Westerleigh Group’s new Regional Manager for Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire, Wiltshire, Berkshire, Hampshire and Wessex Bill Scott, says the “greatest gift will be to be part of the communities we serve and in which we live” as he gets to grips with his new role. He brings decades of experience in the army and with one of the UK’s oldest family-owned Funeral Director businesses which he wants to put to good use, making the crematoria in his region the best they can possibly be for all its communities. Bill, who lives in Malvern, Worcestershire, said the opportunity to join Westerleigh Group “came […]
The post Being part of local communities is the ‘greatest gift’ first appeared on Connect East Midlands.

Fintech company Seopa Ltd, parent company of financial comparison platform Quotezone.co.uk, has announced the return of its highly sought-after scholarship programme for higher education students, an initiative that has been specifically designed to help foster greater diversity in the fintech sector here in England. The aim of the scholarship is to encourage students from outside the world of fintech to explore what it could potentially offer them as a career and enter a short but insightful blog post on what the next generation see as the future of fintech.  The industry is facing a very serious talent shortage which is a growing […]
The post Fintech scholarship in hunt for English talent first appeared on Connect East Midlands.

Air IT has today announced its seventh and eighth acquisitions in a series of M&A deals led by CEO John Whitty. It has acquired Reading-based MFG UK Ltd and Uttoxeter-based INFINITY IT Solutions Limited, effective 2nd September 2021, for undisclosed considerations. Backed by August Equity since January 2020, this marks the fourth time the IT Managed Service Provider has acquired two businesses simultaneously – the first pair last October, the second in December and the third in March. Air IT has added MFG and INFINITY to its portfolio as part of ambitious plans to further expand across the UK and […]
The post Air IT continues growth spurt with fourth pair of acquisitions first appeared on Connect East Midlands.

Cambridgeshire housebuilder David Wilson Homes has officially opened the doors to its show homes and marketing suite at its Huntingdon development, Ramsey Park. The four bedroom Avondale style show home and the four bedroom Winstone style show home, which are open on an appointment-only basis, are already giving residents a tangible taste of what to expect from the brand new properties. The new marketing suite has also opened at the development, offering property seekers advice about homebuying from David Wilson Homes’ friendly sales team. Ramsey Park is a new development with three and four bedroom homes currently available which are […]
The post CAMBRIDGESHIRE HOUSEBUILDER REVEALS NEW SHOW HOMES AVAILABLE FOR VIEWING IN HUNTINGDON first appeared on Connect East Midlands.

The first homes at a new housing development in Hatton have been released for sale to the public. Bellway is now selling homes at Hatton Court after releasing the first selection of properties for sale, from its nearby Dove Manor development in Doveridge, with four homes already sold since the launch of the initial housetypes. The national housebuilder is delivering 128 homes at the development off Derby Road, which is part of a joint 385-home scheme with the neighbouring Cherry Meadow development being built by Bellway’s sister brand Ashberry Homes. Between them, the two developers are providing more than £2.4 […]
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Unity Trust Bank’s new Chief Executive Officer, Deborah Hazell, says she is thrilled to join the socially motivated Bank. Growing at more than 25 per cent per annum, Unity serves businesses and organisations which make a positive contribution to economic, social and environmental needs. “As businesses navigate through the pandemic it is crucial, now more than ever, that the banking industry demonstrates real purpose and value to society,” said Deborah. Deborah joins Unity with over 35 years of experience in financial services, most recently as CEO of HSBC Global Asset Management (USA) and Regional Head of HSBC Global Asset Management, […]
The post Unity Trust Bank welcomes new CEO Deborah Hazell to lead its drive for positive social impact first appeared on Connect East Midlands.

As part of its ongoing commitment to sustainability Burton on Trent headquartered Russell Roof Tiles has recently been awarded Gold status by the Supply Chain Sustainability School (SCSS). The pioneering pitched roof tile manufacturer previously held the Silver award and has worked with the organisation since the early days of its inception. Launched in 2012 the Supply Chain Sustainability School, is a multi-award-winning initiative which represents a common approach to addressing sustainability within supply chains. With over 50,000 users, the school provides free practical learning and support for the UK built environment, through sustainability training, networking, e-learning modules, tailored assessments, […]
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The Midlands M&A team at Deloitte have completed seven transactions in the first seven months of the year at a combined value of £500m. Of the completions, three involved private equity, including NorthEdge Capital’s sale of a majority stake in critical security services provider Orbis Protect to growth investor Synova, the sale of a minority stake in Sygnature Discovery to Five Arrows Principal Investments and advising August Equity on realising its investment in Pet Cremation Services (PCS), through a sale to VetPartners. Deloitte has also seen increased appetite for international deals, with more than half of completed transactions having overseas […]
The post Midlands M&A ramps up as Deloitte completes £500m deals in 2021 first appeared on Connect East Midlands.

East Midlands-based not-for-profit men’s mental health community interest company (CIC) blOKes has unveiled an innovative range of coasters, designed to encourage men to have more open and honest conversations around their thoughts and feelings. The brand-new coasters feature provocative messaging that is designed to inspire men to both acknowledge their own mental health, but also recognise if one of their friends, family members or colleagues might be struggling. Founded in June 2020, blOKes provide men (16+) with a safe, supportive and non-judgemental platform to open up about their mental health, connect with likeminded people and tell a #MaleTale. The online […]
The post BLOKES LAUNCHES INNOVATIVE RANGE OF MEN’S MENTAL HEALTH COASTERS first appeared on Connect East Midlands.

The North-West office of family run business, Caddick Construction, has been appointed by Redsun to deliver AVIATOR Phase II, which comprises two new build warehouses with integral mezzanine offices. Caddick Construction successfully completed phase one in February last year, delivering a 125,000 sq ft warehouse which was let to Survitec Group on a 20-year lease just after reaching practical completion. It was subsequently acquired by Arrow Capital Partners, who will be funding Phase II of the Development as part of its €3bn Strategic Industrial Real Estate (SIRE) joint venture with Cerberus. This latest phase responds to the significant rise in […]
The post Caddick Construction appointed to deliver £15.7million speculative development in Ellesmere Port first appeared on Connect East Midlands.

As the dealership continues to expand, pioneering East Midlands dealer RH Commercial Vehicles (RHCV) is investing further in commercial vehicle manufacturer Isuzu UK. RHCV’s became an Isuzu dealer in Northampton in the autumn of 2020 and its partnership with the brand was further expanded when RHCV’s new Newark facility became the second full dealer point for the Isuzu truck marque in May this year. RH Commercial Vehicles whose headquarters is on Blenheim Industrial in Bulwell (Nottingham) has expanded from four (Nottingham, Leicester, Alfreton and Northampton) to six sites this year – and employs a team of 140. Strategically located across […]
The post Investment for Truck Firm first appeared on Connect East Midlands.

As part of its ongoing commitment to sustainability Russell Roof Tiles has recently been awarded Gold status by the Supply Chain Sustainability School (SCSS). The pioneering pitched roof tile manufacturer based in Burton on Trent and Lochmabden previously held the Silver award and has worked with the organisation since the early days of its inception. Launched in 2012 the Supply Chain Sustainability School, is a multi-award-winning initiative which represents a common approach to addressing sustainability within supply chains. With over 50,000 users, the school provides free practical learning and support for the UK built environment, through sustainability training, networking, e-learning […]
The post Russell Roof Tiles Awarded Gold Status first appeared on Connect East Midlands.

A Grade II listed former ironworks in Northampton has now been fully transformed by complete construction partner Stepnell and West Northamptonshire Council to provide local creative businesses with studios, workshops and managed workspaces. The £14 million Vulcan Works development, located in the heart of the city’s Cultural Quarter, is a combination of renovation and new build, providing a total of 68 lettable units specifically aimed at start-ups and growing businesses within the creative industry. With more than 150 years of experience in delivering public and private sector projects across central England and the south of the UK, award-winning contractor Stepnell […]
The post Stepnell transforms former factory into new £14m contemporary creative hub first appeared on Connect East Midlands.

Digital marketing agency, Hallam, has announced two new office spaces.  Opening a new work hub in Leeds, Hallam will also be expanding into international markets, opening in the same area as Google’s new HQ in Malaga, Spain. The new work spaces will give Hallam the opportunity to expand their hybrid work strategy nationally whilst also creating Hallam’s first ever base in the European Union, giving a stronger platform for international markets. Julio Taylor, CEO at Hallam, said: “Rather than close office spaces, we’ve done the opposite and have opened new co-working spaces in Leeds and an office in Malaga, Spain, […]
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Commercial property specialists, Bruntwood have collated the best mental health podcasts based on average UK regional commute times. After almost a year and half of working on kitchen tables and makeshift home offices, we’ve now begun to take our first tentative steps back towards office life. For many of us, particularly those with longer commutes, just the thought of heading back to the office after such a long time is a sure-fire way to stir up feelings of anxiety and unease. However, commercial property specialists, Bruntwood are keen to make the commute a more positive experience for everyone with the […]
The post The Best Mental Health Podcasts for Your Commute Revealed first appeared on Connect East Midlands.

Bolt – the UK’s second largest ride-hailing app with 3.5m riders registered – is finally launching in Nottingham and Sheffield as part of the next piece of its national expansion puzzle. The launch will see the fastest growing mobility platform in the world support the Sherwood Forest Trust on its mission to champion the preservation, conservation, learning, enjoyment and responsible tourism of the Sherwood Forest area. As part of the partnership and to mark its arrival in the area, Bolt will help the Trust to plant a tree on various sites across Sherwood Forest for every ride taken in the two cities […]
The post Bolt marks its arrival in Sheffield and Nottingham with a tree donation to Sherwood Forest Trust for every ride in the first month of launch first appeared on Connect East Midlands.

Dale Edwards, a Green Energy Strategic Consultant with national law firm Clarke Willmott LLP, comments on the UK Government’s eagerly awaited launch of its hydrogen plan. Following on from the Government’s 10-point plan for a Green Industrial Revolution, significant prominence has been placed in the role that hydrogen could play in driving the growth of low carbon economy. In the Energy White Paper, a stated objective of producing 5GW capacity by 2030 was announced, along with Government analysis suggesting that 20-35% of the UK’s energy consumption by 2050 could be hydrogen-based, raising expectations. With a vision to kick start a […]
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Howard Town Brewery (“Howard Town Brewery”) has secured a £150,000 funding package from the Midlands Engine Investment Fund (“MEIF”) East & South East Midlands Debt Finance fund, managed by Maven Capital Partners (“Maven”) and backed by the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS). The funding will enable the business to create five new jobs within its hospitality and sales division, while also deploying a new social media marketing strategy and developing its range of craft beers sold under its Distant Hills brand. Glossop-based Howard Town Brewery is an award-winning brewery that produces a wide selection of cask beers under the Howard Town brand and craft beers under the Distant Hills brand. The […]
The post MEIF Debt Finance backs Derbyshire brewery with £150,000 funding package first appeared on Connect East Midlands.

Creative agency Fluid Ideas has recruited six staff as its expansion continues. The Derbyshire agency has welcomed Rosie Blackwall and Kate Barton as account managers. They each have more than 10 years’ experience in the sector. Rosie has joined Fluid from HRG (UK), a marketing agency based in Northampton, while Kate has moved from Diversity Creative Marketing, based in Nottingham. Fluid has strengthened its search and social team with the appointment of Hope Crosby and Lauren Brewell. Hope, who also runs a food blog focused on healthy living, has joined after graduating from the University of Derby. Lauren, an experienced […]
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Derby-based Sky Recruitment Solutions is set to smash its ambitious 2021 growth plans three months early as job vacancies boom. The recruitment group, which includes Nottingham-based sister company Capella Professional, had two offices and just ten staff this time last year – but has rapidly expanded to eight locations and 25 staff. It is now seeking five additional staff members by September, meaning its original target of employing 30 staff by the end of this year will be achieved with months to spare. Sky Recruitment Solutions puts part of its success down to the fact it has managed to fulfil […]
The post Sky on Cloud Nine As Firm’s Growth Ambitions Rocket first appeared on Connect East Midlands.