Derbion set to open major sports facilities at former Eagle Market site

April Lara
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Derbion set to open major sports facilities at former Eagle Market site

Derbion is set to transform the former Eagle Market site with the launch of two large-scale sports facilities this autumn. Social Sports Society will open one of the UK’s largest indoor padel tennis centres, while Flo Skatepark will create a premier skateboarding hub for the East Midlands.

The 54,000-square-foot padel facility will be the third venue outside London for Social Sports Society, following successful launches in Birmingham and Manchester. The facility will offer affordable sessions for schools and local groups, aiming to increase participation in the rapidly growing sport. Padel tennis, played in doubles on a smaller, enclosed court, is gaining popularity across the UK.

Alongside, Flo Skatepark will occupy a 20,828-square-foot space, providing a world-class skateboarding venue with lessons, events, and community programmes. The skatepark is expected to be a key location for brand collaborations and local exhibitions.

Both facilities will complement the development of Derbion’s Eastern Gateway, which is set to enhance the city’s leisure offerings. The project, supported by £3 million from the Government’s Future High Streets Fund, is part of a broader effort to revitalise the area with family-friendly amenities, a new play area, and food stalls. The new facilities are expected to drive foot traffic to Derbion and further establish the site as a prime leisure destination for the region.

Games Workshop marks record year

Tess Egginton
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Games Workshop marks record year

Games Workshop has marked a record year in its results for the 52 week period to 1 June 2025, as its CEO hails “exciting times.”

Revenue at the Nottingham-based manufacturer of miniature wargames has risen to £617.5m from £525.7m, while the business has posted a pre-tax profit of £262.8m, up from £203m.

Kevin Rountree, CEO of Games Workshop, said: “After a record year, we remain focused on delivering our operational plans and working tirelessly to overcome any significant obstacles that get in the way.

“We will continue to give ourselves the freedom to make some mistakes, constantly working on improvements in product quality and manufacturing innovation.

“Despite our recent successes we will never take our hobbyists’ support for granted. I wish to thank all of them together with our staff, trade accounts and broader stakeholders for their ongoing support. Exciting times.”

Games Workshop noted that new tariffs could impact profit before tax by £12m in 2025/26.

Finding more Forever Families: LikeMind Media wins brief to boost adopter numbers

Tess Egginton
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Finding more Forever Families: LikeMind Media wins brief to boost adopter numbers
Loughborough-based content marketing consultancy, LikeMind Media has been appointed by Ofsted-rated ‘Outstanding’ voluntary adoption agency Adoption Focus to lead a major digital campaign addressing the national shortage of adopters. The year-long campaign will focus on reaching prospective adopters from all walks of life, with a particular emphasis on LGBTQ+ communities and people from Black and dual-heritage backgrounds — groups that remain significantly underrepresented in the adoption system. LikeMind Media will work to position Adoption Focus as the leading choice for adoption and early permanence across Central England, promoting its training and support through a strategic mix of organic and paid social media, search marketing, and event amplification. “We have delivered social media workshops for Adoption Focus and other adoption organisations, which has helped us understand some of the challenges they face in recruiting new adopters,” said Paul Ince, managing director of LikeMind Media. “Selecting the right audiences and creating content that deals with a sensitive subject requires us to work through sophisticated strategies. We have a great relationship with Adoption Focus — it’s much more like a partnership than a supplier/client relationship. We refer to us all as one team; we’re all looking forward to working with each other over the next year.” Jo Lee, director of business development at Adoption Focus, added: “We’ve worked with LikeMind Media informally in the past to strengthen our social media knowledge and output. This year, we wanted to start new campaigns to recruit adopters. Paul and his team were our first choice due to their knowledge, expertise, and our trust in their skill to maximise our resources and get the best results.”

Applications open for EarthScale climate tech programme

April Lara
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Applications open for EarthScale climate tech programme

EarthScale, a new initiative designed to help climate tech startups scale up, is now accepting applications for its first cohort. This three-year programme is backed by a £5 million grant from the Research England Development Fund and led by Imperial College London, in collaboration with five other UK universities: Nottingham, Cranfield, Derby, Exeter, and Leeds.

The aim of EarthScale is to bridge the gap between the prototype phase and market-ready deployment for climate tech ventures, addressing the challenges startups face in scaling innovative technologies. The programme offers participants access to specialised research, manufacturing facilities, and a network of experts across various technical fields.

The support provided will also include business development assistance, talent acquisition, and help navigating the complexities of regulations and policies. Startups that are selected will have the opportunity to enhance their operations and bring their climate solutions closer to commercialisation.

Applications are open until 7 September 2025, with the programme set to start on 1 October.

Silverstone Composites teams up with TC Group to accelerate growth

April Lara
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Silverstone Composites teams up with TC Group to accelerate growth

Silverstone Composites has partnered with TC Group to support its expansion and strengthen its financial position. As a leader in advanced materials, Silverstone has earned a strong reputation across motorsport, aerospace, and custom sectors. With this new alliance, TC Group will provide strategic guidance across multiple areas, including property, HR, tax, and R&D.

One of the first outcomes of the partnership is the relocation of Silverstone Composites to Silverstone Park, a key area for high-tech innovation. The partnership has also unlocked valuable funding opportunities, enabling further reinvestment in cutting-edge projects and talent development. TC Group’s experts are also assisting with the company’s succession planning, ensuring sustainable growth in the future.

This collaboration underscores TC Group’s approach to offering comprehensive advisory services, extending beyond the typical accountancy and compliance roles. The partnership brings together the expertise needed to drive Silverstone Composites into the next stage of its growth.

Study highlights digital connectivity gaps in Leicestershire’s growth potential

April Lara
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Study highlights digital connectivity gaps in Leicestershire’s growth potential

A recent study by VodafoneThree and WPI Strategy reveals stark differences in digital connectivity across Leicestershire, identifying areas where better access to technology could significantly boost employment, education, and business growth.

The study assessed digital infrastructure in Leicestershire’s parliamentary constituencies using five key metrics: unemployment, productivity, new small business formation, life satisfaction, and the percentage of residents without formal qualifications. The findings underscore that while digital connectivity has the potential to drive growth, its benefits are not evenly distributed.

The report categorises constituencies into three groups based on their performance across these indicators. Three constituencies—Leicester East, Leicester South, and Leicester West—are in the urgent need category, showing high unemployment rates (7.2%) and low productivity (£35.80 per hour), along with a significant proportion of residents lacking formal qualifications (26.7%). Despite a rise in new business creation in these areas, the report warns that poor digital access and skills are barriers to further economic development.

Other areas, such as Loughborough, Hinckley and Bosworth, and North West Leicestershire, are performing near the national average but still face challenges. While these constituencies benefit from low unemployment and reasonable life satisfaction scores, productivity remains a concern. These regions could unlock further potential through targeted investment in digital infrastructure and skills training.

No constituencies in the county currently exceed national benchmarks, which highlights a gap that must be addressed to keep pace with digital transformation seen in other regions. Areas like Rugby and Warwick & Leamington already demonstrate higher productivity and lower unemployment, supported by more advanced digital infrastructure.

VodafoneThree’s commitment to investing £11 billion in 5G infrastructure over the next eight years could be the key to closing these digital gaps in Leicestershire. The company’s ambitious rollout of nationwide 5G by 2034 promises to provide the necessary connectivity to foster growth in areas most in need.

Sladen Estates makes pair of senior appointments

Tess Egginton
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Sladen Estates makes pair of senior appointments
The developer behind schemes including Unity Square, Summit Park, and Bicester Arc has bolstered its project management and delivery teams with a pair of senior appointments. Sladen Estates has appointed Taf Chisambara as associate director project management, and Chris Beardsmore as project architect, both working out of the developer’s Derbyshire office. The duo will be working on key ongoing projects, including the retail and industrial scheme The Boulevard in Peterborough, which is due to start on site in August, and the company’s office, industrial, BTR and PBSA schemes in Reading, Nottingham and Bicester. Taf joins Sladen from Leeds-based property advisors Fox Lloyd Jones, building on more than a decade of project management across defence, office, higher education and PBSA, most recently working in the retail sector. Taf said: “My experience has helped me develop a broad skillset across a range of sectors, and the opportunity to continue that at Sladen Estates was too good to pass up. The projects we’re working on span the full lifecycle from feasibility all the way through to delivery and handover, and the scale and complexity provide a challenge I’m excited to get my teeth into.” Chris began his career in Brazil and has experience working in Italy, qualifying as an architect in 2018. He has previously worked for YMD Boon, Acres Architects and Hayward Architects among others, working in sectors as diverse as luxury residential and industrial and logistics. Chris said: “The main draw in joining the Sladen Estates team was to work on larger projects that are designed with deliverability in mind. The opportunity to work client-side is especially attractive as it gives you the opportunity to really focus on design and explore multiple options for projects without the constraints you can encounter in practice.” Rachel Wood, managing director of Sladen Estates, said: “Our business is built around its people, and adding talent such as Taf and Chris enhances the depth and adaptability of our suite of in-house experts in design and project management. With several significant projects in the pipeline and more to come, Taf and Chris are a welcome addition to the Sladen Estates team.”

Midlands market remains robust as Mills & Reeve advises on eight deals

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Midlands market remains robust as Mills & Reeve advises on eight deals
Mills & Reeve has advised on eight deals in the first half of the year, with a combined deal value of close to £200 million. The Midlands corporate team has acted on a number of high-profile deals in the last six months, with 50% of transactions health-related and a quarter involving food and beverage companies. Half of deals in the first half of the year were cross-border, with one in four PE-backed. Ryan Hawley, corporate partner at Mills & Reeve in the Midlands, said: “The first half of the year has demonstrated that when high quality businesses come to market, there is a real appetite to get deals done – from both trade and PE-backed buyers. “Global and economic uncertainty has naturally created a more cautious deals environment, with greater focus on valuations and due diligence than ever before. However, certain sectors, such as health and care, manufacturing and construction, continue to attract the attention of both domestic and overseas buyers, as companies turn their attention towards strategic consolidation to drive growth and efficiencies.” Significant regional deals in H1 include advising the shareholders of Ambala on its acquisition by Cake Box plc. This strategic £22 million deal marks a significant milestone in the food industry, bringing together two renowned brands to create a unique blend of traditional and contemporary delicacies. Mills & Reeve also acted on the sale of Unisurge International Ltd. – the manufacturer and supplier of Custom Procedure Packs (CPTs), disposable surgical products, surgical instruments and further OR products – to Lohmann & Rauscher Group. In addition, the team advised on sale of residential care and support provider Creative Care to specialist support service Consensus. Both companies support people with autism, learning difficulties and other complex needs, with Creative Care running 10 residential services across the East Midlands. Junaid Haroon, corporate partner at Mills & Reeve in the Midlands, added: “The Midlands is a robust regional economy, with ambitious and high potential businesses at the heart of its success. “Strategic growth is a clear priority from both a political and business perspective, with significant investment being committed to the region. By creating the right environment for future growth, the region will continue to attract investment from both domestic and international investors looking to scale at pace through M&A.”

Strong half year results for Nottingham Building Society

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Strong half year results for Nottingham Building Society
Nottingham Building Society has achieved “strong financial results” in the six months ending 30 June 2025. The Society has seen £535.1m in new lending, up from £525.7m in the same period of 2024, and £4.4bn in total mortgage assets, growing from £3.9bn. The firm welcomed 4,076 new mortgage customers, a marginal increase from 4,069 last year, and saw a lift in total savings balance to £4.4bn, from £4bn. £82.1m in interest was paid to savers, increasing from £71.5m. Nottingham Building Society completed the first half of its financial year with a jump in profits, with £11m underlying profit before tax (2024: £9m), and £8m profit before tax (2024: £0.7m). Sue Hayes, CEO, said: “We’re pleased to report a positive performance for the first half of 2025 as we consolidate the momentum built during a landmark 2024. Last year, we passed the £5bn asset milestone, delivered significant growth and recorded our highest-ever savings levels. Entering this year, our focus has been on building long-term resilience – ensuring the right foundations are in place for a sustainable future. “Our strategy in 2025 is a deliberate one: to moderate lending growth while we implement new technology, strengthen our core banking systems and evolve our mortgage proposition to better serve customers who don’t fit the traditional mould. This transformation will enable us to grow with greater speed and agility in 2026 and beyond. “We’ve made great strides already. We’ve launched a new mortgage platform in July, diversified our funding through a successful public Residential Mortgage-Backed Security (‘RMBS’) issuance and continued to innovate for the benefit of our broker partners and members. Our digital and branch savers have benefitted from strong rates, particularly through our ISA products, whilst we’ve continued to support members through every channel. “We’ve also brought our new brand to life – publicly launched in October 2024 – with a positive increase in awareness and engagement. In May, we opened our first rebranded flagship branch in Nottingham City Centre, shaped by member and colleague feedback, with the response being overwhelmingly positive. “As a mutual, community impact remains a priority. Through our partnerships with Emmanuel House, Shelter and ThinkForward, we’re helping tackle homelessness and improve access to opportunities for young people. We’ve also continued to advocate for the interests of our members, including on issues such as ISA reforms. “While macroeconomic uncertainty and regulatory changes have added some external headwinds to the mortgage market, we remain focused on our transformation priorities. I’d like to thank our members for their continued loyalty and our colleagues for the passion and commitment they bring every day. Together, we’re building a stronger society for the future.”

Nottingham recruitment group hails “strong financial performance”

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Nottingham recruitment group hails “strong financial performance”
Staffline, the Nottingham recruitment group, has hailed a “strong financial performance” for the six months ended 30 June 2025. Revenue grew 8.7% to £485.8m, from £446.8m in the same period of 2024, which the company said was “supported by excellent new business momentum in the Period.” Profit before tax, meanwhile, doubled to £0.6m from £0.3m. The results follow the firm’s divestment of PeoplePlus, which completed in February, as Staffline transitions to a pure-play recruitment platform. Albert Ellis, CEO of Staffline, said: “I am delighted that the Group has produced such a strong financial and operational performance in the first half of the year. Pleasingly, Staffline continues to secure new business and grow our market share despite the ongoing challenging macro-economic backdrop within the UK economy. “Having now created a leading pure-play recruitment platform across both the blue and white-collar recruitment markets, following the divestment of PeoplePlus, we are ideally placed to continue to capitalise on a number of exciting new organic growth opportunities.”
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