Midlands Rail Hub holds prospect of almost 13,000 jobs
The Midlands Rail Hub programme could yield almost 13,000 new roles, according to recent analysis.
The Hub is the region’s biggest and most ambitious rail improvement scheme, which will serve more than 50 stations – covering seven million people across the region, with work expected to run from next year until 2033.
A series of engineering interventions throughout the region will make space for scores of additional trains on the network every day.
Richard Parker, Mayor of the West Midlands said: “Our rail services are hugely overcrowded and in order to get more people on the network we need to provide more trains for them.
“The Midlands Rail Hub will better connect Birmingham and the West Midlands to Bristol, Cardiff, Leicester, Derby and Nottingham with more frequent and reliable services.
“But it’s also creating thousands of jobs and apprenticeships through the design and construction phase and beyond – investing in our transport network means investing in the people of our region.”
The majority of the job roles predicted for the project are skilled occupations in engineering or project management. More than 300 apprentices are expected to be recruited and trained during the programme.
Economically, over the course of the project, Midlands Rail Hub could generate an additional £240m in economic value throughout the supply chain. And a further £45m uplift is expected in social value benefits, thanks to enhanced skills and knowledge and sustained employment.
Maria Machancoses, CEO, Midlands Connect, said: “This project is so much more than just a rail scheme, it will create high skilled jobs, grow our economy and kick start careers, thanks to hundreds of apprenticeships.
“The scale of the transformational impact goes even further. Once delivered, Midlands Rail Hub will transform train travel in region for generations to come, connecting our communities and offering a greener way of travelling.”
Last year, Government committed to ‘full’ delivery of Midlands Rail Hub, and in February this year, an additional £123m was allocated towards the project, to progress the detailed engineering designs.
Sue joins PIB as Leicester branch director
Vice President of Insurance Institute of Leicester, Sue Hull has joined PIB as Branch Director in the city, bringing with her over 35 years of experience in the insurance industry.
She began her career at Bland Bankart (now part of the Gallagher empire) and most recently at Berkeley Insurance Group in Leicester.
She was Operations Director at my former company, where she spent more than 20 years. “The company was relatively small, with just 70 employees. In my role, I was responsible for everything from systems and HR to compliance. After two decades and some changes within the business, I felt it was the right time to seek a new challenge.
“I took over the Leicester Branch Director role from Stewart Liddell, whom I’ve known for many years. It was reassuring to see that he has stayed with PIB and is continuing to grow his career within the business. It’s a testament to the opportunities available here and the commitment people have to progress within the company.”
Approval granted for 81 new homes in Earl Shilton
Approval has been granted by Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council to develop 81 new homes in Earl Shilton.
The site – delivered by Persimmon Homes’ North Midlands team – will bring a range of new homes to the area. The development will be made up of two- to four- bed properties, with the new homes designed to meet the requirements of local buyers. The development also offers several community benefits, including funds given to educational facilities. In addition, as part of the wider development in Earl Shilton, new jobs and training opportunities will be generated as part of the development, and funds will be pledged to the local authority to support local infrastructure. Sean Barratt, Technical Director at Persimmon Homes North Midlands, said: “We’re proud to have secured approval to deliver these new homes in Earl Shilton. Our upcoming new community will bring a wide range of new benefits to the area and we’ll continue to work closely with Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council throughout the build process to deliver on these commitments. “This development will not only generate significant job opportunities throughout the lifespan of the project but will also leave a lasting legacy of community benefits for the people of Earl Shilton and the surrounding areas.”Funding secured for Leicestershire project helping bring new talent to emerging digital sectors
The Leicester and Leicestershire Careers Hub has secured funding to deliver a two-year project across the region helping to bring new talent to emerging digital sectors.
We Discover Digital will create opportunities for local young people to increase their awareness and understanding of vocational and technical routes into cyber and digital careers.
It will focus on five areas that are experiencing growth but report struggling to attract young talent – Artificial Intelligence, Cyber Security, Games Design and Animation, Programming and Coding and Esports.
The programme will require support from local employers to ensure young people are exposed to workplaces and employer-led activities that will link up to digital apprenticeship and T Level opportunities.
Gerarde Manley, Strategic Careers Hub Lead, said: “We are reaching out to local businesses to support the project and inspire the future workforce. Our research shows that the digital sector is a key growth sector in Leicester and Leicestershire.
“To maximise that potential, we need to demonstrate to young people the breadth of opportunities available in the digital sector – this programme is specifically designed to do that while boosting the future talent pipeline.
“Currently there are 7,800 high-value jobs, with the potential to deliver a further 2,300 jobs and £270 million of regional growth by 2030.”
The support of local businesses is needed to offer flexible workplace experiences, parent/carer information sessions, and industry insight sessions for lecturers.
The project will start this autumn and focus on Year 12 and 13 students. Businesses that sign up will be offered support throughout the process.
Four stages will make up the programme:
- De-coding digital pathways: Teachers, careers leaders and educators will learn about digital industry careers.
- Digital Speed Trials: Work experience placements within the sector.
- Digital VIP events: Visiting employers that hosted work placements and developing knowledge built up during earlier stages.
- Digital Application Bootcamps: Young people supported with applying for technical routes into digital careers.
Howes Percival appoints first Head of Construction
Howes Percival has recruited Partner Piet van Gelder as the firm’s first ever Head of Construction, to meet the growing demand for construction law services.
Based in the East Midlands, Piet is a specialist construction and engineering lawyer who advises clients in the construction, engineering and renewable energy sectors and in respect of compliance with the new regime under the Building Safety Act.
Piet has experience over the whole lifecycle of projects from compliance with building regulations, procurement and resolving commercial issues and project accounts.
Piet has been involved with many engineering projects outside the renewables sector including nuclear waste plants, process engineering plants, sequence batch reactors and waste to energy plants.
He has been involved in substantial disputes in the Technology & Construction Court and in international & domestic arbitration, as well as an experienced practitioner in adjudication and a keen proponent of mediation.
Piet is a director of Procon Leicestershire and Chair of the East Midlands Chamber of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators.
Lucy Lord, Partner and Head of Property at Howes Percival, said: “We are delighted to welcome Piet to Howes Percival to head up and grow our construction offering. Piet has a wealth of experience and a strong client following.
“He is a great recruit for us and brings the calibre and credibility we need to align with the strength of our development team and take our proposition to the next level. The local and national market in development terms remains very strong and we are seeing our development instructions increase quarter on quarter.
“As a result, we need to expand our construction offering which is a critical specialism for our development clients.”
CEO prepares to leave award-winning charity
The CEO of Menphys will leave his role after six years at the award-winning charity.
Ian Caldwell has led Menphys – which supports children and young people with disabilities – since November 2018. He will leave in October.
The charity’s joint-Chairs Wyn Rees and Lisa Franklin praised the CEO’s dedication and commitment.
“Ian has been committed to our vision of creating a future full of equal choices and opportunities for children and young people with disabilities and their families,” he said. “He has worked very hard to help empower them to live as ordinary lives as possible.
“His leadership has enabled the charity to continue its vital work supporting thousands of local people, despite the many challenges faced during his time as CEO.
“Ian leaves with our appreciation and we wish him the best of luck in his new role.”
Ian moved into the charity sector after extensive experience in operations management within the private sector. His leadership career in the charity sector began soon after Menphys had its funding removed by Leicestershire County Council. The charity was faced with finding new ways of sourcing the funds needed to ensure its vital services could continue.
Ian led Menphys through the Pandemic, helping children and young people with disabilities – and their families – access support at a difficult time.
The charity has also received a number of honours during his time as CEO. Menphys received the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service in 2021. It is the highest accolade a voluntary group can receive in the UK.
Ian said: “I have been lucky enough to lead a fantastic team in the staff and volunteers that make Menphys what it is.
“Throughout my time here, the children, young people and families we support have been my motivation.
“This charity does wonderful work for wonderful people who aren’t always given the opportunities they deserve.
“I know it will continue towards its vision and have a positive impact upon thousands of local people as it does.”
Ian will begin his new role as CEO of Leicestershire Education Business Company (LEBC) in October.
The Menphys Board has now begun the recruitment process for a new CEO.
Nottinghamshire community pharmacy snapped up
Specialist business property adviser, Christie & Co, has sold Manns Pharmacy in Carlton, Nottinghamshire.
Manns is a standard hours community pharmacy that dispenses an average of 2,800 items per month. It is located in the residential area of Carlton, a suburb north-east of Nottingham city centre, between the suburbs of Mapperley and Gedling.
The pharmacy has been owned by Gurinder Singh Mann for over 20 years and was brought to market to enable retirement.
Following a confidential sales process with Carl Steer at Christie & Co, and with funding sourced through Joe Carden at Christie Finance Unsecured, it has been purchased by Leicester-based first-time buyer, Ravi Bansal.
Carl Steer, Director – Pharmacy at Christie & Co, says: “We have been working with and advising Mr Mann for some years, so it is nice to bring another sale to completion for him following the sale of his Mapperley branch last year. Demand remains in the market for sub £1 million pharmacies right across the Midlands, however correct pricing has become an important aspect of the current market.”
Joe Carden, Senior Finance Consultant at Christie Finance, says: “Ravi is a very experienced pharmacist and owning a pharmacy had been a goal of hers for some years, so it was a delight to assist her in this purchase. We were able to secure 80 per cent of the purchase price via an unsecured loan to allow her to complete her first purchase.
“Lender appetite is strong for first-time pharmacy purchasers; however, detailed information is key for a successful application. The more a lender can understand the applicant, their experience, and how they are going to run the pharmacy, such as what new ideas they’ll implement and how they manage the business day to day, the higher likelihood of approval.”
Manns Pharmacy was sold for an undisclosed price.
Sale of Lincolnshire agricultural machinery business saves 68 jobs
Sixty-eight jobs in Lincolnshire have been saved following the pre-pack sale of the Burdens Group.
Headquartered in Boston, the company supplied a wide range of farm and groundcare machinery from leading manufacturers including New Holland, Horizon, Amarzone and JPM Trailers. From tractors and combine harvesters to trailers and mowers, its customers included farmers, groundcare professionals and potato growers across the UK.
The Burdens Group offered both new and used agricultural machinery for sale from its depots in Sutterton, North Kyme, Louth and Brigg. It also had a division providing agricultural machinery for hire.
The company began to experience financial difficulties due to the pressures facing the farming sector following poor weather during 2023 and 2024, resulting in poor crop yields, and this was exacerbated by changes to EU subsidies. These issues resulted in farmers reducing their investment in new machinery which had a significant impact on the company’s turnover.
Joint administrators Gareth Rusling and Robert Dymond of Begbies Traynor were subsequently appointed as joint administrators on 19th August and a sale of the business and assets was immediately completed to Russell’s (Kirbymoorside) Limited in Malton and Stevenage-based Ernest Doe & Sons Limited, representing the northern and southern sales respectively.
The sales secured 68 jobs therefore reducing total creditor claims.
A significant amount of tangible assets which were not sold to either purchaser will be disposed of by Eddisons Commercial Limited and are likely to be sold via auction.
“Having traded successfully for more than 40 years, the Burdens Group was a victim of problems hitting the farming sector with bad weather and changes to EU subsidies resulting in its key customer base reducing their spend,” explains joint administrator Gareth Rusling of Begbies Traynor. “We worked hard to quickly conclude a sale to two experienced agricultural businesses, and it’s fantastic that the sales have saved the jobs of 68 people.”
Leicester City FC wins appeal in Profitability and Sustainability Rules breach
Leicester City FC has avoided a points deduction and won its appeal against a decision regarding the Premier League’s jurisdiction over the club’s alleged breach of its Profitability and Sustainability Rules (PSRs).
In March this year, the Premier League referred Leicester City to an independent Commission for an alleged breach of PSRs relating to the assessment period ending financial year 2022/23. Once submitted, the club’s financial results demonstrated that it had exceeded the permitted £105m threshold for the relevant period. PSR rules note that clubs cannot lose more than £105m over a three-season period.
Leicester City subsequently challenged the Commission’s authority to hear the case on the grounds of jurisdiction. This challenge was dismissed by the independent Commission, a decision which Leicester City appealed.
That appeal has been upheld by an independent Appeal Board on the grounds that the club’s accounting period which ended on 30 June 2023, came after the point the club had ceased to be a member of the League.
The Appeal Board’s decision effectively means that, despite the club being a member of the League from Seasons 2019/20 to 2022/23, the League cannot take action against the club for exceeding the relevant PSR threshold in respect of the associated accounting periods.
In a statement the Premier League said: “The Premier League is very disappointed with the Appeal Board’s decision, and the limited reasons provided for it. The League remains of the view that the original Commission took the right approach in interpreting the rules in a practical and workable way that gives effect to their intended purpose.
“In overturning the original Commission’s findings, the Premier League considers the Appeal Board’s decision fails to take into account the purpose of the rules, all relevant parts of the PSRs and the need for effective enforcement of alleged breaches to ensure fairness among all clubs.”
In a statement, Leicester City said: “Leicester City welcomes the Appeal Board’s comprehensive decision, which supports our consistently stated position that any action against the Club should be pursued in accordance with the applicable rules.
“To avoid any misunderstandings which may arise in light of the statement which has been issued by the Premier League in response to the appeal decision, Leicester City wishes to emphasise the finding of the Appeal Panel that, when considering the wording which is actually used in the Premier League rules (in accordance with established principles of English law) the Club did not breach the Premier League PSRs for the assessment period ending 30 June 2023.
“In its decision, the Appeal Board (which was made of up a panel of three experienced, senior lawyers, two of whom are former Court of Appeal judges) identifies flaws in the drafting of the Premier League’s rules. In challenging the Premier League’s attempts to charge Leicester City, the Club has simply sought to ensure (in the interests of providing consistency and certainty for all clubs) that the rules are applied based on how they are actually written.”
Group gobbles up speciality food producer
Nottingham’s The Compleat Food Group has acquired speciality food producer and distributor Harvey & Brockless.
Harvey & Brockless works with artisan food producers from across the world to deliver the finest speciality cheeses, charcuterie, olives and deli products to its nationwide network of customers, which includes some of the UK’s leading luxury hotels and restaurants, farm shops, delicatessens and food manufacturers.
The company is The Compleat Food Group’s latest strategic acquisition as its continues its journey to become the UK’s number one chilled prepared food company. It follows the acquisition of SK Foods and Zorba Foods, the category leaders in private label chilled party foods and dips and deli fillings, earlier this year.
The Compleat Food Group has expertise in delivering food from across the Mediterranean deli and continental meats categories into retail through its global outsourced model. The addition of Harvey & Brockless to its portfolio will extend The Compleat Food Group’s capabilities, to the benefit of all customers, whilst opening up new markets and customers. It will also see turnover surpass £1 billion.
Employing around 500 people, Harvey & Brockless will continue to operate as its own brand under the leadership of the current management team, led by Simon Yorke, Nick Martin and Jonnie Archer.
The family-owned firm was founded in 1970 in Hailsham, Sussex, growing to become one of the leading suppliers of fine foods to foodservice, with customers including Harrods, The Savoy, Ritz and The Dorchester. In 2018, it opened a new site in the UAE, servicing Emirates and Etihad airlines as well as a number of five-star hotels.
Its range includes the largest collection of British farmhouse cheeses in the UK, Mediterranean deli products from Dell’ami, British cured meats, and its own range of bespoke sauces and dips, produced at its purpose-built site in Evesham, Worcestershire as well as bespoke assembled cheese solutions from its site in Battersea, London.
Nick Field, CEO at The Compleat Food Group, said: “We are delighted to welcome this new addition to The Compleat Food Group. Harvey & Brockless has a long heritage and passion for sourcing the best speciality food from across the UK and the globe for its customers, which aligns perfectly with our mission of creating great quality food that people love to eat.
“The parallels between our two businesses are very strong, and with the fantastic product range of Harvey & Brockless, the acquisition will further extend The Compleat Food Group’s capabilities to the benefit of our existing customers, whilst also opening up new markets and customers for us to delight more consumers through our great tasting food.”
Nick Martin, Managing Director at Harvey & Brockless, said: “Since our early days selling cheese to Harrods, we have been committed to supplying the very best food from our network of artisan food producers in formats that are specific to our customers.
“In The Compleat Food Group we have found a partner who shares our passion for great food and will help us to grow and fulfil our future ambitions. I and the rest of the leadership team are looking forward to working with The Compleat Food Group as we continue on the next stage of Harvey & Brockless’ journey.”
