchell, said: “This latest UK Powerhouse report makes clear that cities such as Derby, Nottingham and Leicester have huge potential, however the East Midlands’ position for FDI is cause for real concern. With a combination of business, local and central government backing, there’s no reason why it can’t attract its fair share of investment.
“The time to invest in their success is now and by doing so, the corresponding economic growth and job creation will go a long way towards safeguarding future prosperity and making levelling up a reality.”
Josie Dent, managing economist at Cebr and one of the report’s authors, said: “The economy is still expected to face some turbulence between now and the end of next year, notably through volatility in commodity prices, supply chain pressures, and the emerging cost-of-living crisis domestically. All of these factors are set to impact growth both at the aggregate level and, to a varying extent, within individual cities.
“This report highlights that much of the fastest growth during next year will be concentrated in the South. Locations such as Milton Keyes, Cambridge and Oxford have economies which are dominated by fast-growth sectors and they have also been hot spots for overseas’ investment. If economic levelling up is to be tackled effectively, these two issues must be recognised and quickly addressed.”
Derbyshire-based full service marketing agency Purpose Media has been ranked within the top 20 UK marketing agencies to appear in the latest list of ‘Drum Recommended’ agencies in the UK.
The ‘Drum Recommends’ website can be accessed by over 1.2m marketing professionals who use it to search for a marketing agency. The Drum rankings are highly regarded and influential because the overall score is determined by feedback from clients returning a customer satisfaction questionnaire to an independent evaluator which usually means feedback is 100% honest. Therefore a high rating can only be achieved as a result of delivering excellent service and advice.
Following the completion of their projects, clients are asked to rate their agency on a range of measures including value for money, effectiveness, creative output, and client service. Purpose Media scored 9.9 in all these areas and achieved an overall score of 9.4.
Purpose Media is now ranked 19th and is the highest ranked full service marketing agency in the East Midlands. A position that is regarded as a great achievement considering there are literally thousands of agencies based across the UK.
Purpose Media Managing Director Matt Wheatcroft said: “I know there are a couple of Midlands agencies also listed in these rankings, but they have only been rated as an agency with a particular marketing specialism. Our rating is based on the accumulated feedback for everything we have delivered as a full service agency.
“This includes strategic thinking, creative design, website development, digital marketing, SEO, PPC, video, social media, content writing and PR. It therefore shows the high quality, depth and breadth of the advice and services we can offer our clients as part of a one stop solution.”
Founded in 2006, Purpose Media has grown from a small e-commerce website agency into an award winning full service agency. Clients include owner managed businesses and leading brands in retail, manufacturing, wholesaling and sport including True Refrigeration and Derby County Football Club.
They were also recently chosen as a delivery partner by East Midlands Chamber of Commerce to deliver the Chesterfield Digital High Street project and Derby City Business Resilience Programme which have helped high street retailers rejuvenate their businesses by embracing digital marketing strategies.
Nottingham City Council has announced plans for the £10.5m fit-out of the city’s new Central Library and for it to be ready to open to the public next summer.
The development is part of the building that houses the new Broad Marsh Car Park and Bus Station and is one of the key elements of the regeneration of the city’s Southside area.
A report to the council’s Executive Board on May 24 outlines that a number of assessments of the design and affordability of the scheme have been carried out and recommends that the council now begins the internal fit-out of the library from July. Careful management of the city’s property portfolio and successful sales have made the development affordable from within the Council’s capital programme.
The new library, spread over three floors and fully accessible via lifts, will feature a high-quality children’s library with an immersive story telling room, extensive book collection and comfortable areas to sit and read. Other amenities will include:
Feature book walls and shelving to display a large collection of books
Free wi-fi and free access to computers, laptops and iPads
A café & ground floor reception area which can be converted into a performance space
Specialist and rare collections room for local study material
Learning lab for special activities and school class visits
Meeting rooms
Exhibition space
Creative design areas
Business Intellectual Property Centre for the city.
Artist’s impression of new children’s library
The provision of the new Central Library has been considered as part of a thorough Libraries Needs Assessment commissioned by the council, which has been subject to extensive public consultation to help better understand what communities require from a modern library service. Feedback during consultation showed that the Central Library played an important role in delivering part of the city’s overall offer, with over 60% of respondents in the first phase saying this was often the library they visited, in addition to using their own local neighbourhood one.
The Central Library’s depth of stock and specialist collections is seen as a fundamental part in fulfilling the city’s Library Strategy and a key link to ensuring and supporting community library delivery and development.
The new library building is surrounded by transformed streets, with extensive pedestrianisation, planting and seating offering pleasant places to walk, cycle and relax. Similar work is also planned for Collin Street alongside the new library to become fully pedestrianised, with a new plaza planned to link through the demolished section of the former shopping centre to Lister Gate and the city centre beyond. A masterplan is in place outlining a vision for the Broad Marsh site, including green space, an enhanced entrance to the City of Caves attraction and a mixture of housing, retail and leisure uses.
City Council leader, Councillor David Mellen, said: “If approved, Nottingham’s new Central Library will be a key element of the regeneration of this part of the city which is well underway, and I’m pleased we are able to announce our plans for its fit-out. I’m really excited to recommend to our Executive that this great new facility should start which would provide a modern Central Library including a fantastic children’s library.
“From next summer when it is scheduled to open, we expect more people to be attracted to the area, which has been undergoing a transformation for a number of years. Along with the new college at one end of Collin Street and the revitalised castle offer at the other, the library would help to breathe new life into the area with its reimagined pedestrian-friendly streets and public spaces, new car park, bus station and shops and heritage-led improvements.
“The area will change further still when the vision for the former shopping centre site can begin to be put into action, further enhancing Broad Marsh as a great gateway to the city.”
Portfolio holder for leisure, culture & planning, Cllr Pavlos Kotsonis, said: “It’s exciting to see the designs for the modern Central Library. If the proposal is approved it will create a wonderful facility for all residents and visitors, but perhaps especially children who will be able to enjoy a fantastic collection of books, an immersive audio-visual story telling room and plenty of spaces to enjoy reading and take part in fun activities.
“While it was of course really important for us to carry out assessments of the scheme’s design and affordability, I understand that people are frustrated by the delay and eager to get the new facility opened – something that came across very clearly in the consultation.”
The sale of the former Central Library building at Angel Row also continues, with a planning application for its new use expected to be submitted next month.
General view of the building which will house the new Central Library
Revenues are growing at Van Elle, the ground engineering contractor, as demand levels continue to rise.
In a trading update for the year ended 30 April 2022, ahead of announcing its full-year results, the Nottinghamshire-based company reported that elevated levels of demand in its core markets have continued.
Consequently, the group now expects to report results for the period ahead of recently upgraded forecasts, with revenues of approximately £125m. This represents an increase of approximately 48% (a 41% increase after adjusting for the impact of the acquisition of ScrewFast Foundations Limited) compared with the prior year (£84.4m), with operating profits slightly ahead of the top end of the range of market expectations.
This continued demand is reflective across the business’s divisions. There has been an increase in work delivered within the rail division, and volumes across housing, specialist piling and general piling have remained consistent. The firm further noted that supply chain challenges are showing some signs of moderating, with the impact of material price inflation being managed through contract pricing mechanisms.
In a statement Van Elle said: “The Board is pleased with progress made in the second half of FY22. The trading momentum has continued into FY23 while future prospects in its growth markets remain encouraging.”
A new go-to destination for food and drink producers to manufacture and sell their artisan products has been unveiled in the Rural Capital of Food, with the launch of the Stockyard in Melton Mowbray.
Situated at Melton Mowbray Market, the Stockyard offers producers a unique space in which to manufacture and sell their food and drink in the heart of the Rural Capital of Food.
The agri-chic environment – which for decades has hosted markets and other events – has long been a destination for food lovers.
Now part of it has been given a new identity and new investment to attract more artisan manufacturers and traders to the site and build on the heritage of the market…opening the next chapter in its history.
Hugh Brown, CEO of Gillstream Markets Ltd, which operates the site, said: “I am delighted to launch the Stockyard, recognising Melton Mowbray’s heritage and future as a key food and drink manufacturing centre and a destination for food and drink lovers nationwide.
“We already have a number of artisan food and drink manufacturers and retailers on site, but there is tremendous scope at the Stockyard to create an eclectic mix of producers in this unique agri-chic environment. It provides the perfect opportunity for new and expanding enterprises to have a place in the heart of the Rural Capital of Food and we look forward to additional food and drink businesses joining us over the coming months.”
Already on site at the Stockyard are a growing number of artisan food and drink manufacturers and retailers including the multi award-winning Round Corner Brewing, the Melton Premium Craft Distillers, and Simply Chocolate, alongside butchers, bakers and pork pie makers. Smoked food specialist Feast and the Furious will also be relocating to the site during 2022.
Melton Mowbray in Leicestershire is the home of the pork pie and Stilton cheese. And for hundreds of years, Melton Mowbray Market in its various guises has played a key role in the ‘farm to fork’ story.
Today it has markets on Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays, plus many special events and festivals.
These strong foundations have been built on to create the Stockyard, as one part of Melton Mowbray’s food and drink experience. It is further bolstered by the weekly street markets, the Rural Catering Centre at SMB College and the many artisan and historic food producers in and around the town that have contributed to the town being named the Rural Capital of Food.
Stockyard Melton Mowbray, working in conjunction with Melton Borough Council, is part of the wider Food Enterprise Centre in the borough, building on the rich food heritage of the local area.
Now, with an increasing number of people interested in local food and the provenance of their food and drink, the Stockyard is offering the opportunity for producers to take space in the agri-chic surroundings of the Melton Mowbray Market site.
“The Stockyard hosts a range of markets alongside exciting and interesting events, including food and beer festivals, weddings, conferences and the like,” explained Hugh Brown.
“The Stockyard encompasses many of the existing values and heritage of the site, retaining close links to our local farmers and our weekly livestock sales. There really is nowhere more ‘farm to fork’ and helps to provide a unique market atmosphere, while establishing the Stockyard in its own right.”
The Stockyard is the new brand for the southern part of Melton Mowbray Market, which is the largest town centre livestock market in the country. The Market predates the Domesday Book and moved from its various locations in the central streets of town to its current site in 1869 as part of the Melton Mowbray Cattle Market Act.
As standards continued to rise through the 20th Century, the livestock moved into modern purpose-built sheds and the older buildings were repurposed for weekly markets and events. It’s some of these buildings which have been converted into spaces for food and drink businesses.
The former chicken shed is now the Fur & Feather bar, adjoining the distillery operated by Melton Premium Craft Distillers which makes Brentingby Gin, while opposite is the brewery and taproom for Round Corner Brewing.
Combie Cryan, co-founder of Round Corner Brewing, said: “We are delighted to be an anchor tenant of the Stockyard. In the four years since our opening, we have played a key role in raising the profile of the market and drawing weekend visitors. We have created the perfect place for our brewery and taproom and, alongside our many amazing neighbours, we are looking forward to playing a key role in the future of this exciting newly branded Stockyard, which builds on the history of Melton Mowbray’s long links to agriculture and the food and drink sector.”
Jon Oakes, of smoked food specialist Feast and the Furious, said: “We are really excited to be locating our new smokehouse down at the Stockyard amongst some really passionate award winning food and drink businesses such as Round Corner and Brentingby Gin (Fur & Feather Bar).
“We are looking forward to enhancing the great food and drink offering at the Stockyard and can’t wait to help create an exciting destination for people near and far to visit for a food and drink experience.
“We will be expanding our current offering of cold and hot smoked products with new, bigger smokers, bringing out new products whilst also allowing us to be able to get back to our roots of our hot smoked food (such as smoked beef brisket and pulled pork etc) that we served from our food truck down at the Stockyard on many occasions in the past.
“We are looking to open a shop area to sell a range of our cold smoked products and eventually even have a seating area for people to enjoy our hot food offering too.”
In collaboration with the Melton Mowbray Food Partnership, Stockyard aims to be home to a growing number of innovative and award-winning independent producers.
Hugh Brown added: “Many industrial buildings have been imaginatively repurposed to create interesting spaces but what we have done at the Stockyard is repurpose buildings with an agricultural heritage to give them a new role in the future of the food and drink sector. Here, production is visible and proud. Producers can demonstrate their trade and expertise and customers can see what they are buying. We’re excited for the future of the Stockyard and are looking forward to welcoming more artisan manufacturers to our unique site.”
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