BT gifts free advertising to Nottingham based businesses as first Street Hub 2.0 Unit goes live
Nottingham is one of the first places in the UK to benefit from BT’s new digital street units, with the first one in the city unveiled in Canal Street today.
BT is donating up to £7.5 million of outdoor advertising space to small businesses across the UK, as part of its roll-out of new Street Hub 2.0 units – which help build the UK’s digital infrastructure and include services such as an emergency call button, rapid mobile device charging and ultrafast Wi-Fi.
Local businesses in Nottingham are also being given the chance to advertise for free on the new Street Hub units, with nominations open now. BT is calling on local businesses and the public to nominate local firms who could benefit from the offer.
The launch comes as a recent BT study found that more than 60 per cent of small businesses agree that local advertising would help to increase awareness of their business, with 40 per cent saying it would encourage more people to shop at their local high street. However, almost half (49 per cent) said that cost was a major obstacle to them investing in local Out Of Home (OOH) advertising. BT is now taking action to remove one of the biggest barriers to adoption, with the Street Hub’s digital advertising screens designed to help small firms attract more customers following the local and national lockdowns.
Street Hubs can also help to enhance digital connectivity and services for communities through features including charity helplines, and local wayfinding via an integrated tablet.
A further three of the new Street Hub units will be rolled out in the first phase of the rollout across Nottingham in the coming months.
Councillor Rebecca Langton, Portfolio Holder for Skills, Growth and Economic Development at Nottingham City Council, said: “We’re excited to see BT investing in these new Street Hubs and providing small businesses with an opportunity to raise their profiles in Nottingham city centre. The hubs, which contribute to Wi-Fi coverage in the city centre and offer information and mobile charging points, will benefit residents and visitors to Nottingham, and this will further support small and independent businesses who play such an important role in making Nottingham city centre a great place to socialise safely.”
Sarah Walker, Director for BT’s Enterprise business in the Midlands, said: “BT has been supporting the recovery and growth of small businesses throughout the pandemic – and we’re moving up a gear as many prepare for one of the busiest times of the year. We hope that, by gifting free digital advertising space via our new Street Hub units, we can give small businesses in Nottingham an extra boost as high streets spring back to life. Our new Street Hub units can play a vital role in helping small firms to bounce back – whether that’s through building greater awareness of their business through free advertising, or by rejuvenating the high street by boosting local digital infrastructure.”
Kirsty Hole, Director of 101 Vintage, an independent vintage and used clothing store in Nottingham, said: “We’re a small independent shop, founded by two women, that opened our doors in September in the heart of Nottingham. One of our biggest challenges right now is connecting with customers and letting them know that we’re here. The power of local advertising is so important for us as a new small business, but Out-of-Home advertising felt completely out of reach at this early stage of our journey. The opportunity to have our name in lights on the new BT Street Hubs to let the local community know that we’re here, and open, is the perfect solution.”
The new digital units can also help local councils achieve their social and economic improvement and sustainability goals. With Nottingham City Council aiming to be carbon neutral by 2028, each Street Hub 2.0 unit can be fitted with air quality and CO2 sensors. This will provide local councils with the insight needed to help them take action to improve air quality, contributing to the health and wellbeing of local people.
BT’s latest study also revealed that around two thirds (66 per cent) of local businesses think that mobile connectivity could be improved in their local community, to help them work faster and smarter. BT’s new Street Hub 2.0 units will enhance local digital infrastructure by including the option to install mini mobile masts or ‘small cells’ on the structure to further boost 4G and 5G coverage in the local area.
Subject to local planning processes, BT is aiming to roll out around 300 of its new Street Hub 2.0 units across the UK in the next 12 months, working closely with local councils and communities.
Local employers ‘named and shamed’ for failing to pay staff minimum wage
Over 200 employers have been named and shamed by government for failing to pay their lowest paid staff the minimum wage.
The 208 employers were found to have failed to pay their workers £1.2 million in a clear breach of National Minimum Wage (NMW) law, leaving around 12,000 workers out of pocket.
Companies named range from multinational businesses and large high street names to SMEs and sole traders.
These businesses have since had to pay back what they owe to staff and also face significant financial penalties of up to 200% of what was owed, which are paid to the government. The investigations by Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs concluded between 2014 and 2019.
Minister for Labour Markets Paul Scully said: “We want workers to know that we’re on their side and they must be treated fairly by their employers, which is why paying the legal minimum wage should be non-negotiable for businesses.
“Today’s 208 businesses, whatever their size, should know better than to short-change hard-working employees, regardless of whether it was intentional or not. With Christmas fast approaching, it’s more important than ever that cash is not withheld from the pockets of workers. So don’t be a scrooge – pay your staff properly.”
The employers named previously underpaid workers in the following ways:
- 37% – deductions that reduce minimum wage pay, for example workers out of pocket to comply with the dress code
- 29% – unpaid working time such as mandatory training, trial shifts or travel time
- 16% – failing to pay the correct rate to apprentices
- 11% – not increasing NMW pay in line with government rises, or paying the wrong minimum wage rate, for example paying a 23 year old the 21-22 year old rate
Acorn Safety Services wins two national awards
A Northampton health and safety consultancy has won two prestigious national awards.
Acorn Safety Services has won the UK Best Health & Safety Consultancy award at the SME News Midlands Enterprise Awards which showcase the region’s industry leaders.
News of the win came hot on the heels of Acorn’s health and safety manager, John Crockett, winning The Alan McArthur Unsung Hero Award at The Safety Health and Excellence (SHE) Awards. These national awards celebrate innovation and achievements in the health and safety sector and attract hundreds of entries from across the UK.
During the past 45 years, John has helped tens of thousands of clients, including the likes of Bovis Construction, London Midlands Trains, HSBC Data Centres. BP, British Gypsum, Heathrow Airport, McDonald’s, Taylor Woodrow and Network Rail.
Since joining Acorn in early 2020, John has helped more than 600 of its clients with their health and safety needs and helped the firm to further extend its range of services.
He said: “I’ve always worked hard but I’ve never sought to be rewarded. To win the award was incredible because I was up against tough competition. I’m pleased for myself, but I’m also delighted for Acorn because winning these awards shows people that Acorn is somewhere they can go for expert health and safety advice in a wide range of areas.”
Acorn director, Ian Stone, said: “We’re so proud to have won these awards and are thrilled for John whose expert guidance has saved countless lives, prevented many injuries and saved so many clients from issues that would have ended in prosecutions.”
Plans for planetarium at Sherwood Observatory move a step closer
An ambitious project to build a state-of-the-art new £5.25m planetarium and science discovery centre in Nottinghamshire has moved a step closer after funding was secured and a contractor appointed.
The team at Sherwood Observatory, in Sutton-in-Ashfield, has secured support via the Towns Fund programme for the scheme that aims to inspire interest in STEM learning and careers.
They have also appointed a local contractor, Robert Woodhead Limited, to carry out the building work, procured through SCAPE, one of the UK’s leading procurement authorities.
A planning application will be submitted in early 2022, with work on the development due to start later next year. The project has been accelerated through SCAPE Construction, a direct award framework designed to drive collaboration, efficiency, time and cost savings.
Planetarium project manager, Steve Wallace, said: “The new centre will create a unique visitor attraction and help raise the profile of our area significantly.
“It will focus on delivering STEM content in an exciting and hands-on way, to raise awareness of the opportunities that STEM careers can unlock an important aspect of future jobs creation in our region.”
Leo Woodhead, director of Robert Woodhead Limited, said: “We are so pleased to have been appointed to build the new centre through the SCAPE. It means we can bring our construction expertise in delivering exceptional visitor attractions at the earliest possible stage.
“This early engagement has a multitude of benefits to the project, one being how we can get people involved in discovering STEM during the design and construction phases to deliver exceptional social value.”
Mark Robinson, group chief executive at SCAPE, said: “This project is a great example of how government funding can be channelled to breathe new life into local communities. Not only will it stimulate the local visitor economy but also inspire children and develop much needed interest in STEM-based careers.
“We’re extremely proud to have helped accelerate the project through procurement and, in turn, ensure Sherwood Observatory will be supported by a best-in-class local delivery team.”
The project aims to turn a disused underground Victorian reservoir on the site of the Sherwood Observatory into a state-of-the-art tourist attraction and education centre. The reservoir will be repurposed to house a multi-functional exhibition area and teaching spaces while preserving the existing architectural heritage features.
The striking designs have been drawn up by Nottinghamshire Architects, Player Roberts Bell. HSP Consulting Engineers, based in Eastwood, will form part of the experienced design team.
A 10m diameter planetarium, accommodating approximately 60 people per show, will sit on the reservoir’s roof. The planetarium is being designed though a partnership of RSA Cosmos and ST Engineering Antycip, global leaders in digital planetariums and visual displays. The area around the planetarium will serve as a viewing platform for portable telescopes.
It is set to become one of just a handful of UK destinations to combine a planetarium with an observatory – and has the potential to attract at least 20,000 visitors a year to support the local visitor economy.
The plans were presented to an audience of business and community leaders at the head office of local business Total Integrated Solutions on the 24th November, along with a call for more local businesses to back the project and provide the outstanding funding required to bring it to fruition.
It is hoped that the education and outreach activities it carries out will help create a pipeline of talented and motivated people interested in STEM, which will support prosperity in the area and develop the skills needed by local businesses.
To progress the project further, it needs to secure a further £3 million of matched funding. If funding is confirmed, the site could open in early 2024.
Plans in for 200-acre Derbyshire employment site
Plans to create a major 200-acre employment site in Derbyshire, which would create thousands of new jobs, have been submitted.
Following a public consultation, which started in October, Verdant Regeneration has submitted a planning application to Erewash Borough Council to create the rail connected scheme near to Junction 25 of the M1, on part of the former Stanton Ironworks.
Verdant, which is a joint venture featuring the owners of Ward Recycling, completed a deal for the site towards the end of last year – and first revealed its plans for the development – called New Stanton Park – back in April.
According to Verdant, if the scheme gets to go-ahead, the site could provide around two million square feet of employment space and create 4,000 new jobs once fully developed.
David Ward, of Verdant Regeneration, said: “The submission of the outline planning application is a hugely important step in bringing forward the regeneration of this major strategic site.
“In its redevelopment we are aiming to deliver high quality real estate that will drive occupier activity and job creation.”
With a direct and operational link to the Midland Main Line railway, the New Stanton Park site has potential to become a key distribution point for materials being imported and exported efficiently throughout the UK and beyond.
Mr Ward said that Verdant would take a “sustainable approach” to the development, combining energy efficient buildings with green space.
Fishing ponds, rural walkways and cycle tracks would also be created to enhance biodiversity and link the site and its wider communities.
David Grier, of Verdant Regeneration, said: “Having acquired the site in 2020, we have worked hard across the team to quickly bring forward an outline planning application on what is one of the largest regeneration projects within the region.
“New Stanton Park offers an excellent strategic location, blending an active rail connection with strong private and public transport connectivity, plentiful labour and large power supply.
“When combined, we are confident this will result in a highly successful development with the next chapter set to positively transform and improve the area, bringing forward large scale job creation in the process.”
New Stanton Park is being jointly marketed by M1 Agency and TBD Real Estate.
James Keeton, of M1 Agency, said: “The submission of the outline planning application is a major milestone in the delivery of New Stanton Park and the regeneration of this large-scale former brownfield site.
“With strong initial occupier interest, subject to receiving a positive outcome, we are confident of quickly bringing forward development and realising the transformation and improvement of the area in a high quality and sustainable manner, most importantly, delivering large scale job creation in the process.”
Chris Drummond, from TDB Real Estate, said: “The redevelopment of the site has been talked about for a significant period of time and it is excellent news that it is now hopefully set to come to fruition.
“Verdant Regeneration has been hugely pro-active in its approach since purchasing the site and with active occupier engagement we welcome the delivery of an outline planning consent to thereafter bring forward the transformation and improvement of this strategically important site.”
Leicester criminal law practice acquired by national firm
National law firm Reeds Solicitors LLP (Reeds) has acquired Bray & Bray’s (Bray) criminal law practice in Leicester.
The acquisition, which consists of two offices, marks the firm’s first steps into the Midlands and adds to its suite of offices across London, Thames Valley, the South East, South West, the North and Wales.
The team in Leicester, lead by partner Mike Garvey, will continue to service its existing client base in all aspects of criminal legal services, whilst also leveraging on Reeds’ extensive national coverage.
Reeds continues to not only be one of the UK’s largest suppliers of legal aid services, but the firm also acts for an increasing number of clients on a private basis offering services in criminal, family, mental health, court of protection and prison law as well as numerous services in business law ranging from white-collar crime to health and safety law.
The new team brings the firm’s total headcount to more than 170 fee earners and 240 staff.
Commenting on the merger Reeds’ managing partner, Jan Matthews, said: “This is an exciting new chapter for us all here at Reeds. With offices now in the Midlands, we intend to capitalise on our increasing national footprint and offer clients the very best service that they have come to expect from us. I would like to extend a very warm welcome to our new colleagues and look forward to working closely together into the new year.”
Hitachi/Alstom JV wins contracts to build HS2 trains in Derby
A Hitachi/Alstom JV has been awarded the contracts to build Britain’s next generation of high speed trains at their factories in Derby and County Durham in a major deal set to support 2,500 jobs.
The landmark contracts – worth around £2bn – will see the JV design, build and maintain a fleet of 54 state-of-the-art high speed trains that will operate on HS2 – the new high-speed railway being built between London, the West Midlands and Crewe.
Capable of speeds of up to 225mph (360km/h), the fully electric trains will also run on the existing network to places such as Glasgow, Liverpool, Manchester and the North West.
Building on the latest technology from the Japanese Shinkansen ‘bullet train’ and European high-speed network, they will be some of the fastest, quietest and most energy efficient high-speed trains operating anywhere in the world.
The design, manufacture, assembly, and testing of the new trains will be shared between Hitachi Rail and Alstom.
- The first stages including vehicle body assembly and initial fit-out will be done at Hitachi Rail’s facility at Newton Aycliffe, County Durham; and
- The second stage of fit out and testing will be done at Alstom’s Litchurch Lane factory in Derby.
Ecology consultancy celebrates 30th birthday with over £1m gift aid to Notts Wildlife Trust
East Midlands ecology consultancy, EMEC, is celebrating its 30th anniversary.
Founded in 1991, and based in the heart of Nottingham, East Midlands Environmental Consultants Limited (EMEC) is a specialist ecological consultancy that undertakes ecological surveys, arboriculture and land management services for many of the UK’s leading developers and utilities companies.
Over the last 30 years, EMEC has gift-aided over £1m to Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust (NWT) which has been used to fund habitat conservation work across nature reserves under the management of NWT and other wildlife conservation activities and campaigns.
Whilst balancing the need to protect and enhance biodiversity, EMEC has played an integral role in helping to facilitate the delivery of many high-profile projects. Their strategic planning and consultancy advice has helped clients such as Nottingham Trent University, Wilmott Dixon, J Tomlinson Ltd and Centre Parcs to repair, regenerate or renew landscapes aligned to a culture of shared ecological values.
Since 2019, EMEC have designed and created over 60 wildlife ponds, providing much needed habitat for great crested newts, a nationally protected species, and have overseen the planting over 23,000 trees in the Midlands on behalf of its clients.
Commenting on their 30th company anniversary, Managing Director, Paul Wilkinson, said: “We are understandably delighted to reach this milestone. EMEC has grown to be a successful practice and a leader in its field, providing knowledgeable, cost-effective consultancy solutions for our client portfolio of landowners, developers, planning consultants, architects, and utility companies across the UK.”
Based in The Old Ragged School in Sneinton, Nottingham, EMEC Ecology employs 22 staff and is a wholly owned subsidiary of Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust.
Ward supports campaign raising over £4,700 for Rainbows Hospice
Derbyshire-based metal and waste recycling specialist, Ward, has supported a campaign to raise funds for a local hospice which provides essential respite for a member of the Ward team and their family.
Min Bawa, senior transport manager at Ward, has two children, Aveena and Nevaiah, who were both born prematurely. Aveena has Cerebral Palsy and a brain injury from a bleed at birth. She only has one kidney and as she outgrows that, she will need a transplant. Nevaiah was starved of oxygen at birth due to complications, which means she has a brain injury.
Looking after them both is difficult and the family use the facilities at Rainbows to access respite care to give them long weekends away from time to time, as well as emotional support. Rainbows provides a safe place where they know their children can be cared for as all the staff are well trained to help.
During the height of Covid, Rainbows stepped up for Min as the existing care package from the council just collapsed and it was quite a stressful time as Aveena was admitted into hospital fighting for her life.
As part of Diwali, the festival of light, Min’s wife, Armandeep, began a campaign to raise money for Rainbows Hospice through Just Giving, achieving local press coverage to try and reach an initial target of £1,500.
Being a proud family business, Min’s story was shared among the Ward team and many members of the extended family backed the campaign, helping them exceed the fundraising target.
Min Bawa, senior transport manager at Ward, said: “On behalf of myself and my whole family, we want to extend a huge thank you from us all for the support and donations to my wife Aman’s Diwali fundraising campaign for Rainbows Hospice.
“The work that they do supports families across the East Midlands with all kinds of essential care. It provides one place for our family to have a complete rest, with the peace of mind that our daughter is 100% safe, happy and her needs are fully cared for.”
A happy coincidence also occurred when one of the Ward team was announced as the winner of a charity prize draw courtesy of Qualitech Environmental Services at an industry trade show.
As Qualitech Environmental Services director, Matt Dodd, explains: “We attended the RWM show at Birmingham NEC earlier in the year and instead of providing marketing giveaways our firm decided to donate £5,000 to charity through a business card draw at our exhibition stand.
“We thought that instead of giving out things with our logo on we would use the marketing budget for good causes and split it into one £3,000 and two £1,000 prizes. We’ve previously supported Claire House Children’s Hospice North West and we do a lot of work to support different causes and this gave us the chance to extend the opportunity to those attending the event.”
Qualitech’s top prize of £3,000 was won by Heather Foo, head of purchasing (Metals) at Ward, and she was keen to connect with the Bawa’s campaign for Rainbows, saying: “It was perfect timing. Min and his wife’s Diwali campaign for Rainbows was running when I found out I’d been selected for the very generous charity prize from Qualitech. It’s been so great to give their fundraising efforts an additional boost.”
Rainbows, based in Loughborough, provides support and care to more than 300 families from the East Midlands. It requires over £6million a year to run and gets less than 15% funding from the government, so it totally relies on the generosity of fundraisers and donations.
Hayley Purser, corporate partnerships fundraiser at Rainbows, said: “This is a fantastic donation to date of £4,711 and incredibly important to Rainbows to enable us to continue providing the vital care that we do to so many babies, children, young people and their families. We are so grateful to Min and his family, Ward and Qualitech for combining their fundraising activities and supporting Rainbows in this way.”
CloudCall to be acquired in £39.9m deal
CloudCall’s directors have unanimously recommended an all cash offer for the business to shareholders, valuing the company at £39.9 million.
The Leicester-based firm has reached an agreement with Xplorer Capital Growth I, LLC (Xplorer Capital), a newly formed company owned by funds managed and advised by Xplorer Capital Management LLC.
Under the terms of the acquisition, CloudCall shareholders will be entitled to receive 81.5 pence for each CloudCall Share.
Xplorer Capital believes that CloudCall would benefit from returning to private ownership with the support of a growth-focused shareholder.
It intends to provide the capital and long-term view of value creation to enable the management team to make the necessary investment in working capital to upgrade its technology platform, improve and expand product capabilities, and greatly expand and enhance the company’s sales capacity.
Keith Nilsson, founder and managing partner of Xplorer Capital Management LLC, said: “We are delighted to have reached agreement on the terms of the acquisition with the board of CloudCall.
“We believe CloudCall would benefit from returning to private ownership with the support of a growth-focused shareholder and look forward to accelerating the growth of the business and helping it to reach its full potential by providing CloudCall with access to significant additional capital resources.”
Peter Simmonds, non-executive chairman of CloudCall, said: “Over recent years, the management of CloudCall has continued to develop its product mix, enhanced its client base and positioned itself for growth.
“However, CloudCall operates in a highly competitive environment where many of its peers are larger and better capitalised and CloudCall will require additional funding to continue to support its strategy and remain competitive.
“Against this backdrop, I believe the offer from Xplorer Capital represents an attractive premium, provides certain value today for CloudCall shareholders and provides CloudCall with the opportunity to access significant further capital to implement CloudCall’s strategy in the future.”
Frasers Group “very pleased” as revenue and pre-tax profit grow
Revenue and pre-tax profit are on the rise at Shirebrook-based Frasers Group as both bricks and mortar and online businesses “continue to perform well.”
According to unaudited interim results for the 26 weeks to 24 October 2021 (FY22 H1), revenue has increased to £2,339.8m, in comparison to £1,893.3m in the same period of the previous year.
Statutory profit before tax meanwhile increased to £186m from £106.1m, and adjusted profit before tax increased to £186.8m from £115.5m.
In a statement to London Stock Exchange, Frasers Group said: “The Board is very pleased with the overall trading performance of the Frasers Group during the first half of the year and I want to extend my thanks on behalf of the Board to our hardworking and dedicated teams across the Group.
“Both our bricks and mortar and online businesses have continued to perform well since reopening from the last lockdown in the UK in March 2021.
“Unfortunately we still have the shadow of uncertainty cast by the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, with restrictions including lockdowns returning to parts of Europe and with the emergence of new variants.
“There are also supply chain risks which to date we have proven resilient to but which must be factored into our future forecasting given these could continue for some time.
“On top of this there are the well-publicised macroeconomic factors contributing to a likely cost of living squeeze which could impinge on consumers spending plans heading into the new year.”
Frasers Group believes it can achieve an adjusted profit before tax of between £300m to £350m by the end of the financial year, assuming no significant UK lockdowns before then.
Rolls-Royce well positioned to hit savings target
The gradual recovery in international flying combined with market recovery in Power Systems and resilience in Defence are “driving improvements” in trading performance, Rolls-Royce has said, while savings of more than £1bn have been made in 2021.
The company’s restructuring programme, launched in May 2020, is said to be delivering “sustainable cost savings more quickly than initially anticipated,” positioning Rolls-Royce well for its £1.3bn savings target by the end of 2022.
By the end of 2021 the business expects to have removed more than 8,500 roles, with the pace of restructuring running ahead of its original plan and footprint rationalisation continuing through the second half of the year.
Free cash outflow in 2021 is now expected to be better than previous guidance of £2bn.
Chief Executive, Warren East, said: “We are delivering on the elements within our control and are focused on our commitments. We have achieved good results with our fundamental restructuring programme, as we sustainably reduce costs and deliver a leaner and more efficient company and are firmly on course to complete our disposals programme.
“While external uncertainties clearly remain, we have seen continued gradual recovery in our Civil Aerospace business, a growing order book in Power Systems and have secured a significant contract win in Defence.
“We are investing in the net zero technologies and solutions that we need across the group to grasp the tremendous commercial opportunity of the global energy transition and drive long-term value. This all underpins our strategy of creating a better quality and more balanced business which can deliver significantly improved returns and cash flow into the future.” Multi-million pound school underway in Bingham
Work is officially underway for a brand new, multi-million pound primary school in Chapel Lane in Bingham.
The new £7.9m free school is set to open in September 2022, in time for the new academic year.
The school, which will be sponsored by the Community Inclusive Trust (C.I.T), will offer 210 places to local pupils and 26 nursery places and will largely serve the new housing development at Romans’ Quarter in the town.
Planners have designed the school for a potential expansion to 315 places if the demand requires it in the future.
Councillor Tracey Taylor, Nottinghamshire county council’s chairman of the Children and Young People’s Committee, said: “I’m delighted that work is now underway for a new school in Bingham and we’ll be working closely with our partners to deliver in time for the September 2022 academic year.
“One of the main priorities for this Council is to ensure that children across Nottinghamshire are able to attend good and outstanding primary schools.
“This new school in Bingham is further evidence of our strategy to make Nottinghamshire a great place to bring up a family and where people are proud to call home. A good, solid education gives children and young people options in later life and this is something we want every child to experience.”
The school has been designed by Arc Partnership – a joint venture venture between Nottinghamshire County Council and SCAPE – who are also overseeing the construction through its delivery partner Morgan Sindall Construction.
Paul Hill, C.I.T’s director of primary education, said: “It was amazing to see the school taking shape. This is going to be a wonderful primary school sitting at the heart of the community. We look forward to seeing the building rise up from the foundations in the coming months and can’t wait to meet the children who will attend.”
Dan Maher, Managing Director of Arc Partnership, said: “We’re delighted to be working in partnership with the Council, the C.I.T and our supply chain partner, Morgan Sindall Construction, to deliver real value together and continue playing a vital part in creating the best educational facilities for young people in Nottinghamshire.”
Revenue and profits rise at Dr. Martens
Revenue and profits are climbing at Dr. Martens, the iconic British brand, according to first half results for the period ended 30 September 2021.
Revenue grew 16% to £369.9m at the Northamptonshire-headquartered company, in comparison to £318.2m in the same period last year. Profit before tax meanwhile was up 46% at £61.3m, in comparison to £41.9m last year. Kenny Wilson, Chief Executive Officer, said: “Our strong performance in the first half is testament to the strength of our business model, the under penetration of our brand globally, our agility in adapting to changing conditions and the passion and dedication of our people. “We continue to take a long-term custodian approach to growing the brand, prioritising DTC channels and our seven priority markets. At the start of the period we took Italy and Iberia back under direct control and we are very pleased with their performance to date.“We took the decision to enter the year with higher inventory levels, made possible by the continuity and carryover nature of our product and our partnership approach to supplier relationships.
“This meant that DTC availability levels remained relatively high and gross margin was not impacted, despite the supply chain disruption and global shipping delays experienced across the industry. Our Americas performance was again particularly strong, notwithstanding our wholesale business here being most impacted by these delays.
“Our strong first half performance combined with the continued momentum in DTC trading into the second half gives us confidence in achieving market expectations for the full year. I remain hugely excited about the growth potential of the Dr. Martens brand.”
Experian given green light to re-imagine Nottingham site
Experian has been granted planning permission to re-imagine its Sir John Peace Building in Nottingham.
The changes come in the wake of the pandemic, the shift to hybrid working models, and a push from the company for enhanced sustainability with a business-wide commitment to become carbon neutral by 2030.
The plans come as Experian reduces its office footprint to recognise new agile ways of working. Globally Experian are reducing from 157 sites to 100 and in the UK that is a reduction from 17 sites to 5.
The Sir John Peace building will provide a touch down base for staff from the North East and North West, Wales, the Midlands and the East of England.
The additional staff to be accommodated on site, due to the selection of Nottingham as a regional hub office, will see the use of land to the south to accommodate 200 cars.
‘Plan B’ for COVID-19 restrictions a “big setback” for businesses
The Prime Minister has confirmed that England will move to Plan B following the rapid spread of the Omicron variant in the UK.
The plan sees the Government, from Monday 13 December, advise those who can to work from home. Meanwhile from Friday 10 December, face coverings will become compulsory in most public indoor venues, such as cinemas, theatres and places of worship.
In addition, from Wednesday 15 December, the NHS Covid Pass on the NHS App will become mandatory for entry into nightclubs and settings where large crowds gather – including unseated indoor events with 500 or more attendees, unseated outdoor events with 4,000 or more attendees and any event with 10,000 or more attendees.
Responding to the Government’s announcement that it will bring in new COVID-19 restrictions as part of its winter ‘Plan B’ for dealing with the pandemic, East Midlands Chamber (Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire) Chief Executive Scott Knowles said: “It felt like the days of a start-stop approach to the economy had passed, so this announcement will come as a bitter blow to many businesses that had been looking ahead to the festive period with a bounce.
“Remember, Tier 3 restrictions last year meant Christmas was cancelled for many businesses in our region, particularly those in hospitality, retail and leisure.
“Given the importance of this season to those sectors, these coming weeks are critical to their future prospects, and any restrictions that act as a barrier to business continuity or capacity will be massively detrimental.
“Many organisations have spent a great deal of energy and money on making their workplaces Covid-secure, as well as in encouraging employees to feel confident about returning, so the mandate to work from home sends a troubling message.
“These restrictions must be met by immediate and effective Government financial support for all affected firms, while we expect it to follow the data to act swiftly in rolling these restrictions back at the earliest possible opportunity.
“We’re at a very delicate moment in the economic recovery, with our latest Quarterly Economic Survey for Q4 2021 showing a slowdown across every economic indicator in the East Midlands. We can’t afford to squeeze the brakes on any tighter, and it’s up to Westminster now to reassure businesses that this won’t be a prolonged return to a restricted way of life.”
Matthew Fell, CBI Chief Policy Director, said: “Fresh restrictions are a big setback for businesses, particularly for those in hospitality and retail who are in a critical trading period, as well as others such as transport.
“While Covid certification can support public health, careful implementation and enforcement will be required to assist businesses affected. It will be vital that the impact of these restrictions is closely monitored, and that the government is ready with targeted support as required.
“Omicron will quite likely not be the last variant. We need to create consistency in our approach and build confidence by reducing the oscillation between normal life and restrictions. Prioritising daily testing, rather than self-isolation, is a good step. Firms need continued forward guidance and a commitment from government to prioritise ongoing free, mass rapid testing as we learn to live with the virus.
“Meanwhile, firms will continue to do all they can to protect their staff and customers, including being as flexible as possible to enable employees to get their boosters.”
OMS scoops two awards for ‘Best Health & Safety Consultancy’
Building on a successful year, OMS – Training and Compliance have been presented with another two business awards, both for the Best Health & Safety Consultancy for 2021.
The wins come from the Lawyer International Legal 100 Awards and the M&A Today Global Awards.
OMS said: “We are extremely proud of our accolades and recognition, highlighting these achievements for our business.”
These awards follow wins for OMS at the Gamechanger Global Awards (UK Compliance and Training and Compliance Consultancy of the Year) and the SME News UK Enterprise Awards (Best Business Compliance Training and Consultancy Firm).
Trading for over 22 years, Leicestershire-headquartered OMS was founded by Clive Ormerod. Today OMS has a core team at its Coalville head office and training centre, as well as a number of other training venues throughout the Midlands and UK, and a network of specialist associates.
Over 100 new jobs on the way as two companies take space at Markham Vale
Sustainable packaging firm Smurfit Kappa and home furnishings company Gallery Direct are the latest businesses to get keys to new premises at Derbyshire County Council and HBD’s flagship regeneration site, Markham Vale.
Founded in 1934, international paper-based packaging specialists Smurfit Kappa is set to create up to 20 new jobs with their expansion to another unit on the site where they have been based for 6 years.
The eco-friendly company sources almost all their raw materials from their own paper mills and their products are 100% renewable and produced sustainably helping customers reduce their environmental footprint.
The firm’s new base will be used for warehouse and distribution across the UK.
Mark Hawkins, general manager at Smurfit Kappa, said: “We moved into a new state of the art purpose-built site back in 2015 as one of the first occupants on the Markham Vale development.
“Since then the site has grown to a turnover of over £40 million and recruited over 65 people locally. Due to the growth of the site and Smurfit Kappa’s own expansion in the UK we now require a purpose built distribution centre which the new building gives us, being perfectly located next to junction 29A of the M1.
“This new venture will create further jobs for the area and give people a great career opportunity working within Smurfit Kappa.”
Craig Handley, customer service and logistics director at Smurfit Kappa, said: “With over 12,500 pallet spaces, the new Markham Vale North distribution facility will complement our existing production units in both Markham Vale and Chesterfield offering both excellent just in time customer deliveries.
“The unit is positioned ideally near the motorway access allowing the distribution of goods for our customers in the far north and south. We are undertaking an employment drive from within the local community for warehouse FLT drivers who will be using state of the art new VNA trucks.”
Established in 1973, family-run business, Gallery Direct is a leading British based designer, manufacturer and worldwide distributor of furniture, home decor and accessories.
The company’s new northern base is set to create up to 90 new jobs and will be used for packing, warehousing, and a distribution hub with space to expand further for a new state-of-the-art showroom.
Peter Delaney, Managing Director at The Gallery Direct Group, said: “We are absolutely delighted to have secured this prestigious facility in an amazing northern location. The fact is that this new property, combined with our southern warehouse and head office, improves further our distribution and operational capacity.
“We will be able to serve 96% of our clients’ requirements with one day delivery times, utilising our own home distribution fleet.”
Derbyshire County Council Cabinet Member for Clean Growth and Regeneration, Councillor Tony King, said: “We are delighted to welcome Gallery Direct to Markham Vale and see the expansion of Smurfit Kappa.
“Our central location makes Markham Vale an ideal distribution base for companies looking to cut their mileage and reduce their carbon footprint as well as meet needs of their clients more quickly.
“Smurfit Kappa’s focus on sustainability and innovation aligns with our own ambitions for attracting cleaner, greener growth.
“And we’re pleased that we’ve been able to come up with the goods for Gallery Direct which will soon be serving customers in the north of the country from Derbyshire instead of down south.
“The fact that between them they bring 110 new jobs is excellent news for the local economy too.”
Richard Hinds, development surveyor at Henry Boot Developments, said: “The rapid take-up of the Orion units is testament to the quality of the buildings developed and Markham Vale’s well-established reputation as premium business location.
“As a longstanding development partner of Derbyshire County Council, HBD are delighted to have delivered the units and we look forward to developing future ‘best in class’ accommodation for businesses and employees to thrive at Markham Vale.”
Both companies will be based in units owned by private sector property developers, Aver Property Partnership Limited, a joint venture between Ergo and NFU Mutual.
Leigh Burnett, asset manager, Ergo Real Estate, said: “Smurfit Kappa joins National Lighting who took occupation of Orion One in August and it is fantastic to have 2 such high calibre tenants taking these units. The Orion development is now fully let within 6 months of practical completion and is testament to the quality specification of the buildings and strategic location.”
Ideagen raises £103.5m to bolster international growth plans
The Nottinghamshire provider of information management software, Ideagen Plc, has raised £103.5 million to accelerate product investment and scale global operations through further acquisitions.
The multi-million pound investment was raised through placement of ordinary shares and follows Ideagen’s 12th consecutive year of revenue profit and growth.
Ideagen’s rapid growth trajectory in recent years has been accomplished by a combination of both organic growth and multiple acquisitions across the globe. The funds raised today will aid the company’s ambitions to support more customers around the world with an increased range of solutions.
Now with more than 1,000 staff across the globe, Ideagen’s operations are located throughout the UK, US, Australia, Europe, Middle East and South-East Asia. Its software is used by more than 7,500 highly regulated customers across multiple industries such as aviation, financial services, life-sciences, healthcare and manufacturing.
Ideagen CEO, Ben Dorks, said: “This investment marks the next stage of Ideagen’s exciting growth journey. Our mission is to surpass £200 million annual recurring revenue (ARR) by April 2025 and this significant milestone will be crucial in aiding further expansion that will help diversify our portfolio of high-quality, high-performing products in the global governance, risk and compliance space.
“The ability to raise such substantial funds shows that the markets are as confident in Ideagen’s performance as we are. The acquisitions we have made to date have brought technology or intellectual property that enhances the functionality of our core solutions, increased our credibility and market presence, or offered opportunities for new market entry.
“We’re tremendously excited to see what the future holds for Ideagen and I look forward to our bold vision to grow both our geographical and sector expertise becoming a reality.”
The company recently completed its 25th and biggest acquisition to date, that of Sydney-based CompliSpace.
Pioneering DMU collaboration wins top business award
Work to make knives safer and which could have a huge impact upon injury rates has earned a De Montfort University Leicester (DMU) academic a top business award.
Leisa Nichols-Drew was presented with the inaugural Excellence in Collaboration award at this year’s East Midlands Chamber Business Awards Leicestershire, one of just 13 winners given honours this year.
Ms Nichols-Drew, a Chartered Forensic Practitioner, has pioneered research which demonstrates the practicality and safety of using round-tip kitchen knives over those with pointed blades.
As a forensic scientist, Leisa saw first-hand the increased use of bladed weapons in crimes – the majority of which involve kitchen knives with pointed tips.
Judges at the Chamber awards were impressed with the research and its potential to make a real difference to public safety.
Leisa said she was incredibly honoured to win the award and proud to represent the research team involved at the event. She also offered congratulations to the other nominees within the award category and thanked the judging panel too.
Leisa, said: “This fantastic recognition validates our research which was conducted and published during the pandemic, and is a world first. Together we will make a difference in making our homes and communities safer, not only within Leicester, Leicestershire and the East Midlands, across the UK too, and internationally.”
The rounded-knife research team led by Leisa, consisted of DMU colleagues Dr Rachel Armitage and Dr Kevin Farrugia, Professor Rob Hillman at the University of Leicester and Dr Kelly Sheridan at Northumbria University.
As part of the research, Leisa has liaised with manufacturers, involved organisations such as the Metropolitan Police, and National Knife Crime Working Group.
“Our research suggests that there is an opportunity for crime reduction by swapping pointed-tip knives for rounded blades in the kitchen,” explained Ms Nichols-Drew. “A knife that can be used safely and effectively at home without the possibility of accidental injury minimises the risk of it being used as a potential weapon.”
DMU’s Small Business Leadership Programme, which helped more than 80 small businesses in Leicestershire to build their businesses through the pandemic, reached the finals of the Education category.
The Leicestershire Business Awards, held in partnership with headline sponsor Mazars, recognised winners across 13 categories, ranging from Business Improvement Through Technology and Environmental Impact Award within an organisation to individual honours for Entrepreneur of the Year and Apprentice of the Year.
There were new categories this year for Excellence in Collaboration and Excellence in Innovation.
Finalists, chosen by a judging panel of the Chamber’s senior leadership and board of directors, as well as sponsors, discovered their fate during a gala dinner attended by hundreds of people at Leicester Tigers’ Mattioli Woods Welford Road stadium – marking a return for face-to-face celebrations after being held virtually last year.
Scott Knowles, chief executive of the Chamber, said: “There has been so much to celebrate within our business community despite a challenging 18 months and these awards have showcased some of the incredible companies that call our region home.
“As the economic recovery continues, and new opportunities present themselves in a new era of global trade and sustainable business, these are just the kinds of organisations we should be highlighting when we’re shouting about everything the East Midlands has to offer. We know it’s a great place to do business and these are living proof.
“We received so many high-calibre applications, which demonstrated how the pandemic hasn’t been a period in which we have just stood still. Instead, the time afforded for reflection has led to many companies seeking out new opportunities, innovating and driving themselves forward.”
