Derby ICT company appoints Sales Manager to grow presence in SME sector

Tess Egginton
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Derby ICT company appoints Sales Manager to grow presence in SME sector
Derby-based IT and telecoms support company, Link ICT has appointed Keith Smith as Sales Manager in order to grow its presence in the SME sector. Link ICT already has a well-respected reputation for providing IT Support Services to the education sector where its sales proposition includes providing an IT engineer on site on a set day and time to resolve IT problems and ensure end users enjoy the best experience. The appointment of a Sales Manager follows the company’s recent move to new offices within Pride Park and a strategic plan to significantly increase the number of IT support retainers with East Midlands businesses. Keith, who lives in Derby, holds an MPhil in Leadership & Coaching, an MA in Communication Science, a Postgraduate Diploma in Business Administration, and a BCOM in Marketing. He has a Diploma in Modern Applied Psychology and various certificates, including Counselling Skills, Digital Marketing, Sales Mastery, and Strategic Sales Management to his CV. During his career, Keith has held leadership positions where he’s built and nurtured high-performing teams and developed strategic initiatives that deliver measurable success. His previous experience includes Chief Sales Officer for software provider d6 Group, where he led a team of over 70 professionals, significantly increased global sales revenue from £12m to £33m and expanded international market presence. As National Sales Manager at training provider Pearson, he developed and implemented strategies that achieved consistent annual growth, driving revenue from £110m to £174m over six years. Link ICT Managing Director Mark Fryers said: “Our business recently celebrated its 20th anniversary, and as part of our ongoing strategy of progressive growth our aim is to increase our portfolio of companies in other sectors that rely on IT to operate profitably. Keith has an impressive track record in sales and his leadership skills will be a great asset to the management team.” As Sales Manager at Link ICT, Keith will be working closely with SME clients to understand their unique ICT needs and provide tailored solutions that enhance their operations and overall efficiency. Commenting on his role Keith said: “A key part of my role will be to develop and execute strategic initiatives, ensuring that we continue to deliver exceptional service and strengthen our position as a trusted partner for SMEs. I’m especially looking forward to collaborating with our clients, helping them unlock their potential and achieve their goals.” He added: “I was drawn to Link ICT because of their incredible values, which align closely with my own, and their exceptional service offerings. It’s clear that they genuinely care about their clients, and this is reflected in the outstanding feedback they receive. “Knowing that I can contribute to a company with such a strong reputation and passionate team is incredibly exciting. I’m confident that my experience in team leadership and strategy development will enable me to make a meaningful impact.” Outside of work, Keith is deeply passionate about psychology and leadership, and enjoys socialising to build connections, share experiences, and learn from others. Keith has also served as a volunteer firefighter and believes the role helped to develop his courage and teamwork skills, whilst also teaching resilience, empathy, and the value of stepping up when it matters most.

Listed Midlands companies record highest number of profit warnings since 2022

Tess Egginton
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Listed Midlands companies record highest number of profit warnings since 2022
Listed companies across the Midlands issued 37 profit warnings in 2024, a 19% (six) year-on-year increase, according to the latest EY-Parthenon Profit Warnings report. In Q4 2024, 13 warnings were issued by companies in the region, four more than Q3 and the highest quarterly total since Q4 2022, when 14 warnings were issued. In the Midlands, companies within the FTSE Consumer Discretionary sectors issued the highest number of profit warnings in Q4, totaling nine. This trend has been consistent throughout 2024, with Consumer Discretionary sectors accounting for 54% of all profit warnings (20 warnings in total). Dan Hurd, a Partner at EY-Parthenon in the Midlands, said: “Cost pressures caused by uncertainty continued to drive an increase in profit warnings in 2024, particularly within the region’s retail sector. “As concerns about how rising costs, driven partly by increases in National Insurance and national living wage, become a reality, it is important that businesses look at how they can offset these increases through efficiency savings or price adjustments. “A weaker-than-expected end to 2024 means that UK economic growth in 2025 will be slower than previously predicted. EY’s ITEM Club Winter Forecast predicts that GDP will likely struggle to accelerate beyond 1% in 2025, however real incomes should continue to rise as interest rates fall, leaving consumers more confident and likelier to spend.” One in five UK-listed companies issued a profit warning in 2024 Across all sectors, one in five (19%) UK-listed companies issued a profit warning in 2024, the third highest annual proportion in 25 years, behind only the 2020 pandemic (35%) and the impact of the dot-com bubble burst and 9/11 in 2001 (23%). By the end of 2024, 274 profit warnings had been issued – including 71 in Q4 – down slightly from the 294 issued during 2023. The leading factor behind profit warnings in 2024 was contract and order cancellations or delays, cited in 34% of warnings, including 39% in Q4 – the highest quarterly percentage for this reason in more than 15 years. Increasing costs triggered nearly one in five (18%) warnings in the last 12 months. Jo Robinson, EY-Parthenon Partner and UK&I Turnaround and Restructuring Strategy Leader, said: “It’s clear that companies have faced an extraordinary succession of forecasting challenges since the pandemic, contending with interconnected disruptions to supply chains, material and energy costs, and the labour market, as well as higher interest rates. “2024 was also an exceptional year for global geopolitical uncertainty and policy upheaval, with a record level of profit warnings linked to contract and spending delays as businesses held back from recruitment and investment. As a result, companies’ forecasting strategies need to respond to both short-term policy changes and deeper structural issues. “Ordinarily, a sustained increase in company earnings pressures would be followed by a significant rise in insolvencies. But this cycle has been different. The availability of cheap, long-term debt and pandemic support provided breathing space for both businesses and stakeholders to explore consensual solutions and new restructuring options. “However, more companies are now reaching a tipping point as cumulative pressures build. We don’t expect a huge uptick in insolvency levels in 2025, but we are now seeing more distress, and more stakeholders viewing insolvency processes as a real option in finding the best path forward. “While the pace of profit warnings has eased slightly in early 2025, we’ve seen the recruitment sector continue to grapple with a downturn in activity across key geographies and sectors, before the increases in employer National Insurance Contributions and the National Living Wage take effect. Across the board, the road ahead remains rocky with challenges around trade, geopolitics, interest rates, and more.”

Plans for a new rail freight in Leicestershire

April Lara
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Plans for a new rail freight in Leicestershire
Tritax Big Box Developments (TBBD) has made a further submission to assist the Secretary of State in making a decision on a Development Consent Order (DCO) application for Hinckley National Rail Freight Interchange (HNRFI), a major strategic rail freight interchange project in Hinckley, Leicestershire. The project, when complete, is projected to generate between £329million and £406million per year in Gross Value Added (GVA) to the UK economy. The submission comes a week after Government outlined a series of major infrastructure initiatives aimed at revitalising UK plc.   Tritax Big Box Developments has referred to the project as a “once in a generation opportunity to deliver a major infrastructure project, which has rail freight, sustainability and economic growth at its core.”   HNRFI is supported by Maritime Group, the UK’s leading integrated road and rail freight logistics provider, which signed an exclusive agreement with Tritax Big Box Developments to develop, lease and operate a 40-acre Strategic Rail Freight Interchange. Once in operation, the rail freight interchange will be capable of handling 16 trains per day when fully operational. At full capacity, the SRFI will remove more than 83 million HGV miles from the UK road network. The significant volume of goods switched from road to rail could save around 70,120 tonnes of CO2 each year.   The creation of HNRFI would bring forward:  
  • Over £800m of private sector money invested into delivering major infrastructure, providing direct employment
  • New southern slip roads for M69 J2, making this junction fully accessible for both northbound and southbound traffic
  • New link road between M69 J2 and A47, alleviating traffic from Hinckley and Burbage
  • Up to 850,000 sq m (9.1million sq ft) of modern, rail-served, warehousing and logistics space
  • Creation of c.8,000 jobs of all skill levels
  • Improvement of road junctions near the development
  • Fully funded additional bus services which will serve local areas and the development
  • Improved cycling routes serving the development and surrounding area
  • At least 10% Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG)
  • 50 acre extension to existing Burbage Common amenity space, including planting nearly 20,000 new trees
  “Few developers have the funding, capability and expertise to deliver a project of this scale and complexity,” explained Andrew Dickman, Managing Director at Tritax Big Box Developments. “We are fully committed to the project in the knowledge of the major economic and social benefits it will bring to the country’s future economic prosperity, and its impact on growth in the wider UK economy.”   Dickman continued: “We’re pleased to provide further information to assist the Secretary of State in making her decision on the development, and have made a number of significant improvements, including committing additional funding for key areas highlighted in the Examining Authority’s recommendation report. This project is very much in line with the Government’s understanding of the value private investment into infrastructure in the UK economy and would boost the government’s growth agenda.”

Good performance in a challenging environment for Dunelm

Tess Egginton
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Good performance in a challenging environment for Dunelm

Dunelm Group, the Leicester-based homewares retailer, has hailed a “good performance and strategic progress in a challenging environment” in newly released interim results for the 26 weeks to 28 December 2024.

The business saw total sales of £893.7m, up from £872.5m in the same period of the prior year, with sales growth of 2.4% driven by volume.

Profit before tax, meanwhile, reached £123.2m, increasing from £123m.

Nick Wilkinson, Chief Executive Officer, said: “Our performance over the first half reflects the growing attraction of the Dunelm offer for a wide range of customers, and the quality and resilience of our business model.

“Amidst a challenging backdrop for retail, those attributes have helped us deliver increased sales, a strong gross margin, and both customer and market share growth.

“We have also pressed ahead with our strategy. Whether our customers prefer maximalist prints or neutral plains, the elevation of our product is apparent through the diverse range of styles on offer for all tastes, with quality once again endorsed through the awarding of a Royal Warrant to our Dorma brand.

“Our thriving total retail system is connecting that product with more customers, and we saw further growth in our increasingly personalised digital channels, as well as some exciting firsts for our store portfolio; we arrived in inner London at Westfield, acquired 13 stores in Ireland, and we will open our 200th store in the second half.

“As ever, whilst pleased with our results, we are eager to move faster and with greater purpose. Customers love Dunelm, but we can grow to become a destination for more customers, across more categories, more of the time.

“With our dedicated colleagues, who have shown incredible adaptability in a difficult trading environment, this gives us a renewed confidence in unlocking our full potential as The Home of Homes.”

The results come as Wilkinson has revealed his intention to retire from Dunelm and full-time executive life, following seven years in the role.

Alison Brittain, Chair of Dunelm, said: “Nick has been a tremendous leader for Dunelm and amongst his many achievements, he has successfully guided the Group through a global pandemic, driven a step-change in the digital offer, established strategic capabilities across the business including in tech and data, and maintained the unique, entrepreneurial culture which makes Dunelm so special.

“Nick will continue to lead the business over the coming months as we transition to a new CEO, maintaining a focus on delivering long-term, sustainable growth for all stakeholders.” 

Administrators launch sale process for Northamptonshire luxury yacht-builder

Tess Egginton
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Administrators launch sale process for Northamptonshire luxury yacht-builder
The Joint Administrators of Fairline Yachts, a luxury yacht manufacturer, have secured funding for the business and are seeking a buyer to take the brand forward. The additional funding, provided by its existing specialist lender DF Capital, will enable the business to continue the production and sale of its yachts for customers worldwide and retain its 250 employees.
Founded in 1967, Fairline Yachts has built a reputation for crafting best-in-class yachts for its customers, with whom it has established long-term relationships. The company has four yacht ranges, from 33 ft to 68 ft models, which are sold globally both directly and via local dealerships. Fairline’s expert team of 250, based across two sites in Oundle and Suffolk, include highly skilled craftsmen with deep experience in the industry. The Administrators are now encouraging any interested parties to contact them to discuss the opportunity to acquire one of the yacht industry’s most recognisable brands. Michael Magnay of Alvarez & Marsal, Joint Administrator to Fairline Yachts, said: “Fairline Yachts is an iconic brand with a committed and passionate team of experts who have established deep relationships with dealers and end customers over many years. “The business is known throughout the world for the quality of its craftsmanship and the innovative design of its yachts. We expect that it could have broad appeal, to international investors as well as domestic. We encourage interested parties to make contact with us to discuss the opportunity to acquire this exciting business.”

Works to begin to redevelop sheltered housing complex

Tess Egginton
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Works to begin to redevelop sheltered housing complex
Works to redevelop a sheltered housing complex in Thurmaston into nine new bungalows will begin in February. Charnwood Borough Council has chosen Leicestershire-based construction company Mercer Building Solutions to undertake construction of the redevelopment. The first phase of the £2m investment project will be the demolition of the existing buildings, which will take place in late February. The development is expected to be completed in early 2026. The proposed bungalows have been designed for people with mobility issues. St Michael’s Court was built around 1970 and no longer meets the needs of older tenants. The complex comprised mainly of bedsits with shared bathrooms which are difficult to let. The ageing sheltered accommodation also had long corridors which are difficult for people with mobility issues. Cllr Colin Hamilton, the Council’s lead member for planning and housing, said: “I am pleased that the new contract with Mercer Building Solutions is in place, and we look forward to working with them on this important redevelopment. “It will be exciting to see the creation of nine new bungalows in Thurmaston, and I am positive that the team at Mercer will deliver excellent accommodation for residents and provide them with a high-quality standard of living.” Katy Mercer, Director of Mercer Building Solutions, said: “We are delighted to be working with Charnwood Borough Council to deliver nine new bungalows designed specifically for people with mobility issues. “This project reflects our commitment to delivering much needed accessible, high-quality homes. “We are incredibly proud to be part of this important initiative and look forward to seeing these homes provide a safe and supportive environment for their new residents.”

Dedicated Nottinghamshire apprentice travels 161 miles to complete apprenticeship programme

Michael Fisher
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Dedicated Nottinghamshire apprentice travels 161 miles to complete apprenticeship programme

A Nottinghamshire apprentice who battles a six hour journey to complete his apprenticeship training, part-based in Newcastle, has spoken about his career transformation after enrolling on the course.

21-year-old Riordan ‘Rio’ Keetley is currently undertaking a Level 2 Bricklaying apprenticeship at the National House Building Council’s (NHBC) Training Hub in Scotswood, Newcastle. Rio travels the 161 miles for his training block weeks to the Training Hub by train from his home in Nottingham to pursue his career and achieve a nationally recognised qualification.

Before starting his apprenticeship in March last year, Rio worked a number of jobs, including being a waiter, a hospital cleaner and a CCTV operator but he was left feeling unsettled about his future.

Rio chose the apprenticeship route over traditional college or university education because he wanted to learn a practical skill that would serve him for life. He explains: “Construction has always interested me but I struggled to find an apprenticeship initially. I finished school during lockdown and the restrictions meant opportunities were limited.

“I took on various jobs in the meantime, becoming a bit of a jack-of-all-trades. Then, a family member told me about apprenticeship opportunities at Keepmoat, and I knew this was the chance I had been waiting for.

“The apprentice programme with a reputable house builder such as Keepmoat was exactly what I needed. It’s really rewarding to learn a valuable skill, help the community, and know I’m building a great future for myself. The travel is a small price to pay for such an amazing opportunity. I’m excited to see where this career takes me.”

Rio’s apprenticeship includes tailored and immersive training at the NHBC Training Hub, covering both theory and practical skills before working on site. Rio is developing his skills at Park View, a Keepmoat development in Gedling, Nottinghamshire which will deliver 400 homes.

He adds: “I enjoy the physical nature of the job and knowing that what I’m doing is making a difference. It’s satisfying to watch the hard work pay off and use my NHBC industry leading training to see something built the right way by a hard working team. My apprenticeship has given me confidence, independence, and a clear path forward. I’m proud of myself and what I’ve accomplished so far.”

Geoff Scott, Social Value Manager at Keepmoat, comments: “The team is extremely pleased with Riordan’s progression throughout his apprenticeship. He’s a great team player, who is both dedicated and hard working. Our apprenticeship schemes are a testament to Keepmoat’s commitment to delivering key skilled workers into the talent pipeline in the face of a skills shortage.

“It is a privilege to see our apprentices thrive in their roles and become part of the next generation of much-needed bricklayers and we look forward to seeing them progress and succeed in the industry.’’

Roger Morton, Director of NHBC’s apprentice training programme and hubs, said; “It’s fantastic to see how Riordan is thriving at the NHBC Training Hub in Newcastle. Our hubs are not only creating a local supply of talent for the house-building industry but also making a significant positive impact on the lives of apprentices.

“Bricklaying is at the heart of house building and is a vital skill. Through our existing training hubs and our £100 million investment in a national network of 12 new multi-skill hubs, NHBC is committed to supporting the next generation of housebuilders. Our industry-leading, recognised training equips apprentices like Riordan with the skills he needs to deliver high-quality new homes.

“By immersing apprentices in real site conditions from day one, we fully prepare them for life on site. Quality drives everything we do and our tailored approach is enabling Riordan and other apprentices to qualify in just 14 to 18 months, with many achieving distinctions. That’s nearly twice as fast as traditional education routes, which can take up to 30 months.”

Demand conditions in the East Midlands soften as 2025 begins

Tess Egginton
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Demand conditions in the East Midlands soften as 2025 begins
Latest Regional Growth Tracker survey data from NatWest signalled a renewed decline in business activity at the start of 2025 amid subdued demand conditions. The headline NatWest East Midlands Business Activity Index registered at 49.8 in January, down from 50.7 in December, to signal a renewed fall in output at firms in the region. The decrease in activity was the first seen since July 2024, albeit only fractional overall. Panellists noted that subdued demand conditions drove the decline, as new orders fell again. Nonetheless, East Midlands firms remained confident of a rise in output over the next year. Average cost burdens faced by firms increased at a sharper pace in the opening month of 2025. Higher input prices were linked to greater wage bills and increased energy tariffs. In a bid to protect margins, East Midlands firms raised their selling prices during January. The pace of charge inflation picked up to the fastest since December 2023 and was sharper than the series average. Panellists sought to pass through greater costs to customers. Lisa Phillips, Regional Managing Director, Midlands and East, Commercial Mid Markets, said: “Whilst the opening month of 2025 saw a challenging demand environment for East Midlands firms, the region started the year in a more stable place than other parts of the country, however. “Businesses remained upbeat in their outlook for the coming year. “Encouragingly, firms were able to pass through some of the increase in costs to their customers, via higher selling prices. Inflationary pressures were strong, but nonetheless, input price and output charge hikes in the region were less marked than at the UK level. “The Bank of England’s interest rate cut last week means that policy is now less restrictive, with further loosening expected in the year ahead.” Performance in relation to UK The fall in output at firms in the East Midlands was only fractional, but contrasted with a marginal increase in activity seen at the UK level. Panellists noted that subdued demand conditions drove the decline, as new orders fell again, and at the fastest pace since June 2024. Lower new orders were often attributed to weak customer confidence amid challenging economic conditions, and the resulting efforts by clients to reduce costs. The fall in new orders was stronger than the UK average, meanwhile. Nevertheless, businesses were positive in their expectations regarding the outlook for output over the coming year in January. Optimism among companies reportedly stemmed from new product development, investment in new facilities and hopes of stronger demand conditions. That said, the degree of confidence slipped from that seen in December. Of the 12 monitored UK areas, only the West Midlands and London were more upbeat regarding their prospects. Meanwhile, anecdotal evidence suggested that lower employment was due to reduced new order inflows and cut-backs to temporary and part-time workers. The rate of contraction was strong and the second-fastest since September 2023. The pace of decline was broadly in line with the UK average, however. At the same time, companies in the East Midlands depleted their backlogs of work at the weakest rate in three months at the start of the year. Panellists stated that subdued demand conditions enabled them to work through incomplete business. Although sharper than the long-run series average, the pace of decline was slower than the UK average. Cost burdens rose at a quicker pace in January. The rate of input cost inflation was historically elevated and the fastest since April 2024, albeit just below the UK average. Subsequently, firms raised their output charges in January, although the rate of increase in selling prices was slightly less marked than the UK average.

Aggregate Industries makes contracting business MD

Stuart Pearcey
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Aggregate Industries makes contracting business MD
Aggregate Industries has appointed Kevin Murgatroyd as MD for its contracting business. HIs promotion follows more than two years with Aggregate Industries, having . He joined the business as Regional Director for the South in 2022, managing ten Asphalt plants and the southern contracting business. Since April last year he has had overall responsibility for the Contracting division and its circa 400 employees. The MD role will now see Kevin lead on the business’ strategy development, maintaining key customer relationships with National Highways and other tier one and two contractors, as well as ensuring strict compliance to sustainability targets. He said: “I’m delighted to have taken up the role of Managing Director for Aggregate Industries’ Contracting business and stepping up to the Executive Committee. Having joined the company two years ago, I can already see the incredible work Aggregate Industries offer to its customers, not only in the services and products we provide, but doing so sustainably. “To work for a company that has such a clear desire to do better for the planet, in a traditionally carbon-intensive industry is really exciting, and there’s so many strides we can take in the Contracting business especially to lower our carbon footprint in our transportation and the products we supply. I’m thrilled to be on this journey with them.” CEO Lee Sleight said: “Kevin has a proven track record in leading the operations for a number of high-profile companies, and at the same time demonstrating significant growth and improved profit margins. Since joining us in 2022 he has shown incredible leadership skills and strategic thinking and is so very deserving of his promotion to Managing Director for our Contracting business. I look forward to working with him closer as he joins the Executive Committee at an incredible time of growth for Aggregate Industries.”

Chamber opens first quarterly economic survey of 2025

Stuart Pearcey
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Chamber opens first quarterly economic survey of 2025
Performance in sales and orders, challenges in hiring staff and anticipated profit are among insight to be reported by the region’s businesses as East Midlands Chamber opens its first Quarterly Economic Survey of 2025. Business leaders from multiple sectors are being urged to share experience and expectations for the months ahead across areas ranging from investment intention to future pricing. Corporate taxation, inflation and business rates were the greatest concerns of businesses in the most recent survey, conducted after the Chancellor’s Autumn Budget. Compiled from a combination of measurable data and sentiment, the Chamber’s Quarterly Economic Survey is a key indicator of challenges and opportunities identified by East Midlands businesses.  The findings are recognised by economists, the Bank of England and the government.  East Midlands Chamber Director of Policy and Insight Richard Blackmore said: “The last Quarterly Economic Survey painted an alarming picture – an almost total turnaround in all measures, with nearly all the data tracking business performance and projected growth pointing in a negative direction.  Businesses reported significant drops in sales and orders, both within the UK and overseas; the number of businesses saying they plan to pull back on recruitment doubled and there was a huge fall of 38% in businesses expecting to make a profit. “When businesses are in a good place, they tend to cite competition as one of their primary concerns and will often have plans to spend on things like machinery or increased headcount. Those are signs of healthy, confident operation.  In the last survey, we saw protective measures taking shape, with investment plans stalling and corporate taxation, inflation and business rates soaring to the top of reported worries. Reeling from the tough announcements made in the Autumn Budget, requiring firms to prepare for higher costs from April this year, the picture seemed to be a general tightening of the belt. “Tracking the changing experience of East Midlands businesses is vital and having a wide range of respondents provides the most useful results.  This is the first Quarterly Economic Survey of 2025 and I’d urge businesses of all sizes to take a few moments to share their experiences and expectations for the months ahead.”
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