Nottinghamshire Shared Ownership provider donates nearly £160,000

Michael Fisher
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Nottinghamshire Shared Ownership provider donates nearly £160,000
Platform, which provides Shared Ownership homes in Nottinghamshire has donated over £160,000 to charities and communities in the last year. Platform has reported that throughout the financial year 2023-2024, it gave £160,000 to 107 community projects.
This figure represents a number of separate contributions to charity, clubs and societies across the UK as part of its Community Fund, which both the home ownership and the housing association parts of the organisation has supported.
Examples of the projects supported include a baby, toddler and carers club, an organisation that promotes emerging local artists, a community pantry, and a retirement living complex that provides exercise classes to its residents.
As well as this, Platform donated a further £10,000 to its Community Kindness Campaign, which aims to support vulnerable and isolated people, as well as those on lower incomes, at a time when the cost of living continues to be a daily challenge.
In April, representatives of Platform handed midlands-based children’s charity Newlife a, a cheque for £43,533.48 after employees took part in a variety of fundraising activities, such as a 200 mile/2-day bicycle ride, the London Landmarks Half Marathon, bake sales, plant sales, clothing sales, and raffles.
Laura Osborne, Regional Director of Sales and Marketing at Platform, said: “It’s been an incredible experience being able to contribute to so many worthwhile causes throughout the year, and being able to make real and lasting change in the lives of so many how live in the communities that we’re a part of.
“Looking after and actively contributing to those communities that we operate in will always be important to us, and we’ll always do what we can to help support the most vulnerable in those communities. To know that we’re impacting people positively in these areas is as rewarding as it is important.”

All systems go at high profile summit on the East Midlands energy revolution

Michael Fisher
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All systems go at high profile summit on the East Midlands energy revolution
Mayor of the East Midlands, Claire Ward, shared her vision for decarbonising the region and stimulating inclusive growth at the East Midlands Hydrogen Summit, which took place last week on Friday 8th November at Loughborough University. The Summit showcased the East Midlands’ leading role in the future of clean energy and was brought together by East Midlands Hydrogen, an industry-led initiative supporting the region’s energy revolution by growing the UK’s largest inland hydrogen cluster. Dr Jeevun Sandher MP, Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Hydrogen and MP for Loughborough, also spoke at the summit. The APPG for Hydrogen focuses on raising awareness of, and building support for, large scale hydrogen projects to help the country meet decarbonisation targets.

Hundreds flock to LEP conference

Michael Fisher
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Hundreds flock to LEP conference
Over 400 people attended this year’s Greater Lincolnshire LEP Conference, where artificial intelligence (AI) and innovation were at the top of the agenda. An inspiring keynote by rebel technologist Brett StClair set the tone for the event, which took place at the EPIC Centre on the Lincolnshire Showground. A Demonstration Arena showcasing the latest technology and innovation from Greater Lincolnshire businesses and academics proved a popular attraction with delegates, and two In Conversation discussions on innovation provided much food for thought. On top of all that, the three past and present Chairs of the LEP – Professor Neal Juster, Pat Doody and Ursula Lidbetter – shared their reflections on the achievements of the LEP and looked forward to the future. And James Pinchbeck, Chief Marketing Officer at Streets and Chair of the Greater Lincolnshire Innovation Commission, launched the Greater Lincolnshire LEP’s Innovation Routemap. Developed by the LEP and the University of Lincoln, the routemap sets out a new approach to accelerating innovation-led growth across Greater Lincolnshire. “The LEP Conference is a chance for us to bring our supporters together, share ideas and see how technology is shaping the future of our economy,” said Professor Neal Juster, Chair of the Greater Lincolnshire Local Enterprise Partnership. “One of the great things about the LEP is the collaboration that goes on between businesses. The conference is a great networking opportunity because you never know where your new business friends, supporters and collaborators are going to be. “Today our theme is innovation for growth, and it’s clear that if businesses are going to survive in a competitive market they need to either do new things or do what they’re currently doing differently. Today is an opportunity to see how other companies are doing things and share knowledge and experiences. “The feedback from our annual conference has always been extremely positive, and every year we’ve always had more people coming along. What they get out of it is an understanding of how others are operating in Lincolnshire, the challenges they have, the opportunities they’re grasping and how best they can capitalise on new technologies.”

McLaren Construction Midlands and North expands with trio of senior hires

Michael Fisher
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McLaren Construction Midlands and North expands with trio of senior hires

Three new senior roles have been announced within McLaren Construction’s Midlands and North division.

Operations Director – Luke Arnold, Divisional Director – Darren Harding, and Regional Commercial Director – Adam Craven, have been appointed to positions within the Midlands and North team as part of its continued growth strategy.

Luke Arnold will be working alongside managing director, Gary Cramp, to expand the Midlands and North business – developing into new sectors through public sector frameworks, alongside building the current teams to deliver success.

He brings 25 years of experience to the role and will be concentrating on building and motivating high performing teams alongside maximising both operational and commercial performance within the region.

On his new role, Luke said: “I am extremely proud of my client relationships and my ability to develop long standing relationships with supply chain and customers. With a wealth of experience across many different sectors of the industry, along with strong regional knowledge and long-standing customer and supply chain relationships – it’s exciting to have the opportunity to work with Gary and develop the Midlands and North region and I look forward to bringing new opportunities to the business.”

Darren Harding will be responsible for the full day-to-day responsibility of all PBSA (Purpose Built Student Accommodation) schemes across the Midlands and North regions, continuing to build on the success of the contractor’s completed schemes, whilst building new high-performing site teams for opportunities in the pipeline.

With over 40 years’ experience in the industry – relationship building will be a key focus of Darren’s new role – allowing him to build strong, professional connections to fortify teams and create new streams of work.

On his new position, Darren Harding, said: “In my new role I will continue to reinforce my client relationships across the Midlands and North region, whilst pursuing a variety of varied workload opportunities. I thrive on the ‘team building’ aspect of my role by means of listening, nurturing, and encouraging all team members to take full ownership for their roles, which ultimately allows them to grow and develop, whilst allowing me to build professional and high performing teams. The future is looking very positive for the business with a full pipeline of new opportunities.”

Business leaders gather for Chesterfield Investment Summit

Stuart Pearcey
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Business leaders gather for Chesterfield Investment Summit
Business leaders have outlined details on how Chesterfield’s collaborative approach towards regeneration is creating a perfect environment for business growth. Writing on the Chesterfield web site, Josh Marsh said the Chesterfield Investment Summit had provided an extensive update on projects that will dramatically increase jobs and prosperity across the borough’s communities. Destination Chesterfield organised the event, which was supported by Markham Vale, We Are Spaces, and East Midlands Chamber. The summit showcased a range of transformative projects taking place across the Borough, many of which have been made possible thanks to collaborative partnerships created across the public and private sectors. Delegates heard an update from the East Midlands Combined County Authority on the East Midlands Investment Zone, which is set to bring hundreds of high-quality jobs in advanced manufacturing and green industries to the former Staveley Chemical Works site and former Hartington Colliery site. Cllr Nadine Peatfield, Deputy Mayor of the East Midlands, commented: “The East Midlands Investment Zone is a game changer for our region. Under the leadership of Mayor Claire Ward, EMCCA will help create 4,300 jobs and leverage £383m of private investment. “Investing in the right places at the right times is going to be crucial to deliver the change needed to make this region the best place in the country to live, work and learn.”

Vistry Group to deliver 475 mixed-tenure homes in Hinckley, Leicestershire

Michael Fisher
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Vistry Group to deliver 475 mixed-tenure homes in Hinckley, Leicestershire
Vistry Group, the UK’s leading provider of affordable mixed-tenure homes, has acquired a major site in Hinckley, Leicestershire, with outline planning permission to deliver 475 new homes for the area. The site, to the east of Stoke Road and north of Normandy Way, in the north of the town, has a development value of £140m. Of the new homes being delivered, approximately 30% will be affordable, 25% will be developed for the private rented sector, and 45% will be for sale on the open market through a combination of its retail brands Bovis Homes, Linden Homes and Countryside Homes. All the houses will be constructed using modern methods of construction, with timber frame panels produced at the local Vistry Works factory in Bardon, Leicestershire. This will improve the sustainability and speed of the construction process, as well as reducing disruption for the local community. Each home built using these panels emits 14,460kg CO2e less than a traditional brick-and-block house. Andy Reynolds, Managing Director of Vistry South East Midlands, said: “This latest deal adds another high-quality site to our pipeline of projects in Leicestershire. With a significant shortage of supply in the area, the acquisition of this site is a major milestone in bringing forward a new mixed-tenure development that will provide modern, well-connected homes catering to people with a wide range of requirements and at various stages of life.” Richborough, one of the UK’s largest, best-in-class land promoters, was granted planning permission for the site in January 2024 and was instrumental in brokering the deal with Vistry. Jordan Gresham, Group Disposals Director at Richborough, said, “Congratulations to Vistry on securing this site. We’re excited to see it come to life and deliver the much-needed new homes. “I want to extend a huge thanks to our in-house team, and our consultants. Securing permission for 475 dwellings via planning appeal demonstrates our tenacity combined with a well-considered planning strategy. “A special mention must also go to Steve Louth, our honorary director who passed away in 2022.  This site was Steve’s vision, and it has been an honour to be involved in helping deliver this project as part of Steve’s Richborough legacy’’.  

Coalville company introduces UK’s first carbon capture to concrete production

Stuart Pearcey
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Coalville company introduces UK’s first carbon capture to concrete production
Groundbreaking technology that can capture carbon from the atmosphere and lock it into recycled concrete has been brought to the UK by Aggregate Industries. The Coalville-based building materials supplier, part of the global Holcim Group, nd Swiss company neustark have set up a mineralisation plant in London – the first venture into the UK market for the Swiss cleantech start-up which has 19 other sites in Europe. Neustark technology helps turn waste from demolished concrete – the world’s largest waste stream – into a carbon sink, permanently locking carbon removed from the atmosphere into processed concrete. The technology works by taking concrete from demolished buildings which is crushed and screened at an AIUK recycling site. It then undergoes a procedure in which CO2, captured from biogas plants, is liquified and injected into the concrete granules. This triggers a mineralisation process which permanently locks the captured carbon into the granules and can then be used to make new concrete or other building materials. So far neustark has permanently removed more than 2,500 tonnes of carbon since it launched commercially in 2023, with an aim of removing a million tonnes by 2030. Holcim invested in neustark last year, and is collaborating with it to deploy the solution at its sites worldwide, scaling up low-carbon and circular construction to multiple sites. The partnership won the 2023 Deloitte “Technology Fast 50” Venture Client Award for outstanding collaborations between startups and large companies. Lee Sleight, CEO of Aggregate Industries UK, said: “We are really excited to be introducing neustark into the UK as part of our aim to decarbonise our own operations and the wider industry. “This takes the battle to reduce carbon emissions to the next level through carbonation. The technology is available now and works – it can make a difference now not in five years time. “We have London – as one of the world’s largest urban mines – with direct access to demolished concrete from building projects and we have the neustark technology. Together we can remove carbon from the atmosphere and permanently lock it into recycled concrete which can then go on to be used again in new building projects. “This isn’t just a great carbon removal innovation but a great circular economy innovation where we are taking what was once a waste stream and reusing it, saving us from digging up virgin materials in the first place. “Once fully operational, we are sure that there will be plenty of like minded contractors and specifiers out there who want to further their own decarbonisation journey with us and we see this technology scaling up and delivering results very quickly. Together we can really drive towards our net zero ambitions.”  

Rutland Hall Hotel welcomes Sunil Kanjanghat SJS as new Director GM

Michael Fisher
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Rutland Hall Hotel welcomes Sunil Kanjanghat SJS as new Director GM
Rutland Hall Hotel is delighted to announce the appointment of Sunil Kanjanghat as the resort’s new Director General Manager. With over 20 years of global experience in the luxury hospitality sector, Sunil is set to bring his strategic expertise and focus on first class experiences to Rutland Hall after an exceptional tenure at Fawsley Hall Hotel & Spa, part of the Hand Picked Hotels portfolio. Known for his impactful leadership, Sunil is eager to contribute his vast expertise to the resort’s development and to build on Rutland Hall’s growing reputation as a premier luxury destination in the UK. “I am thrilled to be joining Rutland Hall Hotel at this time of change and growth,” explains Sunil. “I look forward to working with the existing team and I am also eager to collaborate with the owners, Priyesh Patel MBE DL and Minesh Patel, on the exciting and innovative projects to come. I am looking forward to what the future holds.” Sunil’s arrival coincides with several new developments at Rutland Hall which include the refurbishment of the leisure facilities and the opening of Four Roots Wellbeing which will offer guests a unique, four-hour curated journey which includes bathing, treatment, relaxation and dining. Sunil’s career spans senior leadership roles across many luxury five star and four red star experiences in Asia and England, where he has developed a reputation for driving operational excellence. Throughout his 8 years with the Montagu Arms in Hampshire, the Terrace restaurant held a One Michelin star. His portfolio of 5-star hotel successes includes Lainston House, part of the Exclusive collections, Le Meridien luxury hotels and the Sheraton, a 5-star deluxe hotel in Asia. Sunil is a St Julian’s Scholar and a graduate of the prestigious Innholders Scholarship from Cranfield University. His outstanding success in delivering luxury experiences stems from his exceptional management style, which is characterised by a focus on leading, supporting, and inspiring. This makes him the perfect fit to guide Rutland Hall through this exciting period of investment and development. Sunil’s vision and experience in managing large-scale projects and historical properties will be instrumental in furthering the hotel’s commitment to excellence. Priyesh Patel MBE DL, co-owner of Rutland Hall Hotel, expressed his enthusiasm for Sunil’s appointment: “We are excited to have Sunil on board at such an important time for our hotel. His leadership style is nothing short of remarkable, and we look forward to seeing the positive impact he will have on our operations, our team, and, of course, our guests.”

Bank of England still too cautious in cutting rates, says IEA Economics Fellow

Michael Fisher
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Bank of England still too cautious in cutting rates, says IEA Economics Fellow
Commenting on the Bank of England’s decision to cut interest rates to 4.75%, Julian Jessop, Economics Fellow at the free market think tank the Institute of Economic Affairs, said: “The Bank of England was right to cut interest rates again today but should move further and faster. Rates are still higher than necessary to keep bearing down on inflation, especially when the Bank is continuing to tighten policy by running down its holdings of government bonds. “Indeed, a majority of members of the IEA’s Shadow Monetary Policy Committee voted to cut rates by a half a point rather than a quarter. Inflation is now back close to target and expected to remain there, but the full effects of past increases in interest rates and the deceleration of money growth have yet to feed through. “The additional uncertainty and market volatility triggered by the Budget and Trump’s victory had prompted some to speculate that the MPC might hold off today. Delivering the rate cut that almost all had expected should therefore help to reassure households, businesses, and investors. “The Bank has also endorsed the OBR view that the additional spending and borrowing in the Budget will provide a temporary boost to growth and inflation. This could slow the pace of rate cuts in future, though the Bank stuck to its guidance that rates will fall ‘gradually’ (perhaps a quarter point every three months, taking the Bank rate to 3.75% by the end of next year). “However, the Bank’s forecasts are based on assumptions about the path of market interest rates which already look too optimistic. The increases in taxes and other business costs in the Budget, compounded by the hit to confidence, should also limit any upsides to growth or inflation. “The Bank acknowledged the uncertainties here, implying rates could still be cut more quickly. But there is a clear risk that the MPC is too slow to respond.”

Lincs & Notts Air Ambulance completes 30,000th mission

Michael Fisher
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Lincs & Notts Air Ambulance completes 30,000th mission
Life-saving charity, the Lincs & Notts Air Ambulance has responded to its 30,000th call – in its 30th anniversary year. The helicopter and crew landed at the scene of an RTC near Market Rasen, Lincolnshire, in the hours of darkness last week (30 October). The doctor and paramedic crew treated two women and a child, who were then taken to hospital. It is the unique combination of a specialist crew with the speed and capability of the helicopter that gives patients the best chance of survival. LNAA CEO Karen Jobling sad: “This milestone during LNAA’s 30th anniversary year, was made possible because of the support of people living and working in the communities of Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire.” LNAA’s team of specialist paramedics, doctors and pilots have already responded to almost 1,500 life-saving missions this year. October proved to be extremely busy and the crews were called out to 141 incidents of which 58 of these were undertaken during the hours of darkness. With the aid of night vision goggles (NVGs) the crew are able to fly at night to reach patients involved in the most serious of incidents until 2am every day.
LINCS & NOTTS Air Ambulance photo shoot
G-LNCC
Each pair of NVGs cost £14,000 and it is thanks to the generosity of people living and working in the communities of Lincs & Notts that we can equip the crew with this state-of-the art equipment allowing them to provide pre-hospital emergency care to those in need whilst everyone is asleep. Karen added: “We need £13 million this year to provide this 24/7 service, every day of the year. We receive no direct Government funding, and have only come this far, thanks to everyone who continues to support us, giving our patients the best chance of survival and recovery.”
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