East Midlands Movers and Shakers this spring at Sapori, Nottingham Building Society, EMBS Engineering, Coolbrook, Boyer and more
Sapori Andrea Scarpati, chef-patron of Sapori in Anstey, has been to Rome to receive his appointment as an Ambasciatore del Gusto – Ambassador of Taste – from the prestigious DOC Italy. This organisation protects Italy's regional culinary heritage and Mr Scarpati (pictured above) was honoured in recognition of his years of tireless work to promote authentic Italian cuisine. He is now part of a very select group, with ambassadors chosen because of their mastery of the cuisine of their region and their dedication to sharing authentic Italian recipes. Only a very small number of recipients live and work outside of Italy. It is the latest honour to be conferred on him and the team at Sapori. In 2019 they found their place in the Michelin Guide for the first time, while in 2021 they were awarded two AA Rosettes, confirming their status as one of the finest and most authentic Italian restaurants in the country. Nottingham Building Society Nottingham Building Society has appointed Matt Kingston as national sales manager for its intermediaries business. Matt will run the business development manager team, helping brokers source mortgages for clients. He joins from LiveMore Capital, where he was regional sales manager, and before that worked at Clifton Mortgages, Legal & General, Bank of Ireland, Marsh Commercial, Aviva plc and RSA. He said: “I am proud to be joining a modern organisation which a rich heritage of helping people purchase their own homes. I look forward to advancing The Nottingham’s portfolio and continuing to cultivate meaningful relationships with intermediary partners.” Coolbrook Finland based technology and engineering company Coolbrook has made Robert Savidge its engineering director. It is the second senior management appointment for Coolbrook in the company’s Leicester office. He will lead the design process and development of Coolbrook's revolutionary Rotodynamic Technology and support the company's aim to play its part in a clean industrial revolution. Boyer Planning consultancy Boyer has promoted land & planning director David Hutchinson to head up its Midlands office at Normanton-on-Soar, near Loughborough. Managing director Andy Williams said: “David joined the office shortly after it opened in 2018 and has been instrumental in establishing our presence in the region. “He has brought significant land, planning and new homes instructions into both Boyer and the Leaders Romans Group for high profile clients on a number of strategic land sites. “David will lead and develop both the land and planning teams in the region as part of our business plan for the growth of Boyer and LRG.” Actons Independent Nottingham law firm Actons has promoted its second non-lawyer manager to director – with accounts manager Marc Pegg taking on the role of finance director. Marc has more than 25 years’ experience in the legal sector, having joined the firm back in 1998. He became accounts manager in 2006 and completed his ILFM studies in 2000. Actons chairman Simon Dakin said: “I am delighted to welcome Marc as a director of the firm. Marc has been with us for many years and already plays a critical role in our accounting function. “I am confident that he will continue his development and make a success of this opportunity, and his new role as our finance director. “In just the last six months, we’ve welcomed six new colleagues to the business and promoted two others as we continue to grow. “The next months are lining up to be an exciting period for the firm, as we continue to look for more great people to join our team, and take forward some other key projects.” Fluid Ideas Creative agency Fluid Ideas has strengthened its team with seven new arrivals, including its first apprentice. Olivia Beighton has joined Fluid’s search and social team as an apprentice digital marketing executive while undertaking a digital marketing degree with Aston University. Another addition to the search and social team is search engine optimisation specialist Zukais Mohammed. The agency’s image and motion team has been strengthened by the arrival of Ed O’Murphy as a CGI artist and Jaime Tozer, who is on a placement after gaining a master’s degree in photography at Nottingham Trent University. Rafael Cardoso and Pasha Mardiiants have joined Fluid’s websites and systems team as front-end developers. Meanwhile the brand and creative team has been bolstered by the arrival of graduate Ben Bayes, a graphic designer who gained his degree at the University of Lincoln. Fluid, which employs over 50 staff and is based at Darley Abbey Mills, near Derby, is a full-service agency whose operations cover branding and campaigns, graphic and website design, computer-generated imagery, 3D animation and video, photography, copywriting, digital marketing, content management, search and social media. WBR Group WBR Group, the UK’s largest independent provider of SSAS services and tax experts, has made two appointments to its leadership team. David Downie joins as managing director of SSAS & actuarial and Peter Collier as director of marketing and distribution. The group has offices in Leicester, Bolton and Salisbury. David has more than 30 years’ experience in the financial services sector, with most of those years spent working within the pension and SSAS industry. He is a fellow of the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries, chairman of the ACA Individual and Pension Savings Committee and was most recently chief actuary at Rowanmoor where he has worked for more than 29 years. Peter Collier has more than 25 years’ experience in the pensions industry, having held senior roles across marketing, business development and strategy functions within the pensions and wealth management industry. Bellway Harvey Barnes has been named Belway Apprentice of the Year. The 21-year-old architectural apprentice from Leicester, applied for an apprenticeship with Bellway East Midlands, based at the Meridian Business Park in Leicester, following Covid He said: “Bellway took a huge chance on me, but they looked at the work I had done on my course, and they gave me a chance. It’s the best thing that’s happened in my life.” In the nearly two years since he began his apprenticeship as a trainee architectural technician, Harvey has repaid Bellway’s faith in him, throwing himself into his work, learning from his colleagues and pitching in when others need help. Architectural Manager, Chris Weston, put him forward for Bellway’s Apprentice of the Year Award because of his positive attitude, sense of initiative and proactive approach. He said: “Harvey has shown great character and confidence in his work. He isn’t afraid to push himself outside his comfort zone and he has a fantastic work ethic.” Optima UK Leicester recruitment, training and business consultancy Optima UK has made two new senior hires to its technology and IT division, and promoted its head of operations to director. Sam Naseer has been recruited as global director, technology and IT recruitment services, while Gladia Antony has joined the team as senior manager, global talent acquisition, technology and IT recruitment services. Julie Booth, Optima’s highly-experienced head of operations, has been promoted to director of recruitment operations, a role that sees her taking a strategic lead in Optima’s day-to-day activities. Chief executive Larraine Boorman said: “Our successful talent acquisition skills and experience has been in demand like no time before, and we have seen exponential growth in many areas, including technology and IT but also in manufacturing and engineering industries, legal, finance, sales, marketing, and HR.” Readings Leicester-based Readings property group has announced the retirement of managing director Peter Woodthorpe, who headed up its survey and professional services department. Meanwhile it has brought in two new board directors – Sean Sexton BSc MRICS and James Beardsworth Hons, Dip Surv & Val, Assoc RICS. Sean started his career in 2005 working for both independent and corporate companies, gaining his qualifications along the way and joined Readings in 2016. He now heads up our survey department and is involved in not only survey and valuation work but also in dispute resolution acting as an expert witness and single joint expert in court proceedings. James started his career in business sales in 2010 and in 2014 joined an independent estate agent in Loughborough. He joined the team at Readings in 2019, and now has a steady stream of referred business from fellow professionals and past client recommendations. Avant Homes Chesterfield-based Avant Homes Central has strengthened its senior team with the appointment of a technical director to further enable its regional expansion. Mark Bray, who joins from residential developer Countryside Partnerships, has more than 40 years’ experience in local government and the construction and housebuilding sectors. In his new role, he is responsible for Avant Homes Central’s technical delivery, including house type and development design and supporting the region’s land, commercial, construction and site management teams during various stages of construction. Avant Homes Central has nine live developments ranging from Chesterfield to Derby with more due to start as the business continues its expansion plans. The company has six other regional businesses operating within Scotland, north east England, Yorkshire, North Yorkshire, East Midlands and the West Midlands. Timms Solicitors Family lawyer and resolution-trained family mediator Adrian Rose has become a partner at Timms Solicitors which has offices in Derby’s Cathedral Quarter, Burton-upon-Trent, Swadlincote and Ashby. Adrian joins the leadership team of Fiona Moffat, Dee Khunkhuna and Jo Robinson. Managing partner Fiona Moffat said: “We are delighted that Adrian has become a partner with the firm and this promotion is well-deserved. “His expertise and his excellent reputation on family law matters and mediation services has greatly enhanced the fast-growing team and this timely and cost-effective resolution has had a hugely positive impact on clients during difficult times in their lives.” Adrian has worked exclusively in family law for almost thirty years and specialises in all areas of family law, including divorce and cohabitation, financial matters and disputes relating to children. EMBS Engineering A young entrepreneur has been made managing director of a fast growing engineering recruitment company. James Hall became a recruitment consultant aged just 17 and, following three successive promotions, he was given the chance to mentor others aged just 23. Now 32, and a dad-of-two, James is celebrating his promotion to MD of EMBS Engineering – a talent and recruitment services business co-founded by Simon Bucknell and Ian Stevens that provides permanent and contract engineering resources for the Midlands’s fastest-growing advanced manufacturing companies. Based in Vernon Gate, Derby, James – who joined EMBS as a senior consultant leading the engineering desk eight years ago - has plans to grow the business over the next five years to meet the demand for skilled engineers. The business works with candidates and businesses within the aerospace, automotive and motorsport, power, nuclear and defence industries. He said: “The post-Brexit, post-Covid employment market is creating major challenges for employers, and we believe that we have the expertise and solutions to make a huge difference. “Derby is well-known for being at the heart of engineering in the UK and it’s an exciting time to be involved in the industry. “But if we’re going to meet the demand for skills, we need to encourage women into engineering, increase apprenticeship adoption and ensure that we keep the over-50s in the workforce for as long as possible." Next Jeremy Stakol joins the board of Leicestershire-based Next on April 3 as an executive director, covering group investments, acquisitions and third party brands. Jeremy holds a masters in professional accounting and spent his early career in the finance department of a large media company. In 2004 Jeremy joined Lipsy as managing director, and joined the Next group in that role 14 years ago when it acquired the business.
Green light for 130 new homes in Nottingham
A developer has won planning permission for 130 new homes on the western edge of Nottingham. Strata has gained planning for the Bilborough scheme from Nottingham City Council, following a successful application which was supported by planning experts at Marrons. The site, in Greenfield land to the north of Chingford Road, will deliver a mix of two, three, four and five-bed terrace, semi-detached and detached properties. All the properties will be equipped with an electric vehicle charge point, and a fifth will be affordable homes. Claire Linley, head of planning at Strata, said: “We are delighted to have secured planning consent for our second scheme in this part of Nottingham. “Marrons has really helped Strata to build strong working relationships with Nottingham City Council planning officers and their in-house urban design and highways teams. We can’t wait to get on site to start delivering these much-needed family homes.” The developer said the 15 acre site was allocated for housing development by the city council in 2020. As a result of the planning application’s approval, Strata will make monetary section 106 contributions including almost £400,000 towards extra secondary school facilities, and more than £60,000 towards employment and training opportunities. Jenny Keen, planning director at Marrons, who led on the planning application, said: “We have worked closely and proactively with Nottingham City Council from an early stage in the planning process, so we are absolutely thrilled this development has been given the go-ahead. “The UK is grappling with a national housing crisis and this brand-new community in a wholly sustainable location is a huge step towards addressing this emergency. “This development will provide high-quality, attractive and distinctive family homes and, in particular, a high number of much-needed three-bedroom properties. “Bilborough benefits from numerous local facilities and services, which are easily accessible by public transport, walking and cycling, while being in close proximity to Nottingham city centre and just a 20-minute drive from the railway station. “Strata has an outstanding record of delivering residential schemes across the country and we are looking forward to seeing the project come to fruition.”
Flint Bishop takes new multi-million-pound headquarters in Pride Park, Derby
Law firm Flint Bishop has moved into new multi-million-pound headquarters in Pride Park, Derby. The firm has taken 21,900 sq ft of space across two sites at 2 and 3 Prospect Place, paving the way for further expansion of the team. For the past two decades Flint Bishop has been based in St Michael’s Court. The move comes after the firm announced its strongest financial results to date, with end of year figures showing turnover at £19 million, up 13 per cent on the previous year, and significant new client wins. Last year was also said to be exceptional in terms of firm-wide recruitment and promotions, with headcount growing almost 10 per cent to more than 200. Chief executive Qamer Ghafoor said: “I have made significant investment into the new offices with an extensive fit-out which has taken some nine months. “It was important to me that our new headquarters reflect the commitments and achievements of Flint Bishop and offer an excellent environment to our staff and our clients. “This is an exciting time for the business. Due to our continued growth and recent sharp rise in staff numbers, significant investment in our headquarters is crucial to allow for sustainable expansion, as we continue to grow and diversify our client base and services. “The new and improved accommodation will provide a more modern, high-tech, creative, open, and collaborative working environment and offer many additional facilities for clients and staff. “It has provided us with a completely blank canvas to strengthen the way we work and support each other, elevate our combined service offerings, and help to advance our position within the legal sector. “Flint Bishop is in a very strong financial position, and we have made significant strides towards achieving our ambitious expansion plans. The strategic focus is growth based on targeted acquisitions, recruitment of key lateral hires and significant ongoing investment in our people and technology.
Tributes pour in following death of Mukesh Patel, loved and ‘irreplaceable’ member of Leicester business scene
Tributes have poured in following the death of Mukesh Patel, a senior and much loved member of the Leicestershire business community. The married father-of two from Stoneygate, Leicester, was just 54 years old when he died on February 18, having been taken ill a week earlier. A litigation specialist by profession he joined Freeths in 2009 and became managing partner of its Leicester office in 2014. The firm said he had regarded the team there as his second family and was admired for his “impeccable manners, courtesy and respect”. He was also a director of Team Leicester, the public/private sector inward investment group set up to promote the region at the annual MIPIM property and construction conference in Cannes. Mr Patel grew up in Leicester, studying at Crown Hills Community College and Wyggeston and Queen Elizabeth I College, before attending Corpus Christi College, at Oxford, and doing his law finals at The College of Law, in Lancaster Gate, London. Richard Osborn, regional director and partner at Excello Law, based in Leicester, worked with him at Freeths until 2014 and sat alongside him on the board at Team Leicester. He said the whole city business community was devastated by the loss of such a well-known, loveable character. He said: “He always had so much time for everyone and this has come completely out of the blue. “He was a close friend of mine, a former colleague, irreplaceable really – he was Freeths in Leicester, and did so much more than that. He was genuinely a true gent who will be missed by everyone that knew him. “It’s rare to have such a genuinely liked and nice person in business these days. He was genuinely one of life’s good guys.” Kevin Harris is head of the RSM accountancy firm's Leicester office and chairman of East Midlands Chamber, where Freeths is a strategic partner. He said: “Having known Mukesh for many years as both a friend and fellow managing partner in Leicester, we had much in common and I always enjoyed his company, and respected his professional and pragmatic approach. “A great advocate of Leicester, he will be greatly missed. My thoughts are with his family at this sad time.” Freeths chairman Julian Middleton called the news “desperately sad, shocking, and heartbreaking” and a blow to everyone at the firm. He said: “Our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with his wife and their two boys. “He was an exemplary team player and would always place his personal interests second to those around him for the common good. “Mukesh was very well known in the Leicester business community and was tireless in his efforts to raise the profile and reputation of the firm and his office. “We have lost a real force for good in the Freeths community, but we will ensure that his legacy lives on through our commitment to those shared principles that were so dear to him.” Posting on the Linked In professional social media network, Dr Nik Kotecha OBE DL, founder of Loughborough's Morningside Pharmaceuticals and another well regarded member of the county business community also said it was “heartbreaking”. He wrote: “A true gentlemen and stalwart ambassador for his profession, Freeths and Leicestershire. “Our thoughts and prayers are with Rita and the boys. It was an honour to call you a friend and you will be sorely missed. RIP”. Helen Donnellan, Pro Vice Chancellor Business and Innovation at De Montfort University, and a previous part of Team Leicester when she was at Leicester City Council, said he had mentored her and her team on her arrival in the city. She said: “He was the most generous person who always went above and beyond to support our business community and will be greatly missed by very many. “My thoughts go out to his family to whom he was devoted.” In a joint statement on behalf of Team Leicester, Richard Osborn and follow director Rob McGuinn said Mr Patel had played an integral and active part in championing Leicester and Leicestershire’s investment potential on an international stage. They said: “He was such a kind and genuine soul who always strove for positive outcomes and looked for the best in everything. “Our thoughts are with his family at this very sad time. “Mukesh, you are and will always be sadly missed. Rest in peace our dear friend.” Richard Blackmore, Midlands regional director for the CBI, added that he was a “truly kind, supportive and warm gentleman”.
Cérélia to fight watchdog ruling that it must sell Jus-Rol
French food giant Cérélia says it will fight a ruling by the Competition and Markets Authority CMA that it must sell the Jus-Rol business. The CMA has concluded the merger of the two had potential to restrict competition in the market and lead to higher prices and lower quality products. Ready-to-bake pastry maker Cérélia – which has its UK arm BakeAway, based in Corby – struck a deal with rival home baking brand Jus-Rol in 2021. However the CMA said the deal cuts competition and could see supermarkets paying more for potentially lower quality products. It has now published its final decision, saying Jus-Rol should be sold off to an independent buyer, which it would also need to give its approval for. Management at Cérélia said they believed the decision to deny Jus-Rol acquisition was wrong. They said they disagreed that prices would go up and quality would suffer and accused the watchdog of having a “serious lack of understanding of the dough-to-bake category”. Cérélia said it will now appeal the CMA’s decision. The CMA said UK shoppers spend £100 million a year on ready-to-bake products such as shortcrust and puff pastry, pizza and patisserie dough, with Jus-Rol the biggest branded supplier. It said Cérélia was the biggest supplier of own-label ready-to-bake products to some of the nation’s biggest grocery stores. It said because the two compete with one another and there were few alternative suppliers, supermarkets could haggle between the two to get good deals. That was threatened, it said, by the merger. Margot Daly, chair of the independent panel of experts conducting latest part of the investigation, said: “As living costs continue to rise, it’s our responsibility to make sure that competition can play its part in delivering the best possible deals for customers. “Cérélia and Jus-Rol are the biggest players in this market by far and losing the competition that takes place between them could result in customers facing higher prices and worse quality products. “Today’s decision will ensure that doesn’t happen.” In a statement Cérélia said it was “saddened and disappointed” with the outcome, and stood by its ambition to “strengthen the dough-to-bake category through investment and product innovation, bringing more choice and inspiration to UK customers”. It said the CMA outcome was “largely based on uncorroborated and unreliable concerns raised by a very small number of supermarkets”. It said supermarkets would still be able to determine prices and even said the CMA had shown a “persistent lack of understanding of the structure and competitive dynamics of the industry”. The business said it had already made a big investment in the UK by building a new pastry dough factory in Corby to bring production of the Jus-Rol brand back to the UK and provide local production at what it said were competitive prices for UK retailer own brands.
Shoosmiths office move is 'toast to its future'
Law firm Shoosmiths has opened the doors to its new home in the heart of Birmingham's business district. The firm has relocated to 103 Colmore Row where it has taken three floors of accommodation, including a lounge and event space known as Spaghetti Function which overlooks the city centre from the 20th storey. The move from 2 Colmore Square coincides with the practice celebrating its 20th anniversary of having a presence in Birmingham. West Midlands Mayor Andy Street and around 140 guests attended an official launch event to celebrate the firm's new 32,900 sq ft home which has been created in partnership with interior design consultancy Office Principles. Email newsletters BusinessLive is your home for business news from across the West Midlands including Birmingham, the Black Country, Solihull, Coventry and Staffordshire. Click through here to sign up for our email newsletter and also view the broad range of other bulletins we offer including weekly sector-specific updates. We will also send out 'Breaking News' emails for any stories which must be seen right away. LinkedIn For all the latest stories, views and polls, follow our BusinessLive West Midlands LinkedIn page here. Around 350 staff are based at the centre which has nods to the city and its history such as The Raging Bull Bar and a reprographics room called Peaky Binders. There is also a wellbeing room, multi-faith contemplation pod and a showpiece staircase between its office accommodation on floors 11 and 12 as well as a sunset garden on the 20th storey. Alex Bishop, co-head of the Birmingham office, said: "This year marks Shoosmiths' 20th anniversary in Birmingham. What the firm has achieved in this time to become a leading firm for what matters to clients is nothing short of remarkable. "Creating a space like this is not only a homage to our amazing people but also a toast to our future. We have a new space, a new brand and a clear vision - to be the law firm that clients turn to for what matters." Co-head of the office Beth McArdle added: "It's been a privilege to be involved in the creation of a truly inspirational, thoughtful and purposeful space. It breaks the mould of the traditional office. "Our new home has been designed from the ground up to serve the diverse needs of our people and our clients and, above all else, to be the embodiment of Shoosmiths' amazing culture." Mr Street said: "With this investment, Shoosmiths has displayed their commitment to our region and its future - recognising that today's workforce talent seek out innovative new spaces that foster wellbeing and creativity." Tina Batham, joint managing director of Office Principles North, added: "This exceptional workplace successfully blurs the lines between work and home and delivers a truly memorable experience for colleagues and clients.