A Derby-based business consultant who fraudulently obtained two Covid loans worth a combined £100,000 has been handed a suspended sentence.
Imran Mushtaq was the sole director of IZ Business Consultants Limited when he applied for two Bounce Back Loans for the company in June 2020.
Mushtaq was sentenced to 20 months in prison, suspended for 22 months, when he appeared at Derby Crown Court on Tuesday 13 August.
The 40-year-old was also ordered to complete 120 hours of unpaid work and pay costs of £1,000.
Mushtaq has committed to repay the £100,000 he fraudulently secured.
Claire Entwistle, Assistant Director of Operations at the Insolvency Service, said: “Imran Mushtaq deliberately overstated the turnover of IZ Business Consultants to secure two Bounce Back Loans when businesses were only entitled to a single loan.
“This was government-backed taxpayers’ money and Mushtaq made matters worse by refusing to co-operate with Insolvency Service investigations into his conduct.
“While we are pleased that Mushtaq has said he will repay the loans in full, this commitment was only made by him when faced with the prospect of a custodial sentence for his offences.”
IZ Business Consultants was established in August 2013, describing its services on Companies House as offering retail sale of telecommunications equipment other than mobile telephones and other business support service activities.
Mushtaq applied for two Bounce Back Loans worth £50,000 each within a two-day period in June 2020, claiming his company’s turnover was £260,000 and £206,000.
The firm’s turnover for 2019 was closer to £83,000, analysis of the company’s accounts revealed.
Mushtaq signed a declaration on applying for the loan stating that the funds would be used solely for the economic benefit of his business and not for personal use.
However, on receiving the loans, he paid more than £78,000 to a money transfer service based in California.
Mushtaq arranged an interview with investigators from the Insolvency Service but failed to attend.
No evidence was provided that any of the money was used for the benefit of his business.
Liquidators were appointed for IZ Business Consultants in October 2021.
Xtra Express Logistics, a logistics firm with sites in Brackmills and Hannington, has appointed a new Managing Director of its Brackmills business.
Sophie Yorke will step up from her current role to Managing Director and Edward Grant-Salmon will become Group Managing Director.
This latest announcement follows a year of change for the business which has included the acquisition of Action Express Northampton on Brackmills Industrial Estate and a major rebrand and name change from Crisis Logistics to Xtra Express Logistics.
Sophie joined Action Express Northampton via an agency 20 years ago at the age of 17, taking on the role of Accounts Assistant. Then she proceeded to rise through the ranks before becoming Operations Manager in 2015. Sophie’s role changed again to General Manager in 2022.
When Crisis Logistics – as the business was known then – acquired Action Express Northampton, the management team instantly saw Sophie as part of the company’s future.
Chairman Charles Grant-Salmon said: “We knew straight away that we wanted Sophie to be a part of the company at a senior level, working with myself, Edward and our other director, Roman. Now I am looking forward to seeing Sophie go from running the day-to-day operations to running a business.”
Fellow director, Roman Stajila, said: “Xtra Express Logistics parcels and pallets network is in great hands. Sophie knows the business inside and out and knows the Brackmills site better than anyone.”
Sophie said: “When the acquisition happened, I immediately felt at ease and knew that it was a positive move for myself, my team and Action Express Northampton as a business. Now to receive this level of recognition means so much. This promotion is something I have always wanted and have aspired to. I feel proud to have been appointed to this position of responsibility.”
In June, Xtra Express Logistics released strong year-end financials which included a £30 million turnover and a 25% increase in sales for the Brackmills site. The company also increased its sales team from one person to four, secured new contracts worth £2.5 million and grew its fleet of vehicles, as well as appearing as number 79 in the list of Northamptonshire’s Top 100 Companies, compiled by Grant Thornton.
Group MD, Edward Grant-Salmon, said: “When the Action Express Northampton acquisition was going through, we were told that Sophie ran the day-to-day operations and she proved a real support to the management team when we integrated the two businesses and customer bases.
“We are very fortunate to have a good team at both sites and I look forward to working with them and developing the next generation of managers.
“Now we are looking to the future, and Sophie will be a big part of our future growth plans and positioning Xtra Express Logistics as THE logistics solutions provider in Northamptonshire – offering everything from pallets and parcels to same day, road haulage and international.”
A housebuilder has acquired a site in the village of Anstey, Leicestershire, that is set to make way for 60 new homes.
The development in Anstey will be situated on Gynsill Lane and span approximately five acres. A total of 60 two, three, four and five bedroom homes will be provided by Allison Homes East Midlands, 18 of which will be affordable homes available through Rent and Shared Ownership.
The housebuilder will also be enhancing the environment and encouraging nature to thrive by retaining all water features on the site, providing an additional wet attenuation basin and planting wildflower seeds to increase the development’s biodiversity.
Subject to planning consent, construction work is due to commence on the site in early spring 2025 and it is expected that the development will be complete in late 2026.
Alongside building new homes, Allison Homes East Midlands will be supporting the local community by providing financial contributions to local allotments, outdoor sports facilities, Anstey Library, primary and secondary schools in the area and healthcare services in Glenfield and Anstey, as well as to enhance local bus stops and off-site open space and parks, as part of the agreed S106 obligations for the development.
Karl Edwards, Operations Director for Allison Homes East Midlands, said: “Securing this site in Anstey, our region’s second parcel of land, is an achievement that we are extremely proud of. The team have been working tirelessly with Mather Jamie and Clarendon Land to reach this milestone. We are now very much looking forward to introducing ourselves and our new homes to the Anstey community in 2025.
“This new development will deliver 60 high-quality homes, as well as a host of new employment and training opportunities. At Allison Homes we take our social responsibilities as a housebuilder very seriously and will be committed to supporting and being part of the local existing community. We will also be working hard to establish our presence across the wider East Midlands region over the coming months, as part of our exciting growth plans.”
“Recognising the contributions and successes of businesses…is key to building a brighter future for the industry and the communities it serves,” the Managing Director of Arc Partnership has said as the nomination deadline for the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2024 draws nearer.
There are only three weeks remaining to make submissions for the annual celebration of the property and construction industry, to showcase businesses, teams and projects.
It’s a chance to highlight exceptional new commercial and residential developments, those demonstrating a leading position in sustainability and design excellence; gain recognition as outstanding developers, architects, contractors, and agents, as well as for significant deals; and ensure efforts in corporate social responsibility are rewarded, from eco initiatives to charity work, to social value schemes.
Dan Maher, Managing Director, Arc Partnership, the joint venture between Nottinghamshire County Council and public sector framework provider SCAPE, said: “Construction is a dynamic, diverse industry that plays a vital role in creating safer, greener and more resilient communities.
“Recognising the contributions and successes of businesses that are driving innovation, inspiring young people and setting the standards for responsible, sustainable development and showcasing our collective impact is key to building a brighter future for the industry and the communities it serves.”
To nominate your (or another) business/development for one of our awards, please click on a category link below or visit this page.
Award categories include:
Overall winner (this award cannot be entered, with the winner, and recipient of a year of marketing/publicity worth £20,000, selected from those nominated for the event’s other awards)
Nominations end Thursday 5th September
A glittering awards ceremony revealing winners will take place on Thursday 3rd October, at the spectacular Trent Bridge Cricket Ground (4:30pm – 7:30pm), additionally offering the perfect opportunity to forge new contacts with property and construction professionals from across the region, as well as hear from keynote speaker Paul Southby.
Guests network at the East Midlands Bricks AwardsTickets can now be booked for the 2024 awards event, click here to secure yours.
Taking place in the Derek Randall Suite at the Trent Bridge Cricket Ground on Thursday 3rd October, from 4:30pm – 7:30pm, connect with local decision makers over nibbles and complimentary drinks while applauding the outstanding companies and projects in our region.
Attendees will also hear from keynote speaker Paul Southby, partner at Geldards LLP, chair of the Advisory Board to Nottingham Business School, chair of Broadway independent cinema, trustee of Clean Rivers Trust, chair of Nottingham Partners, board member of Marketing Nottingham and Nottinghamshire, and former High Sheriff of Nottinghamshire.
Dress code is standard business attire.
On Thursday 3rd October, East Midlands Business Link’s prestigious Bricks Awards will return to the Trent Bridge Cricket Ground to celebrate the region’s property and construction industry.
With nominations open until Thursday 5th September, and 10 categories available to enter, take this opportunity to showcase your projects and team, reward their hard work, and boost morale.
Amongst this year’s categories is Architects of the Year, which can be entered here.
The winner of this award will be the architects who have had the greatest impact on the region, be it in a single development or a series of them. Originality, the ability to rise to a challenge or initiative shown in accomplishing a difficult brief, this award celebrates our architects. Schemes must have been completed over the last 12 months.
Last year the award was won by Matthew Montague Architects, with IMA Architects and Influence Landscape Planning and Design runners up. Upon winning, Louise Jones, practice manager, Matthew Montague Architects, said: “We are delighted to win the Architects of the Year Award. 2023 is our 25th year in business and we are thrilled to receive this award in our milestone year. The event was well organised, well attended and thoroughly enjoyable.”
This year’s Architects of the Year award will be sponsored by Mather Jamie. Speaking with Business Link, Amy Biddell, director at Mather Jamie, said: “This is Mather Jamie’s second year of sponsoring the Bricks Awards. The event is a great way to promote our services to an elite audience of landowners, property developers and building contractors. It’s great to be able to celebrate in a room full of like minded businesses who share a passion for the East Midlands construction sector.
“For architects looking to submit an application, we will be looking for them to demonstrate an understanding of planning regulations so that development meets approval. Sustainability and biodiversity are hot keywords within the industry, so we will be looking for entries to showcase an innovative approach to sustainable working practices, which meet development briefs.
“Other points to consider include;
Design ethos that shows sympathy to local aesthetics
Consideration for ecology/environment
Ease of construction without too many modifications to design or materials
Demonstrate client satisfaction
Schemes that also benefit the local community.”
Submit your nominations for Architects of the Year here before entries close on Thursday 5th September.
Winners will be revealed at a glittering awards ceremony on Thursday 3rd October, at the Trent Bridge Cricket Ground (4:30pm – 7:30pm) – an evening also offering an opportunity to establish new connections with property and construction professionals from across the region, and hear from keynote speaker Paul Southby.
Other award categories open for entry include: Commercial Development of the Year, Contractor of the Year, Responsible Business of the Year, Residential Development of the Year, Developer of the Year, Deal of the Year, Most Active Estate Agent, Excellence in Design, and Sustainable Development of the Year. All entry forms can be accessed here.
The Overall Winner award will also be presented at the event. This award cannot be entered, with the winner selected from those nominated for the event’s other awards. The Overall Winner of the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2024 will also receive a year of marketing/publicity worth £20,000.
Book your tickets now
Tickets can now be booked for the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2024 – clickhere to secure yours.
The special awards evening and networking event will be held on Thursday 3rd October 2024 in the Derek Randall Suite at the Trent Bridge Cricket Ground from 4:30pm – 7:30pm.
Connect with local decision makers over nibbles and complimentary drinks while applauding the outstanding companies and projects in our region, and hear from keynote speaker Paul Southby, partner at Geldards LLP, chair of the Advisory Board to Nottingham Business School, chair of Broadway independent cinema, trustee of Clean Rivers Trust, chair of Nottingham Partners, board member of Marketing Nottingham and Nottinghamshire, and former High Sheriff of Nottinghamshire.
Dress code is standard business attire.
Thanks to our sponsors:
Mid-market private equity investment activity in the Midlands rose slightly in the first half of 2024, despite persisting challenging macroeconomic conditions, according to KPMG UK’s latest Mid-Market Private Equity analysis.
The firm’s most recent M&A study revealed that 33 mid-market transactions were completed during the first six months of the year, representing a rise of 17% when compared to 28 transactions completed during the same period in 2023. However, investment values dipped by 21% to £1.9 billion when compared to £2.3 billion invested during the first half of 2023.
Nationally, mid-market private equity investment activity in the UK declined by 11%, with 321 mid-market transactions completed in the first half of 2024, compared with 360 transactions in the same period in 2023.
Against pre-pandemic M&A activity (H1 2019), 2024’s figure reflects an increase in activity of 17%, suggesting the market has begun to normalise.
UK companies continued to remain attractive to international buyers, with inbound deals accounting for 42% of all M&A activity during the first half of 2024 – and almost half of those buyers were US-based.
Commenting on the findings, Khush Purewal, Partner and Head of Deals at KPMG in the Midlands, said: “Despite a slower start to the year, we’re optimistic that with greater economic and political stability, there are strong fundamentals for the M&A market to return to healthier levels of activity. Both private equity firms and lenders are back in the market looking to complete transactions, albeit the quality threshold for doing deals remains high.
“Our own pipeline, both going into and crucially coming out of the summer is strong, and we’re seeing a greater appetite for transactions, with a notable resurgence of deals across all sectors.
“Looking ahead to the remainder of 2024, after a prolonged period of uncertainty, international investors will now be looking at the UK as a more stable environment for investing into new businesses and realising portfolio assets. Closer to home, many of our domestic private equity firms are still sat on significant amounts of dry powder.
“In short, when the annual post-summer deals starting pistol is fired in September, we expect fast-paced action all the way to the year end: The foundations needed for dealmaking have significantly improved over the last few months, so enjoy the summer and gear-up for deals across the autumn season.”
Companies across Chesterfield and North East Derbyshire are being urged to take up the offer of free training.
North East Derbyshire District Council and Chesterfield Borough Council have joined forces to offer green skills and higher digital skills courses – made possible thanks to £200,000 worth of funding from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
The green skills courses will help construction companies access skills development that will help them comply with the Future Homes Standard (FHS) – which requires new homes built from 2025 to produce significantly less carbon emissions than under current building regulations – and will also contribute to the UK achieving its 2050 net zero target.
The higher level digital skills courses are open to businesses of any kind, interested in equipping their workforce with essential digital skills.
Cllr Jayne Barry, North East Derbyshire District Council’s Cabinet member for Growth, said: “This is a great opportunity for businesses across our district to upskill their workforce as we move towards a greener and more sustainable future. Also, a future which is increasingly reliant on the use of technology, with all the rewards and threats that can bring.”
Cllr Tricia Gilby, Leader of Chesterfield Borough Council and cabinet member for economic growth, said: “We’re committed to ensuring that everyone can improve their skills and access new career opportunities. These programmes will allow people to upskill in their current roles, access promotions and ensure local businesses have access to the skills they need. The focus on green skills will also help ensure we can become a carbon neutral area and reduce the impact of climate change.”
Chesterfield College will be delivering green skills courses, including the installation of wall insulation, solar panels, and heat pumps, as well as hybrid vehicle awareness and a qualification in sustainability.
Derby-based training provider Althaus Digital will deliver a suite of higher level digital skills training, including generative AI in digital marketing, cyber security and green digital training programmes.
Courses start from 22 August 2024 and run until Feb/March 2025. Some are short one day courses, while others take place over several days. They will be delivered face-to-face and also online.
IMA Architects (IMA) has been named as a finalist in the National Building and Construction Awards.
Following a successful year delivering a range of schemes for companies including Lidl GB, Clowes Developments and Leicestershire County Cricket Club, IMA has been shortlisted in the ‘Architectural Practice of the Year’ category.
The National Building and Construction Awards are one of the industry’s most high-profile awards, celebrating and championing the businesses and individuals that are making a positive impact in the UK building and construction industry.
Anthony Day, Managing Director at IMA Architects, says: “This is amazing news for all at IMA and a testament to how hard the team has worked over the past 12 months, and our successful track record in delivering large scale projects across the UK for our clients. We are all looking forward to the event in October. Fingers crossed we will be successful on the night.”
The winners will be announced at a celebration evening at the Leonardo Royal London Tower Bridge, on the evening of Thursday 24th October 2024.
Robinson plc, the custom manufacturer of plastic and paperboard packaging, has seen an increase in revenue and returned to profit in its interim results for the six months ended 30 June 2024.
The Chesterfield-based firm reported an uptick in revenue to £27.1m, up from £24.3m in the same period of the year prior.
Pre-tax profit, meanwhile, grew to £0.7m from a loss of £0.9m.
The results come as John Melia, currently Director of Strategy and Innovation at DS Smith Recycling, is set to be appointed as Group CEO.
Alan Raleigh, chairman, said: “The results for the first half of 2024 reflect the positive momentum that we have experienced since July 2023.
“Whilst market conditions remain challenging, I am very pleased that our approach to partnering with major fast moving consumer goods (FMCG) brand owners, our investment in new technology and our ability to deliver packaging made from post-consumer recycled material is delivering increased sales volume and improved performance.
“I am delighted that John Melia has chosen to join Robinson as our new Chief Executive. John is currently Director of Strategy and Innovation at DS Smith Recycling and has held senior positions at Tata Chemicals, where he oversaw major business transformation initiatives.
“He has an in-depth understanding of what is required to drive shareholder value in a business like Robinson and we look forward to him joining the team in December. I would also like to place on record the Board’s appreciation for the excellent contribution that Sara Halton has made as interim Chief Executive.
“The Company expects revenue and profit for the 2024 financial year to be in line with current market expectations. We remain committed in the medium-term to delivering above-market profitable growth and our target of 6-8% adjusted operating margin.”
Landowning partnership Howard Farms has completed the sale of the first two phases of Mulberry Logistics Park in South Yorkshire.
With the site located on the border of Doncaster and the Bassetlaw district, Mulberry Logistics Park gives businesses direct access to the trunk road network leading to Doncaster, Sheffield and Nottingham.
Founded in 1888, Howard Farms is a Nottinghamshire-based rural family business, providing food and renewable energy across its various sites. The sale of the first two phases of the site to Mulberry Commercial Developments marks the multi-disciplinary developer’s expansion in South Yorkshire.
Law firm Browne Jacobson advised Howard Farms on the initial conditional option agreements and sale of the first two phases of Mulberry Logistics Park’s developments – beginning in January 2021 and finalising in July 2024.
The Browne Jacobson team comprised of real estate partner Robert Wofinden and associate Sam Trevorrow.
East Midlands-based land development consultancy Mather Jamie acted as the appointed land agent for the sale. Both Browne Jacobson and Mather Jamie will continue to support Howard Farms throughout the third and final remaining phase of development.
Robert Wofinden, partner at Browne Jacobson, said: “This has been a fantastic piece of work for the firm, and we’re pleased to have supported a farming partnership like Howard Farms which makes a truly positive impact with their work in the food production and green energy sectors.”
Andy Howard, company owner of Howard and Co. Farming Ltd., said: “We’d like to express our thanks to Rob and Sam from Browne Jacobson for their support and Gary Owens from Mather Jamie – this has been a landmark transaction for us, and they’ve worked hard to ensure a smooth and efficient process over the last few years.”
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Winners will be revealed at a glittering awards ceremony on Thursday 3rd October, at the Trent Bridge Cricket Ground (4:30pm – 7:30pm) – an evening also offering an opportunity to establish new connections with property and construction professionals from across the region, and hear from keynote speaker Paul Southby.
Other award categories open for entry include: Commercial Development of the Year, Contractor of the Year, Responsible Business of the Year, Residential Development of the Year, Developer of the Year, Deal of the Year, Most Active Estate Agent, Excellence in Design, and Sustainable Development of the Year. All entry forms can be accessed here.
The Overall Winner award will also be presented at the event. This award cannot be entered, with the winner selected from those nominated for the event’s other awards. The Overall Winner of the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2024 will also receive a year of marketing/publicity worth £20,000.
