Developer gifts £1,000 to local school to help fund refurbishment of dining hall
Midlands-based developer, Taggart Homes, has gifted £1,000 to Annesley Primary and Nursery School in Kirkby in Ashfield, Nottinghamshire as a contribution towards the refurbishment of their dining hall.
The school is situated within the catchment area close to Taggart’s Forest Park development in Annesley; a new development consisting of 45 detached and semi-detached three and four-bedroom homes, and is attended by 230 children aged 3-11.
The gift will be used to purchase two collapsible tables and chairs, each seating 16 children for lunch.
The funding was received after the headteacher explained that the dining hall was in need of refurbishment, having previously needed to serve lunches in three sittings due to a lack of seating.
Less time queuing for lunches and more time playing outside will now be the case – with the new tables alongside further tables funded by the school enabling staff to seat all children in just one sitting.
Mrs Dawn Roberts, headteacher at Annesley Primary and Nursery School, was delighted with the gift and said: “This generous donation from Taggart Homes will make all the difference and we are very grateful. We haven’t been able to afford more seating until now, so to finally be able to give this to the children and staff is wonderful.
“The children will now be able to spend more time outside and our staff will no longer need to do three servings at lunchtime – meaning we can get our dining hall turned around more quickly, ready for the day of activities.
“The community here in the village is so strong and acts such as this is a testament to that. We want to thank Taggart Homes for their generosity and kindness this Christmas.”
Michael Taggart, Chief Executive Officer at Taggart Homes, said: “We are invested in the future of Annesley with the village being so popular amongst young families, and with many of our new homeowner’s children attending the school it is our absolute pleasure to be able to gift this money.
“Homes at Forest Park are designed to nestle in well with the rest of the village with modern family living in mind, each with a generous private garden, off-road parking and spacious living space, ideal for young families and professionals. We look forward to continuing to support the local community in the future.”
Revenue and profit rise at Gateley
Gateley, the legal and professional services group, has reported “strong growth and continued trading momentum” in its unaudited results for the six months ended 31 October 2021 (H1 22).
The group, which has offices in Leicester and Nottingham, has said this places it in a strong position to deliver market expectations for the full year.
Revenue has grown 23.5% to £62.3m in H1 22, up from £50.5m in the same period of the year prior.
Profit before tax meanwhile is up 19.5% to £7.3m from £6.1m.
Revenue from consultancy (non-legal revenue services) grew substantially, increasing 33.9% to £8.3m (H1 21: £6.2m).
Rod Waldie, Chief Executive Officer of Gateley, said: “I would like to thank all of my colleagues for this excellent performance in H1 22. We have delivered strong, predominately organic, revenue and profit growth on a like-for-like basis and have returned the Group to pre-pandemic profit margins.
“The aggregation of complementary legal and consultancy services on our four market-facing Platforms of Corporate, Business Services, People and Property continues to differentiate Gateley, strengthen our appeal to clients and enhance our resilience. Our first segmental reporting on this basis shows strong like-for-like revenue growth in each Platform.
“Our balance sheet remains strong, and we are committed to investing in our Platform strategy, to seize attractive growth opportunities. Our post period end acquisition of Adamson Jones is very recent evidence of this. Our acquisition pipeline is strong, and we are actively engaging with opportunities for further growth across each of the Platforms.
“Current levels of activity are expected to continue throughout H2 22. We are therefore well positioned to deliver market expectations for the full year.”
Rolls-Royce deploy nuclear power experts to Space Park Leicester
Nuclear power experts Rolls-Royce will develop their unique expertise in energy solutions from a new base at Space Park Leicester.
Staff with a pedigree in nuclear power have been deployed to the £100 million Midlands facility to expand their work on nuclear power in space.
Rolls-Royce is said to be the only company in the UK with a singular focus on creating mechanical, electrical and nuclear power solutions that will be essential in tackling the challenges of the future. Space is one such challenging and growing sector in which Rolls-Royce believe power, propulsion and thermal management will play a significant role.
The company intends to progress and expand these developments by collaborating closely with Professor Richard Ambrosi, Professor of Space Instrumentation and Space Nuclear Power Systems at University of Leicester and other experts, making use of their capabilities in the space arena.
Abi Clayton, Director for Future Programmes at Rolls-Royce, said: “Having the opportunity to have a presence at Space Park Leicester allows us to be close to the action. It’s also incredibly inspiring to work among scientists from the University of Leicester and representatives from space-related companies.”
Last January, Rolls-Royce signed an innovative contract with the UK Space Agency for a study into future nuclear power options for space exploration. This represents an opportunity to define and shape the nuclear power solutions required in space in the decades to come.
Abi added: “Our innovative integrated electric power and thermal management solutions will work alongside our novel nuclear technologies, digital capabilities and engineering excellence to realise our customers’ ambitions for exploratory space missions to become a reality.”
Gary Jones, Head of Manufacturing Innovation at Rolls-Royce, said: “Our presence at Space Park Leicester is a really good opportunity for our people that are specifically working on the Space Programme to immerse themselves in all things space.
“Rolls-Royce is the UK’s nuclear thought leader and what we bring is unique. The expertise and just sheer innovation and brain power of some of our people is incredible and its tremendously exciting to surround ourselves with like-minded people.”
Space Park Leicester has been designed to enable collaboration between The University of Leicester’s researchers and the private sector, creating high quality knowledge-based jobs, building the skills base, and contributing to economic growth and resilience of the economy.
The project is being led by The University of Leicester in partnership with Leicester City Council and the Leicester and Leicestershire Enterprise Partnership (LLEP).
Professor Richard Ambrosi, Executive Director of Space Park Leicester and Professor of Space Instrumentation and Space Nuclear Power Systems at University of Leicester, said: “The presence of Rolls-Royce at Space Park Leicester and their work in leading the development of space reactor systems will enable Leicester researchers to collaborate with Rolls-Royce on a range of space mission concepts and technology solutions that will transform access to space for scientific and human exploration endeavours.
“We welcome the opportunity to grow our portfolio of research in space nuclear power technologies, built on our heritage in radioisotope power systems.”
Lace Market office building sold
26-28 High Pavement, in Nottingham’s Lace Market, has been sold in a deal brokered by FHP Property Consultants to developers, D.L Rhodes & Son Ltd.
The building, which provides just over 5,000ft² of accommodation over three floors, retains much of its original charm, including feature parapet, timber sash windows and access to a cave system underneath.
By virtue of its location, it also benefits from a plethora of cultural amenities on its doorstep, including Nottingham Contemporary, The Galleries of Justice, St Mary’s Church, with a wealth of shops, bars/restaurants also in close proximity.
Thomas Szymkiw, of FHP’s Office Department, who agreed the sale, said: “26-28 High Pavement is one of the finest examples of Georgian architecture in the Lace Market with the property standing prominently on the street – additionally boasting fantastic views of St Mary’s Church to the front and over the cliffs to the rear.
“With opportunities of this stature rarely coming to market it was clear that interest in the property was going to be high – and I am very pleased with the outcome for D.L Rhodes & Son Ltd who have acquired a fantastic building in a great location.
“It has also provided the opportunity for us to relocate our clients into a high-quality office refurbishment in close proximity that is more suitable for their needs moving forwards – therefore a great result for all parties involved.”
Nigel Rhodes of D.L Rhodes & Son Ltd said: “The DLR team are delighted to have completed on this beautiful historic building in the heart of the Lace Market. We worked with the previous owners on a completion date suitable to them so they could relocate to new offices which gave us time to look into various alternative uses for this building.”
BSP Consulting appointed on hospitals framework
East Midlands-based civil and structural engineering firm BSP Consulting has been appointed to the Circle Health Group Professional Services Framework for the first time.
The company has been selected to provide civil and structural engineering services, along with transport and infrastructure consultancy.
This is the twentieth framework that BSP Consulting is currently on – either on its own or collectively with industry partners.
BSP Consulting director Paul Elphick said: “We are delighted to have secured a place on the Circle Health Group Professional Services Framework. BSP Consulting has extensive experience of working across the health sector.
“We are looking forward to building on our relationship with the Circle Health Group and supporting the group with its future development and investment plans to enhance its health and care facilities.”
One of the largest independent civil and structural engineering firms in the East Midlands, BSP Consulting has its headquarters in Nottingham and offices in Derby, Leicester and Sheffield.
It is currently providing civil and structural engineering services on two projects for Circle Health Group at The Park Hospital, Nottingham and The Beardwood Hospital, Blackburn. The Nottingham scheme involves sub-structure design work for a new glazed entrance and a new modular theatre, which will provide precision cancer surgery, while the Blackburn contract includes sub-structure work for a new modular unit and new areas of car parking.
Circle Health Group is an award-winning healthcare provider operating Britain’s largest network of independent hospitals. The new Professional Services Framework runs for three years.
Paul Elphick added: “BSP Consulting has a very healthy pipeline of work across all sectors from education and health through to housing and commercial. This latest framework appointment, along with the others that BSP has secured, is good news for the company as we move into 2022 and beyond.”
Alumni of the Year Award for Leicestershire business leader
A Leicestershire businessman has won a top university accolade that celebrates the long-term achievements of outstanding alumni.
Dr Nik Kotecha OBE, chairman of Morningside Pharmaceuticals and the Randal Charitable Foundation, has won the Distinguished Alumni Award at Imperial College London’s Alumni Awards 2022.
The annual awards honour outstanding alumni who have demonstrated sustained excellence in their personal and professional achievements, are leaders in their field or have made a substantial impact on society.
Dr Kotecha, who is the founder of Loughborough based Morningside, which manufactures and supplies generic and branded medicines to the UK and globally, said: “I’m thrilled to be honoured by the university in this way.
“As a child growing up in Leicester my family had very little, but I was fortunate to be given opportunities to gain a good education. After finishing my degree in Newcastle; Professor Steve Ley FRS at Imperial College took a chance in accepting me into his eminent group and this really was the opportunity I needed to forge a career.
“Over three decades later, it’s truly humbling to be recognised for my entrepreneurial journey, which was only made possible by the help and support I received to gain a good education along the way.”
Dr Kotecha studied a PhD in Medicinal Chemistry under the supervision of Professor Steve Ley at Imperial College, before moving to work at the University of Cambridge.
After leaving academia Dr Kotecha founded Morningside in 1991. Today the business has exported to more than 120 countries since inception and has 240 generic and branded licensed medicines in the UK and EU. In the UK the business distributes its pharmaceutical products twice daily nationwide, so they are available when doctors and their patients need them.
As well as being a successful entrepreneur, Dr Kotecha also has a passion to give back and has been recognised through this award for his work to support communities in the Midlands and nationally. He is currently a Board Member for the LLEP and Midlands Engine Council, Co-Chair of the Loughborough Town Deal Board, Board Member for the Centre for Social Justice (CSJ), a CBI Regional Councillor and a Department for International Trade Export Champion.
Dr Kotecha’s most recent achievements have centred around the Randal Charitable Foundation, which he founded with his wife in 2017. By providing grant funding, the Foundation has already saved over 145,000 lives with an aspiration to save 1 million people in the UK and globally.
Facebook’s Nottingham store shows high street has future
The recent addition of the interactive Good Ideas Shop in Nottingham city centre has been a boost to the UK high street. That’s according to East Midlands marketing experts, Purpose Media.
Social media giant, Meta – the parent company of Facebook and Instagram – opened four Good Idea Shops across the UK back in September, including one in Nottingham. The pop-up store was opened to showcase local businesses through interactive window displays, powered by QR codes for customers to scan and engage with on their mobile phones.
The Good Ideas Shop also highlighted the importance of using social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram to reach new audiences and attract new customers. Whilst these stores remained open to support businesses over the Christmas period and closed in early January their presence no doubt resulted in increased followers, an increase in website traffic as well as the opportunity for data collection and profiling which can be used for other marketing purposes such as email marketing for the businesses that were featured.
This further underlines the importance for bricks and mortar businesses to embrace the benefits of digital marketing as part of their overall marketing strategy to increase footfall, retail sales and customer engagement.
According to Facebook’s Global State of Small Businesses Report, 99% of UK businesses are SME’s, and they employ 50% of the workforce. Reporting in September 2021, nearly 40% of UK small businesses said they increased their rate of sale – nearly twice the global average. This shows that the high street certainly has a future – if they have an integrated approach to their marketing.
The East Midlands has seen a recent resurgence in high street brands recovering from the pandemic by taking on a new online presence. Chesterfield’s Digital High Street project has offered over 100 local businesses the opportunity to get free support to move their business online to support their bricks and mortar store’s trading efforts and the impact of this initiative has prevented many local retailers from throwing in the towel.
Matt Wheatcroft, Managing Director at Purpose Media, had his say on Facebook’s presence in the East Midlands and the future of the high street: “Even though it’s vital that businesses have an online presence to grow their customer base and sales, shoppers still want to see and engage with the goods they are purchasing.
“Facebook has championed local businesses by standing alongside them on the high street, and this should be a boost to businesses both in the East Midlands and across the UK.”
Purpose Media was chosen by Chesterfield Borough Council and the East Midlands Chamber to develop websites and digital marketing consultancy for all businesses seeking business advice and grant support as part of the Digital High Street scheme.
Shoe Zone returns to profit
Shoe Zone, the Leicester-based retailer, has returned to profit following a “very successful year.”
According to final results for the 52 week period to 2 October 2021, the company posted a pre-tax profit of £9.5m, leaping from a loss before tax of £14.6m in the year prior.
Revenue meanwhile dipped to £119.1m from £122.6m, with store revenue down to £88.6m (2020: £103.3m), where digital revenue grew to £30.5m (2020: £19.3m).
A statement from the Chief Executive said: “Shoe Zone had a very successful year due to the incredible hard work of our teams, by reducing costs, reducing non-essential capital expenditure, continuing to accelerate investment in our digital business alongside improving and streamlining operations.”
Manufacturers more positive as they enter 2022
Britain’s manufacturers are more positive about the growth outlook as they enter 2022, with greater confidence in the prospects for their own companies than either the global or UK economies, according to a major survey published by Make UK and PwC.
The 2022 Make UK/PwC Senior Executive survey shows the scale of uncertainty facing business in the current turbulent global environment, with more than half of companies saying the biggest challenges facing them had changed in the last twelve months. Their optimism is also tempered by escalating inflationary pressures and access to, as well as retaining, talent and key skills which are by far the biggest issues companies are having to address.
In the face of these challenges, however, the majority of manufacturers have weathered the storm of the last couple of years with almost three quarters of companies (73%) now believing conditions for the sector will improve in 2022, with a similar number (73%) believing the opportunities for their business outweigh the risks. To date, the sector appears to have seen little or no disruption from the latest Omicron variant to alter this confidence.
Furthermore, almost two thirds (63%) of companies felt the UK to be a competitive location for manufacturing with just 13% believing it to be an uncompetitive place to do business.
To take advantage of these opportunities manufacturers are prioritising improving productivity, investment in their people as well as new product development, while the recent COP 26 summit appears to have accelerated investments in the drive to ‘net zero’.
However, one year on from leaving the EU, two thirds of companies said that leaving had moderately or significantly hampered their business, with over a half of companies (56%) fearing a further impact this year from customs delays due to import checks and changes in product labelling.
Make UK Chief Executive, Stephen Phipson, said: “It’s testament to the strength of manufacturers that they have emerged from the turbulence of the last couple of years in such a relatively strong position. While clouds remain on the horizon in the form of rapidly escalating costs and access to key skills, the outlook is more positive for those that remain adaptable, agile and innovative.
“To build on this we now need to see a Government fully committed to supporting the sector at home and overseas. This requires more than a Plan for Growth but a broader industrial strategy that sets out a long term vision for the economy and how we are going to achieve consistent economic growth across the whole country.”
Cara Haffey, PwC’s UK industrial manufacturing and automotive leader, said: “Despite facing an unprecedented combination of continued Covid pressures, cost inflation and supply chain issues, our manufacturers are responding with an impressive amount of agility and resilience, which will stand them in good stead for the year ahead.
“They have learned valuable lessons about their supply chain vulnerabilities and the resilience needed to respond to unforeseen international or domestic risks, and are strengthening their businesses digitally as well as continuing to focus on talent and skills.
“We are particularly pleased by the breadth of net zero ambitions reflected in the report. Across the UK we’re seeing an increasing number of businesses underpin their environmental, social and governance strategies with practical applications to decarbonise their operations and ambitions to build out their green skill base through the recruitment of ‘green’ jobs, a move that has already been flagged as outperforming the UK sector average in our recent Green Jobs Barometer.”
The more positive outlook for growth is reflected across all major markets with 40% of companies forecasting growth in exports to the United States, closely followed by the EU. Around a quarter (26%) are looking for growth in Asia and around one in five to the Middle East (21%). However, the EU market is set to see the biggest decrease in exports by 10% of companies.
The survey also provides encouraging indicators on the strategies manufacturers are adopting to build resilience and agility into their business by looking at their supply chain, investing in people, innovation and green technologies.
Up-skilling or retaining existing staff was the biggest priority for around two thirds of companies (67%) followed by new product development (60%) and capital equipment (54%), while almost four in five companies (78%) envisage a significant or moderate increase in their productivity this year.
Skills and talent also dominated the risk factors companies were facing with access to Labour seen as the biggest risk by almost two thirds of companies (58%), while almost nine in ten companies were not just worried about losing skills from their business but, the sector entirely. Encouragingly, despite the current financial challenges almost half (45%) of companies said they still planned to invest in Apprenticeships in 2022.
The need to build resilience into business models has been highlighted by supply chain shortages and the survey shows around a third of companies (35%) are planning to counter this by using British rather than international suppliers, while almost a third (31%) said they were planning to re-locate some or, more of, their production back to the UK.
The survey also shows the increasing drive towards ‘net zero’ for manufacturers. Half of companies (49%) said they plan to invest in green technologies or energy efficiency measures in 2022, with a third saying this investment has increased. A third also said the process to transition to ‘net zero’ had been accelerated by the recent COP 26 Conference.
Make UK has forecast that manufacturing grew +6.9% in 2021 and is predicting growth in 2022 of +3.3%.
The survey of 228 companies was conducted between 27th October and 22nd November 2021.
Mansfield label producer expands footprint with acquisition
The Reflex Group Ltd (Reflex), the Mansfield-based label producer, has acquired Macfarlane Labels Ltd of Kilmarnock, and its subsidiary companies, Macfarlane Group Ireland Limited and Macfarlane Group Sweden AB from Macfarlane Group plc (Macfarlane).
Peter Atkinson, Chief Executive of Macfarlane, said: “Macfarlane Labels has been a long-standing part of the Group. We believe that its sale to Reflex, with their well-established position and scale in the labels market, creates the best opportunity for Macfarlane Labels to develop.
“The sale will allow the Group to focus resources on growing our protective packaging businesses both in the UK and Europe.”
Label printing is very much a core activity for Reflex, which also produces packaging film, provides graphic services and supplies and services printing machinery. The acquired businesses will bring sales of around £22m to add to Reflex’s current “run rate” of £135m.
All of the 109 people who presently work at Macfarlane Labels will join Reflex’s current staff of around 800.
Macfarlane Labels Limited was originally founded in 1948 as N.S Macfarlane. In 1988 it acquired Ayrshire Labels and Adhesive Labels. In 2000 it acquired Abbott Labels in Ireland and Resealit in Sweden. The business has customers throughout the globe.
Ian Kendall, Chief Executive of The Reflex Group, said: “We are delighted to have made this acquisition and we welcome our new colleagues and customers. We are aware of the heritage and importance of the business to all its stakeholders. As always Reflex will focus on sustainability, both environmental and financial, the aim being to create financial strength combined with the lowest level of environmental impact.
“With this move we expand our operational footprint into Scotland, Ireland and Sweden.”
