Local company takes 37,650 sq ft unit at Lime Kilns Business Park
Futures appoints new board director specialising in technology
Bodycare faces possible administration with jobs and stores at risk
UK health and beauty chain Bodycare is reportedly on the brink of administration, putting around 1,500 jobs and numerous high street stores in jeopardy. The retailer, founded in 1970 in Lancashire, stocks major brands including L’Oréal, Nivea, and Elizabeth Arden.
The company has faced financial pressures for several years, worsened by pandemic-related losses. A temporary £7 million debt facility offered short-term relief, but operational costs, inflation, and tax increases have intensified challenges. Bodycare is owned by Baaj Capital, a family office, and has been under advisory review by Interpath to explore potential rescue options.
Retail leadership comes from experienced executives with backgrounds in department stores, yet the business continues to navigate a highly competitive market. Shifts in consumer habits and the broader instability of UK high streets have added to the pressures. Recent industry examples include River Island, which avoided administration through restructuring and store closures.
A sale or investment deal could preserve the chain and protect staff, but without a buyer, store closures and redundancies are likely. The outcome will affect suppliers, commercial landlords, and the wider health and beauty sector.
WBR Group strengthens technical and proposition capabilities with key promotions
East Midlands firm secures two freighter maintenance contracts
BCT Aviation Maintenance has secured two new line maintenance contracts at East Midlands Airport, where the company is based.
The contracts cover services for Central Airlines, a Chinese cargo operator running two Boeing 777F freighters into EMA twice weekly, and Ethiopian Cargo and Logistics Services, which has also been operating a Boeing 777F on the UK–China route over the summer.
BCT Aviation Maintenance will manage all line maintenance for both carriers at the airport. The company has been operating at East Midlands Airport for more than fifteen years and supports a growing number of cargo operations as the airport strengthens its position in UK air freight.
Independent games developer hails “strong start to the year” as profits rise while revenues slide
everplay group, formerly Team17, an independent games developer, has hailed “a strong start to the year,” as profits rose while revenues slid.
According to unaudited results for the six months ended 30 June 2025 (H1 2025), group revenues fell 10% to £72.4 million. The business shared that this was a result of the timing of license revenues and new title launches at the astragon division, as well as declines in physically distributed sales and a “very strong” prior year back catalogue performance.
Profit before tax, meanwhile, grew to £14.3m, up from £12.4m in the same period last year.Four new games launched during the period (in comparison to nine in the same period last year) with four existing games released on additional platforms (H1 2024: four). Revenues from new releases increased 40% in the period.
Three acquisitions of IP and back catalogue publishing rights were completed, at a total cost of less than £8 million, adding additional revenue streams.
Frank Sagnier, interim executive chair of everplay, said: “It has been a strong start to the year. The improved performance of our new releases shows the progress we have made continually enhancing our internal procedures, such as our greenlight process, the quality of our production, and our marketing approach.
“I am delighted by the strategic progress we have made across the business, with the Group already benefitting from new revenue streams from our recent IP and back catalogue acquisitions.
“I would like to thank our people across the Group, led by teams that are truly focused on making great games and apps for our players. Since spending more time in the business in my role as Interim Executive Chair, I have been overwhelmed by the teams’ creativity, skills and knowledge.
“Looking ahead, we have a busy second half to deliver, but the team remains laser-focused on performance and delivering on our strategic priorities to ensure continued long-term growth for the Group and our shareholders.”
Revenue and profit rise at Alumasc
Revenue and profit are on the rise at Alumasc, the sustainable building products, systems and solutions group.
According to unaudited results for the year ended 30 June 2025, revenue grew 13% to £113.4m, which the firm said was driven by “sustainability-linked innovation, outstanding customer service, enhanced technical sales capabilities and expanded export focus.”
Meanwhile, underling profit before tax at Alumasc increased by 9% to a record £14.2m.
All three divisions – Building Envelope, Housebuilding Products, and Water Management – delivered record results, despite the persistence of challenging market conditions.
Paul Hooper, chief executive, said: “We are pleased to report the Group has delivered a 9% increase in underlying operating profits and 13% revenue growth despite a highly challenging construction market environment; this is clear evidence of the strength of our business model with its high-quality, innovative product offering, diversity of end markets; and the rising demand for sustainable solutions driven by climate change and evolving building regulations.
“We have continued to develop innovative systems and products, helping us gain valuable market share. Our diversified model gives us strong access to infrastructure, commercial property and UK housebuilders alongside specialist sectors globally, enabling us to capture increasing demand across multiple channels and geographies.
“During the period, we’ve continued to advance our portfolio of environmentally efficient products, whilst also reducing our own environmental footprint, helping us to continue to be an effective champion for sustainable solutions.
“We remain committed to building on our growth, both organically and through strategic acquisitions. The Board remains confident in Alumasc’s ability to consistently deliver strong results and navigate market headwinds, positioning us to continue to outperform the sector as we head into FY26.”
Journeo snaps up Crime and Fire Defence Systems Limited
Journeo, a provider of information systems and technical services to transport operators, local authorities, and the public transport networks that connect them, has acquired Crime and Fire Defence Systems Limited (CFDS), a specialist infrastructure protection systems integrator in physical and cyber security solutions to the UK Critical National Infrastructure, Defence and Utilities markets.
Journeo’s strategic acquisition of CFDS will add depth and breadth to capabilities in critical ‘cost of failure’ solutions across public transport, passenger information and vital national infrastructure installations, such as those at major railway stations, international airports and nuclear power generation facilities.The total consideration comprises approximately £10.7m in cash from existing resources, £2m in deferred cash payments repayable in equal amounts after 12 and 24 months following completion and £1m through the issue of new ordinary shares of 6.5p each in the company to the vendors of CFDS with a 24-month minimum holding period.
It is expected that CFDS will have over £1m of cash on completion, resulting in an aggregate cash balance of £9m for the enlarged group post completion of the acquisition.
For the 12 months ended 30 April 2025, CFDS reported audited revenue of £17.33m, PBT of £1.36m and had net assets of £3.93m.
Russ Singleton, CEO, Journeo, said: “We are delighted to announce the acquisition of CFDS, a recognised leader in utility Infrastructure Protection solutions. This acquisition aligns with our strategy of taking our core capabilities into adjacent markets and strengthens our offering and broadens our reach. We look forward to working closely with the CFDS team to unlock value and deliver enhanced integrated solutions to a broader client base.”
KPMG Corporate Finance and Squire Patton Boggs advised Crime and Fire Defence Systems Ltd on its investment from Journeo Plc. Sell-side support was also provided by Navig8 Avisory. Giles Taylor, partner at KPMG, said: “We are delighted to have advised the shareholders of Crime and Fire Defence Systems on its investment from Journeo Plc. It’s a great example of a thriving Infrastructure Services M&A market and the quality of Yorkshire private enterprise businesses. This transaction represents an exciting next chapter for Crime and Fire’s development.”Roberts Bakery to close Ilkeston site putting 38 jobs at risk
Roberts Bakery has announced plans to close its Ilkeston manufacturing facility in Derbyshire, affecting 38 employees.
The site, which produces speciality breads and morning goods, was reviewed as part of a broader assessment of the company’s product portfolio, operational footprint, and long-term strategy.
The closure reflects a strategic shift in the company’s operations.
A formal consultation period with staff is set to begin in the coming weeks as the business considers next steps.
Shawbrook Group swoops for specialist lender
Shawbrook Group is set to acquire ThinCats, a specialist lender.
The acquisition of ThinCats represents a strategic investment in accelerating the growth of Shawbrook’s existing presence in the specialist SME lending market.
ThinCats has an established market position, proven origination capabilities and a technology-enabled business model that is strategically aligned to Shawbrook’s. It will continue to operate as a separate brand with independent teams.
Marcelino Castrillo, CEO at Shawbrook, said: “ThinCats is a leading UK FinTech with an excellent track record for delivering bespoke funding to growth-focused SMEs, whose owners, management teams and sponsors value speed, flexibility and certainty.
“ThinCats’ approach is aligned to our own strategy of leveraging technology, credit excellence and an entrepreneurial culture to deliver a premium proposition to established UK SMEs.
“This acquisition will serve to further scale-up and deepen our presence in the very large and growing SME market. As part of the Shawbrook Group, the ThinCats proposition will benefit from our platform, including distribution channels, investment and funding structure, which will allow us to scale the brand more efficiently and serve even more UK SMEs with highly tailored funding solutions.“
Amany Attia, CEO at ThinCats, said: “Becoming part of Shawbrook represents an exciting step for ThinCats and a strong endorsement of our model, supporting established and growth-focused SMEs. “Underpinned by the significant technology, data and capital resources of the wider Shawbrook Group, ThinCats will continue to offer the high levels of coverage, innovation, service, and ongoing borrower relationships that business owners, professional advisers and financial sponsors have come to expect.“