Celebrate successes in the property and construction industry at the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2024

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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:

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

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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

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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

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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

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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.”

Hattrick of deals sealed at EastWest Nottingham

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Hattrick of deals sealed at EastWest Nottingham
Following the £7 million redevelopment of EastWest on Maid Marian Way in Nottingham, a further hattrick of tenants have leased more than 16,500 sq ft of office space. An international domain registry and web hosting company has taken 5,500 sq ft of bespoke designed workspace within EastWest, signing a five-year lease. Two further deals have been agreed with audit, tax and consulting firm RSM UK taking 7,500 sq ft and Roythornes Ltd taking 3,291 sq ft on 10-year leases. Ann Barrasso, operations director for Roythornes Limited, said: “As a firm we had been in Nottingham for several years but were ready, due to our ambitious expansion programme, to move to an office which reflected the law firm we are now, rather than the one we were some years ago. “In addition, of course, we were keen to improve the working environment for our talented team – it’s so important that we look after our people and that staff look forward to coming in to work. “We’re delighted to say that EastWest ticked all the boxes – it gives us a brilliant base for the firm and our staff love the building, the environment and the facilities. We’re looking forward to continuing to build our business from our new home.” Sheetal Sanghvi, managing partner in the East Midlands at RSM UK, said: “As part of our commitment to the East Midlands region, we’re thrilled to have extended our lease at the newly refurbished EastWest offices for the next decade. “We look forward to welcoming our team, clients and contacts to our new home very soon, where we will continue to support fantastic businesses in the city and across the region.” Alex Goode, investment manager at CEG, added: “We’re delighted to welcome three further businesses with strong covenants to EastWest. The building has fast become a thriving business community following its comprehensive modern refurbishment.” Mark Tomlinson, Director at FHP which is the agent on the scheme, said: “EastWest represents the ‘best in class’ office offering in Nottingham following its substantial refurbishment. “In particular, the building offers the high-quality finishes and lifestyle aspects which are sought after by occupiers with the onsite café restaurant and a particular emphasis on the occupier experience.”

CMA launches merger inquiry over Lincolnshire timber product manufacturer’s acquisition

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CMA launches merger inquiry over Lincolnshire timber product manufacturer’s acquisition
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is investigating the anticipated acquisition by Scanpole Limited of Calders & Grandidge (Boston) Limited. The CMA is considering whether the merger has resulted in the creation of a relevant merger situation under the merger provisions of the Enterprise Act 2002 and, if so, whether the deal will result in a substantial lessening of competition. To assist with its assessment, the CMA is inviting comments on the transaction by 10 July 2024. Based in Boston, Lincolnshire, Calders & Grandidge is a timber supplier specialising in the manufacture of wooden utility poles and fencing posts. Finland-headquartered Scanpole is a leading producer of wooden poles in Europe. The CMA launched its merger inquiry on 25 June 2024, with phase 1 of its investigation having a decision deadline of 20 August 2024.

BCC pledges to work with next Government to grow the UK economy

Stuart Pearcey
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BCC pledges to work with next Government to grow the UK economy
British Chambers of Commerce Director General Shevaun Haviland will today issue a pledge to work in partnership with the next Government to grow the UK economy. She’ll make the promise at the British Chambers of Commerce Global Annual Conference in her keynote address, when she will also urge the next Government to use the BCC’s Election Manifesto as its ‘day one’ playbook for action. It includes a focus on improving EU trade and better planning around skills. She is expected to say:  “The only factor that matters, is what the Government will do on day one – after six weeks of electioneering, businesses will be looking at the next government and who will be true to their word “Business wants a long-term sustainable economic growth plan, some call it an industrial strategy, call it what you like, but what we need is a plan for the next 10, 15, 20 years and beyond. “Firms don’t want handouts; they want government to create the right environment so they can thrive. Whoever wins next week, we are ready to lean in and help our new government power the economy. “Our plan is to build an economy that has the green transition at its core, with a workforce fit for the future, living in thriving local places and powered by businesses that are globally facing and digitally enabled. “None of this is going to be easy, none of us can do it on our own, and it’s going to take time. That means we need a real partnership, one that is for that long-term. “We must stop walking on eggshells and start saying it how it is. The current plan isn’t working for our members. But better trade terms are possible if the UK government and the EU reach agreement in areas of mutual benefit for business on both sides. A better deal is best for everyone. “Skills are a top concern for our members. It’s time for action to boost investment in skills. It’s not about cutting up existing plans, it’s about making sure the right initiatives are given time to work. “The labour market is heading in the right direction, as we see the number of vacancies fall, but businesses are still telling us the skills they need aren’t there. We need to ‘Plan Better for Skills’ aligning our ambition and investment to prepare young people and job seekers for great jobs.”

Rail industry companies collaborate on graduate exchange scheme

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Rolling stock manufacturer Angel Trains, with premises in Derby, has joined forces with Siemens Mobility, which makes trains at Goole in Yorkshire, to launch a graduate exchange programme aimed at enhancing collaboration and innovation in the industry. The programme consisted of a six-week exchange between three Engineering graduates; two from Angel Trains and one from Siemens Mobility. The graduates rotated across different teams to expand their expertise and marked the end of their programme with a final presentation to key stakeholders from both organisations. Syeda Ghufran, Director for Asset Management and Assurance for Siemens Mobility said: “At Siemens Mobility, we’ve seen that early career exchange programmes not only benefits the participants but also our organisation, as we work towards transforming the everyday journeys for people across Britain.  Having completed an exchange programme as part of my own early career development, I have seen first hand the benefits of collaborating with customers and partners to share skills and best practice.” Barry Fox, Product Manager at Angel Trains said: “Angel Trains is proud to have collaborated with Siemens Mobility through the graduate exchange programme, as we continue our commitment to the development of young engineers. The programme offers a unique opportunity for graduates to gain valuable industry insights, and most importantly, helps them develop and grow as rail professionals and individuals.” Victoria Wright, Graduate Engineer at Siemens Mobility said: “This placement boosted my confidence, personal development, and understanding of the rail industry. During my placement at Angel Trains, I gained a comprehensive understanding of the business, working with both the fleet and product teams. I focused on energy-saving initiatives, remote monitoring, competitor analysis, and engineering change approvals.  I hope to see the continued expansion of these programmes throughout the industry, as they enable young people such as myself to reach their full potential.” Designed to empower entry-level talent, the programme aims to provide professional development opportunities for young people starting out on their career in the rail industry. With skills shortages and an ageing workforce threating the future of the rail industry, the programme is dedicated to preserving knowledge across the sector, ensuring a sustainable future for the industry as a whole. The Siemens Mobility early careers intake currently consists of 113 graduate trainees, 130 apprentices and 72 degree apprentices.

Watches of Switzerland CEO “proud” of performance “in what was undoubtedly a more challenging market”

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Watches of Switzerland CEO “proud” of performance “in what was undoubtedly a more challenging market”

Watches of Switzerland Group has seen a flat year for revenue, while profits have declined in challenging trading conditions.

According to results for the 52 weeks ended 28 April 2024, the luxury watch and jewellery retailer saw group revenue of just over £1.5bn, in line with results from the year prior, at reported rates, and up 2% at constant currency. The business noted that demand for its key brands continued to be strong and outstripping supply. Statutory profit before tax, however, was £92m, down from £155m. Looking ahead, Watches of Switzerland Group said: “Following the more challenging trading conditions of FY24, we are cautiously optimistic about trading in FY25.”

Brian Duffy, Chief Executive Officer, said: “I am proud of the performance that our team delivered this year in what was undoubtedly a more challenging market. We cemented our position as a leading international luxury watch and jewellery retailer and delivered further market share gains in both the UK and US, driven by our proven, differentiated business model. In particular, our US business went from strength to strength, growing 11% and will soon represent half of Group sales.

“The UK market is starting to show signs of stabilisation. In FY24, UK and Europe sales were down 5% impacted by significant price increases overall at a time of reduced consumer confidence influencing discretionary spending, and we see these pressures easing in FY25.

“During the year, we continued to invest for high-quality growth across showroom projects and strategic acquisitions including the 15 Ernest Jones showrooms acquired last November, and the acquisition of Roberto Coin Inc. post year end, which dramatically accelerates our luxury branded jewellery strategy.

“We have an impressive programme of showroom developments on both sides of the Atlantic and our strongest ever pipeline of committed projects, which includes the flagship Rolex boutique on Old Bond Street, London, Audemars Piguet Townhouse in Manchester, Rolex boutique in Atlanta, Georgia and a Rolex anchored multi-brand in Plano, Texas.

“Pre-owned represents a significant opportunity for our Group, with pre-owned luxury watch sales doubling year-on-year in Q4 FY24. Within this category, the new Rolex Certified Pre-Owned programme is performing ahead of our expectations in both the US and UK and is set for further roll-out in FY25 with improved methods of supply in the UK.

“Our strategic momentum underpins our confidence in our FY25 guidance and Long Range Plan objectives of doubling sales and profit by 2028, capitalising on our leading market positions and the unique growth opportunities ahead.”

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