200° Coffee makes first store acquisition under new ownership
Nottingham’s 200° Coffee has made its first store acquisition since their sale to Caffé Nero.
The new venue is at Junction 32, Yorkshire Shopping Outlet and will be opening just in time for Christmas.
BOX Property director, Ben Tebbutt, says: “The Junction 32 outlet centre was an obvious choice following on from our success at McArthur Glenn, York, Cannock and Junction 29.
“Caffé Nero are committed to growing the 200° store portfolio and we are looking forward to being part of the ongoing journey.”
BOX are looking to acquire further sites for the brand in shopping centres, high streets, outlet centres and retail parks (1,200 -3,000ft²).
Target locations are in Manchester, Liverpool, Newcastle, Leeds, York, Harrogate, Sheffield, Nottingham, Birmingham, Durham, Cheltenham, Bristol, Bath, Oxford, Cambridge, Norwich, Peterborough and Cardiff.
Altia appoints Chief Operating Officer
Investigative and intelligence tech specialist Altia has expanded its senior leadership team with the addition of a Chief Operating Officer (COO) as it looks to deliver on its expansive growth ambitions.
The move sees Allan Dunn join the tech company as COO and as a new member of its Board of Directors.
This significant hire links with Altia’s ambitious growth strategy, with Allan taking on responsibility for executing mergers and acquisitions and supporting the company’s expansion goals.
Headquartered in Nottingham, Altia serves a global audience, providing law enforcement agencies, government departments, and private sector businesses with intelligence and investigation software.
The appointment comes during a period of growth for Altia, with the company having recently hired Sarah Saxton-Jones as Head of Product in September this year, which was preceded by two senior appointments in the company’s Asia Pacific team to strengthen its presence in the region.
Allan joins Altia from private equity firm NorthEdge, where he served as Portfolio Director for the past eighteen months, advising Altia’s CEO and the Board.
His strategic insights and operational expertise during this period have already been instrumental in guiding Altia’s direction, making him well-prepared for his new leadership role.
As COO, Allan will ensure Altia’s operational plans are seamlessly executed, enabling CEO Rob Sinclair to focus on long-term strategy.
Rob Sinclair said: “With Allan’s extensive experience in both private equity and C-suite roles, I’m thrilled to have him on board. His deep understanding of Altia and his success in driving growth across various industries are tremendous assets for us at this pivotal time.
“We’re looking forward to seeing the impact he will make as we look to grow our offering around the world.”
Allan brings over five years of experience as a private equity portfolio director and is a seasoned C-suite executive, with prior roles as COO and CFO.
A Chartered Accountant, he successfully led and delivered a $100 million exit for shareholders of a technology services company, contributing to its growth across EMEA (Europe, the Middle East, and Africa), Asia-Pacific, and the Americas.
On his appointment, Allan Dunn said: “I am excited to join Altia as COO and to work alongside a talented team dedicated to delivering impactful solutions in investigative tech.
“Altia’s commitment to innovation and client-focused growth is second to none and aligns perfectly with my ambitions. Over the past couple of years Altia has gone from strength to strength, and I look forward to contributing to its continued success and expansion moving forward.”
Rail firm launches care-leavers party appeal to fund festive fun
A Midlands rail firm which hosts two Christmas parties every year to help young people who have left care feel less alone has launched its annual appeal to raise money to fund the festive fun.
MTMS has unveiled its 2024 Make a Difference campaign, which aims to sprinkle some Christmas joy across the lives of young people from across the region during December.
The aim is to raise money to pay for all the food, musical entertainment and hampers full of presents at two parties, which will take place in Burton and Derby for just under 200 16 to 25-year-olds who live independently after leaving the care system.
The annual tradition started seven years ago in the wake of a series of suicides among young care leavers living in Staffordshire around Christmas time.
Trandeep Sethi, who is the district lead for children’s services at Staffordshire County Council, realised the loneliness at Christmas was having a devastating effect on the young people who had no families of their own to share the festivities with.
He put out an appeal for help to arrange a party for them and MTMS, which is based in Moira in Leicestershire, responded, alongside members of Derbyshire Freemasons, who offered to host the event at Ashfield House in Burton.
Seven years later, the venue is due to host this year’s party on December 6, with another party, again organised by MTMS and Derbyshire Freemasons, taking place at Littleover Lodge in Derby on December 9.
Malcolm Prentice, group chairman of MTMS and a member of Derbyshire Freemasons, said: “Over the years the parties have proven to be a lifeline for young people who, through no fault of their own, find themselves feeling isolated at Christmas, which is the worst time of the year for anybody to feel alone.
“Every year they come to us and we give them a couple of hours of fun, a roast turkey lunch and a Christmas hamper containing what are likely to be the only presents they’ll receive that year.
“Our staff and volunteers give up their time to run the events, but we can’t make the magic happen without the funds, which is why we’re calling on people to help us out by making a donation to make a difference this Christmas.”
The donations will pay for the meal, entertainment such as a DJ, band or musician and gift hampers for each young person with goodies such as clothes, toiletries and snacks.
Anyone who would like to make a donation can do so by visiting https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/makeadifference2024
Plastic packaging firm invest in new machine to secure future growth
A Leicester-based plastic packaging manufacturer has invested in a new blow moulding machine to boost efficiency and support the growth of the business.
Family owned Measom Freer has purchased a GDK hybrid extrusion blow moulding machine from UK distributor 3PA which will support the growth of sales in the chemical market.
The machine signifies the company’s continued investment in new equipment and their drive to generate new business in the chemical sector with a focus on sectors such as janitorial and car care.
The hybrid, 10 litre capacity blow moulding machine will help improve production efficiency via automation and lower energy consumption. These improvements will enable Measom Freer to provide lower costs for products in high and low volumes.
As part of the company’s strategic growth strategy, new products targeting the chemical sector will be added to the range.
Measom Freer Production Manager Ben Freer said: “This machine represents a significant milestone for the business as we grow into new sectors.
“The new machine will enhance our capabilities and product offering to customers as well reducing our energy consumption and impact on the environment.”
Australian acquisition and investment in American team sees international growth for Grimsby kids swimwear brand
Children’s swimwear brand Splash About has seen international growth in both Australia and the USA. The company, which is headquartered in Grimsby, has acquired its distribution partner Little Toggs in New South Wales, rebranding the business Splash About Australia Pty Limited, and for the first time the business has hired a team in the USA.
The move into both continents will accelerate relationships with infant swim schools, retailers and facilitate distribution as demand for product increases.
Commenting on the Australian acquisition, Lesley Beach, Joint Managing Director of Splash About International Ltd, said: “The potential for growth in Australia is huge with over 1.8 million children currently learning to swim. We had a strong presence in the market working closely with Little Toggs, but the infant swimwear and accessories market has grown exponentially.”
Lesley continued: “Demand for our Happy Nappy swim nappy has soared due to its technical design which prevents faecal leaks. Unwelcome leaks are bad for business; pools need to close for cleaning and lessons must be cancelled, which results in unnecessary and avoidable expense.
“Insisting on a reusable Happy Nappy to prevent these accidents is a simple, proven cost-effective option, saving operational costs and in turn increasing revenues.”
To facilitate demand, Splash About has invested in state-of-the-art warehouse facilities to quickly fulfil orders and maintain a high level of customer service. In Australia the business is based in New South Wales and will be spearheaded by Little Toggs founder Kylie Hadid and in America, Damien McDonnell is heading up business development in Texas.
In addition to swimwear and swim accessories, Splash About has devised a range of flexible Partnership Programmes to work with swim schools globally regardless of their size, which are aimed at helping them drive revenue, operate efficiently, and decrease costs without increasing prices.
Surprise fall in corporate insolvencies as East Midlands businesses face new economic hurdles
There has been a surprise fall in both the month-on-month and year-on-year corporate insolvency numbers ahead of the chancellor’s plans to increase both the national minimum wage and employers’ national insurance contributions from next April.
This is according to the Midlands branch of insolvency and restructuring body R3 and follows latest statistics published by the Insolvency Service which show that corporate insolvencies in England and Wales fell by 10.4% in October compared to the previous month – dropping from 1,950 to 1,747 – and by 23.8% against the same month in the previous year (2,293).
R3 Midlands Chair Stephen Rome, a partner at Penningtons Manches Cooper in the region, said: “The decrease in corporate insolvency numbers may seem surprising, as concerns about potential tax changes in the Budget resulted in high numbers of Members’ Voluntary Liquidations in September and October. Directors of solvent companies chose to wind down their businesses before any changes were announced, which may have skewed this month’s figures.
“The big question for many businesses, however, is how the upcoming changes to employer national insurance contributions and the minimum wage will affect them. Although this will increase costs for all but the smallest businesses, the feedback from the market is that some directors and management teams will look to manage the financial impact by adapting their staff levels or raising their prices.
“Businesses in hospitality, retail and construction are particularly vulnerable to these changes due to high staffing levels and a large proportion of employees on the national minimum wage. Directors of companies in these sectors will need to review all their costs, if they haven’t done so already, and think carefully about how these additional expenses can be absorbed.
“The silver lining here, albeit a thin one, is that we have seen a more positive trading climate recently as interest rates and inflation have fallen and retail, hospitality and construction have seen an improvement in spending, sales or output.
“As we head towards 2025, we urge anyone who is worried about finances to seek advice as soon as they possibly can. Discussions with a qualified advisor at the earliest possible opportunity will provide more options for improving the situation and more time to take a decision about the next step.
“Most R3 members will give prospective clients a free initial consultation so they can learn more about their circumstances and outline any potential solutions for improving them.”
Harris Lamb makes appointment to oversee East Mids Agency operations
Harris Lamb has strengthened its Commercial Agency team with the appointment of Scott Osborne, who joins the business to focus on the East Midlands region.
Scott, who has spent the past 17 years with Innes England, joins the business as a Director, overseeing Commercial Agency operations at Harris Lamb’s Nottingham office.
Scott began his surveying career after graduating in 2007 with a Masters degree in Property Investment and Management from Nottingham Trent University, joining Innes England shorty afterward on a graduate placement, and working his way up to Director.
While Scott’s primary specialism is acquisition, disposal and development consultancy, he also has extensive experience of providing advice and support on landlord and tenant matters, property management and business rates guidance.
Neil Slade, Director at Harris Lamb, said: “We are extremely pleased that Scott has joined our team. He has a superb reputation within the East Midlands and is very connected and well respected throughout the sector. His experience and knowledge of the marketplace throughout the region will be a huge asset to the business.”
Scott said: “I am excited to be commencing a new path on my career. I take great pride in offering bespoke advice to clients and maximizing return on their property through strategic asset management, ensuring full, transparent communication with key stakeholders throughout.
“Harris Lamb’s core approach is very much aligned with my own and I chose to join the business because of its strong reputation and its ambitious plans moving forward.
“The multi-service offering the business provides is very appealing, and this opportunity will enable me to offer further solutions and support to clients within the region.”
Nottingham Trent University awarded £2.5m for world-class ‘accelerator’ speeding development of RehabTech
A world-class impact accelerator will connect hundreds of East Midlands MedTech SMEs with health and care professionals, academics and the public to drive the design, development and delivery of pioneering rehabilitation technologies.
Nottingham Trent University has been awarded £2.5 million by the UKRI Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) to lead the project, which is expected to accelerate innovation into health and care pathways and transform how people recover and regain independence and function following injury or illness.
As people live longer and chronic health conditions increase, the demand for rehabilitation technologies, or ‘RehabTech’ is soaring.
The ‘EMERGE’ project – East Midlands Emerging RehabTech Growth Enterprise – will launch the East Midlands as the UK’s ‘RehabTech Valley’, a leading hub for rehabilitation technologies excellence.
The University of Nottingham, Loughborough University and the University of Derby will co-lead, supported by a 30-strong consortium spanning research and innovation, medical and health tech organisations, the NHS, local government and economic development.
The project will connect the region’s cluster of 459 med-tech SMEs, addressing current challenges around slowing productivity, access to skills, clinical partnerships and private investment.
It will create mechanisms for engagement between businesses, academics, the NHS and patients and speed up the development and availability of RehabTech.
It will translate theoretical breakthroughs and proof-of-concept ideas to cutting-edge innovations across areas including sensors and imaging, medical device materials and device design, smart medical wearables, bioengineering, robotics and artificial intelligence.
As well as supporting recovery and helping people to regain their independence, the move is expected to deliver a significant economic impact, boosting regional growth and productivity and enabling SMEs to secure an increasing share of a rapidly growing market.
Work will also involve ensuring public and patient involvement is embedded in activities and projects to best address health inequalities.
There are widening health inequalities in the East Midlands and preventable diseases such as heart disease, stroke and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease are worse in the region’s cities than the UK average.
Despite deprived communities being 60% more likely to suffer long-term health conditions than the richest, they still face significant barriers to accessing rehabilitation services that would speed up recovery and return to work.
The East Midlands is well-positioned to tackle these issues, with the region now considered to be at the forefront of rehabilitation and associated technologies, recognised by the Government’s £105m investment in the National Rehabilitation Centre, which is located in Nottinghamshire and will be run and staffed by Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust.
The EMERGE project will be led from Nottingham Trent University’s Medical Technologies Innovation Facility, a dual-site medical devices and advanced materials technology innovation centre.
Professor Richard Emes, Pro Vice-Chancellor Research and International at Nottingham Trent University, said: “This award further supports our ambitions in the theme of Health Innovation where NTU researchers are dedicated to transforming patient and community care outcomes.
“The impact acceleration account will speed the translation of applied research between academic partners and healthcare providers in the region to achieve real-world change for the benefit of patients.”
UK Science Minister Lord Vallance said: “This investment will allow innovators up and down the country to continue or expand their pioneering work to improve lives and kickstart growth in our economy with new opportunities.”
Seven projects are being funded through EPSRC’s Place Based Impact Acceleration Account (PBIAA) scheme.
EPSRC Executive Chair, Professor Charlotte Deane, said: “The seven projects announced today will harness regional research and innovation strengths to unleash the potential of emerging and existing innovation clusters across the UK.
“Our investment will strengthen partnerships between UK universities, civic bodies and local businesses to create new jobs, improve skills and boost regional economic growth that will benefit places and communities directly.”
Tile industry supplier snaps up last spot at Northampton distribution park
Prologis UK, an investor, owner and developer of logistics property, has secured a new lease with Pro Tiler Tools, part of Topps Group, a supplier of tiles and tiling equipment, for DC2 at Prologis Park Pineham, in Northampton, bringing the park to full occupancy.
Following a comprehensive refurbishment, the nationwide brand has signed a 15-year lease to use the unit as a base for future growth plans.
The refurbishment was designed with sustainability and operational efficiency in mind, raising the 138,192 sq ft distribution centre to an EPC A rating. The finished space features LED lighting, a fully-electric office, EV parking, rainwater harvesting whilst the roof is already futureproofed for solar PV.
The building is equipped with 12 dock doors, two level access doors and a clear internal height of 12.5 metres, and is due to be fitted-out with racking through the Prologis Essentials platform.
Ash Patel, Head of Property at Topps Tiles, said: “Finding the right partner and location was key when looking to expand our operations, and Prologis and their Pineham Park was just that. Being close to our existing operation for our staff, whilst also having the prime distribution location by J15A M1 perfectly meets our logistical and operational needs.
“The Essentials platform that Prologis offers has also been of real benefit. We look forward to becoming part of the community at Pineham and can’t wait to see our partnership with Prologis grow and develop even further.”
Situated within the Midlands’ ‘Golden Triangle’ of logistics, Prologis Park Pineham will serve as a crucial part of Pro Tiler Tools’ supply chain operations through its strategic location near Junction 15A of the M1, offering easy access across the UK.
The Park is also home to a number of other leading brands, including Sainsbury’s, Morrisons, BMW and Wincanton. The Park also offers dedicated areas of open space with walking trails of up to 3km where Park employees can enjoy breaks, along with art installations through Prologis UK’s PARKlife initiative.
Tom Price, Leasing Director at Prologis UK, said: “For many years we have incorporated sustainability into the designs of all our units, ensuring refurbishments can easily elevate existing facilities to match the industry-leading standards of our brand new properties, and DC2 is a perfect example of this. We look forward to welcoming Pro Tiler Tools to Prologis Park Pineham and seeing the business go from strength to strength.”
Cushman and Wakefield, BNP Paribas and Knight Frank acted for Prologis and Colliers acted for Pro Tiler Tools.
Derby businesses come together to help charity give children seaside holidays
Members of Derby’s business community have come together to back a charity’s campaign giving seaside holidays to children who might not otherwise get a break.
Dean Jackson MBE, founder of sporting apparel company Huub, Kan Koo, owner of COSMO restaurant, Mark Perks, co-owner of finance firm Pay with Click, and Simon Evans, co-founder of tree planting enterprise Co-Treetment, have all got behind the Derbyshire Children’s Holiday Centre’s “Just 1 Child” campaign.
The Derbyshire Children’s Holiday Centre charity has been going since 1891. Every year it gives hundreds of children a five-day stay at its specialist centre in Skegness, where they benefit from a range of activities such as trips to Butlins, a day on the beach, meals out, visits to the swimming pool, and enjoyment of the centre itself with its fully equipped games room, creative area, themed bedrooms, home-cooked meals and chill-out TV room.
Children from across Derbyshire are nominated to go to the centre if they may not otherwise get a break, whether that is due to financial hardship or other reasons, such as caring for relatives.
The charity’s Just 1 Child campaign invites supporters to pay for one child to attend the centre for a week, at a cost of £450.
The first business to back the campaign was Des Gosling Mobility of Melbourne, which makes innovative disability aids for vehicles. Now Huub, COSMO, Pay with Click and Co-Treetment have come on board too.
Kan Koo, director of COSMO Derby, said: “We have supported Derbyshire Children’s Holiday Centre for many years and have raised thousands of pounds to help them take youngsters on holiday.
“As a family restaurant, we believe every child deserves happy memories and the chance to explore beyond their everyday environment. This partnership allows us to give back to our community and bring a bit of brightness to families who need it most.”
Dean Jackson, owner of Huub, said: “It’s a real pleasure to back the Just 1 Child campaign. Going to Skegness with my family in the 1970s and 80s will forever live with me as the most exciting times. I’m so happy that our support will help deliver some of that East coast magic to these wonderful young people of Derby and Derbyshire.
“The bus which travels weekly to the Derbyshire Children’s Holiday Centre leaves from a central Derby location very close to our offices at Huub – seeing them boarding the minibus from my office window just melts me.
“It’s so important for children to get a great start in life and I’m delighted to play my part by taking part in this campaign.”
Co-Treetment is based in a Leicestershire field and offers businesses and individuals the opportunity to offset their carbon emissions through planting trees. Co-Treetment also runs a special Derbyshire Children’s Holiday Centre tree planting scheme.
Co-Treetment has been so successful that businesses and other supporters have paid for 4,500 trees so far, of which 750 directly benefit the charity.
This has generated thousands of pounds for the Derbyshire Children’s Holiday Centre – which includes support for two children under the Just 1 Child campaign.
Co-founder Simon Evans said: “The project has had a really good take-up. It’s exceeded our expectations. We have some very generous supporters who have been to the centre as young children and they know how hard it is to have a break or a holiday.
“Supporting young people is extremely important to me and I’m delighted that through something so simple but so profound as tree-planting, children are benefiting as well as our environment.”
Mark Perks, co-owner of open banking payment provider Pay with Click, said he was very pleased to support the campaign, with the charity’s offices in Pride Park being just a few doors down from his.
Mark, who has previously donated a giant Easter egg to be sold off for the charity, said: “Giving children a great start in life is so important and I really appreciate the work that the Derbyshire Children’s Holiday Centre does.
“Adults can make their own decisions but children really benefit from being supported at a young age, helping them develop great self-esteem as they move through life. I’m proud to be supporting the Just 1 Child campaign.”
Charity chair Alan Grimadell said: “We’re delighted that generous businesses have supported our Just 1 Child campaign to pay for a child to attend our centre. Running a charity like ours isn’t cheap but the service we provide is extremely valuable.
“Holidays at our centre aren’t just about giving children a break; they help young people develop in other ways such as self-confidence and forming friendships too. Thank you so much to Huub, Co-Treetment, COSMO, Pay with Click and Des Gosling Mobility for all your support. The smiles on the children’s faces as they attend our centre will say it all.”
To support the campaign, visit www.justgiving.com/campaign/just1child
