Latest equity funding round sees Nottinghamshire crowd and public safety tech company achieve £10m valuation
Halo, the public safety and security software, which was used at the coronation for King Charles III and the state funeral of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, has secured further equity funding via crowdfunding platform Crowdcube.
This now takes the crowd safety and security operations tech platform to a £10 million valuation.
The public safety and security technology, which was the recent recipient of a King’s Award for Enterprise in Innovation, was oversubscribed in its maiden crowdfunding investment call, achieving 198% of its target raise. Halo Solutions secured a total of £489,610 from 188 equity investors on the Crowdcube trading platform, taking the total number of investors in the company to 220.
The Halo System provides a public safety, security and incident response platform that streamlines all aspects of crowd safety, incident management, security and operations into one place. It protects over 3 million people per day on average.
It is used at some of the world’s biggest and most prestigious events, venues and stadiums including the Eurovision Song Contest, FIFA World Cup fan zones in Qatar, the Miami F1 Grand Prix, Silverstone’s British Grand Prix and Moto GP.
It has also protected fans at some of the UK’s biggest entertainment events, from Notting Hill Carnival and Glastonbury to the Edinburgh Military Tattoo. Halo was also used at the coronation of His Majesty King Charles III and the state funeral of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth.
The global market for incident and emergency management alone was valued at $121.4 billion in 2022 and is forecast to exceed $163 billion in 2027. Halo has also forecast 340% revenue growth in FY23 and has a client retention rate of 93%.
Now employing 16 people, Halo Solutions was founded in 2018 by CEO Lloyd Major, a former national counter terrorism police officer, crowd safety and event security adviser with more than 20 years of policing experience, including police training and public order command at major sporting events.
He was also the first operational police planner in the UK to obtain a Master’s degree in Emergency Planning and Management, developing a totally new process for threat assessment at public events, which became national policing policy.
Commenting on the recent investment round, Halo Solutions founder and CEO Lloyd Major said: “We are absolutely delighted with the response from our maiden funding round with Crowdcube and thrilled to welcome on board our new investors on this exciting next phase of our journey.
“The capital raise will enable us to continue our development funding of the software with more client-led features whilst also helping to fund marketing campaigns into new territories and power up our global expansion into America, Europe and the Middle East.”
Midven, one of Halo’s main investment partners, has also strengthened its further investment into the tech company to support its global growth and expansion.
Surjit Kooner, investment director of Midven, said: “Midven, a part of Future Planet Capital, is delighted to be able to further support Halo Solutions in their latest fundraising round. The progress Halo have made to date is testament to the dedication of Lloyd and the broader team.
“The funds raised will play a pivotal role in the next stage of Halo’s growth, enabling them to expand the product range of their lifesaving crowd and security software, enter new territories, and enhance their marketing efforts.”
Rolls-Royce SMR signs Armed Forces Covenant
Rolls-Royce SMR Chief Executive Chris Cholerton has signed the Armed Forces Covenant as part of the organisation’s continued commitment to supporting those who serve or have served in the Armed Forces, and their families.
He said: “Rolls-Royce SMR is proud to be an armed forces-friendly organisation and signing the covenant reaffirms our commitment to Service personnel, veterans and military families. We are committed to attracting a diverse workforce to the Rolls-Royce SMR business and welcome the breadth of skills, knowledge, and experience that those who have contributed to the armed forces can bring.”
With More than 700 employees, its continued commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion is one of Rolls-Royce SMR’s greatest strengths – an important part of maintaining that diversity is supporting the employment of veterans and Service spouses and partners.
As part of its social value work, and commitment to ensuring entrants are supported in joining the nuclear sector, Rolls-Royce SMR already offers additional flexibility for service personnel and their families, along with career transition support and extensive ongoing development opportunities.
Linda Costello, Rolls-Royce SMR Director of Internal Audit, said: “As a Trustee of The Poppy Factory – a charity which supports wounded, injured and sick veterans into meaningful employment – I’m delighted to see Rolls-Royce SMR signing up to the Armed Forces Covenant. Veterans, their partners, and existing service personnel can offer employers a range of valuable skills and experience which will enhance our diversity and provide access to a wealth of talent.”
The Rolls-Royce SMR is the first nuclear power station to be designed and built in the UK for over a generation and offers a radically different approach to delivering new nuclear power. Each ‘factory-built’ nuclear power station will provide enough low-carbon electricity to power a million homes for more than 60 years and will create thousands of long-term, high-skilled jobs.
Nottinghamshire solar farm could create 460 new jobs
Around 460 jobs could be created if plans for a new Nottinghamshire solar park are approved.
The proposed Great North Road Solar Park, near Newark, would create enough clean energy to power every home in the county.
Developer Elements Green states that around 400 roles would be created during the construction phase, with a further 60 needed permanently once it is operational.
“The benefits of the Great North Road Solar Park aren’t just limited to cheaper bills and greener energy,” said Mark Noone, head of UK development.
“There will be hundreds of secure well-paid jobs created during construction and the project’s legacy would include scores of skilled positions once the site is operational.
“Over half of those will be engineering roles, but there will also be a need for admin and support staff, and there will be plenty of chances for these roles to be filled locally.
“These will be good jobs, which are permanent and pay a proper wage. And much like the Great North Road Solar Park, we believe they will make a positive contribution to the lives of families across the area.
“The skills and training opportunities on offer to local people will form part of a separate announcement to follow in the coming months.”
According to Mark, an initial public consultation staged earlier this year revealed “pleasing” levels of support for the development which would be built north of the town.
Almost half of the respondents either backed the development or could support it in an amended form.
If approved it would see around 1.5m solar panels erected to produce cleaner energy, which would play a significant role in hitting the UK Government’s Solar PV target of 70GW constructed by 2050.
Locally, it would lead to a greener Nottinghamshire – with substantially less carbon emitted into the atmosphere each year.
Additionally, around £1m-a-year in grant funding would be made available to the local community via the NG+ scheme, helping community projects that have a focus on areas such as education, food security, energy efficiency, wellbeing and the environment.
Mark added: “Whilst the Great North Road Solar Park is still currently a proposal, the benefits it could bring to this area – be it jobs, community funding and cleaner energy – are huge.
“And this all signals our intent to make a permanent and positive economic difference to the area through Great North Road Solar Park.”
Shoe Zone subject of cyber security incident
Leicester-headquartered Shoe Zone has been the subject of a cyber incident which has resulted in unauthorised access to certain online systems and data.
On becoming aware of the incident, the company said it enacted its established IT security protocols and took immediate steps to stop the unauthorised access to its systems and data.
Specialist, third party consultants have been engaged to investigate the nature and extent of the incident, and to implement the incident response plan. Reports have also been made to the Information Commissioner’s Office and the National Cyber Security Centre.
Actions taken have ensured that the company’s website remains operational and the company continues to trade with its customers and suppliers.
The business noted: “Shoe Zone takes the issue of data security extremely seriously, and any affected individuals will be notified as appropriate and in accordance with applicable regulations.”
At this stage, any financial impact resulting from the incident is not expected to be material.
East Midlands rises to one of UK’s most confident regions in June
Business confidence in the East Midlands rose six points during June to 46%, according to the latest Business Barometer from Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking.
Companies in the East Midlands reported higher confidence in their own business prospects month-on-month, up two points at 42%. When taken alongside their optimism in the economy, up nine points to 50%, this gives a headline confidence reading of 46% (vs. 40% in May).
A net balance of 45% of businesses in the region also expect to increase staff levels over the next year, up 24 points on last month.
Looking ahead to the next six months, East Midlands firms identified their top target areas for growth as introducing new technology (42%), investing in their teams, for example through training (37%) and entering new markets (33%).
The Business Barometer, which surveys 1,200 businesses monthly, provides early signals about UK economic trends both regionally and nationwide.
National picture
Overall UK business confidence fell nine points in June to a net balance of 41%. However, this was consistent with levels seen during Q1 2024, before the sharp rise in May, and remained above the long-term average (28%).
While businesses reported lower confidence in both their own trading prospects, down 10 points to 44%, and the economy, down seven points to 39%, both remained robust.
The East Midlands was the third most confident UK nation or region in June, after Yorkshire and the Humber (48%) and the North East of England (47%).
Sector insights
Results across the sectors were mixed in June as three of the four sectors saw a decline in trading prospects. Construction fell 16 points to 42% and there were other notable decreases in retail (down 14 points to 35%) and services (down 11 points to 46%). Manufacturing however, bucked this trend, increasing by two points to 51%.
Dave Atkinson, regional director for the East Midlands at Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking, said: “It’s great to see East Midlands business confidence continue to grow, and now sit above the national average.
“Our region’s businesses are setting out clear growth plans – from hiring staff to introducing new technology. Delivering these plans will, in many cases, require fresh investment. We’ll continue to be by their side, providing both financial backing and guidance to help them get the most out of the steps they’re taking.”
Celebrate successes in the property and construction industry at the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2024
A long-standing celebration of the region’s property and construction industry, the East Midlands Bricks Awards will return on Thursday 3rd October for the next instalment of the prestigious event.
Attracting leaders from across the region, the awards are the perfect way for firms to raise their profile and promote the work they are completing, and with nominations open until Thursday 5th September, now is the ideal time to prepare your entries.
Take this opportunity to showcase exceptional new commercial and residential developments, those demonstrating a leading position in sustainability and design excellence; gain recognition as outstanding developers, architects, contractors, and agents, as well as for significant deals; and ensure efforts in corporate social responsibility are rewarded, from eco initiatives to charity work, to social value schemes.
To nominate your (or another) business/development for one of our awards, please click on a category link below or visit this page.
Award categories include:
Tickets can now be booked for the 2024 awards event, click here to secure yours.
Taking place in the Derek Randall Suite at the Trent Bridge Cricket Ground on Thursday 3rd October, from 4:30pm – 7:30pm, connect with local decision makers over nibbles and complimentary drinks while applauding the outstanding companies and projects in our region.
Attendees will also hear from keynote speaker Paul Southby, partner at Geldards LLP, chair of the Advisory Board to Nottingham Business School, chair of Broadway independent cinema, trustee of Clean Rivers Trust, chair of Nottingham Partners, board member of Marketing Nottingham and Nottinghamshire, and former High Sheriff of Nottinghamshire.
Dress code is standard business attire.
Thanks to our sponsors:
- Most active agent
- Commercial development of the year
- Responsible business of the year
- Residential development of the year
- Developer of the year
- Deal of the year
- Architects of the year
- Excellence in design
- Sustainable development of the year
- Contractor of the year
- Overall winner (this award cannot be entered, with the winner, and recipient of a year of marketing/publicity worth £20,000, selected from those nominated for the event’s other awards)
Nominations end Thursday 5th September, with winners revealed at a glittering awards ceremony on Thursday 3rd October at the Trent Bridge Cricket Ground – an evening of celebration and networking with property and construction professionals from across the East Midlands.
Tickets can now be booked for the 2024 awards event, click here to secure yours.
Taking place in the Derek Randall Suite at the Trent Bridge Cricket Ground on Thursday 3rd October, from 4:30pm – 7:30pm, connect with local decision makers over nibbles and complimentary drinks while applauding the outstanding companies and projects in our region.
Attendees will also hear from keynote speaker Paul Southby, partner at Geldards LLP, chair of the Advisory Board to Nottingham Business School, chair of Broadway independent cinema, trustee of Clean Rivers Trust, chair of Nottingham Partners, board member of Marketing Nottingham and Nottinghamshire, and former High Sheriff of Nottinghamshire.
Dress code is standard business attire.
Thanks to our sponsors:
To be held at:
Chesterfield manufacturers encouraged to inspire future talent as 10 years of innovative scheme celebrated
Businesses are gearing up to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Made in Chesterfield initiative, which brings together schools and local firms to close skills gaps in the town.
Designed to spark interest in manufacturing, engineering, and construction careers among young people, the campaign offers a unique opportunity for businesses in those key sectors to inspire the future workforce.
Destination Chesterfield is seeking companies to participate in this year’s Made in Chesterfield scheme. By engaging with school pupils, your business can offer firsthand insights into the exciting career paths within these crucial sectors.
Celebrating a decade of partnership and collaboration, the Made in Chesterfield campaign will run throughout October 2024.
Organised by Destination Chesterfield and Direct Education Business Partnership, and supported by Chesterfield College Group, Chesterfield Borough Council, Derbyshire North Careers Hub, MSE Hiller, United Cast Bar Ltd, and NatWest, the campaign has a proven track record of success.
Since 2014, over 3,500 students have explored career opportunities in the area’s manufacturing, engineering, and construction sectors.
Chesterfield College Group, the project’s headline sponsor, has witnessed a surge in students enrolling in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Maths) subjects, underscoring the campaign’s significant impact.
Julie Richards OBE, CEO of Chesterfield College Group, shared: “Supporting Made in Chesterfield aligns with our mission to connect students with employers, providing inspiration and creating opportunities for successful careers.
“Our Engineering, Manufacturing, and Science Centre and involvement in the town’s new Construction Skills Hub highlight our dedication to providing the best career opportunities for young people in engineering and construction.”
Ivan Fomin, Director at MSE Hiller and Destination Chesterfield Board Member, emphasised the importance of the initiative: “With an ageing workforce creating a skills gap in manufacturing, it’s crucial to cultivate new talent. These tours and interactions give young people invaluable insights into the promising careers in STEM fields.”
Clare Talati, CEO of Direct Education Business Partnership (DEBP), added: “We are thrilled to continue supporting Made in Chesterfield, facilitating connections between employers and young people. This initiative provides meaningful experiences, raising awareness of local opportunities and helping employers meet potential future employees.”
Administrators appointed at controversial Leicester life insurance broker
Adam Stephens and Kevin Ley of Evelyn Partners LLP have been appointed as joint administrators of controversial life insurance broker Dead Happy.
Leicester-based Dead Happy was founded in 2013 and grew to a revenue of £2.5m by 2023, with more than 25,000 active customer policies.
The administrators are working with the underwriting insurers to ensure that all customer policies transfer back to the insurers with minimal interruption to customers. As part of this process the business will continue to trade on a limited basis, with certain employees kept on to assist the administrators with their work.
Adam Stephens, partner at Evelyn Partners and joint administrator of Dead Happy, said: “We are pleased to be able to assist with ensuring a continuity of insurance provision for all customers as the business is wound down.
“Evelyn Partners has been working with the Dead Happy management team and major stakeholders to enable a smooth transition for customers.
“We thank Dead Happy management for their support in this process and look forward to concluding the process with a positive outcome.”
The news follows provocative marketing tactics at the firm, with public outrage at the beginning of 2023 over an ad featuring serial murderer, Harold Shipman.
Dead Happy included a picture of Shipman in social media ads with the overlaying text: “LIFE INSURANCE … Because you never know who your doctor might be.”
Shipman is estimated to have murdered between 215 and 260 of his patients.
The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) upheld complaints against the business, saying in a statement that the adverts “trivialised and made light of the murders committed by Harold Shipman, such that they were likely to cause both serious and widespread offence to those who saw them.”
Sir Tim Smit opens Nightingale Quarter Community Garden in Derby
Sustainability champion and co-founder of Cornwall’s Eden Project – Sir Tim Smit – has launched the community garden at the £175m Nightingale Quarter in Derby city centre.
The £40,000 pilot project is a collaboration between Wavensmere Homes and Down to Earth Derby, which will be rolled out across the housebuilder’s city-wide development portfolio.
Down to Earth Derby is the Community Interest Company (CIC) behind the city’s widely-acclaimed Electric Daisy attraction. By connecting the urban community with nature-based activities and a diverse events programme, it has become a nationally recognised symbol of the ambitious regeneration and revitalisation of the burgeoning East Midlands city.
This ethos has been in play for the past six months, while an expansive community garden has been planned, landscaped and planted by residents living at the 18.5-acre redevelopment of the Derbyshire Royal Infirmary, working together with Down to Earth’s team.
The final phases of the 925 houses and apartments are under construction, with over 1,000 residents already living at Nightingale Quarter. Now also a magnet for nature and wildlife, the interactive garden and allotment space is being enjoyed and maintained by locals of all ages, including groups of school children from nearby St James’ C of E Junior School.
Sir Tim Smit, mentor to Down to Earth Derby, said: “The nature-based regeneration that’s been achieved across Derby during the past 12 months shows the potential, together with the public support and appetite for more vibrant urban spaces.
“Down to Earth launched Electric Daisy 12 months ago and has received fantastic support from local people, businesses and organisations. The team has also undertaken a number of projects to introduce interactive nature beds and green spaces to inner city schools. And now this first collaboration with a housebuilder has opened.
“Derby is becoming an outstanding symbol of regeneration, famous across Europe. As the community garden was not a planning obligation, we are very grateful to Wavensmere Homes for the investment, commitment and shared vision.
“Collaborative nature projects like this bring people together to learn about flora and fauna, and the joy that comes with growing seasonal fruit and vegetables. I am encouraging all those involved to see that the success of this pilot may ignite a national appetite for funded community gardens.”
James Dickens, Managing Director of Wavensmere Homes, said: “As with Electric Daisy, people of all ages are being brought together at Nightingale Quarter to enjoy and learn about the power of nature.
“It’s inspiring to work with the Down to Earth team and see how our residents and others from the local community are becoming impassioned with green-finger prowess. We are grateful to Sir Tim for officially opening this pioneering garden, which will lead to further projects.”
Jamie Quince-Starkey, Founder of Down to Earth CIC, said: “My mum worked at the Royal Derbyshire Infirmary, so to have the opportunity to create this special outdoor space at the Nightingale Quarter development has filled me with pride.
“James and the Wavensmere team understand the importance of purposeful living and the wellness benefits of inspiring people to be active and engaged with nature and gardening.
“This community garden has become a living test-bed, demonstrating how regular allotment meet-ups can be the catalyst to bringing a new community together, while also having a transformative impact on mental health.”
A food forest, woodland zone, clean composting area, raised planting beds, bug hotels and bird houses, are amongst the features of the Nightingale Quarter community garden.
Business park and former aircraft factory hits the market
A multi-let industrial estate in Rearsby, Leicestershire, once home to the famous Auster Aircraft, is to be openly marketed for the first time.
CBRE, the global real estate advisory firm, has been instructed to sell Rearsby Business Park on behalf of its private owner, for offers above £10.25 million.
Set on a 12.95-acre site, the estate comprises 15 fully let industrial units, totaling 155,985 sq ft and ranging in sizes from 791 sq ft to 50,047 sq ft. Tenants include East Coast Fittings, T.E.K Seating, GT Plumbing & Heating Engineers, Lewis & Hill Ltd, Metric Services (Leicester) Ltd, and K & D E Barnett & Sons Ltd.
The estate also has planning permission for a 56,400 sq ft industrial unit or alternative uses subject to planning.
The site has a rich manufacturing history. It was first home to Taylorcraft Aeroplanes (England) Ltd’s factory, where the world-famous single propeller ‘Auster’ light aircraft was designed and manufactured. More recently it was occupied by Rearsby Automotive Ltd from 1966 to 1996. Over the years it has been extensively modernised, extended and redeveloped, with the latest unit being added in 2020.
Oli Forster, senior director in CBRE’s investment properties team, said: “This is the first time the site has come to market, having been under its current ownership since the 1970s. As such, it’s a great opportunity to acquire a well-established, fully let industrial estate with strong rental income. Given the shortage of industrial land in the East Midlands, the consented site presents further opportunities to add value.
“The estate is in the heart of the East Midlands’ industrial market, which is continuing to attract high levels of investment and take-up from occupiers, with the region accounting for 29.5% of the total national logistics take-up during the first quarter of 2024 and maintaining headline rents of £9.75psf following a period of sustained growth, which CBRE forecast will continue to rise.
“Prime industrial rents in the East Midlands have remained stable, following a sustained period of growth, which CBRE forecast will continue to rise.”
