Regional transport body Midlands Connect has launched an online consultation to get businesses’ views on improvements to the rail route between Nottingham, Newark and Lincoln. The survey asks firms to give their views on current rail connectivity and to outline how improving them would impact their trade, productivity and access to skilled workers.
The potential improvement plans would see the number of hourly train services between Nottingham, Newark and Lincoln double from one, to two trains every hour. As well as this, improvements to signalling and track would improve journey times, reducing end to end trips from 55 minutes to 45 minutes.
Line speed work is expected to be completed between 2022 and 2026, while Midlands Connect is examining ways to improve service frequency in the medium term.
The consultation is being supported by MPs Karl McCartney and Lilian Greenwood, local councils including Nottinghamshire County Council and Lincolnshire County Council as well the Lincolnshire Chambers of Commerce and the Federation of Small Businesses.
The survey is open until Friday 11 February at 5pm.
Head of Rail Karen Heppenstall said: “We are calling on employers and businesses to get involved in our online consultation to let us know their views. We want to know what the impact could be on them if we improve the rail route and specifically, if it could lead to more jobs and growth in the local economy.
“The case for upgrades on this route is clear: slow and infrequent rail services between Nottingham and Lincoln mean that only a small proportion of journeys along this corridor are made by train. Midlands Connect is committed to changing that and to gathering the best possible evidence outlining why these improvements are so sorely needed.”
Lottery funding secured to restore the Grade II Victoria Embankment Memorial Gardens
Nottingham City Council’s £1.7m bid to develop Victoria Embankment Memorial Gardens has been successful.
Funding has been awarded through the National Lottery Heritage Fund and will be used to improve facilities, create a visitor centre and jobs on the park. Match funding has come from The Transforming Cities Fund, The War Memorials Trust and Nottingham City Council.
The announcement to return the park to its former glory marks the culmination of a development journey which has included two rounds of public consultation. The views of park users, veteran groups and the Memorial Gardens Association about how the gardens and facilities could be developed have identified a strong desire to see the area restored and improved.
The first stages of work to develop designs and plans have been completed which means the delivery of the project can begin. This will deliver the following:
- Restoring the war Memorial which was unveiled in 1927
- Restoring Queen Victoria’s Statue (dating from 1903) which has been in the gardens since 1953 (previously it sat in the Old Market Square)
- Restoring the pond and fountains
- Improving paths and access
- Re-planting original flower beds
- Installing new furniture
- Creation of a visitor centre and toilets
- Creation of jobs
- Development of a World War 2 Roll of Honours
Revenue and profit dip at NAHL
Revenue and profit have slipped slightly at Kettering-based NAHL, which operates in the UK consumer legal services market and is behind the brand National Accident Helpline.
According to a trading update for the year ended 31 December 2021, group revenue is anticipated to be in line with the board’s expectations at £38.9m, slightly below £40.9m in the prior year.
Underlying operating profit meanwhile is expected to be at least £4.0m, down from £5.7m last year, though this is also in line with the board’s expectations.
The business noted that COVID-19 continued to have an impact on the group’s markets, with Government restrictions and cautious consumer behaviour supressing accident numbers. The results for 2021 reflect a full year of COVID-19 impact.
James Saralis, CEO of NAHL, said: “While our business continued to experience headwinds throughout 2021, I am pleased with the progress we were able to make on our strategic objectives of creating a higher margin personal injury business and delivering growth in our catastrophic injury business. We grew the book of ongoing personal injury claims in National Accident Law by 166% and grew revenues in Bush & Co. by 9%, driven by our investments in business development.
“During the period, we were pleased to successfully extend our RCF with Yorkshire Bank through to December 2024, providing our business with the liquidity to continue to grow NAL. Finally, I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of our people who have continued to work tirelessly throughout the period to strive for the best results for all of our stakeholders.”
2022 Business Predictions: Greg Simpson, founder of Press for Attention PR
It’s that time of year, when Business Link Magazine invites the region’s business leaders to offer up their predictions for the year ahead.
It has become something of a tradition, given that we’ve been doing this now for over 30 years.
Here we speak to Greg Simpson, founder of Press for Attention PR and the PR and Communications Ambassador for the IoD in Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire.
Would you want to work in your office?
PR is somewhat misunderstood and often underutilised in business (which I don’t predict will change that much sadly) but there’s an area where it really plays a very vital role and yet is often overlooked… I’m talking about your staff. How attractive is your business to work for? Does it look like a great organisation from the outside? Are you winning awards? Are you supporting your local community or good causes? Think about how that might attract potential candidates, suppliers and of course, customers and clients. What about the internal message? Does it feel like a great place to work? Is it exciting? Vibrant? Challenging? Or is it just same old same old? If so, 2022 is going to be a challenge for you because now more than ever, talented people are going to demand MORE from their employers. We know about flexible working and work life balance by now, that is going to be the minimum expected. What we will also need to see is a bit of extra OOMPH! What helps you stand out as an employer of choice? Why, given the rise of home working, would your team want to come in? What impact might that have on company culture? How can you position your business as somewhere that people WANT to work in and partner with? How do you stop them from looking at greener grass? That will be crucial in 2022 and I predict that the organisations that do this well will not only survive but thrive.Bassetlaw to be part of unique planning pilot
Bassetlaw District Council will be one of just seven Local Authority areas in the country to pilot a ‘Simpler Approach to Neighbourhood Planning’, supported by up to £45,000 of Government funding.
Bassetlaw has been at the forefront of community-led planning since it was introduced by the 2011 Localism Act and is already supporting 32 communities across the district with Neighbourhood Plans.
Neighbourhood Plans give communities a greater say in guiding development in their areas, for example choosing where they want new homes, shops and offices to be built, in addition to what these new buildings should look like and what infrastructure should be provided.
The ‘Simpler Approach to Neighbourhood Planning’ pilot, overseen by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, will support local councils to explore innovative ways to get even more people involved in community-led planning.
Bassetlaw’s share of the fund will support pilot projects in at least three communities and will help them to develop a better understanding of their local area, before considering if and how a Neighbourhood Plan could help to manage it.
Cllr Jo White, Cabinet Member for Regeneration at Bassetlaw District Council, said: “As one of the authorities that have taken a lead in the development of Neighbourhood Plans, the opportunity to participate in this pilot is welcomed. We are already working in partnership with 32 communities across the district to empower them and give them a greater say in the planning process, so we are excited to be part of this pilot.
“Thanks to this funding we can explore different approaches and enable more communities to engage in the Neighbourhood Plan process, ultimately giving them more of a say on development in their areas.”
The Bassetlaw pilot will explore how the introduction of an initial ‘understanding’ phase will help communities to develop a bespoke ‘place profile’, before considering if and how this could provide a firm foundation for a Neighbourhood Plan to follow.
By working with at least three distinct communities, the pilot will allow different approaches to be trialled, such as the use of digital technologies to capture and share local data. This will also help to assess if this approach is more effective in some settings than others.
The Council has been a proactive supporter of Neighbourhood Planning from the start and, in partnership with enthusiastic communities, 20 Neighbourhood Plans have been completed in Bassetlaw, with more under development or review.
This experience puts the Council in a strong position to reflect on how the current system works and how potential changes could make the process more engaging for all involved.
Housing Minister Rt Hon Christopher Pincher MP, added: “Local people know their areas best and by getting involved in neighbourhood planning, they can properly influence future development in their communities.
“Through these pilots, we are giving more people, and particularly those from under-represented areas, the tools they need to influence decisions that affect their lives.
“Over 1,200 communities across England have completed a neighbourhood plan, and more than 2,800 have started the neighbourhood planning process.”
Further details on each project will be published as the pilots progress.
Derby’s high street tipped to thrive with new support scheme for independent businesses
High street businesses in Derby are being offered a helping hand to step into the 21st century with a package of free support to implement modern forms of trading.
Up to 100 retail, hospitality and leisure organisations can benefit from access to expert advice via the Derby Business Resilience Programme, which is funded by Derby City Council and delivered in partnership with East Midlands Chamber.
Advisers can assist in establishing an online business strategy and, depending on requirements, the creation of a fully search engine-optimised e-commerce website with 12 months’ free web hosting provided by Derbyshire-based digital marketing agency Purpose Media.
Grants to cover bespoke consultancy support are available to some eligible businesses, while aspects of the support scheme are also open to companies in the transport industry supply chain.
East Midlands Chamber head of enterprise, Paul Stuart, said: “Purchasing habits have changed as a result of Covid-19, with fewer in-store visitors and a move towards online transactions.
“We expect this to be a long-term shift, so it’s vital that businesses ensure they see this as an opportunity, rather than a threat.
“By engaging with the Derby Business Resilience Programme, small businesses can benefit from expert support to equip themselves with the right mix of tools needed for the online world – something that will complement their existing services, attract new customers and, ultimately, future-proof their organisations.”
What does the Derby Business Resilience Programme involve?
Derby City Council has provided £200,000 in funding towards the programme, with East Midlands Chamber contributing £42,000.
It is aimed at independent micro or small businesses based within the city council’s area that can demonstrate the adverse impact of Covid-19 on their trade.
The fully-funded support includes a dedicated business resilience adviser with specific digital or business support skills, who can work alongside a company to help develop an online business plan.
This involves reviewing current marketing and social media activities, setting up a Google listing or even signing up a company to its first social media account.
By setting up e-commerce websites with features such as click and collect or other delivery options, businesses can increase their profile and use their virtual shop window to drive greater footfall to both their physical and online store.
One year’s membership of the Chamber is also provided – giving them access to business protection services in HR, health and safety, tax and legal issues, as well as discounts on member products and services – while they will be able to attend regular events and webinars to increase their digital know-how.
Councillor Steve Hassall, cabinet member for regeneration, decarbonisation, strategic planning and transport at Derby City Council, said: “The last couple of years have been incredibly tough for all business, and our local retail, hospitality and leisure businesses have been hit especially hard.
“We want to do all we can to offer practical support to independent retail and leisure firms across Derby and help drive our recovery from the pandemic. I’d encourage businesses to apply quickly to take advantage of this scheme.”
Going digital is giving businesses ‘a renewed optimism for the future’
Full-service marketing agency Purpose Media has been approved to deliver digital marketing advice, and to design and build websites for those businesses that are eligible.
The company, based in South Normanton, has previously worked alongside the Chamber in delivering the Chesterfield Digital High Street project, which has offered similar support to more than 30 businesses – ranging from gin shops and cafés to hairdressers and butchers.
Purpose Media business development manager, Grace Golden, said: “Through our work in the Chesterfield Digital High Street project, we have helped businesses learn new ways to engage with customers, attract business and increase profitability.
“By implementing new activity online such as posting videos or using Facebook advertising, they have renewed optimism for their future and have confidence in their ability to market their business.
“We believe the Derby Business Resilience Programme can be equally successful for independent businesses in the Derby City Council area. It intends to help businesses attract new customers, drive footfall to retail stores, establish an e-commerce website and improve visibility online.”
An information session about the Derby Business Resilience Programme will be held at Derby Enterprise Centre on Thursday 20 January. Businesses have until 31 March to apply for support.
PwC makes new partner and director promotions to strengthen Midlands team
PwC has further invested in its senior team in the Midlands with the admission of three new partners and six newly-promoted directors. These promotions are in addition to PwC’s usual partner promotion round in July, and reflect the strong growth of the firm driven by demand for services including transformation, deals, and ESG.
Across the Midlands business there have been a further 93 promotions to senior manager, manager and senior associate posts, making the total number of promotions 102.
Matthew Hammond, PwC’s Midlands region leader, said: “I’m delighted we can make these appointments and congratulate each of our talented new partners and directors. The role of leaders has never been more important as organisations grapple with the transformation brought about by the pandemic and other major challenges such as climate change and regional inequality.
“We are committed to investing in the future of our business and our new promotees bring sector expertise, local and international experiences. The promotions also represent the diverse skills we need to continue to grow sustainably while supporting our clients and people as they respond to these unique challenges and opportunities.”
Partner admissions in the Midlands are; Rachael Hampton, in the consulting practice, Jeff Nye in deals and Matt Timmons in the tax practice.
Rachael Hampton leads the UK private enterprise strategy and cloud transformation market, advising clients across industries on technology transformation. She works extensively across the private sector in the UK & Globally leading cloud enabled transformation programmes to deliver significant business benefits.
Jeff Nye is part of PwC’s Sale and Purchase Agreement (SPA) team within transaction services and focuses on helping private equity and corporate clients across a range of sectors and deal sizes to maximise and protect value through their M&A transaction pricing mechanisms.
Matt Timmons is a partner within the firm’s national Entity Governance and Compliance (EGC) business. With teams located in Birmingham, Manchester, Belfast, Reading and London, Matt will continue to grow PwC’s EGC business in response to significant and transformational changes in UK Corporate Governance. Matt is also PwC’s ESG leader within the legal practice.
PwC has also named six new directors in the Midlands, these include;
- Alison White, Jani Singh, Lisa Orton – tax
- Kristin Roman & Vladimir Ivanchenko – audit
- Rachael Ellis – deals
LDC announces new regional heads in the Midlands
Mid-market private equity firm LDC has announced that Chris Handy and David Bains will lead its West Midlands and East Midlands teams respectively, replacing Richard Whitwell when he retires from LDC in March.
The promotions are part of LDC’s plans to expand its presence and support for mid-market businesses across the region and follow a strong year in which the firm completed 20 transactions in the Midlands with a combined value of more than £1.6bn in 2021.
Richard Whitwell, who has led the Midlands team for the past three and a half years, steps down after a near 10-year career with LDC and over 30 years in the industry. He has played a central role in some of LDC’s most successful and high-profile partnerships.
Chris Handy joined LDC eight years ago following a 20-year career in industry, which included operational and financial leadership roles with Rolls-Royce. He also has 10 years’ experience in PwC’s corporate advisory team in the Midlands. Chris is based in the firm’s Birmingham office.
David Bains joined LDC from advisory and investment firm GLP in 2016 where he was a Managing Director focused on UK transactions. He is based in the firm’s Nottingham office and will cover an extended regional patch which includes the East of England.
In the last 12 months LDC’s team in the Midlands has completed new investments in manufacturer and distributor of fine foods Bramble, mobility solutions provider Kingswood, and global manufacturer of ultraviolet technology BioZone Scientific. The team has also expanded its partnership with marina operator Aquavista through the strategic acquisition of Castle Marinas, in addition to providing support for seven other acquisitions across its diverse portfolio.
Successful exits during the same period include holiday park operator Away Resorts after a period of acquisitive and organic growth, and fall protection specialist Kee Safety, following 10 years of international expansion.
To support LDC’s commitment to increase investment in the region, LDC continues to recruit into the Midlands team following the appointment of Karen Mann as investment director in October and the return of Craig Hinde as origination director in March.
Toby Rougier, Chief Executive of LDC, said: “The Midlands is heartland territory for LDC and a region where we have a 40-year track record of helping businesses to grow. Richard has done a great job of leading our activities, portfolio and teams here in recent years and we wish him all the very best following his retirement from LDC.
“We’re committed to increasing our presence across the region and enabling more management teams to access the capital and support needed to realise their ambitions. Promoting Chris and David into their respective roles will help us to continue to deliver on that commitment. Both are experienced investors and have a clear mandate to recruit into their teams and to grow our business across the Midlands.
“As the region looks to recovery and growth, we believe its medium-sized companies will have a critical role to play. They’re the fuel in the Midlands engine and, with the right support, they can turbo-charge the recovery through their ability to scale.”
DMU set to help Leicester companies reach net zero
Businesses are set to get free help to go green after Government funding worth £1million was awarded to support companies in Leicester in the race to net zero.
The East Midlands Accelerator programme, led by East Midlands Chamber, will be delivered by De Montfort University Leicester (DMU), Loughborough University and the University of Leicester, alongside local authorities and business support organisations in the city.
It will mean companies who have between 10 and 250 employees based in Leicester can get free help to discover their carbon footprint and put together practical steps to reduce emissions. Interested companies have until the end of January to sign up.
The free support package on offer includes:
• Carbon Literacy Training – free one-day training to learn the basics of calculating your company’s carbon footprint and actions you can take
• Audits – Trained teams of students will visit you to complete a sustainability audit for your organisation
• Planning – helping you draw up a step-by-step plan to set and achieve your company’s decarbonisation plans
• Placements – Get a student or recent graduate to work within your company for free, focusing on a sustainability project
• Grants – Get support towards equipment or feasibility studies for larger-scale programmes.
The zero carbon project is just one of five programmes that will be funded through the £1million pot, which comes from the Government’s UK Community Renewal Fund (CRF). Others focus on start-ups, mentoring, finance and digital transformation.
Dr Andrew Reeves, Associate Professor in Energy and Sustainable Development at DMU, will be working with companies on the accelerator programme.
He said: “We know from recent work we have done alongside the University of Leicester that while many companies want to do more to cut their carbon emission, they are not sure about what steps they can take to become more sustainable.
“We hope that by combining all of our expertise, we can support them to take practical steps and have a plan in place which is achievable and could help to ‘green’ the whole of the city’s business eco-system.
“It also gives students from the county’s three universities the chance to work with companies to help them reach these goals and play their part in climate change action.”
Dr Sandra Lee, Social Impact Lead at the University of Leicester, said: “This programme brings students, businesses and academics together to share expertise and resources to tackle the climate crisis. It is an exciting development to our award-winning Innovation for Good Programme as well as building on our hugely successful environmental sustainability collaboration with De Montfort University and other partners.”
The Leicester Accelerator partners are the Food and Drink Forum, Nottingham Business Venture, Start-up Leicester Co-Working and Leicester City Council.
If you are an SME and would like to take part, get in touch with Leicester Innovation Hub which is co-ordinating all the expressions of interest: leicinnovation@le.ac.uk
Duo of Midlands logistics assets acquired for £66m
BMO Commercial Property Trust Limited (BCPT) has acquired two logistics assets in the Midlands for £66 million.
The company has acquired Orion One and Two, Markham Vale, Derbyshire for a price of £44.5 million.
The two newly built units were completed in April 2021 and are located within Derbyshire’s 200-acre flagship redevelopment scheme adjoining junction 29A of the M1 Motorway.
Orion One extends to 224,424 sq ft and is let to The National Lighting Company Limited. Orion Two comprises a smaller unit of 75,958 sq ft and is let to Smurfit Kappa UK Ltd.
The second acquisition is Unit 4, Quintus Business Park, Burton-Upon-Trent which is structured as a forward funding to develop a new logistics warehouse of 171,550 sq ft. The property has been pre-let to Werner UK Sales & Distribution Limited. The purchase price is £21.5 million. The development has achieved planning consent and is expected to complete in July 2022.
