Lovett Care expands operations with Lancashire acquisition

April Lara
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Lovett Care expands operations with Lancashire acquisition

Lovett Care has acquired Belvedere Manor in Colne from Methodist Homes (MHA). The facility comprises 84 ensuite rooms and provides residential, dementia, and respite care services.

The purchase increases Lovett Care’s footprint to 27 locations across the North West, Midlands, and Wales, with additional sites under development. Staff at the facility will transition under Lovett Care management, maintaining workforce stability.

The group plans targeted investment in infrastructure, operational systems, and resident services, aligning with its wider growth strategy in the UK care sector. The move reflects a focus on scaling operations while sustaining care standards and workforce continuity.

Alumasc Group CEO to retire after 25 years

April Lara
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Alumasc Group CEO to retire after 25 years

Alumasc Group, the Kettering-based building products and systems supplier, has announced that its chief executive, Paul Hooper, will retire on 31 March 2026. Hooper joined Alumasc in April 2001 as managing director and became CEO in March 2003.

During his tenure, the company shifted from a diversified industrial business to a focused building products group. The business reported record performance across all divisions for the year ending 30 June 2025.

The board has confirmed that the search for a successor is well advanced, with an appointment expected to be announced in due course. Hooper will continue to oversee operations until the transition is complete, working alongside executive directors to maintain the company’s growth strategy and deliver long-term value.

Alumasc’s leadership highlighted the company’s strong market position and readiness to capitalise on future opportunities following the executive change.

EMW expands Northampton residential property team

April Lara
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EMW expands Northampton residential property team

EMW has appointed Lauren Quinn as legal director in its Northampton Residential Conveyancing team. Quinn returns to the firm with more than 25 years of experience advising individuals and businesses on residential property matters, including sales, purchases, remortgages, and transfers.

She has previously led conveyancing teams across Northamptonshire, handling transactions ranging from large country estates to city apartments. Her expertise in the local property market strengthens EMW’s regional residential offering and supports the firm’s capacity to deliver full-service legal solutions.

Quinn’s addition reflects EMW’s focus on enhancing its property services amid a diverse and evolving Northampton market.

Marketing Derby MD to retire after 20 years of success

Tess Egginton
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Marketing Derby MD to retire after 20 years of success
A new managing director is being sought to lead Marketing Derby into its next chapter as current MD John Forkin announces his intention retire from the role he has held for the past 20 years. The Queen’s Award-winning investment promotion agency has created more than 5,000 new jobs, helped retain over 10,000 jobs, attracted over £1.23bn of capital investment and contributed £333m to the local economy since it was founded. John Forkin said: “For me, being Managing Director of Marketing Derby is a dream job. “My take on place is to; love it, leave it or change it. On being appointed to the role I took the third option…the privilege working each day to improve Derby by promoting the city, attracting jobs and investment and, together with many others, help to shape the place for the better.” Forkin added: “Marketing Derby employs an amazing staff team of nine genuine stars, passionate professionals who can deliver the company’s evolution. “Our public sector strategic partners – Derby City Council and the East Midlands Combined County Authority – provide the funding platform for success as well as collaborative relationships working to make investment and inclusive growth happen. “At Marketing Derby’s beating heart are the 350 Bondholders who showcase all that is best about Derby, their financial commitment is crucial as is the entrepreneurial zest they bring to our activities. “Our brilliant board of non-executive directors work on a pro-bono basis, providing senior level expertise, diverse perspectives and strategic oversight. “Put together, this forms our unique, Queen’s Award-winning, public-private-partnership, which has created over 5,000 new jobs, retained 10,000 others and attracted over £1billion in investment.”

Rolls-Royce, Landmark and ASCO commission gas engine power plant with CO2 recovery in Worksop

Tess Egginton
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Rolls-Royce, Landmark and ASCO commission gas engine power plant with CO2 recovery in Worksop
Rolls-Royce, energy services provider Landmark and carbon dioxide specialist ASCO have teamed up to commission a 10-megawatt gas engine power plant with a carbon capture system in Worksop. The first tankers carrying purified and liquefied CO2 have already been picked up from the site for use in the food industry to carbonate beverages such as beer and lemonade. The CO2 is extracted from the exhaust gases of mtu gas engines – captured by a recovery system – processed, and liquefied. The plant will capture up to 30,000 tons of CO2 per year. The power plant feeds electricity into the grid for around 10,000 households and helps to ensure its stability. The heat produced by the combined heat and power mtu plants will be used both for carbon capture processes and to supply heat to households in the surrounding area.
“Flexible carbon capture gas engine power plants are an important technology for ensuring a stable decentralized energy supply while reducing CO2 emissions,” explained Michael Stipa, senior vice president business development and product management stationary power solutions at Rolls-Royce Power Systems. “This plant in Worksop is a great example of the future of sustainable energy and of a successful partnership between technology companies that want to make a difference.” Rolls-Royce has supplied six highly efficient combined heat and power plants based on mtu Series 4000 L64FNER gas engines for the power plant in Worksop and will ensure the reliable operation of the plant for ten years under a maintenance contract.
ASCO Carbon Dioxide Ltd. is responsible for the carbon capturing and processing plant and ensures the production of high-purity carbon dioxide. The UK-based power generation company Landmark Power Holdings Ltd. has developed and will operate the power plant. The project is a joint venture with Victory Hill, a specialised investment company for sustainable energy infrastructure.

North Lincolnshire businesses drive local skills and community support

April Lara
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North Lincolnshire businesses drive local skills and community support

Companies in North Lincolnshire are combining efforts to strengthen local talent pipelines and support charitable initiatives.

Through a coordinated network, businesses provide mentoring, career guidance, and practical opportunities for young people, while also directing resources to community projects via a shared charity foundation. These activities are designed to expand workforce readiness and ensure economic growth reaches a wider segment of the local population.

Fifteen organisations are currently participating, with further membership expected. The network facilitates regular collaboration and information sharing, allowing businesses to align community engagement with local economic development objectives.

Weekly meetings are held in Scunthorpe. Interested companies can request participation via email.

Strategic sale of Coverworld to Kingspan completes

Tess Egginton
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Strategic sale of Coverworld to Kingspan completes
Chesterfield-based Coverworld UK Limited, the producers and suppliers of coated steel cladding systems, has been sold to Kingspan Group plc, a global leader in high-performance building materials. The acquisition by Kingspan strengthens its market presence in the UK’s steel cladding sector and reflects the strategic value of Coverworld’s operations, which include a purpose-built facility and a fleet of self-offloading vehicles delivering more than 25,000 tons of steel coil annually. Freeths acted as legal counsel to Coverworld and its shareholders, working alongside Iain Lownes and Sabial Hanif of Oaklins S&W, PKF Smith Cooper, and other advisors to deliver the deal, which was cleared by the UK Competition and Markets Authority in August, following a Phase 1 merger enquiry. Corporate partner Peter Crawford said: “We were delighted to support Coverworld on this landmark transaction. The deal reflects the strength and reputation of the business and its alignment with Kingspan’s strategic ambitions. It was a pleasure to work alongside the Coverworld team and our fellow advisors to deliver a successful outcome.” Peter Hunt, Coverworld founder, added: “We are delighted to have now completed the sale of Coverworld to Kingspan plc, and we look forward to seeing the business succeed under new ownership.”

Peak District and Derbyshire tourism reaches new heights with record contribution to local economy

Tess Egginton
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Peak District and Derbyshire tourism reaches new heights with record contribution to local economy
Tourism in the Peak District and Derbyshire continues to grow, with new STEAM (Scarborough Tourism Economic Activity Monitor) figures for 2024 revealing a record £3.58 billion contribution to the local economy. This marks a 9.1% increase on 2023, or around 6% in real terms, when adjusted for inflation. Overnight stays have seen significant growth, up 14% on 2023 (approximately 11% in real terms), demonstrating increased demand for longer, higher-value visits. Serviced accommodation has led the way, with a 30.7% increase year-on-year (26% in real terms), highlighting strong performance for hotels, B&Bs and inns. Employment supported directly and indirectly by tourism has reached 33,000, an increase of 6%, underlining the sector’s role in local job creation. Jo Dilley, managing director of Visit Peak District & Derbyshire, said: “These outstanding figures are a testament to the strength and appeal of the Peak District and Derbyshire as a world-class visitor destination. We are particularly proud of the growth in overnight stays and serviced accommodation, which shows that our strategy to focus on value over volume is delivering tangible economic benefits. “These impressive results clearly demonstrate the impact of the work led by Visit Peak District & Derbyshire as the region’s Local Visitor Economy Partnership (LVEP), with a strong focus on attracting high-value visitors and championing sustainable tourism to build a more resilient, year-round visitor economy. We look forward to building on this success with continued collaboration across the region.”

Manufacturing output volumes fall in three months to September

Tess Egginton
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Manufacturing output volumes fall in three months to September
Manufacturing output volumes fell in the three months to September, although at a slower pace than the three months to August – according to the CBI’s latest Industrial Trends Survey (ITS). Manufacturers expect volumes to fall at a broadly similar pace in the three months to December. Expectations for selling price inflation eased in September, with the expected pace of growth in selling prices over the coming quarter the weakest since October 2024, and below the long-run average. Total and export order books were both reported as below “normal” and were below their long-run averages. Stocks of finished goods were more than adequate in September, in line with the long-run average. Ben Jones, CBI lead economist, said: “Manufacturers report a mix of pressures weighing on the sector: high energy costs, uncertainty over taxation and economic policy, and ongoing difficulties in accessing skilled labour. “In this environment, planning for growth is extremely challenging, and this is feeding through to weaker orders, output and investment. While the pace of decline has eased, conditions look set to remain tough through to the end of the year. “Businesses across the board are looking ahead to the November Budget with hope that it delivers meaningful action to ease cost and regulatory pressures. Without that clear policy direction, confidence will continue to ebb and firms will find it increasingly difficult to invest, hire and grow. “They also hope to see the government use the coming weeks as an opportunity to refine the Employment Rights Bill so that a pragmatic and workable landing zone that avoids unintended consequences for growth can be found.”

Nottingham-based marina infrastructure provider acquired

Tess Egginton
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Nottingham-based marina infrastructure provider acquired
Antin Infrastructure Partners is set to acquire Aquavista Watersides & Marinas, the marina infrastructure provider. Founded in 2003 and based in Nottingham, Aquavista has 32 inland and coastal marinas offering over 5,300 berths and marine services across the country. The transaction marks a successful exit for private equity investor LDC following a seven-year partnership during which the company nearly tripled revenue and doubled the size of its marina portfolio through a series of strategic acquisitions. This includes the acquisition of Castle Marinas in 2021. Building on this fast growth, Aquavista is ideally positioned to be the consolidator of the fragmented UK market, capitalising on a strong track record of organic growth complemented by successful acquisitions. The company also benefits from favourable underlying trends: UK boat ownership has been growing steadily, leading to rising storage needs, and growing demand for residential berths has supported high occupancy rates, low churn and resilient revenues. Antin’s Mid Cap Fund I will be investing in Aquavista alongside CEO Steve de Polo and other members of the management team. Upon closing, this investment will be the sixth by Antin’s €2.2 billion Mid Cap Fund I. Antin’s mid cap strategy focuses on smaller and medium-sized investments in established infrastructure companies in Europe and North America across the energy and environment, digital, transport and social sectors. Simon Soder and Assia Belkahia, senior partner and partner at Antin Infrastructure Partners, said: “Aquavista has all the characteristics we look for in our mid cap strategy, notably high barriers to entry and strong resiliency, and benefits from supportive long-term tailwinds. “The company has a clear and ambitious plan to scale up its already leading presence in an attractive market segment, and we look forward to working with Aquavista’s management and team to support the company’s continued growth in marina infrastructure.” Steve de Polo, CEO of Aquavista, said: “LDC has been an invaluable partner and the scale we’ve achieved together has enabled us to significantly enhance our services putting us in an incredibly strong position for future growth. We are delighted to partner with Antin to build on the strong foundations developed with LDC’s support and accelerate our growth. “We see many expansion opportunities ahead, and Antin is the right partner to help us consolidate our leadership and deliver our proposition of quality facilities and services to an ever-greater number of customers who share our vision of Freedom and Togetherness.” David Bains, partner and head of the East Midlands and East of England at LDC, added: “Our seven-year partnership has established Aquavista as a market leader through organic and acquisitive growth, including the strategic acquisition of Castle Marinas, which we supported with significant follow-on funding. “It has been a privilege to support this locally headquartered business to become a national success story, and we wish the very best to Steve and his team on the next stage of their journey.” The transaction is expected to close in October 2025.
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