Rolls-Royce signs Sustainable Aviation Fuel agreement with Air bp for engine tests
Rolls-Royce has signed an agreement with Air bp that will reduce lifecycle carbon emissions for gas turbine tests carried out at three sites and support one of the organisation’s key sustainability commitments.
It ensures that all of the aviation fuel supplied for engine testing at Rolls-Royce facilities in Derby and Bristol, UK and Dahlewitz, Germany will be a 10% Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) blend.
The SAF is derived primarily from waste-based sustainable feedstocks such as used cooking oils and will be blended with traditional aviation jet fuel by Air bp. Deliveries will begin this summer and the 10% neat SAF element will total around three million litres a year.
In addition, Air bp will provide the fuel for the very first run of the Rolls-Royce UltraFan® demonstrator engine, which will be carried out entirely on 100% SAF later this year. UltraFan will deliver new levels of aviation sustainability in terms of improved fuel burn efficiency and 100% SAF capability. The demonstrator will be the largest aero engine in the world.
Chris Cholerton, president – civil aerospace, Rolls-Royce, said: “This agreement delivers on a commitment we made that the fuel for testing and development is a 10% Sustainable Aviation Fuel blend by 2023.
“We want to encourage the use of SAF throughout the aviation industry and this agreement is an example of the firm commitments fuel producers require to support their continued production investment.
“I will be proud and excited to see the UltraFan on our state-of-the-art testbed running for the first time on 100% SAF, creating a new chapter in engineering excellence and sustainable aviation history.”
Andreea Moyes, sustainability director, Air bp, said: “We are delighted to be supporting Rolls-Royce to achieve their sustainability goals. As bp transitions to an integrated energy company, we are leveraging our expertise in the sourcing of renewable feedstocks, SAF production, logistics and end customer supply.
“Our ambition is to be the decarbonisation partner in the aviation industry and we are working at pace to promote SAF availability, accessibility and affordability to support global aviation in realising its low carbon ambitions.”
The three Rolls-Royce testing centres of excellence cover engines for different aerospace sectors – Derby, civil aviation; Bristol, defence, and Dahlewitz, near Berlin, business aviation. Engines from the Trent, EJ 200 and Pearl families are routinely tested before delivery to customers, while product improvement tests are also regularly conducted.
Rolls-Royce has previously committed to ensuring all of its Trent and Business Aviation engines are compatible with 100% SAF by 2023. All Trent and Business Aviation engines are already certified and ready to operate on a 50% SAF blend with traditional fossil-based aviation jet fuel.
Notts County Foundation appoint two new trustees to board
Local charity Notts County Foundation has appointed Jordan Worthington and Meena Hanspal to its board of trustees.
Jordan, who was recently promoted to head of commercial at Notts County Football Club, joins having been a key member of staff at the club since 2018, having previously spent over 10 years working at Nottingham Forest covering roles in marketing, public relations, and ticketing.
Jordan said: “I have always had a great appreciation for the work the Foundation have provided for the local community throughout the vast array of programmes that are facilitated throughout the year.
“Looking from the outside in, I can see the fantastic progression that is being made and I’m delighted that I can now become further involved in the charity that I, and fellow supporters, have strong ties with.
“Within my newfound role as a trustee, I am committed to further strengthening the link with Notts County Football Club and forging collaborations with Notts County Foundation partners.”
The charity’s second appointment is Meena Hanspal, who has worked within the financial sector for over twenty years, taking up roles within human resources and fraud investigation. In search of a new career direction, Meena launched her own small business ‘The Vegetarian Rasoi’, using local produce and suppliers with a core ethos around sustainability and zero waste in 2017.
Quoting her passion for serving local charities and community groups, Meena is also a trustee with Her Lohri, an organisation that supports women and girls that have been subject to abuse or abandonment. Meena also operates as volunteer coordinator at Guru Nanak’s Mission, an organisation that provides hot meals and food parcels to the homeless and vulnerable families in Nottingham.
Meena said: “I am excited to have joined the Foundation as a community trustee. I’ve seen what a difference it makes when communities rally and work together as one. The Foundation provide an excellent vehicle for this to happen, and I want to help utilise my experience to support, educate and inspire as many people as possible within the community.”
Sam Crawford, head of business development at Notts County Foundation, said: “We are so pleased to welcome Jordan and Meena to the board of trustees. Jordan’s strategic operational knowledge and his key understanding of the football industry, as well as Meena’s valuable experience in working within the local community, will be a huge asset to the board. I look forward to working collaboratively with both of them to make further progress for Notts County Foundation.”
Comic Relief Jail Break at Hinckley & Rugby Building Society doubles expected fundraising target
Hinckley & Rugby Building Society staff have raised an impressive £2,868 for Comic Relief by taking part in various activities in aid of the charity, including a ‘Jail Break’ challenge for the Society’s Chief Executive.
To raise the funds, the Society hosted a range of events for staff, including a bake sale, an amusing Red Nose and Spoon race and a comical quiz.
Chief Executive, Colin Fyfe, took part in a virtual Jail Break challenge which involved him being ‘locked up’ for 24 hours and a bail placed on his release. The bail for the challenge had to be raised after Colin quickly reached the initial fundraising target. The challenge ultimately contributed well over £2,000 towards the final total, more than double the original target.
Colin said: “The Comic Relief fundraiser is something that we at Hinckley & Rugby look forward to each year. Once again, Society staff have shown their enthusiasm for the charity and showed their support by getting involved, organising and participating in various activities. We’re delighted with the total amount raised and are sure it will be a huge help to the many projects Comic Relief supports.”
Anybody who wishes to make a donation to the charity, can do so via the Society’s Just Giving page: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/hrbscomicrelieffundraiser2022
Corporate insolvency figures continue to soar
The chair of the Midlands branch of insolvency and restructuring trade body R3 is urging directors of the region’s businesses to seek advice if they are worried about their businesses, as corporate insolvency figures continue to soar compared to this time last year.
Figures published by the government’s Insolvency Service show that the number of companies entering insolvency decreased by 3.2% in February to a total of 1,515 compared to January’s total of 1,565. However, administrations increased to a 15-month high and overall levels of corporate insolvencies increased by 121.2% compared to February 2021’s figure of 685.
R3 Midlands chair Eddie Williams, a partner at PwC in the East Midlands, said: “The increase in administrations suggests that there are several insolvent businesses which still have some prospect of rescue, given this is one of the main statutory purposes of the administration process.
“Wherever possible, the insolvency profession will work to secure the rescue of businesses in administration to help ensure better outcomes for the company, its staff and its creditors.
“It is notable, however, that despite the month-on month-decline in corporate insolvencies, the Insolvency Service statistics show a marked year-on-year increase and highlight that corporate insolvency has returned to its higher pre-pandemic levels. The February figure of 1,515 is 12.6% higher than in February 2020, when corporate insolvencies totalled 1,346.
“It is evident that the ending of the peak of the pandemic and the lifting of the final set of restrictions has not led to the shot in the arm the business community had hoped for. Although the economy grew in January and firms benefited from restrictions ending in February, it took time for footfall to increase, and it will take a while before anything resembling normality returns.
“Consumer spending has declined and, here in the Midlands, consumer confidence is low as people are concerned about the economy and their own financial position. Inflation is now a real problem for local firms and individuals alike. This situation is unlikely to improve anytime soon given the impact current geopolitical events will have on energy costs.
“In addition to this, the restrictions on using winding-up petitions are coming to an end later this month – something which could see an increase in creditors turning to legal action to recover unpaid debts.
“Now is the time for directors to be alert to the signs of financial distress and to take the necessary action. We know conversations about finances are some of the hardest to have but speaking up about concerns at an early stage typically leads to a better outcome than holding back until the problem worsens.”
CEO “delighted” with Staffline’s 2021 performance
The CEO of Staffline Group, the recruitment and training group, is “delighted” with the company’s performance across 2021, during which a comprehensive restructuring and transformation programme completed.
According to audited results for the year ended 31 December 2021, revenue grew to £942.7m from £927.6m in 2020.
The news comes as Staffline announces a major contract win with BMW and a contract extension with VINCI.
Albert Ellis, Chief Executive Officer, said: “I am extremely proud of the commitment of the Group’s leadership and workforce who delivered throughout the ongoing COVID-19 restrictions, facing labour shortages and global supply chain issues. I wish to acknowledge their hard work and my confidence in their ability to continue to deliver, including generating new areas of growth in the future.
“I am delighted with Staffline’s performance across 2021, both in the significant operational progress we have delivered across the Group but also in more than doubling our underlying operating profit in the year. I am satisfied that we now have the operating platform, balance sheet strength and governance in place to fully capitalise on our market leading position and drive sustainable growth.”
Meanwhile the Nottingham-based business posted an increase in gross profit to £82.8m (2020: £74.6m), underlying operating profit jumped to £10.3m (2020: £4.8m), and profit after tax grew to £1.6m, after a £48.5m loss in 2020.
Final floor taken at Nottingham city centre office building
ADC Infrastructure, a Nottingham-based consultancy service to the property development sector in Transport Planning, Infrastructure Design, and Water Management, have expanded their offices within the city by taking the final floor available within the City Buildings on Carrington Street close to Nottingham Train Station.
The property has been substantially refurbished by Shoby Properties, retaining many original features while making the space suitable for the requirements of modern day office occupiers, with high quality finishes, full air conditioning as well as on site bicycle storage and repair facilities, showers and changing rooms.
Mark Tomlinson of FHP, who acted on behalf of the landlords, Shoby Properties, in securing the deal, said: “We are seeing a continued trend amongst office occupiers seeking to increase the quality of their working environments and secure premium office spaces within the city and City Buildings delivers just that.
“We are seeing strong uptake of prime offices across the city and ADC Infrastructure are a fantastic tenant to have secured for the final floor within this building. I’m sure that they will enjoy the quality of the space and the facilities.”
David Cummins, director of ADC Infrastructure, said: “Our current offices are to be redeveloped, so the opportunity arose to find new offices. We wanted to remain in the city centre, as our staff travel by bike, bus, tram and train.
“We wanted more space for growth, as we seek to double our numbers to around 60 in the coming years. And importantly, we wanted a quality environment that would encourage everyone to work in the office.
“The area around Carrington Street is an exciting place to be and the City Buildings felt right from our first visit. This is our fourth move since the company began in 2013, and FHP have again been very helpful at showing us the options. We look forward to working with them for many years to come as they are also the managing agents.”
Shortages of Pork Farms products expected in supermarkets due to strike at Nottingham factory
Supermarkets across the UK will face shortages of Pork Farms products during a continuous all-out pay strike by more than 170 workers employed at Nottingham’s Riverside Bakery.
Staff, who are members of Unite, earning just above the minimum wage, according the union, will go on strike from 30 March over “a pay cut disguised as a rise.” Unite says the offer would leave staff worse off by reducing overtime, bank holiday and premium rates.
Riverside Bakery produces quiches, flans and savoury tarts sold by major retailers including Tesco, ASDA, Sainsbury’s, Aldi and Marks and Spencer.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Unite is here to defend our members’ jobs, pay and conditions. Riverside Bakery’s pay cut in disguise is a direct attack on the living standards of their workforce.
“The workers’ all-out strike action will bring operations at the bakery to a halt. They will receive Unite’s full backing for as a long as it takes for the company to see sense and table a proper pay offer.”
Riverside Bakery is part of the Addo Food Group, which was bought by private equity firm PAI Partners in 2020. PAI is planning to merge Addo with another chilled food company it owns, Winterbotham Darby, to create a new company, The Compleat Food Group.
Unite regional officer Cheryl Pidgeon said: “Strike action and the resultant shortages of Pork Farms products in stores nationwide can still be avoided during negotiations scheduled for this week.
“For that to happen, however, the company needs to put forward an offer our members, who are struggling under the cost-of-living crisis, can accept.”
In February, a spokesperson for The Compleat Food Group said: “After extensive talks, The Compleat Food Group made a very favourable offer of an increase to hourly rates for the colleagues at Riverside Bakery which was rejected by the Union.
“To enhance the previous offers, the final offer from the business included the fixing of overtime premiums at the 2021 rates. This was a move to further enhance hourly rates and increase differentials in advance of the forthcoming increase to the national minimum wage.”
Planning permission secured for 280-home development on former green belt land in Nottinghamshire
A property consultancy has secured planning permission for a 280-home development on former green belt land in Nottinghamshire.
Fisher German has achieved outline planning permission for the new houses on a 28-acre site on land north of Grantham Road, in Radcliffe-On-Trent.
Plans include dwellings of varying sizes, 30 per cent of which will be affordable, as well as a park, areas of public open space, a wildlife corridor and the provision of a three-metre-wide cycleway adjacent to the A52.
The development also includes reconfiguring a junction on the A52 to provide a four-arm traffic signal junction which will not only provide access to the site, but also improve safety at the junction.
Fisher German acted on behalf of the landowner, a long-standing client of the firm, and first worked to release the site from the Nottingham Derby Green Belt and secure its allocation for housing in part 2 of the Rushcliffe Local Plan.
The firm’s planning team then worked on the complex planning application before securing outline planning permission for 280 dwellings, 40 additional dwellings than proposed in the local plan.
James Beverley said: “We were extremely pleased to get the green belt land allocated for housing and then ultimately achieve planning permission for the site on behalf of our client.
“Part 1 of the Rushcliffe Local Plan considerably underdelivered on the number of houses required. We therefore worked to promote the release of the site from the green belt through the Part 2 plan, ensuring the delivery of housing and reducing significant development pressures on the limited number of settlements outside of the green belt.
“When working on the planning application we encountered a number of challenges but were able to resolve these to the satisfaction of the relevant statutory consultees.
“We worked constructively with Network Rail successfully demonstrating that the new drainage system being introduced would take water away from their infrastructure so was a betterment to them.
“We also experienced challenges relating to junction works to the A52, which is part of Highways England’s strategic highway network.
“We worked with Highways England to demonstrate that the changes, which included remodelling of the existing junction and adding traffic lights, would benefit both the development and others living and working in the area who would find it easier to turn onto the strategic road.
“This is the second green belt site we have successfully progressed on behalf of the client, and we now look forward to seeing the sale of the site being completed and much needed homes being delivered.”
Planning & Design become a RIBA Chartered Practice
Planning & Design Practice have been recognised as a RIBA Chartered architectural practice. The Royal Institute of British Architects is a global professional membership body driving excellence in architecture.
RIBA Chartered practices are the only architectural practices endorsed and promoted by the Royal Institute of British Architects. This accreditation sends a strong signal to clients, employees and the wider construction industry and shows that the practice is committed to excellence in design and service delivery.
Planning & Design Practice believes in good architecture, to improve quality of life, create real value and to drive sustainable development, creating robust, resilient homes and buildings to face the challenges of climate change.
The approachable and experienced team comprises architects, architectural assistants, designers and technicians.
The team is led by Lindsay Cruddas, a RIBA accredited specialist conservation architect, of which there are currently only 141 in the country. Lindsay qualified as a RIBA Chartered Architect in 2012, after receiving her degrees in Architecture at Leeds Metropolitan University. She has a specialist knowledge and interest in historic building conservation, reuse of redundant buildings and residential design.
On receiving the RIBA Chartered Status Lindsay said: “We strive to gain the best outcome for our clients and design spaces that we are proud of. Becoming a RIBA Chartered Practice demonstrates that commitment to quality, service and design. I was delighted to receive the Chartered Status and proud to be developing the architectural side of the business.”
Joining Lindsay are senior architect Siegfried Doering (Dipl.-Ing. Architecture, AKH, ARB, RIBA) and project architect Manik Karunaratne (BA (Hons), MArch (Leicester), ARB).
Prior to Planning & Design Siegfried was senior architect/project design manager as part of a team of 25 architects and engineers, and also quality manager in the department for an international company offering worldwide infrastructure buildings including train stations, data centres, train/tram depots, offices and maintenance facilities.
An Architects Registration Board (ARB) UK registered architect, Manik qualified in 2018 at the University of Nottingham, following an architectural journey comprised of several universities, having studied at the University of Derby, Nottingham Trent University and De Montfort University.
Having worked in commercial architecture practices previously, Manik has experience on office buildings, high rise apartments buildings, housing developments and barn conversions. Currently he is working on a variety of vernacular and domestic projects liaising closely with clients and further developing his knowledge in heritage and conservation.
Also, part of the team is Part II architectural assistant Tina Humphreys, a graduate of De Montfort University in Leicester with a Master’s in Architecture, who is now working towards becoming a RIBA Chartered Architect. Joseph Cattmull is architectural technologist, who graduated from the University of Derby, after studying the built environment at Cambridge Regional College, and who brings an interest in listed and traditional architecture and how they can be modernised.
Continuing a tradition of encouraging and supporting emerging talent, the business was pleased to announce the recent addition to the team of Joshua Bunce and Matthew Kempster as junior architectural technicians. Both joined the company in 2021.
Since being founded in 2002 Planning & Design Practice Ltd has earnt an excellent reputation for winning approvals and for creating attractive and viable proposals.
Comprising RTPI Chartered town planners and RIBA Chartered Architects the company has generated over £200m of uplift in land values for clients through its consents and proposals. The architectural side of the business boasts true international expertise having worked on large scale projects across Europe and the United States as well as in the UK. The company is able to design award winning proposals for a wide range of clients across the country.
The company’s heritage team can advise on listed buildings and developments in sensitive locations whilst maintaining a strong planning consultancy team. In both 2019 and 2021 the business’s heritage work was recognised and awarded the Highly Commended Certificate for Excellence in Planning at the RTPI East Midlands Awards for Planning Excellence.
The architectural team are based across Derby, Matlock, Macclesfield, and Sheffield.
Council outlines vision for potential revamp of popular Leicester shopping street
Initial ideas for a potential revamp of a popular shopping street in Leicester’s Clarendon Park area have been outlined by the city council.
The city council is considering a range of possible improvements to Queen’s Road as part of a citywide programme of investment to help the city and local businesses recover from nearly two years of disruption from the pandemic.
At Queens Road, the city council aims to create a more attractive shopping environment, with more space for outdoor café areas and wider, safer pavements for pedestrians.
Initial ideas could see changes to some side road junctions – including potentially removing the junctions at Montague Road and Cecilia Road – to create more pedestrian space and cut the amount of traffic turning into Queens Road, helping to make the busy shopping street safer for pedestrians and cyclists.
Pavements could be widened at key points to make more space for outdoor café-style seating areas to support businesses, while ensuring that adequate parking space is maintained for shoppers and visitors and loading bays are available for businesses.
This could include widening pavements outside Barceloneta and Friends Tandoori – between Howard Road and Cecilia Road – and filling in the existing bus bay alongside the shopping area between Montague Road and Clarendon Park Road to create more space.
The proposals will not impact the number of limited-time waiting bays on Queens Road.
Improvements to make the route safer and more appealing to cyclists are also being considered, along with the introduction of a docking bay on Queens Road for the new Santander Cycles Leicester e-bike hire scheme.
Traffic calming measures, such as raised crossings, on Queens Road are also being considered to encourage motorists to cut their speed and improve road safety.
Earlier this year, the city council set aside £11.3million of capital funding for a number of road and transport schemes as part of its budget for 2022/23. This includes the regeneration of key shopping streets such as Queens Road.
The initial ideas for improvements to Queens Road have been developed closely with ward councillors and discussions are ongoing.
Assistant city mayor and Castle ward councillor Danny Myers said: “Queens Road is at the heart of the community in Clarendon Park. It’s a space that is held dear. Events like our Summer and Christmas fairs attract thousands and it is a place that is enjoyed throughout the day and evening, all year round.
“Creating a high quality-space that reflects this popularity is a great opportunity. It’d be really interesting to see what people think of these proposals and other ideas they may have for Queens Rd too.”
Deputy city mayor Cllr Adam Clarke, who leads on environment and transport, added: “It’s really important that we continue to invest in streets like Queens Road to enhance the environment, make them more people-friendly and help ensure their local businesses continue to thrive.
“Although these initial ideas are in the very early stages, it’s clear that we have a real opportunity to invest in Queens Road and make it an even more attractive place for residents, local business and visitors.
“These early thoughts have already been shared at a meeting of Friends of Clarendon Park and we’re very keen for the local community to be an integral part of the creative process as this scheme develops.”
The city council expects to firm up proposals for Queens Road over the coming months, with a view to inviting feedback on final design plans from local residents and businesses this summer.
