Employers to discover the benefits of employing people with special educational needs and disabilities
The D2N2 Careers Hub is inviting employers in Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire to a special event on Friday 13 May, 9.30am-3.30pm at the University of Derby to celebrate people with SEND and learn more about opening up their workplace to inclusive recruitment.
Nationally, just 6% of young people with SEND are in secure employment. The D2N2 Careers Hub is encouraging employers to explore the opportunities available in this large potential pool of untapped talent.
Let’s Talk SEND will provide talks, workshops and networking with the chance to talk to young people about their experiences, the skills they’ve learned and the benefits it’s brought to the businesses they’ve worked in.
The event, which is funded by the D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) and The Careers & Enterprise Company, is free to attend but booking is required. It is suitable for anyone who has either already employed people with SEND or who would like to know more about doing so.
Fiona Baker, head of people and skills at D2N2 LEP and a keynote speaker at the event, said: “As part of our People and Skills strategy, D2N2 wants to encourage employers to widen their search for skilled talent to include those who might be excluded from traditional recruiting processes for a variety of reasons
“We are confident that anyone who attends Let’s Talk SEND will come away feeling inspired and excited about the opportunities for working with young people with SEND and the wide range of benefits both parties experience from it.”
NEXT swoops for mother and baby brand
NEXT, the Leicester-headquartered retailer, has acquired a slice (44%) of JoJo Maman Bebe, the mother and baby brand, alongside investment funds and vehicles managed or advised by Davidson Kempner Capital Management LP (56%).
The shares were acquired from existing JoJo shareholders, including the founder Laura Tenison, who, as part of the transaction, will leave the business.
Gwynn Milligan, who joined JoJo in 2017 as commercial director, has taken over the role of CEO and the other JoJo directors will be staying in their posts.
No immediate redundancies are anticipated.
Laura Tenison said: “Growing JoJo from a kitchen table start-up to being the UK’s leading specialist boutique mother and baby brand has been my priority for the past 30 years. I’m exceptionally proud of our achievements, and excited by the opportunities this new partnership will offer to the brand’s future.”
Simon Wolfson, NEXT’s Chief Executive, said: “NEXT is delighted at the prospect of its Total Platform supporting JoJo on the next stage of its growth and development. We are excited to see what can be achieved through the combination of JoJo’s exceptional product with NEXT’s infrastructure and Davidson Kempner as our investment partner.”
NEXT will make an equity investment of £16.3m funded from its own cash resources.
According to NEXT, JoJo will retain its management autonomy and creative independence, benefitting from the collective experience of NEXT and Davidson Kempner to continue growing successfully.
The investment is not expected to have any material impact on NEXT’s group profits in the current financial year, but is expected to make a positive contribution thereafter.
Engineers to develop efficient alternative to current carbon capture technology
The University of Nottingham is leading an international consortium aiming to accelerate the development of carbon capture and storage.
It’s one of several projects that have received a share of £5 million grant funding from the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy.
Carbon capture and storage (CCS) is recognised to be one of the most effective measures towards the European Union’s commitment to reach climate neutrality by 2050 and mitigate against global warming, staying within 1.5 degrees centigrade of pre-industrial levels during the remainder of the 21st century.
The experts are setting out to develop a cheaper alternative to the current process of amine scrubbing – the most mature technology that separates CO2 from natural gas, however the process is expensive, requiring a high level of energy and water consumption, and can cause environmental issues.
Professor Colin Snape, study lead, said: “Carbon Capture and Storage is key to achieving the UK’s ambitious target of eliminating greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. It’s therefore extremely important to accelerate the pace of developing alternatives to the current technologies on offer.
This study will enable us to extensively investigate an alternative that is showing considerable promise, silica-polyethylenimine (PEI), based on Nottingham’s international reputation for developing solid adsorbents to capture CO2.
What is carbon capture and storage (CCS)?
CCS is the technology used to prevent and reduce the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere as an attempt to mitigate global warming. Some of the largest sources of CO2 includes coal and natural gas power plants and industrial processes (such as iron and steel and cement plants).
CCS involves three main components: capture, transport and storage. Once CO2 has been captured, i.e. separated from other gases being emitted, it is transported to a final storage location (usually through a pipeline). In the UK, the captured CO2 will be injected into either depleted oil and gas reservoirs or deep saline aquifers.
Amine scrubbing is the most mature technology that separates CO2 from natural gas however the process is expensive, requires a high level of energy and it can cause environmental issues.
The academics have identified a basic polymer, polyethylenimine (PEI) supported on silica, as a strong potential alternative in both post-combustion capture as well as in direct air capture. CO2, being weakly acidic reacts with PEI and the reaction (capturing the carbon) proceeds extremely fast. Over the two-year project, the academics will seek to demonstrate the efficiency and lower cost of the process. Its entire life cycle will also be analysed in order to provide a direct comparison to the processes already in use.
Project ABSALT: Accelerating Basic Solid Adsorbent Looping Technology
The university’s Faculty of Engineering is leading the ‘Accelerating Carbon Capture and Storage Technologies 3’ project ABSALT: Accelerating Basic Solid Adsorbent Looping Technology. The project team aims to demonstrate that basic silica-polyethylenimine (PEI) in solids adsorption looping technology (SALT) can achieve low capture costs.
The consortium of international partners is made up of: PQ Corporation, UK; BASF, Germany; CEMEX, Switzerland; Ulster University, UK; University of Bologna, Italy; and CPERI-CERTH, Greece.
The project partners all play a vital role in the study:
He added: “PEI is a polymer that avoids environmental issues associated with the basic liquids, used in amine scrubbing and requires less energy to release the CO2 after capture to enable subsequent pipeline transport and storage.”
- PQ Corporation and BASF are global manufacturers of silicas and PEI, respectively and with the University of Nottingham will use their materials expertise to optimise the composition of silica-PEI.
- The University of Ulster, CERTH and CEMEX have extensive experience in techno-economic analysis (TEA) and life cycle assessment (LCA).
- The involvement of CEMEX enables the team to address in detail the application of SALT to cement plants.
- The University of Bologna, CERTH and the University of Nottingham have extensive expertise in pyrolysis for recycling the silica and converting the spent PEI to potentially valuable chemicals.
Derby County’s relegation a ‘huge blow’ for city’s businesses, but takeover would offer hope, says East Midlands Chamber
Commenting on the confirmation of Derby County’s relegation from the EFL Championship , East Midlands Chamber chief executive Scott Knowles said: “Derby County’s relegation marks a very sad day for the people of Derby and the club’s legion of fans across the world, while many businesses in the city will consider it a huge blow for them.
“The club is an integral component of the city’s heritage, make-up and economy, with the prosperity of both intrinsically linked.
“A successful football team competing at the top of the sport creates a healthy atmosphere across the whole area and this will always have positive economic consequences.
“Businesses located in and around the city benefit from the tens of thousands of people who turn up every match to support their club – pubs, cafés, restaurants and shops will be packed before each game, while local transport networks rely on the increased number of passengers to remain viable.
“But it’s also much more than that. Derby County is a part of the city and county’s fabric, and it’s now critical that attentions turn towards protecting the future of the club by ensuring the swift and safe completion of a takeover that will achieve this ultimate goal.
“While relegation is inevitably a deep disappointment, the communities and businesses who rely on this sporting institution now just want to be freed from the damaging state of limbo they find themselves in, and offered renewed hope there will continue to be a club they can throw their support behind.”
New apartments go up for sale at Chesterfield’s Waterside Quarter development
Leading housebuilder Avant Homes has released a collection of brand-new one and two-bedroom apartments for sale at its popular £36m Waterside Quarter development in Chesterfield.
Located off Brimington Road, the new apartments at the development are available in three impressive designs with prices ranging from £124,995 for a one-bedroom flat to £158,495 for a two-bedroom apartment.
The apartment building is located in a prime location at Waterside Quarter with easy access to the entrance while also sitting in a private cul-de-sac, close to the River Rother. Each home across the three-storey buildings include an open-plan living space, double bedrooms and ample storage.
Named The Stevenson, The Hepworth and The Tapton apartments, the homes also comprise a high-quality specification which features a designer kitchen with integrated appliances and boutique bathrooms with full height tiling.
Avant Homes Central sales and marketing director, Dawn Bennett, said: “Waterside Quarter is one of our most highly-anticipated developments within the region, so it’s exciting to launch our apartments to appeal even further to the wide range of buyers looking to purchase in Chesterfield.
“The Stevenson, The Hepworth and The Tapton are exclusive to Waterside Quarter and buyers won’t be able to find them at any of our other developments, so with the limited availability we’re sure they will receive great interest from commuters and first-time buyers, alike.”
Waterside Quarter forms a key part of the wider £340m Chesterfield Waterside project which is one of the UK’s largest regeneration schemes.
Once complete, it will feature 173-homes across a range of one, two, three and four-bedroom properties. Available homes at Waterside Quarter are currently priced from £124,995 for a one-bedroom apartment to £295,995 for a four-bedroom semi-detached home with three storeys.
Based in Chesterfield, Avant Homes Central is part of the Avant Homes group, one of the leading private developers of residential property in the UK. The group currently has 55 developments across its five operating regions.
£42 million Sports Village to open 21st May
Derby’s new Moorways Sports Village will open to the public on Saturday 21 May with a grand opening weekend – in time for the half term holidays.
The public will be able to try out the flumes and water slides in the thrilling Water Park, splash out in the 50m pool, and enjoy all the centre’s brand new facilities like the children’s soft play areas for the very first time.
Construction partner Bowmer + Kirkland worked with Derby City Council to ensure the £42 million complex was delivered on time and on budget.
The Council has appointed Everyone Active, a leading UK leisure operator, as its partner to manage the new iconic facility and the adjacent Moorways Stadium, with its outdoor athletics track and field facilities, and football pitches. Both sites remain in the Council’s ownership.
The opening of Moorways means that the last day of leisure operations at Queen’s Leisure Centre will be Sunday 8 May. On Monday 16 May the Council will officially hand over the keys to Moorways Sports Village to Everyone Active, and staff members transferring from Queen’s will be joined by new recruits to operate the new facilities.
In the week leading up to the grand opening weekend, Moorways Sports Village will start welcoming pre-invited schools, community groups and swimming clubs to try out the 50m swimming pool and selected other activities.
Claire Davenport, Derby City Council’s Director of Leisure, Culture and Tourism, said: “This has been a very exciting project to bring state-of-the-art leisure facilities to the city, and we’re thrilled that the wait is almost over and the people of Derby and beyond will get the chance to enjoy them.
“The high standard of facilities and flexible swimming space at Moorways will accommodate competitions, clubs, lessons and leisure swimmers. We are delighted to have Derby’s first Water Park to draw in visitors to have fun from across the region. The café and soft play areas will enable families to make the most of their time here.
“Having Moorways Stadium next door, with its outdoor track capable of hosting national competitions, alongside outdoor pitches, we have created a real sports village. We are pleased to have Everyone Active on board as our leisure operating partner, who specialise in encouraging communities to be active, maximising the opportunities these fantastic facilities provide.”
Simon Morgan, Everyone Active’s contract manager, said: “This wonderful new facility has an activity for everyone, no matter what your age, interests or ability and will serve the local community for years to come.
“We are incredibly proud to have been chosen as the operator by Derby City Council and cannot wait to throw open the doors next month.
“The public will soon be able to use the wealth of top-of-the-range facilities and we very much look forward to welcoming them.”
At Moorways Sports Village the 50m pool has moveable floors and booms which means it can be divided into three 25m length pools of varying depths, offering flexibility for club and leisure use. There is seating for over 400 spectators. A separate teaching pool, with a depth of 1 metre, can be screened off for private hire and children’s parties.
The Water Park is set to become a regional attraction with its gently sloping floor into the leisure pool, which has the only wave-creating Wow ball in use in a UK public pool. It also has two four-storey flumes, the first wave rider in England, a racer slide and fun water play area for children.
A spa area with a sauna and steam room complements the swimming offer, and further attractions include 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.
There will also be a 120 station gym, meeting rooms available for hire and three fitness studios, one with views across to Moorways Stadium.
Accessibility has been designed into the building, with features including a Changing Places changing room and toilet, in-built steps and a lift into the main swimming pool, and a Poolpod lift to enable independent entry into the water. The teaching pool has a portable iSwim hoist to provide convenient access.
‘A milestone moment’ for new homes and jobs in Notts
Major plans for a proposed new village near Hucknall, with over 800 homes, a new school, local shops and land that will improve employment have moved a step closer to reality today with the official appointment of a new housing developer.
Vistry Partnerships will now take on the building of approx. 800 homes at the planned new village at Top Wighay, as part of a multi-million pound agreement and one of the biggest ever development contracts for Nottinghamshire County Council*
The planned new sustainable community also aims to create more than 1,000 new full-time jobs, as well as a new primary school, a local commercial centre and green spaces across the 40.3 hectare site.
It is estimated the new village will boost the economy by more than £873 million over a decade.**
The appointment of Vistry Partnerships was rubber-stamped at today’s Economic Development and Asset Management Committee. They will work closely with the council on the building of the new sustainable homes and green spaces , as well as engaging with the local community to help keep them updated as plans progress.
Committee chairman, Councillor Keith Girling, said:
“We are delighted with the appointment of Vistry Partnerships as it brings the new village a step closer to reality.
“This is a milestone moment. This flapship development, led by Nottinghamshire County Council, will benefit generations to come with the promise of much-needed new housing, new jobs and skills to boost our economy.
“This really is the best possible use for this County Council-owned land, which already has outline planning permission, as we look to create more quality, sustainable housing to meet the needs of our growing population.
“These new homes will provide a place for families to create memories and help them build a future here.
“Lucrative contract opportunities for local subcontractors will be another benefit.
“One of the key aims of this planned new community is for it to be as green as possible so as well as having greener homes, we want to encourage greener travel, as we look to help meet the UK’s net-zero targets.
“Footpaths, cycling routes and traffic calming measures are at the heart of plans and the site is already near to an existing bus route. New bus stops are also proposed.
“As well as being close to the M1, Hucknall is well served by tram and rail, with existing links to Nottingham, Derby, Mansfield and Chesterfield.”
Completed infrastructure work at the site includes an expanded roundabout on the A611/Annesley Road, a new signal-controlled junction as well as a new, three-metre wide, shared use footway/cycle lane along the northern side of the A611 north of Hucknall and to the west of Linby. This work has already help limit the impact of traffic on nearby towns and villages.
National Cyber Security Centre urges businesses to improve security in wake of Russia’s actions
Businesses across the UK are being urged to improve their online security capabilities following Russia’s violation of Ukraine’s territorial integrity.
The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) is calling on organisations to follow its guidance on steps to take when the national cyber threat is heightened.
While the NCSC and the government are not aware of any current specific threats to UK organisations in relation to the Ukraine crisis, there has been an historical pattern of cyber attacks on Ukraine with international consequences.
Guidance from the NCSC encourages organisations to follow actionable steps that reduce the risk of falling victim to a digital attack, such as a malware or ransomware strike.
Hannah Schofield, Emergency Planning and Business Continuity Officer at Lincolnshire County Council, said: “The NCSC publishes weekly threat reports – if organisations in Lincolnshire have their IT provided externally it’s likely that these businesses will already be looking into this, but if they do their own IT then it’s wise to keep up with the NCSC website.
“It’s all good practice. Cyber isn’t just an IT problem, it’s a business continuity problem and should be in all business plans to help mitigate future risks.”
The NCSC website explains how to ensure basic cyber controls are in place and functioning correctly. This can include:
- Check your system patching
- Verify access controls
- Ensure defences are working
- Logging and monitoring
- Review backups
- Incident planning
- Check your internet footprint
- Phishing response
- Third party access
- Brief your wider organisation
Redundancies double as energy costs spiral and war in Ukraine dampens optimism
The number of planned redundancies in the UK has jumped 103% in just one month, from 8,869 in January to 18,043 in February, says specialist employment law firm GQ|Littler.
The number of redundancies planned by businesses has increased sharply as interest rates continue to rise. In February the Bank of England made the second of three increases in interest rates – pushing up the cost of borrowing for businesses.
Raoul Parekh, Partner at GQ Littler says: “An extreme shortage of staff and hopes of a post COVID recovery had persuaded businesses to hold off on redundancy programmes, with numbers in December 2021 and January 2022 at their lowest levels since April 2019. It looks like that period of stability might be behind us.
“It’s clear that the Bank of England intends to slow the economy in order to keep inflation under control. Spiralling energy costs and other impacts from the war in Ukraine are also likely to dampen optimism amongst businesses and lead to cost cutting.”
The company feels it’s likely that some businesses are making redundancies in anticipation that consumer spending will drop off in some sectors due to the cost-of-living crisis which is expected to be exacerbated by the rise in National Insurance rates in April.
This climb in the number of planned redundancies comes after months of low redundancy rates.
Mr Parekh adds: “It is not yet clear whether these higher numbers of dismissals will result in higher unemployment, or whether the current labour shortages instead create a higher sectoral churn. Given the attention paid to P&O’s mishandled redundancy programme employers will want to ensure that any similar measures are undertaken with extreme care and as sympathetically as possible.”
Export sales growth stagnating, says BCC
A survey of more than 2,700 UK exporters has revealed that UK export sales growth has been effectively stagnant for the past year.
The quarterly Trade Confidence Outlook from the British Chambers Of Commerce showed the proportion of exporters reporting increased overseas sales to be unchanged from Q4 at 29%, while those reporting a decrease rose 1 point to 25%.
The data showed that manufacturers were more likely to report increased export sales than either business to business service firms (such as lawyers or accountants) or business to consumer service firms (like online clothing stores).
Conversely, B2B service exporters were more likely than either manufacturers or B2C service exporters to expect profitability to increase in the coming year.
Responding to the findings, Head of Trade Policy at the British Chambers of Commerce, William Bain said: “This data confirms our concerns – that for the last year there was a broadly flat picture for UK exports. This is in contrast with the performance of our near neighbours, with Germany’s exports both within and outside the Single Market steaming ahead by double digit margins and with trade losses from the pandemic already effectively recovered.
“UK exporters are facing the headwinds of higher red tape costs from trading with the EU, raised raw material pressures, and ongoing issues in global shipping markets. If we are to realise the aspirations of the UK Government’s Export Strategy then 2022 has to be the year where these structural factors holding back our exporters are addressed.
“Sustained export growth should be powering our economic recovery from the pandemic. Chambers and their members are already working hard to increase exports but need more substantive measures from Government now.”
