Finch Consulting lands asset management specialist in recruitment drive
Leicestershire-based health and safety engineering risk management experts, Finch Consulting, have appointed Chartered Mechanical Engineer Paul Wood as a senior consultant.
With over 15 years’ experience in mechanical engineering, Paul will be joining Finch from his most recent role as an engineering manager of asset management with the Peel Ports Group.
In his new role, Paul will be helping the business develop and roll out a range of asset management focused services to support the existing portfolio of business offerings.
Paul has a wide range of knowledge and experience in varied industries, including manufacturing, heavy engineering and maritime environments.
Paul said: “Finch stood out as a forward thinking, team-focused company who aim to be the best in their field and want to help the various industries they work with to, not only make them safer, but help them achieve their business objectives.”
At the beginning of the year, Finch also recruited Rachael Robinson into the nucleus of the business, the Finch Support Team. Her role is to provide support for the consultants in the delivery of projects.
Dom Barraclough, Managing Director at Finch, said: “We are very pleased that Paul and Rachael have decided to become Finch’s. Paul’s asset management experience is significant in our efforts at expanding our offering to our clients. Rachael will be a massive help in supporting the consultants with their workload.”
Timms Solicitors announce new partner
A senior family lawyer has become a partner with Timms Solicitors, which has offices in Derby’s Cathedral Quarter, Burton-upon-Trent, Swadlincote and Ashby.
Dee Khunkhuna specialises in childcare law and advocacy and has been with Timms for seven years. She is a member of the Law Society Children Panel and Advanced Family Law Panel and deals with complex children matters and other areas of family law. She joins the existing partners – Fiona Moffat, Jo Robinson and Lisa Collett.
Managing partner Fiona Moffat said: “We are delighted to welcome Dee to the partnership. She is a highly skilled and experienced solicitor who is a fearless advocate and well respected across the region for her expertise in this complex area of Family Law.
“I am particularly delighted that Dee has joined the partnership having successfully completed our innovation Pathway Programme which, combined with her personal and professional skills, has helped to prepare her for this senior position with the firm.”
Dee continued: “I am honoured to be joining the partnership and to play a greater role in the firm’s ambitions to do new and great things.”
Chesterfield data science services firm acquired
TPXimpact, the tech-enabled services company focused on digital transformation, has acquired Chesterfield-based Peak Indicators, a data science services and analytics consultancy.
Peak Indicators work with the UK Public and Commercial sectors to provide deep technical skills in data engineering, business analytics, data science and artificial intelligence.
Customers include Devon County Council, HSBC, Northern Power Grid, North East Lincolnshire Council and John Lewis, alongside a number of other commercial sector companies.
Andy Ball and Antony Heljula, founders of Peak Indicators Ltd, said: “From the inception of Peak Indicators, we have strived to create a company that is committed to our people, our customers and our community. These core values align with those of TPXimpact and we are excited to join them in using our collective skills to continue improving the world around us.
“We are excited to join another purpose-led business in the next stage of our growth journey. As part of the TPXimpact team, we look forward to continuing to deliver impactful change.”
The news comes as TPXimpact also acquires Stirling-based Swirrl, a cloud-based open data consultancy with a focus on data integration and dissemination in public sector organisations.
Neal Gandhi, CEO, TPXimpact, said: “I am delighted to welcome the Swirrl and Peak Indicators’ teams to TPXimpact. With a comprehensive and specialist range of data capabilities now in place, these acquisitions represent another key strategic step forward for TPX in our mission to take on the multitude of complex challenges facing the public and commercial sectors and deliver sustainable digital change.
“More than ever, we are now confident in our ability to bid for and win larger, more lucrative contracts with our enhanced service offering.”
Landowner pulls out from proposed Garden Village development
Bassetlaw District Council is delaying the submission of its draft local plan until June to allow for a final round of targeted consultation after one of the two landowners unexpectedly withdrew their site from the proposed Garden Village development.
While this means the Council’s vision for a sustainable Garden Village cannot move forward at this stage, there will be no increase in the housing numbers for any other part of the District. This is because the Garden Village was to be self-sustainable and balanced its housing numbers with its employment land.
Subject to approval by Cabinet, the next step is for the Council to undertake an Addendum Consultation, ahead of submitting the plan to the Independent Planning Inspectorate.
Each time the draft local plan is amended, the council are required to undertake a period of consultation. The consultation will focus on the parts of the draft local plan relevant to the Garden Village.
- There will be no increase in housing numbers in any other part of the District.
- The Addendum Consultation will run for six weeks between April and June.
- The Government require all Councils to have an up to date adopted local plan by December 2023, with repercussions if they do not meet the deadline.
- The draft local plan would deliver significant infrastructure improvements across the District, including: new schools, new roads, cycle paths, children’s play areas, GP surgery improvements, bus routes, flood management scheme, improvements to Bassetlaw Hospital and more.
- New cycling infrastructure in Ordsall and Hallcroft
- Improvements to cycleways
- Bus service from Ordsall to town centre/rail station
- Improvements to bus stops
- Improvements to Grove Road level crossing
- Extensions to public rights of way in Ordsall, north and east Retford
- Improvements to A620 Babworth Road / B6420 Mansfield Road / A620 Straight Mile / Sutton Lane; and Ordsall Road/A620 Babworth Road; and London Road / Whinney Moor Lane / Bracken Lane; and London Road / Whitehouses Road
- New country park
- 5.5ha of new open space
- New children’s play areas
- New allotments
- Community garden
- 6610 new trees
- Improvements to local open space
- New sports pitches
- Improvements to Retford Golf Club
- New primary school
- Funding to deliver a primary school
- Apprenticeship/graduate level training for residents in construction and new businesses
- New health hub with space for GP branch surgery & community health care facilities
- GP surgery improvements
- 328 affordable homes
- 1332 accessible homes
- Extra care housing
- 45 wheelchair accessible homes
- 18 affordable homes
- 75 accessible homes
- Funding to improve primary and secondary schools
- GP surgery improvements
- Improvements to local open space
- 375 trees
- Improvements to bus stops
- Improvements to public rights of way
- Improvements to Long Lane
- New distributor road & cycle track between Carlton Road and Blyth Road
- New cycle track along the A57 between Manton Wood & Apleyhead
- Bus service from north Worksop to town centre/rail station
- Bus service from Apleyhead to town centre
- Improvements to bus stops
- Extensions to public rights of way in north Worksop
- Improvements to cycleways
- Improvements to Blyth Road/Farmers Branch and Blyth Road/Kilton Hill
- Improvements to the junctions along the A57
- 9.1ha of new open space
- New children’s play areas
- New allotments
- 6675 new trees
- Improvements to Clumber Park
- Improvements to local open spaces
- New sports pitches
- Improvements to sports facilities in Manton area
- New secondary school satellite
- Funding to deliver a secondary school
- Funding to help deliver Worksop Flood Management Scheme
- Apprenticeship/graduate level training for residents in construction and new businesses
- Improvements to Bassetlaw Hospital
- GP surgeries improvements
- 412 Affordable homes
- 1335 accessible homes
Pendragon delivers “strong set of results” with record underlying pre-tax profit
Pendragon, the Nottingham car retailer, has “delivered a really strong set of results” for 2021, according to its CEO.
Results for year ended 31 December 2021 show the business achieved a record underlying profit before tax of £83m, leaping from £8.2m in 2020. Meanwhile revenue grew to £3.4bn from £2.9bn.
Bill Berman, Chief Executive Officer, said: “We have delivered a really strong set of results, with positive contributions from all parts of our business. Late in 2020, we set out our new strategy to transform our operations and adapt to the fast-changing retail environment. Our focus since then has been on creating value through the delivery of this strategy and we are seeing the operational and financial benefits of this hard work in our results today.
“Our sector has experienced a unique set of trading conditions during the period and I am delighted with how we have performed in this environment. We have made the most of the favourable market dynamics to deliver record underlying profits and we have also reported a return to profit for CarStore, our relaunched, used car brand.
“We expect existing supply chain constraints to continue in the current year, and we are mindful of the potential for further disruption to new vehicle supply chains as a result of the conflict in Ukraine. Despite this, we have the right strategy in place and we expect to make positive progress towards our long-term goals this year.”
Tungsten Properties relocates HQ to Leicester
Tungsten Properties, the industrial and warehouse developers, has relocated its HQ to Leicester and appointed Luke Davenport as associate development director to bolster the development team, taking its team of development managers to six.
Founded in 2005, Tungsten Properties has been previously based in Hinckley, Leicestershire since 2006 when the firm was just two people strong.
Today the company now totals a team of 10 with a current work in progress pipeline of 31 projects which total 6.1 million sq ft, and which span from Merseyside to East Sussex.
Due to the company’s rapid expansion, Tungsten Properties has taken 4,702 sq ft (436.82 sq m) at Gateway House, Penman Way, Grove Park in Enderby, Leicester on a 5-year lease from Custodian REIT.
Luke is an experienced development surveyor and has joined from Henry Boot Developments where he has worked for nearly ten years on projects which include Butterfield Business Park, Luton and Airport Business Park, Southend.
Jeff Penman, Managing Director, Tungsten Properties, said: “There’s no getting away from the current and exceptionally high demand in the industrial and warehousing market. In the last few years, our business has seen rapid growth as we have built our development pipeline with some innovative projects under our belt creating both jobs and providing investor returns. We warmly welcome Luke to our team. His depth of experience and sector knowledge will be an invaluable addition.
“Our move to Leicester represents a significant milestone in our evolution and, with purposefully designed new space, it’s a great place for our team to continue to thrive and a place to warmly welcome our investors, agents, suppliers and friends. My thanks to everyone who has been part of this journey and here’s to the next chapter.”
Jenny Clarke acquired the space on behalf of Tungsten, with Mike Allwood of Andrew & Ashwell acting for Custodian REIT. Vision Projects completed the fit-out on behalf of Tungsten Properties.
New, fully-funded programme to support business innovation and sustainability in Northamptonshire
The South East Midlands Local Enterprise Partnership’s (SEMLEP) Growth Hub has launched the Green Recovery and Innovation Programme (GRIP).
The effects of climate change are becoming clearer and clearer, and are currently only set to get worse. The science is unambiguous; we need to halve greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 and achieve net zero emissions by 2050 or risk facing serious consequences. Communities and businesses need to take action.
GRIP is an initiative funded by the Government via the UK Community Renewal Fund and delivered by SEMLEP’s Growth Hub available to businesses in North and West Northamptonshire. It is designed to make it as easy as possible for businesses to become more sustainable, more efficient, more innovative, and more successful.
The programme will consist of one-to-one support with a range of experts, including innovation and energy specialists, to help business leaders discuss, identify and develop their innovation and sustainability plans. After this, they will be able to attend a series of workshops designed to help boost their productivity and make their business more sustainable.
Businesses will also have the opportunity to apply for grants of up to £10,000 to spend on consultancy support and small capital items of up to £5,000 (50% private sector match required), and to support the innovations that will help make their business more sustainable.
By participating in the GRIP programme, business leaders will not only be making their organisations more innovative and sustainable, they will be making them more efficient and profitable by reducing waste and cutting costs.
Judith Barker, SEMLEP’s director of programmes and governance, said: “This programme is a timely and much-needed boost for the many companies in Northamptonshire looking to accelerate innovation and make themselves more sustainable, both environmentally and financially. We welcome expressions of interest on our website from any Northamptonshire-based business.”
Rachel Mallows, SEMLEP’s Growth Hub Board chair, said: “The Green Recovery and Innovation Programme is a wonderful demonstration that business success can and should go hand-in-hand with helping to protect the environment. It will make it easier than ever for Northamptonshire businesses to not only reduce their carbon footprint, but to evolve, grow and thrive at the same time.”
Leicestershire directors to drive awareness of modern slavery
One of the UK’s leading authorities on modern slavery is to address Leicestershire directors next month.
Justine Currell, executive director of anti-slavery charity Unseen, will be the special guest of IoD Leicestershire and South East Midlands on 7 April. The event is free to attend for everyone and will be hosted online, starting at 11am.
Unseen estimates that around 40 million people worldwide are in modern slavery. The UK has around 10,000 people in modern slavery, according to the Government.
Justine will outline her work with Leicestershire City Council to raise awareness of modern slavery issues, particularly within the textiles and fashion sectors.
She was instrumental in the Modern Slavery Act getting through Parliament and has worked closely with local authorities to raise awareness of abuse and exploitation by businesses and within supply chains. Under the Act, certain commercial organisations must publish an annual statement setting out the steps they take to prevent modern slavery in their business and their supply chains.
Justine joined Unseen in 2016 following a 28-year career in the Civil Service, culminating in leading the human trafficking agenda at the Home Office.
She will be joined at the event by Dr Roger Barker, IoD head of policy and governance, who will outline the Institute’s position on modern slavery.
Sarah Canning, chair, IoD Leicestershire and South East Midlands, said: “It is incumbent on all of us to be watchful for the appalling crimes of slavery and exploitation. As the leading organisation for directors, we want to amplify the excellent work being done but also provide business leaders with the latest information so they can consider their own positions, supply chains and employees.”
Manufacturing price expectations hit new high
UK manufacturing output grew at a brisk pace in the three months to March, but the balance of manufacturers expecting to increase prices rose to a survey record high, according to the latest monthly CBI Industrial Trends Survey.
The survey, based on 229 responses, found:
- The balance of manufacturers expecting to raise prices in the next three months rose to a survey record high in March (+80% from +77% in February, a question first asked in Jan 1975).
- Output volumes continued to grow at a robust pace in the three months to March (balance of +27% from +26% in the three months to February), with a similar rate expected in the three months ahead (+30%).
- Output increased in 10 out of 17 sectors, with growth driven by the motor vehicles and chemicals sub-sectors.
- Total order books matched the record level seen in November 2021 (+26% in March, from +20% in February, question first asked in April 1977). Export order books were above normal to the greatest extent since March 2019 (+7% from -7% in February).
- Stocks of finished goods were seen as inadequate in March but improved for the third consecutive month (-8% from -14%).
PR agency shortlisted for wellbeing award
A Northamptonshire PR agency has been shortlisted for an award in recognition of its commitment to wellbeing in the workplace.
Ballyhoo PR has been announced as a finalist in the East Midlands round of the FSB Celebrating Small Business Awards 2022 in the Wellbeing Award category. If successful at the East Midlands regional final in Leicester on Wednesday 6 April, the company will go through to a national UK final.
The FSB Celebrating Small Business Awards were established by the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) to celebrate the achievements and contributions of small businesses and the self-employed across the UK.
The Wellbeing Award recognises businesses who have demonstrated their commitment to the health and wellbeing of their workforce by developing and implementing an effective, holistic strategy which has had a proven and significant positive impact on its workforce.
Ballyhoo PR has been recognised for creating a flexible and supportive place to work for its small team by offering a truly flexible way of working, particularly during school holidays, and by offering emotional support through regular workshops and training and one-to-one meetings.
Formerly based in Corby, Ballyhoo PR moved to its current premises at Lamport Manor in July 2021 after a period of remote working during the pandemic, and credits this move with also being a massive boost to team wellbeing.
Emma Speirs, director at Ballyhoo PR, said: “The new office has been a massive boost to the team and their mental health and wellbeing.
“Aside from the obvious benefits of moving into an office after working remotely for several months and thriving from being able to see each other and work more collaboratively in person, our new office is one of a few small, converted farm buildings in a courtyard and is in a lovely rural setting where our neighbours include a beauty salon, gym, Pilates studio and lots of horses!”
The team also have an office dog in Molly, Emma’s cockapoo who joins the team most days.
“Supporting working parents is something that I have always been hugely passionate about,” adds Emma.
“When I set up Ballyhoo PR in 2016, my children were six and three and I still hadn’t got that balance right between carrying on with my career and being there for my family. Personally, I wanted a job where I could develop and progress up the career ladder just as I had pre having kids but be there to take them to school, pick them up and have dinner with them and put them to bed.
“Starting my own business was a way doing both. As the business has grown and I have taken on employees who also happen to be parents, I wanted to create a supportive but productive working environment that allows everyone to work hard and use their hard won skills and knowledge but still be there for the sports days, school plays, drop-offs and pick-ups.
“We want to be part of, if not driving the change, to make being a working parent much easier and we are absolutely over the moon to have been shortlisted for this award. We will all be attending the event in April, which will be a wonderfully boosting experience for the team in itself.”
