- Commit to the full electrification of the Midland Main Line
- Reinstate direct rail services between Leicester and Coventry
- Put £18m of funding into improving the Nottingham to Lincoln line
- Prioritise schemes within the Midlands Rail Hub scheme following the HS2 East cancellation
Government axing of railway scheme must not impact East Midlands asks, says Chamber
A range of proposed rail improvements for the East Midlands must not be overlooked by the government, says East Midlands Chamber, following the Chancellor’s announcement that the ‘Restoring Your Railway’ fund was to end.
The Chamber’s Manifesto for Growth 2024 contains a series of asks for the government to significantly upgrade the transport infrastructure in the East Midlands:
Cameron Homes reveals new leadership structure
Midlands-based homebuilder, Cameron Homes, has announced a new leadership structure, a key step in its strategic growth plan.
The homebuilder, which is part of Tara Group, has a newly formed Senior Leadership Team, led by Managing Director, Guy Bebbington. Guy has taken on the role from Founder and Director of Cameron Homes, Ian Burns, following his decision to step down from the board.
Alongside Guy, the Cameron Homes leadership team will oversee a range of disciplines, crucial to the homebuilder’s continued success in the new build sector.
The newly formed team boasts a wealth of experience and expertise, and includes:
- Guy Bebbington – Managing Director
- Collette Bradbury – Sales & Marketing Director
- Lewis Brazier – Head of Production
- Steve Cassie – Development Director
- Michael Dean – Commercial Director
- Carli Gallier – Head of People
- John Hickman – Group Land Director
- Paul Morrissey – Operations Director
- Luke Sidaway – Head of Finance
- Kate Tait – Group Land & Planning Director
Property consultancy retained after assisting in acquisition of major new business park in Nottinghamshire
A property consultancy has assisted Clowes Developments in the off-market acquisition of a major new business park in Nottinghamshire with permission for around 500,000 sq ft of warehouse and industrial space.
Harrier Park in Hucknall, Nottingham, has planning permission for six new buildings to be constructed for industrial and logistics use. The site has been purchased by Clowes off Rolls-Royce via their development manager Muse.
Property agent Fisher German has been retained, jointly alongside fellow agents FHP, at the 31-acre site which dates back to World War II when it was used as an aerodrome.
In the 1950s, it was the location of the world’s first vertical aircraft take-off, leading to the development of the famous Harrier ‘Jump Jet’ which led to the name Harrier Park.
Now, Fisher German has been instructed as joint marketing agents and is inviting interest from occupiers for ‘build to suit’ industrial and warehouse buildings either to buy or rent.
Rob Champion, Partner and Head of Industrial and Logistics at Fisher German, said this is a key site in Nottingham which would boost the economy through the jobs that would be created at the business park.
He added: “The site has an interesting history and the development will see the legacy of industrial innovation preserved through the delivery of best-in-class buildings for today’s forward-thinking businesses.
“We are expecting very strong interest from a range of sectors since the market remains strong and we will be using our market knowledge and key connections to identify potential occupiers.”
Miles Youdan, Partner in Investment at Fisher German, added: “This will help to create jobs for local people which will have a positive knock-on effect for the local economy.
“We are confident Harrier Park will be a real success story for the area, particularly with the variety of unit sizes, access to skills and its great transport links.”
Sarah Day, Senior Land Manager at Clowes Developments, added: “The site has the potential to develop just over 500,000 sq ft of industrial use facilities in a prime location with great connections across the East Midlands.
“We look forward to working with the local planning authority, Ashfield District Council, to bring forward a business park which will enhance the economy and provide employment opportunities locally.”
Aggregate Industries enhances local sea defences
Aggregate Industries, a building materials supplier, has delivered 89,000 tonnes of rock armour as part of the Environment Agency’s £29 million Stallingborough Sea Defence Improvement Scheme.
Aiming to enhance coastal defences and protect critical infrastructure along the Humber Estuary, between the ports of Immingham and Grimsby, this ambitious project required 70,000 tonnes of granite to be shipped from Aggregate Industries’ Glensanda superquarry in Western Scotland via Immingham Dock.
The granite, with each piece weighing between 0.3 to 1.0 tonnes, made its two-day sea voyage aboard the 90-meter-long Hagland Saga. Each of the 17 shipments carried approximately 4,500 tonnes. Upon arrival at Immingham, the cargo was swiftly offloaded and transported by road to the Stallingborough project site.
Additionally, 19,000 tonnes of smaller grade rock armour, ranging from 60kg to 300kg, were sourced from the firm’s Bardon Hill quarry in Leicestershire and delivered in approximately 700-tonne loads.
In collaboration with Jackson Civil Engineering, Aggregate Industries ensured a seamless delivery, overcoming challenges such as unpredictable docking times and the migration of vital bird species which limit works within the designated Humber Estuary site between April and September every year.
Nick Gilbert, business development manager for Aggregate Industries, adds: “We are proud to have played a crucial role in protecting Stallingborough and its surrounding areas.
“Our comprehensive network and methods enabled us to meet the logistical challenges of this complex and reactive project which effectively saw the equivalent of a quarter of the Humber Bridge’s tonnage seamlessly delivered and discharged, directly contributing to the safety and resilience of the local community.”
The Stallingborough Sea Defence Improvement Scheme is the third phase of ongoing coastal improvements and is designed to provide a further 25-year design life to the current flood defence embankments.
This project will see the repair and fortification of a 4.5km stretch – including some 3km of rock armour – with the works comprising resealing and improvements of existing revetments, some of which date back to the 1953 North Sea flood. This effort will safeguard 2,300 homes, vital infrastructure and industry, as well as precious habitats in the Stallingborough area.
Nigel Priestley, Senior Project Manager for the Environment Agency, said: “Aggregate Industries have provided a great service to Jackson and the Environment Agency by supplying the smaller rock to allow installation to commence in 2023, and then the larger rock from Oban, through the winter, impacted by numerous storms, in time for a March 2024 start.
“The option to deliver by boat from the UK has also saved a significant amount of carbon too and minimised transportation by road.”
The granite used in this project, known for its durability and longevity, is an ideal material for modern sea defences. With a lifespan exceeding 100 years, these specialist aggregates are designed to withstand harsh weather conditions and dissipate wave energy, mitigating soil erosion and maintaining the natural integrity of the landscape.
Beyond its protective capabilities, the rock armour also promotes vegetation growth and facilitates habitat creation, aligning with Aggregate Industries’ commitment to environmental sustainability.
Nottingham’s Altia strengthens presence in APAC region with senior hires
Investigative technology specialist Altia has appointed two senior figures in a bid to drive further growth across Asia, Pacific, Australia, and China (APAC).
The additions to the APAC team will see Rob Cordy join as Head of Sales with Brandan Lizotte taking on the position of Senior Business Development Manager, with both tasked with developing the company’s presence in the region.
Headquartered in Nottingham, Altia serves a global audience, providing law enforcement agencies, government departments, and private sector businesses with intelligence and investigation software.
The new additions to Altia’s APAC team follow the company announcing a new partnership with SOCO – a multi-award-winning IT consultancy, based in Australia, which specialises in the delivery of digital solutions, business applications and integration projects – in February this year.
Rob’s arrival will complement Altia’s services, bringing with him over 30 years of experience in the IT industry across both the private and public sectors, with a proven track record of leading high-performing teams at organisations such as Dell, HP, and IBM.
With extensive expertise in driving sales growth and cultivating team success, his focus will be on helping organisations achieve business process improvements, risk mitigation, and operational efficiencies through Altia’s software solutions.
Brandan brings with him an extensive background in sales and business development and will support Altia’s expansion goals in the region, establishing strategic partnerships and maintaining long-term client relationships.
He holds a background in law enforcement, having served as a police officer between 2012 and 2017, where he ensured operational safety through patrols, responded to incidents, enforced laws and investigated offenses.
Rob Sinclair, Altia CEO, said: “We are thrilled to welcome Rob and Brandan to our team. Individually, they both have a strong track record of driving businesses forward with their expertise in sales, business development, and in creating long-lasting relationships with customers.
“With their combined experience and leadership they will play a pivotal role as we continue to grow and strengthen our presence in the APAC market.
“We look forward to their contributions and the positive impact they will bring to our organisation, as well as the support they will bring to existing and new customers within the region, helping them to utilise Altia’s technologies and streamline their operations.”
Rob Cordy said: “I am thrilled to join Altia and help lead the expansion of our innovative solutions in the APAC region. The dynamic and rapidly growing market here presents incredible opportunities for us.
“I’m looking forward to working with the team to enhance our presence and further drive our ambition of providing cutting-edge investigative technology to new heights.”
Brandan added: “When it comes to providing investigative tech Altia is a world leader in what it does, so naturally I’m delighted to join the team and start contributing to the company’s growth.
“I can’t wait to hit the ground running with the rest of the team, build strong partnerships and help to deliver Altia’s innovative solutions across the region to bring exceptional value and support for our clients.”
Ashby-based property consultancy makes new IT hires
Fisher German has added five new members of staff to its IT team after the recent promotion of five others, including Neil Jones to Head of IT Infrastructure and Service Operations.
Joining the team are Craig Sharpe and Nathan Robbins, who both join as Systems Support Engineers, Hugh Gilmore who joins as a Junior Project Manager, Emmanuel Isitor who joins as Database Administrator, and Anthony Benskin who becomes Head of Change.
These follow the promotions of Liam Morton to Service Desk Manager, Charlie Pook to Systems Administrator, Daniel Baldwin to Software Development Manager, and Brian Shaw to Systems Administrator.
Fisher German has been able to grow its team and promote internally in part due to an increased requirement from its clients to work more collaboratively across all facets of a project – which often involves integrating how they capture and process data.
Neil, who started working at Fisher German in 2006, said: “I’m really pleased that the IT team has been able to grow organically following my colleagues being rewarded with promotions for their excellent work.
“Fisher German has always looked to proactively invest in IT and its team in order to deliver the best service for its clients, which has resulted in the team needing to expand due to increased demand.
“Our clients are increasingly looking to integrate their own systems with Fisher German so they can work seamlessly on key projects, and our team ensures bespoke IT solutions are created to make this happen.
“Instead of just recommending software that can be bought on the market, we work closely with our clients to tailor-make a solution that gives them exactly what they need.
“We also want to be leading the way in business intelligence and analysing the data we gather in the right way, not only for Fisher German’s benefit, but our clients’ too.
“We expect this kind of work to only increase into the future, which means we need the right people in place to deliver the solutions our clients expect from us.”
While Fisher German has added to its IT team recently, with the expected increase in workload, further expansions are likely in the near future.
“Now Fisher German has grown to a record size, there’s real scope for talented, ambitious IT professionals to join the firm and progress their career in-house,” Neil added.
“We’re expecting that many of our IT team will become specialists in particular software or solutions as we continue to grow, without them losing that general level of expertise.
“It’s a really exciting time to be working for Fisher German in IT, and I’m intrigued to see how much we will evolve in the coming years.”
Carl Stirland, IT Director at Fisher German, added: “Fisher German provides an excellent working environment that promotes and fosters personal development and community spirit.
“These are excellent appointments following well-deserved promotions, and I am immensely proud and thankful of all who have contributed to the incredible growth of the IT team.”
University of Nottingham spinout secures £500,000 for Tourette’s therapy wristband
Neupulse, a University of Nottingham spinout, has secured a £500,000 equity investment through the Midlands Engine Investment Fund II, facilitated by appointed fund manager for the East and South East Midlands, Mercia Ventures.
Founded in 2021 by husband and wife team, Professors Stephen and Georgina Jackson, with Dr Barbara Morera at the University of Nottingham, Neupulse is pioneering a safe, non-drug treatment to help manage the symptoms of Tourette’s syndrome.
The wristband device stimulates the median nerve in the wrist to help control the tics or involuntary movements caused by Tourette’s syndrome. Clinical trials have shown the device can reduce tic frequency on average by 25% on initial use, with a further reduction in frequency after four weeks of use.
The funding will enable the company to finalise development of its device and carry out further trials as it seeks to gain regulatory approvals in the UK, Europe and the USA. It follows a £2.5 million investment earlier this year from a consortium including Eos Advisory and US-based investors and brings the total the company has raised to date to almost £4.5 million.
Paul Cable, CEO, Neupulse, said: “This funding from Midlands Engine Investment Fund II will take us one step further towards our mission to roll out our device and give new hope to people with Tourette’s. Having Mercia Ventures on board as a partner provides additional value, given its expertise in backing businesses that are developing new products and helping them gain entry to the US market.”
Sandy Reid, Mercia Ventures, added: “Tourette’s syndrome is believed to affect up to two per cent of all children worldwide but currently the only treatments are medication and behavioural therapy, neither of which are ideal solutions. Neupulse’s device offers a genuine alternative. This funding will help the company to bring it to market and transform lives.”
£15m+ contract places Leicestershire-based Bluesky at forefront of UK aerial data provision
The Government’s Geospatial Commission has awarded Bluesky International the contract to supply aerial photography to public sector organisations across Great Britain.
The contract, worth more than £15 million, also includes the provision of 3D height models and colour infrared. It runs for three years, with the option to extend for a further two years.
Branded as Aerial Photography for Great Britain (APGB), the agreement commits Leicestershire-based Bluesky as the sole supplier of data on a two-year cyclic basis.
It means more than 4,500 local authorities, emergency services, environmental bodies, and central government departments will gain access to the most up-to-date aerial imagery and height data available – free at point of use.
It is the first time the contract has been awarded to a sole supplier and puts the innovative Ashby-based aerial survey company firmly at the forefront of aerial data provision for Great Britain.
Bluesky’s CEO Rachel Tidmarsh said: “The award of this contract is a great achievement and is testament to the high standards of work we produce and the professionalism of our team.
“Bluesky celebrated its 20th year just a few months ago, and this contract highlights the importance of the investment and innovation we have carried out over this time.
“The APGB contract offers significant benefits to the public sector. We are seeing public organisations use our data to unlock an increasing number of applications.
“This is particularly as these government organisations strive to meet legislative requirements around biodiversity, climate change, and planning.”
Under the APGB agreement, Bluesky will provide aerial imagery at 12.5cm resolution across the entirety of England, Wales and Scotland. Urban areas (as defined by the ONS) will be even more closely photographed, with images captured at an incredible 5cm.
In addition, Bluesky will provide access to its derived datasets, including Digital Surface Models (DSM) at 2m, Digital Terrain Models at 5m, and Colour Infrared at 50cm.
APGB members will also have access – free at point of use – to all of Bluesky’s historical imagery. This highly detailed archive dates back to 2000, with historical data having an important role to play in measuring change over the past two decades. It will also help with identifying patterns, supporting local authority future planning.
Microlise Group sees strong six months
Microlise Group, a provider of transport management software to fleet operators, has reported a “strong performance” for the six months ended 30 June 2024.
The results for first half of the year saw revenue grow by 15.4% to £39.1m, driven by strong growth in recurring revenues, which have grown 21.5% (11% organic) to £26.6m. Annual recurring revenue, meanwhile, increased 20.6% (11% organic) to £54m.
During the period, the Nottingham-based Group added 202 new customers, securing new business across all its target geographies and with significant wins with LGV fleet operators. The period also saw Microlise announce the acquisition of K-Safe, a developer of road safety products.Nadeem Raza, CEO, Microlise said: “I am delighted to report strong performance in the first half of the year, with significant recurring revenue growth following a strong period of delivery in the second half of last year and with new products from our successful acquisitions leading to an increase in cross selling and upselling.
“In addition, we secured a significant number of new clients, including strategically important contract wins in our international markets.
“We continue to seek acquisitions that can further enhance our offering and accelerate our growth within all regions. With superior market positioning, favourable market conditions, and a strong pipeline, we are confident of meeting expectations for the full year.”
Directors of care recruitment company banned after failing to pay more than £30m in tax
The directors of a Derby company supplying NHS workers to the care sector have been disqualified after failing to pay more than £30 million in tax.
Raja Usman, also known as Usman Raja, was the director of Umbrella Care Ltd, with his wife Khair Un Nisa.
The pair knowingly submitted inaccurate VAT, PAYE and NIC returns to HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) on behalf of Umbrella Care between May 2017 and at least April 2020.
More than £33 million in tax owed by the company was under-declared by the pair during this period.
Usman was disqualified for 14-and-a-half years at an uncontested hearing of the High Court in London, with the order starting from Tuesday 30 July.
The 38-year-old was also ordered to pay costs of £5,399.10.
Nisa, 41, signed an 11-year disqualification undertaking which began in September 2023.
Lawrence Zussman, Deputy Head of Company Investigations at the Insolvency Service, said: “Raja Usman and Khair Un Nisa deliberately under-declared the amount of tax Umbrella Care was expected to pay by tens of millions of pounds.
“This was money that should have been used to provide vital public services and investment in areas such as schools, hospitals and roads.
“The disqualifications ban Usman and Nisa from being company directors until 2034 and 2039 respectively and the liquidators continue to recover millions in pounds of assets worldwide.”
Investigations into Usman and Nisa revealed that £12,031,159 in VAT and £21,596,982 in PAYE and NIC was under-declared to HMRC. Umbrella Care was wound-up in court in November 2020 following a provisional liquidation granted on petition from HMRC. Insolvency practitioners from Azets Holdings Ltd, who were the previous provisional liquidators of Umbrella Care, were then appointed as liquidators on the same day. The company went into liquidation owing more than £35 million to HMRC. The joint liquidators working with HMRC and solicitors from Wedlake Bell LLP have conducted extensive investigations and litigation to recover approximately £5.2 million from numerous bank accounts. They have also traced the missing funds to 14 properties which have been recovered and sold for approximately £7.3 million. Further property sales and investigations into funds transferred overseas and to third parties are expected to bring in an additional £1.5 million, bringing the estimated total recoveries to around £14 million. Louise Brittain, joint liquidator at Azets, said: “Azets have conducted extensive investigations and litigation in this case to recover wrongfully removed company funds and this has led to a considerable return to creditors. “We are pleased that these actions have enabled the Insolvency Service to obtain the disqualifications and undertakings that they have and this case demonstrates the strength of private and public sector working.” The disqualifications prevent Usman and Nisa from being involved in the promotion, formation or management of a company, without the permission of the court.