“It also moves us closer to our 20% market share goal of ‘1 in 5 by 2025’ while maintaining our specialism of tiling and related products. I look forward to working with Sam and Todd Bucknall and helping them to take this successful business forward into the next stage of its growth. The development of our digital offer remains an important area of focus for the Group and we have plans in place to expand this further in 2022.”
Topps Tiles acquires 60% share of online supplier in £5.3m deal
Topps Tiles, the Leicester-based tile specialist, has acquired 60% of the issued share capital of Pro Tiler Ltd, an online specialist supplier of tiling-related consumables and equipment to trade customers, in a £5.3m deal.
Pro Tiler was established in 2010 by Andy Bucknall, his wife Wendy, and their two sons Sam and Todd. Andy, Sam and Todd all previously worked as professional tilers. As part of this transaction, Andy and Wendy will retire from the business while Sam and Todd will continue to run the day-to-day operations of Pro Tiler.
In the financial year ended 31 March 2021, Pro Tiler reported turnover of £9.3 million and profit before tax of £1.1 million. In the current year, the business has continued to grow and the turnover in the twelve months to 31 January 2022 was £11.9 million.
Topps Tiles says the acquisition of Pro Tiler is a significant development in its growth strategy and an important first step into operating a specialist online business alongside its omni-channel Retail business and Commercial brands.
Rob Parker, Chief Executive, said: “Pro Tiler is a well-respected brand with a strong customer service ethic, which fits closely with our core values. The acquisition of an online specialist supplier to trade customers complements our omni-channel Retail business and Commercial brands.
Forterra sees “strong” year as revenue and pre-tax profit rise
Forterra, the Northampton-headquartered producer of manufactured masonry products, has reported “strong” trading in 2021, with results slightly ahead of market expectations.
Revenue grew to £370.4m from £291.9m in 2020, while the firm posted a pre-tax profit of £50.7m, up from £17.4m.
The company noted that construction of its new Desford brick factory remains on track and is expected to deliver a 22% effective increase in brick production output from 2025.
Stephen Harrison, Chief Executive Officer, said: “We delivered a good financial performance in 2021, with strong trading throughout the year and full year results slightly ahead of expectations.
“Our markets continued to recover from the effects of the pandemic, with our brick sales volumes similar to 2019 and further growth only limited by production capacity and available inventory.
“We continued our programme of organic investment, with the construction of our new Desford brick factory remaining on track for commissioning at the end of this year, our Wilnecote refurbishment proceeding to plan; and new investments in Accrington and solar power generation announced today. We remain disciplined in our capital allocation and have maintained our progressive dividend policy whilst commencing a share buy-back programme and retaining balance sheet flexibility for bolt-on acquisitions.
“Our order book remains strong and, although inflationary pressures continue, we remain confident of recovering these through selling price increases.
“We remain watchful as to the impacts of increasing macro uncertainty and supply chain pressures as well as increases in interest rates. Approximately 70% of the Group’s 2022 energy requirements have been secured.
“With market conditions remaining highly supportive, and Desford now expected to deliver a 22% effective increase in brick production and increased incremental EBITDA of £25m from 2025, we are confident that the Group will achieve further progress in the coming year and beyond.”
Derby launches campaign to become home of Great British Railways
Derby’s 180 years of rail heritage and deep-rooted culture of future rail innovation make it the ideal central location for the new Great British Railways (GBR) headquarters, according to those behind the bid.
GBR will be the new public body responsible for running Britain’s railways. It will integrate the railways across the country, owning the infrastructure, collecting fare revenue, running and planning the network, and setting most fares and timetables.
On 4 October 2021, the Secretary of State for Transport announced that a competition will take place to find a location for the headquarters outside of London.
Historical ties with railways and good train connectivity to other places are among the criteria which will be used to decide the winner.
Derby’s bid has the backing of councils across the East Midlands including Derby, Derbyshire, Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, Leicester and Leicestershire, representing over three million people from across the region.
Councillor Chris Poulter, Leader of Derby City Council, who are leading the bid, said: “Rail is in the blood of many generations of people in Derby, who are naturally proud of our rich and deep-rooted rail heritage. My own father spent the whole of his working life at the Derby Loco Works and the smell of engine oil still lingers strong in my memory.
“The home of the railways should also have an eye to the future and this is where Derby can excel. It is a centre for rail excellence and innovation, with a strong supply chain to support a large, diverse rail cluster.
“We are the natural home for the first national headquarters of Great British Railways. Derby and all our partners in the East Midlands makes us the best placed region to meet GBR’s requirements and levelling up needs.”
Paul Simpson, Derby City Council Chief Executive, said: “Derby has a near 200-hundred-year legacy as being the centre for the rail industry and geographically sits in heart of UK rail network.
“Rail is embedded in our culture and as a city we’re home to Europe’s largest and most diverse rail cluster. We have a highly skilled and talented workforce, as we’re home to leading innovating businesses, including Alstom, Rolls-Royce and Toyota.
“The move would offer a unique opportunity for the Government to collaborate with the rail industry, as well as supporting the levelling up agenda for the city. With backing from our people and our Local Authority partners across the East Midlands, we’re determined to prove that Derby is the right home for GBR.”
GBR can benefit greatly from being located at the heart of Britain’s rail industry. Over 11,000 workers are employed in Europe’s largest and most diverse rail cluster. Centred around Derby it covers every aspect of railway building, maintenance and operation.
Derby is home to major players in the automotive and aviation industry including Rolls-Royce and Toyota making it uniquely placed for GBR to benefit from cross sector collaboration and a highly skilled workforce.
Will Tanner, communications director at Alstom UK and Ireland, said that Derby was well placed to support the Government relocation. He said: “The business and national strategic case for locating Great British Railways in the city is very strong indeed and we are delighted that Derby is putting itself forward. Alstom is the UK’s leading train builder and maintainer and is proud to call Derby home. The city has been building trains for Britain and the world since 1839 and its still doing so today.”
As the UK’s most central city, Derby is a prime location. Over six million people live within one hour’s travel time, it is well connected by train, car or plane. Situated on the River Derwent Derby is not only the gateway to the picturesque Peak District National Park but also part of the Derwent Valley Mills UNESCO World Heritage site.
Just as Derby is a great opportunity for GBR, it’s also a great opportunity to level up the region. Derby currently has a low proportion of Government jobs, the lowest for a city of its size in the UK. Becoming the home of GBR would directly help level up the area by diversifying and strengthening the local economy.
Government announced their commitment to move 22,000 civil service jobs out of London by the end of the decade. The relocations will be an opportunity to improve the capacity of the civil service, by helping to attract and retain talented staff across the whole of the UK and for decision-making to better reflect the whole population.
Councillor Barry Lewis, Leader of Derbyshire County Council, said: “We fully support the bid to bring the national headquarters of Great British Railways to Derby and believe it is the ideal location, not only because of its historic associations with the railway and the vital role it plays in the rail industry today but also its geographical position in the national rail network and proximity to the M1.
“The city and county are home to Europe’s largest cluster of rail engineering companies and it is the only place in the UK where you can design, test and manufacture a train all on the same site.
“There are around 11,000 people working in the rail sector in the area boasting a diverse pool of expertise including cutting edge research in conjunction with the University of Derby on rail de-carbonisation and composite design. As part of the levelling up agenda this would be a major boost for the East Midlands region and a real opportunity.”
Councillor Ben Bradley MP, Leader of Nottinghamshire County Council and Member of Parliament for Mansfield, said: “Derby is the obvious place to be the home of GBR, with its historic rail connections and proud heritage of manufacturing and engineering, including Alstom building trains that drive both the UK and also much of the rest of the world. I back this bid, my Council does in Notts too. The whole region is backing Derby.
“With four new HS2 stations, including Derby, and billions of new rail investment coming to our region, the new hub of Great British Railways must be in the East Mids. It fits perfectly with our plans to boost investment and infrastructure by working together across the region, and with new powers related to rail set to be handed down to our area from Government. GBR should come to Derby.”
Councillor Nicholas Rushton, Leader of Leicestershire County Council, said: “The city of Derby is the natural choice for the headquarters of GBR and all the East Midlands region is behind the bid.”
John Forkin, Managing Director of Marketing Derby, added: “Derby is a can-do city that hosts one of the world’s largest rail clusters and I cannot think of a better home for the new Great British Railways.
“From a Government perspective, it makes business sense and locating these jobs in the East Midlands would also contribute to the levelling up agenda.”
Henry Brothers hands over new £13.2m Derbyshire school
Contractor Henry Brothers has handed over the new £13.2m Alfreton Park School.
The new school will provide a modern, larger, purpose-built facility for pupils with special needs and was funded by Derbyshire County Council.
This is the second project that Henry Brothers has delivered for Alfreton Park School – the company previously delivered a hydrotherapy pool, which opened in early 2017 – and the latest in a number of schemes that the company has worked on for Derbyshire County Council.
Henry Brothers Midlands Managing Director, Ian Taylor, said: “We are very pleased to have handed over this first-class facility, which will replace out-dated and unsuitable teaching facilities at the school’s existing site.
“During the construction phase we have built up a good relationship with the school and its pupils, and were very pleased to organise insights into work experience, with brick-laying and plastering demonstrations, interesting events for the youngsters to enjoy, and to contribute to the £250,000 appeal to create a café and shop at the new school.
“We hope that the students and staff will be very happy in their lovely new school. It’s been a pleasure to have been a part of this project.”
Derbyshire County Council Cabinet Member for Education, Councillor Alex Dale, said: “It is very exciting to see the school open its doors to pupils. The Council is committed to ensuring children in Derbyshire have access to a high-quality education and these excellent new facilities and equipment will provide a fantastic learning environment.
“The project is a result of significant investment from the Council and it’s a facility that will really benefit students, parents, staff and the local community.”
The new single-storey building has been constructed on a site adjacent to Alfreton Park, known as Highfield Plantation. The old school will be demolished once the new site is up and running.
Acting head teacher at Alfreton Park School, Josie O’Donnell, said: “We are absolutely thrilled with our brand-new facilities! Our pupils have waited so long for the school they truly need, and teaching staff will finally be able to deliver the high-quality education our pupils deserve, meeting their communication, cognitive, social, emotional, physical and sensory needs in a suitable environment.
“We couldn’t have asked for a better company than Henry Brothers and everyone at Alfreton Park, Henry Brothers and associated companies have worked tirelessly to make this happen. Thanks especially to Rob Mason, David Eskriett and Neil Sleigh from Henry Brothers. We can’t wait to see what the future holds!”
The new school will expand the teaching and other facilities available at Alfreton Park School. Featuring 12 classrooms, six group rooms, including specialist therapy rooms and soft play areas, and a combined hall and dining area, it will have space for up to 120 students.
The Henry Brothers team that built the new facility included Maber architects and structural engineer HWA. Faithful + Gould carried out project management and quantity surveying roles for the client.
£2bn of Derby and Derbyshire projects to be showcased at MIPIM
More than £2 billion of investment opportunities throughout Derby and Derbyshire are set to be showcased to international investors at the world’s largest property conference.
A combination of public and private sector officials will join members of Marketing Derby’s inward investment team at MIPIM (Le Marché International des Professionnels de L’immobilier), promoting investment opportunities.
MIPIM, which will take place in Cannes from 15 to 18 March, attracts investors from across the world.
As part of the UK Pavilion, at the event, Marketing Derby will be putting forward schemes, which are key to the city and county’s future, to a global audience.
The team will go armed with a recently updated Derby Investment Prospectus, which showcases 16 key investment opportunities across the city, worth £1.2 billion.
A key project being promoted is the University of Derby’s City Hub Masterplan, which focuses on the development of the area around One Friar Gate Square, Ford Street, Bridge Street, Agard Street and Nuns Street, in Derby.
With a new business school representing the first phase, the overall ambition is to create two distinct but linked areas in the city: an Academic Zone, centred around the university’s current Sir Peter Hilton Court site, and an Enterprise Zone, based around the Princess Alice Court halls of residence and Enterprise Centre area.
The event will also see the unveiling of a brand-new Derbyshire Investment Prospectus – the first of its kind for the county – to an international audience.
Produced by Marketing Derby’s Invest in Derbyshire service on behalf of Derbyshire County Council and Derbyshire Economic Partnership, the new prospectus provides a snapshot of over £1 billion key regeneration opportunities across the county.
In total, 23 projects are featured, spanning the length and breadth of the county.
These range from major sites which will help drive economic prosperity and support a growing population, to smaller projects at the heart of communities.
A suite of brand-new films, which have been produced to help promote Derbyshire as a place to live, work, play and invest, will also be shown.
And representatives will be attending the fDi Awards, after the county and the D2N2 LEP were included in rankings compiled by the Financial Times.
In the fDi European Cities and Regions of the Future 2022/23 rankings, Derbyshire was placed fifth within the top 10 Small Regions for FDI Strategy category, which recognises the regions who have devised the strongest strategy for attracting investment.
Meanwhile, the D2N2 LEP was ranked seventh in the LEP Connectivity category table.
John Forkin, Managing Director of Marketing Derby, who is part of the team going over to Cannes, said: “This is the first MIPIM event in three years and we are bringing a small team who can focus on re-engaging the investment community in our up-and-coming pipeline opportunities.
“We are especially excited to be bringing the university’s City Hub to market, as well as the first Derbyshire Investment Prospectus.
“We will be aligned with the UK Government Pavilion where we feel it is important for Derby and Derbyshire to have a profile.”
During MIPIM, an event will take place in the UK Pavilion called Project Assemble: The £2bn Investment Atlas for Derby and Derbyshire, which will cover the latest announcements on up-and-coming investment opportunities in the city and county.
Taking place on Wednesday 16 March, it will feature keynote speaker Paul Simpson, Chief Executive of Derby City Council.
Midlands female labour force rate rises above the UK average
The Midlands has seen improvements to its female labour force participation rate, but decreases in the overall regional rating, according to this year’s Women in Work Index.
The Index analyses female economic empowerment across 33 OECD countries. Since the Index began in 2010, the Midlands has seen a steady improvement in all five measured indicators.
However, although the West Midlands has increased one place in this year’s Index rising from 12th to 11th place, the East Midlands has dropped from 5th place to 12th in this year’s overall rating.
The Midlands labour force for women is held at 75%, higher than the national average of 74%. Whilst the gender pay gap in the West Midlands has reduced to 16%.
Similarly, the West Midlands has also seen a decrease in its participation rate gap, decreasing from 11% to 9%, on par with the East Midlands. Yet, while the female unemployment rate remained the same at 5% in the West Midlands, it has increased by 1% in the East Midlands from 4% to 5%.
Becky Clayton, Midlands consumer markets & industrial products/manufacturing partner at PwC, said: “The Index highlights the extent to which the pandemic has affected women in work, especially in the Midlands. It is pleasing to see an increase in the female labour force participation and a decrease in the gender pay gap, over the last ten years the Midlands has driven improvement across every indicator.
“Yet, we have to address the very real impact of the pandemic on women in the region to continue to strive for progress, through continuing to invest in addressing inequality to create inclusive workplaces.
“As we look to the future, we must continue to help create equal employment opportunities for women from all social backgrounds. We are pleased to be on the front foot of investment in the region, establishing a presence in the Midlands through our technology degree apprenticeship programme with Birmingham University and our support of the Tech She Can and Tech we Can programmes.
“We are actively investing in local talent from a diverse range of backgrounds aiming to break down barriers to support social mobility and help people forge new career pathways. As the UK government continues to prioritise levelling-up to reduce regional social disparity, governments and businesses must continue to work together to empower women and create opportunities to support women in the workforce.”
The UK moved up seven places on the Index for 2020, from 16th position in 2019 to ninth out of the 33 OECD countries. This puts the UK in the highest position among G7 countries. The average score among the 33 countries fell by half a point.
The UK’s increase in the rankings was driven by a fall in the gender pay gap, jumping down 4% from 2019 to 2020, compared with the previous eight years in which it had only improved 2%. This is likely to be due to the short-term impact on male earnings in the pandemic and related job retention schemes.
However the UK’s Office of National Statistics (ONS) indicates that the pay gap may have already widened again to 14% in 2021. The UK also saw a slight increase in full time employed females to 66% – although this still falls well below the OECD average of 76%.
The 2022 edition of the Women in Work report also examines employment outcomes for women across different Ethnic Minority groups living in the UK, and shows that pre-existing labour market inequalities faced by Ethnic Minority women were exacerbated during the pandemic.
In the UK, between July 2019 and September 2021, the unemployment rate for Ethnic Minority women rose by 2.3 percentage points (pp), compared to 0.2 pp for white women, 0.3pp for white men and 0.6 pp for Ethnic Minority men during the same period. Data shows that Ethnic Minority women are over-represented in insecure, low-paid jobs; and also experienced some of the largest percentage falls in employee numbers in contact-intensive sectors such as retail and hospitality which were heavily impacted by COVID-19 lockdowns and job losses.
This inequality also extends to pay. In the UK, for every £1 earned by a white man, a woman from an Ethnic Minority with the same occupation and qualifications earns 87p, while a white woman earns 89p.
Tara Shrestha Carney, economist at PwC, says: “These pay penalties provide compelling evidence that an individual’s race and gender, and the intersection of these two characteristics, are significant determining factors of pay and professional success. Our analysis factors in important individual and occupational drivers of earnings such as age, occupation, and qualifications. The implication is that we cannot fix employment and pay disparities by addressing skills gaps alone – there is a need to address the systemic and structural gender and racial inequality which exists in the labour market.”
Furthermore, PwC’s analysis looks towards the future composition of work across the OECD, as the energy sector (responsible for 35% of all carbon emissions globally) transitions to net zero. There will be net job creation across OECD economies – with new green jobs concentrated in the utilities, construction and manufacturing sectors. These three sectors are all heavily male dominated – currently employing 31% of the male workforce across the OECD, but just over 11% of the female workforce.
Ian Elliott, chief people officer at PwC UK, says: “It is incredibly disappointing to see the extent to which COVID-19 has started to reverse a decade of progress for women in work globally. While the UK has continued to make progress in many areas, this report shines a light on the extent to which inequalities persist and may even widen further without considered policy responses. It is clear that building a truly inclusive and equal workplace still requires significant focus and support from governments, policy-makers and businesses.
“There is a clear need for investing in and providing upskilling and reskilling opportunities for women of all backgrounds. Creating more flexible working opportunities for both men and women – such as shared parental leave and affordable childcare – can also play a substantial role in reducing the inequalities around unpaid care and domestic work that remain for women.”
Notts Pension Fund looks to sell Russian assets
The Nottinghamshire Pension Fund has set out its ambition to sell the small amount of Russian assets it holds after the unprovoked and aggressive attack by Putin’s regime in Ukraine.
Investment managers have spent the last few days reviewing the £6.6bn pension fund for Russian links and have found the fund holds less than 0.1% of Russian assets.
Following discussions with LGPS Central (the pension fund’s pool company), the pension fund has asked its investment managers to sell its Russian assets as soon as it is legally and ethically possible.
The pension fund has also asked its investment managers to suspend further purchases of Russian assets in response to the invasion of Ukraine.
The Nottinghamshire Pension Fund Committee Chairman, Councillor Eric Kerry, will explain the pension fund’s position to the Nottinghamshire Pension Fund Committee on Thursday (10 March 2022).
Nottinghamshire Pension Fund Committee Chairman, Councillor Eric Kerry, said: “Our pension fund unequivocally condemns the unprovoked and abhorrent attack on Ukraine and its citizens by President Putin’s armed forces.
“Following discussions with our investment managers and pool company, we have asked managers to dispose of the small amount of Russian assets we hold.
“These assets are only a tiny fraction of our £6.6bn pension fund and make up less than 0.1% of our total fund and come mainly from our investments in emerging markets.
“We have also asked our fund managers to suspend any further purchases of Russian assets in response to the destruction being inflicted on Ukraine by Putin’s forces.
“We just hope our actions can contribute in some way to showing the Ukrainian people that we support them here in Nottinghamshire – our hearts go out to the country and its brave citizens.”
Hockley Developments appoints construction director
Hockley Developments, the Nottingham-based residential and supported living developers, have appointed Paul Kennedy as construction director.
Managing Director, Alan Forsyth, said: “Paul joined us in 2021 as construction manager, and in 9 months has quickly shown his qualities and experience with his Commercial and Construction knowledge. He has shown his passion for producing high quality developments and is well respected by all at Hockley Developments with his excellent leadership qualities.
“This was an easy promotion, as we go into 2022, with multiple live sites across the East Midlands, going through the planning process on 4 others, and 3 prominent sites completing over the next 3 months, it is important we have strong personnel in the key positions.
“We look forward to Paul continuing to drive our sites on, both on programme and budget.”
Paul stated: “It has been a thoroughly enjoyable first 9 months with Hockley Developments. We have a strong ambitious young team and the future growth plans we have set out as a company are very exciting indeed. I am very much looking forward to playing my part in leading the team into a very bright future with Hockley Developments.”
Act now to avert £800m hit to levelling up areas, small firms urge, with one month to NICs hike
- Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) urges Government to mitigate impact of National Insurance Contributions (NICs) and dividend taxation hikes taking effect on 6 April
- New analysis shows move will hurt areas earmarked for investment in Government white paper
- National Living Wage (NLW) also set to increase in April as business support measures end
Moorways Sports Village handed over on time and on budget
The new Moorways Sports Village has been handed over to Derby City Council by its construction partner Bowmer + Kirkland, on time and on budget.
With its exciting Water Park including flumes and water slides, and 50m swimming pool designed to accommodate regional competitions, preparations are under way to get everything up and running ready for its opening in Spring.
Bowmer + Kirkland’s Associate Director Gus Kedzior officially handed over the key to the £42 million complex to Derby City Council’s Cabinet Member for Leisure, Culture, Wellbeing and Tourism, Councillor Ross McCristal.
Also involved in the project were architect Faulkner Browns, project managers Mace and structural engineers Arup, building on the successful partnership which saw the Council’s award-winning Derby Arena also completed on time and on budget in 2014.
Councillor Ross McCristal said: It’s testament to the hard work of everyone involved that we have reached this milestone. Everyone pulled out all the stops to make this happen, and it’s particularly impressive when you consider that construction work started just before the start of a major global pandemic.
I would like to thank colleagues who were involved in this excellent project from across the Council and also our key partners for making this outstanding achievement possible. Derby has a new state-of-the-art leisure facility to be proud of.
Bowmer + Kirkland Regional Director, Steve Chambers, said: This project has been a major highlight for our team. It’s not every day you build an international standard Olympic-sized swimming pool and all the other amazing facilities on offer.
The entire project is a result of great teamwork by everyone involved and our existing relationships with many of the team helped to achieve an on budget and on time handover, despite many challenges thrown at us by Covid.
I am very proud of all our people who worked so hard to achieve a great result for Derby City Council and everyone who will enjoy this facility for years to come.
The 50m pool at Moorways Sports Village can be divided into three 25m length pools of varying depths, using moveable floors and booms. This offers flexibility for club and leisure use. There is also a separate teaching pool.
The Water Park is set to become a regional attraction with its gently sloping floor into the water, wave-creating Wow ball, two four-storey flumes, racer slide, wave rider, and fun water play area for children.
Other attractions include fitness studios and gym, sauna and steam room, and a café area with views over the Water Park and 50m pool. The café also has a soft play area, with a separate, larger soft playroom by the main reception.
The changing village has private cubicles alongside group changing rooms and a changing places toilet and changing area.
The Council is working closely with its leisure operating partner, Everyone Active, who will manage Moorways Sports Village when it opens, along with the Moorways Stadium facilities next door. An opening date will be announced very soon.
