Group MD to speak at new construction sector networking event in Lincoln

Tracey Glew

The group MD of one of the leading businesses in surface preparation will be the guest speaker when the Construction Leaders Club launches its networking events in Lincoln.

Tracey Glew, who founded Lincoln-based The Preparation Group in 1991, will be giving a presentation about setting industry standards.

She will be talking at the pilot event on 15^th September, which marks the expansion of networking and business growth organisation the Construction Leaders Club into the city.

The organisation has been running successful networking events and programmes for professionals working in the sector in the Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire and Leicestershire areas for the past four years.

Now it is taking its proven formula to Lincoln and hoping to successfully bring together those in Lincolnshire, South Yorkshire and the surrounding districts who work in the construction sector or in a business associated with the construction sector.

The inaugural session, which is being sponsored by The Preparation Group and held at the company’s Training Hub at Preparation House, Deacon Road, Lincoln, is to be held from 10am to noon on 15^thSeptember.

“Since founding The Preparation Group, Tracey has grown the business to become a leading business in surface preparation and we are delighted that she will be speaking at our launch event in Lincoln,” said business growth expert Terry O’Mahony, who founded and runs the Construction Leaders Club.

“We are looking forward to taking our proven formula of connecting businesses and their professional teams into the Lincoln area – giving those who work within the construction sector and associated professions the chance to network and to find out more about each other and the services they provide, as well as discovering more about the business growth and development opportunities offered by the Construction Leaders Club.”  

As well as monthly networking events, Construction Leaders Club also runs development programmes and workshops for individuals including a Mastermind Programme, aimed at business owners and senior decision makers, and a Rising Stars Programme for high potential individuals who want to step-up to the next level. New courses on each programme are expected to begin this Autumn.

The organisation, which is supported in Nottingham by Nelsons Solicitors, insurance and risk brokers Arthur J Gallagher and audit, tax and consulting services provider RSM, who will also be sponsoring the Lincoln event, earlier this year became what is believed to be the only business growth, leadership and management development organisation for the construction industry to be awarded the new Chartered Building Consultancy status.

Tracey Glew heads up an organisation that has grown to become a market leader in surface preparation. The Preparation Group specialises in the full preparation of any surface from concrete to marble. It has completed jobs worldwide and worked in such prestigious and high-profile locations as Buckingham Palace, the London Eye and Manchester United’s ground. The firm has operated in factories, supermarkets, airports, ships and hangars for multi-billion-pound jets. 

It is now a centre of expertise - providing environmentally friendly solutions for preparing, cleaning and finishing almost any surface in any market sector, as well as providing training.

Tracey said: “I am looking forward to welcoming the Construction Leaders Club to Lincoln and to the headquarters of The Preparation Group. I am proud to be the guest speaker at this inaugural event in Lincoln, and I hope the construction sector in the area supports it and finds it a useful way to network and build contacts and associates.”

For more details about the Construction Leaders Club or to book for the trial event on 15^th September in Lincoln, which costs £30 and includes Danish pastries and coffee, and will offer plenty of time for networking, or to find out about the small business coaching offered by CLC, visit  http://www.constructionleadersclub.com  

Press release issued by Nottingham based PR company Perfect 10 PR www.perfect10pr.co.uk

Deadline extended for East Midlands fbe Awards 2017

Overall winner of the East Midlands fbe awards 2016

Organisers of the East Midlands fbe Awards have extended the deadline for nominations by one week.

Companies now have until Friday 8^th September to put forward construction projects and nominate rising stars in the industry from across the region.

“We’ve had some exciting nominations for the East Midlands fbe Awards already and know that others are on their way, so we’re extending the deadline by one week to give applicants a little extra time in which to submit their entries,” said Eddie Mewies, regional chairman of the East Midlands fbe and MD of M-EC Consulting Development Engineers.

“In previous years, we’ve had a wide range of projects nominated, showcasing some of the very best development schemes that have been undertaken in the region. We are looking forward to highlighting some of the latest projects and also putting some of our brightest young professionals under the spotlight in our rising stars award category.”

The East Midlands fbe Awards recognise and reward the teams behind some of the best development projects across Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire and Lincolnshire.

Free to enter, the awards feature the following categories: Regeneration, Residential, and Non-Residential developments, along with Rising Star of the Year. The winners of the first three categories will automatically form the shortlist for the Overall East Midlands Scheme & Team Award.

Tickets are also on sale for the East Midlands fbe Chairman’s Dinner & Awards night, held at the City Rooms in Leicester on 12^th October 2017, when the awards will be presented.

Around 150 professionals from the construction, development and property sector in the region are expected to attend the ceremony, which will raise money for Wooden Spoon - the children's charity of rugby, which aims to positively transform the lives of children and young people with a disability or facing disadvantage across the UK and Ireland through the power of rugby.

As well as award entries now being open and tickets on sale for the ceremony, two sponsorship opportunities are also still available for the event. Sponsors already on board include main sponsor DW Hicks, BSD who is sponsoring the drinks reception, M-EC, who is sponsoring the Non-Residential Award and Arthur J Gallagher, who is sponsoring the Regeneration Award.

Details and nomination forms are available from http://www.fbeonline.co.uk/east-midlands/events/fbe-east-midlands-chairmans-dinner-and-awards-2017.htm or by contacting Mary Daw on 07883 033552.

The deadline for award nominations is now Friday 8^st September 2017.

The fbe is a national organisation, with branches across the UK and is the longest established networking group for the property, development and construction industries. As well as running the annual awards scheme, the East Midlands branch also organises a number of social and other events. The East Midlands branch covers Leicestershire, Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire and Lincolnshire.

Press release issued by Nottingham based PR company Perfect 10 PR www.perfect10pr.co.uk

Three reasons why small businesses should have a strategy, according to Construction Leaders Club

Terry O'Mahony

A business networking and development organisation for the East Midlands construction sector is highlighting three key reasons why it’s important for small businesses to plan.

The Construction Leaders Club believes that having a strategy is fundamental for success – even though situations can change rapidly in today’s fast-moving world. 

“Not so long ago, business owners and leaders created strategic plans that looked ahead five to ten years – a far longer-term perspective than would be appropriate today,” said Terry O’Mahony, founder of the Nottingham-based Construction Leaders Club. 

“However, having a plan today is still fundamental for any business to stay ahead of the competition and be truly successful. Although there are numerous tools to help develop a plan, there is no standard methodology, and it is down to business owners to choose tools that work for them.” 

He believes there are three main reasons why small businesses should draw up strategies for the future.

Firstly, it provides clarity and direction to give both business owners and employees alike the high-level priorities and objectives that they want to achieve over a specific time period, said Terry.

Secondly, it’s an opportunity to engage and motivate employees, while thirdly it can help to position a business, he added.

“Many business owners I have worked with have often said that when they have taken the time to develop a plan, they’ve made the mistake of putting it in their drawer where it doesn’t see daylight again,” said Terry. “This might not be because the plan wasn’t good. It could be that the plan may have been created for a specific purpose, for example to attract funding or similar, and, as and when the purpose has been served, they are unsure why it matters. But it does matter and having a plan can make a big difference.”

The Construction Leaders Club was established four years ago as a networking and business growth organisation supporting businesses and individuals related to, or associated with, the UK construction industry. As well as monthly networking events, CLC also runs development programmes and workshops for individuals including a Mastermind Programme, aimed at business owners and senior decision makers, and a Rising Stars Programme for high potential individuals who want to step-up to the next level. New courses on each programme are expected to begin this Autumn.

CLC’s next networking events take place on 14^th September at The Grill at Twenty Five, Bostock Lane, Long Eaton, near Nottingham, from 10am, and on 15^th September at The Preparation Group, Preparation House, Deacon Road, Lincoln, from 10am.

The organisation is supported by Nelsons Solicitors, insurance and risk brokers Arthur J Gallagher and audit, tax and consulting services provider RSM.

Earlier this year the CLC became what is believed to be the only business growth, leadership and management development organisation for the construction industry to be awarded the new Chartered Building Consultancy status.

Construction Leaders Club has held the accolade of Chartered Building Consultancy status for the past three years but the CIOB asked holders to re-apply after setting down new and tighter rules for compliance in a bid to drive up standards within the sector.

For more details or to book any CLC events, or to find out about the small business coaching offered by CLC, visit http://www.constructionleadersclub.com/ 

Press release issued by Nottingham based PR company Perfect 10 PR www.perfect10pr.co.uk

Focus Consultants’ role with Waterloo Housing Group continues

Old Leake project. Photo courtesy HWD Architecture 

Work has begun on site to build 22 new affordable homes in Lincolnshire – the latest project that Focus Consultants has undertaken for Waterloo Housing Group.

The team in the Boston office of Focus Consultants has been appointed to carry out a multi-disciplinary construction consultancy role on the development in Church Road in Old Leake.

It follows the completion ahead of schedule earlier this year of Phase Two of Broadfield Lane, Boston, when Focus Consultants acted as employer’s agent, principal designer, client CDM advisor and party wall surveyor on a scheme to build 123 houses for Waterloo Housing Group.

Also completed recently was a scheme for Waterloo Housing to provide 26 houses and apartments at Tytton Lane, Boston. Meanwhile, work is continuing on a project that Focus is also involved in to build 32 homes off Toot Lane, Boston, for the housing association.

“This latest appointment at Old Leake continues our ongoing relationship with Waterloo Housing Group and ESHA, helping to deliver a range of housing projects in the Lincolnshire area over a number of years,” said Trevor Newton, Partner in the Boston office of Focus.

“We were delighted with the completion ahead of schedule earlier this year of the second phase of a Waterloo Housing Group development, in Broadfield Lane, Boston, where Focus also had a multi-disciplinary role.

“As a company, Focus offers a range of building consultancy services from design, building surveying and quantity surveying through to project management, and we are very pleased that we have been able to support Waterloo Housing Group on so many projects.”

The Old Leake scheme, led by Waterloo Housing Group and ESHA Developments, will create a range of one, two, three and four bedroom houses, all available for rent or shared ownership. The project is being funded by the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) and the Greater Lincolnshire Local Enterprise partnership.

The village of Old Leake is situated approximately eight miles from the market town of Boston in Lincolnshire. The site was formerly occupied by a caravan and car park for the adjacent White Hart public house. The development includes the demolition of part of the pub which was remodelled to facilitate access for the new road.

The new homes have been designed to provide spacious modern accommodation and a range of parking options. In keeping with the area’s aesthetics, including a Grade I Listed church, the homes have been carefully designed to blend into the central village location. The housing development is due to be completed in March 2018. 

Nottingham-based Focus, which, as well as an office in Boston, also has branches in London and Leicester, offers a range of services in funding and economic development, project management, sustainable development and building surveying.

Since 1994 Focus has also secured for clients more than £953 million of grants for projects and businesses across the UK and delivered more than £1.3 billion worth of projects and programmes – making it one of the most successful businesses of its kind in the country.

For more information, visit www.focus-consultants.co.uk

Press release issued by Nottingham based PR company Perfect 10 PR www.perfect10pr.co.uk 

Work begins on new community centre with Focus Consultants as project manager

New Community project in Lincolnshire with Focus

Work is now underway on building a new community centre in Lincolnshire village Mareham le Fen, which will replace a 100-year-old tin and timber hall.

Focus Consultants is project managing the scheme, having earlier supported the Village Hall Management Committee in securing a grant of just over £500,000 from The Big Lottery Fund. Other main funders include WREN, a not-for-profit grant-giving business, who donated £50,000, and Lindsey Action Zone.

The committee has raised further funds through community events and donations to cover the overall £800,000 cost of the project for the new multi-purpose building, which will serve the residents of Mareham le Fen, situated between Horncastle and Boston, as well as the surrounding parishes. 

Long-standing community member John Ellwood was given the honour of cutting the first sod. He was accompanied by pupils of Mareham Le Fen Church of England Primary School along with their headteacher Avril Moore.

Graham Beacham, chairman of Mareham le Fen Village Hall and Memorial Lawn Management Committee, said: “This is a great day. It’s so good to see the start of a new centre for the community. It has been quite a journey, but with the support of so many, success has been achieved.” 

Focus Consultants building surveyor Chris Smith, who grew up in the village and played a key role in helping to secure the Big Lottery Grant and in taking the project forward, said: “A new community building for Mareham le Fen is long overdue and I am delighted to have played a part in getting the scheme to where it is now, with a start on site.

“Focus is project managing the development and I am looking forward to seeing the building taking shape over the next few weeks and months.”

Local company Taylor Pearson has been contracted to carry out the building work, which is due to be completed in November 2017. The Boston office of Focus Consultants is handling the project management side of the scheme.

Additional funders who are supporting the building include Lincolnshire County Council, East Lindsey District Council, Garfield Weston Foundation, Trusthouse Charitable Foundation, Bernard Sunley Charitable Foundation and Lincolnshire Co-op Community Champions.

Focus, which has its headquarters in Nottingham and other offices in London, Leicester, and Aubourn in Lincolnshire, offers a range of services in funding and economic development, project management, sustainable development and building surveying.

Since 1994 Focus has also secured for clients more than £953 million of grants for projects and businesses across the UK and delivered more than £1.3 billion worth of projects and programmes – making it one of the most successful businesses of its kind in the country.

For more information, visit www.focus-consultants.co.uk

Press release issued by Nottingham based PR company Perfect 10 PR www.perfect10pr.co.uk

Focus Consultants designs new mental health unit

Carholme Court in Lincolnshire

Focus Consultants is playing a key role in a scheme to create Lincolnshire’s first psychiatric intensive care unit (PICU).

Work is expected to get underway shortly on the project, which involves transforming existing unused ward space on the St George’s Hospital site in Lincoln into a brand new ten-bed unit to provide intensive support closer to home for those with severe mental health problems.

Focus designed the scheme using Building Information Modelling (BIM) for the county’s mental health and learning disabilities services provider, Lincolnshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (LPFT).

The company, based in Nottingham and with offices in Boston and Aubourn in Lincolnshire, as well as in London and Leicester, is currently appointed as principle designer, designer, quantity surveyor and contract administrator for the development of the male-only unit. 

“This is a significant scheme for Lincolnshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust and for those who will be cared for at the unit, being the first psychiatric intensive care unit in the county of Lincolnshire,” said Focus Consultants senior project manager Andy White. “Focus Consultants is proud to have been appointed to several roles on this development, which is the latest in a number of hospital and healthcare projects that the company has been involved with in Lincolnshire and elsewhere.”

A PICU is a specialist psychiatric inpatient ward for patients with complex mental health needs who require intensive support.  The Lincoln development will help remove the need for some patients to travel out of the county in order to receive the level of care required, and is due to become operational and accept patients by next summer.

Dr John Brewin, Chief Executive for Lincolnshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, said: “We want our patients to remain as close to home as possible during their recovery and the building of a PICU is one step closer to achieving this.

“It’s an exciting time for the Trust and further underlines our commitment to providing the highest possible quality of care for the people of Lincolnshire. We wanted to create a modern, homely, safe environment that will aid recovery and the designs for the new unit meet all of these requirements.”   

The unit at Carholme Court will accommodate ten individual en-suite bedrooms, plus a gymnasium, multi-faith room and lounge area for patients, as well as a secure and safe outdoor space.

The scheme has been designed by Focus to be compliant with guidelines from NAPICU - the national association that is committed to developing and promoting the speciality of psychiatric intensive care and low secure services - and best practice principles in better bedroom initiative for mental health patients.

Focus offers a range of services to the property and construction industry, including building surveying, quantity surveying, project management, and sustainable development support.

The company also specialises in funding and economic development including area regeneration strategies, funding applications, economic impact appraisals, business plans, and research and evaluation. Since 1994 Focus has also secured for clients more than £953 million of grants for projects and businesses across the UK and delivered more than £1.3 billion worth of projects and programmes – making it one of the most successful businesses of its kind in the country.

For more information, visit www.focus-consultants.co.uk

Press release issued by Nottingham based PR company Perfect 10 PR www.perfect10pr.co.uk

National Army Museum contract for Focus Consultants

Nottingham-founded Focus Consultants has been appointed project manager for a prestigious multi-million redevelopment at the National Army Museum in Chelsea.

It is the latest museum contract won by the firm, which has also been appointed to the role of cost consultant on the project.

The Building for the Future renovation aims to radically transform the National Army Museum’s offer to provide visitors with an enhanced museum experience.

Partner at Focus Richard Aston said: “This is a prestigious and important development. The team at Focus Consultants is delighted to be involved in such an exciting and inspirational project.”

The National Army Museum (NAM), based in Chelsea, London, has received initial support for a £11.3m Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) bid, including £350,000 of development funding, for the Building for the Future project, which is aimed to be complete by 2016.

Focus Consultants, whose head office is based in Phoenix Business Park, Nottingham, and with offices in Holborn in London, Leicester, Boston and Aubourn in Lincolnshire, has worked on many high-profile museum developments across the UK.

These include the Royal Albert Memorial Museum, Exeter, which was named UK museum of the year in 2012 by the Art Fund charity, and SeaCity in Southampton, which opened earlier this year – a century after the Titanic set sail from the city – as well as the £25m Mshed in Bristol.

The firm was also project manager for the £5.4 million refurbishment of Tudor House Museum in Southampton, which picked up the conservation project award at the 2012 RICS South East region awards, and went on to be named as the overall project of the year for the region.

Other members of the NAM team include interdisciplinary designers BDP and exhibition designers Event Communications.

BDP and Event Communications will bring their expertise together to reconfigure the building to provide greater public access and facilities, improved learning spaces and create innovative and exciting new gallery spaces. The team will work alongside NAM’s internal team to update and reinterpret the story of the British Army and to present the museum’s collection.

Focus Consultants will be working with all partners to oversee and ensure the smooth running of the venture.

Janice Murray, director-general of the National Army Museum, said: “We are excited by this collaboration and I am confident that we will produce a world-class museum development, which will deliver a fresh, informative and exciting visitor experience for all.”

The National Army Museum opened on its current site in 1971 to house the national collections of the Land Forces of the Crown, and now receives more than 270,000 visitors a year.

The project provides NAM with the opportunity to upgrade the existing site to meet the needs of its growing audiences.

During the redevelopments the museum will deliver a diverse outreach programme of travelling exhibitions.

Focus Consultants specialises in creative approaches to securing funding packages and delivering high quality projects across the UK. Since its creation in 1994, Focus has secured over £800 million of grant assistance, and delivered more than £1 billion of projects and programmes.

It works across a range of sectors including heritage, arts and culture, education and tourism.

Visit www.focus-consultants.co.uk

Press release issued Nottingham-based PR company Perfect 10 PR www.perfect10pr.co.uk

About the National Army Museum: The National Army Museum explores the impact of the British Army on the story of Britain,Europe and the world; how Britain's past has helped to shape our present and our future and how the actions of a few can affect the futures of many. The National Army Museum was established by Royal Charter to tell the story of the Land Forces of the Crown wherever they were raised. Opened by the Queen in 1960, it moved to its current site in Chelsea in 1971. www.nam.ac.uk

About the Heritage Lottery Fund: Using money raised through the National Lottery, the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) aims to make a lasting difference for heritage, people and communities across the UK and help build a resilient heritage economy. From museums, parks and historic places to archaeology, natural environment and cultural traditions, we invest in every part of our diverse heritage. HLF has supported more than 33,000 projects with more than £5billion across the UK. www.hlf.org.uk

Major Peterborough Cathedral role for Focus Consultants

Focus Consultants has been appointed as part of the team introducing ambitious improvements at Peterborough Cathedral to mark the 900th anniversary of its founding.

Heritage and funding experts at Focus have been chosen to project manage a second-round bid to the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) for a grant to take the project forward.

Now Focus is working with a number of specialists to develop the scheme design for the planned new Heritage and Education Centre at Peterborough Cathedral, which is the first phase in a multi-million pound project.

Other developments being planned for the future include a new Cathedral and Community Music School and improvements to the cathedral, its furnishings and its precincts.

It is the second cathedral contract won by Focus recently, and follows the firm’s appointment as buildings project manager and quantity surveyors on a £3 million project to conserve and repair England’s second oldest cathedral, Rochester.

“We are very pleased to be working with Peterborough Cathedral and its wider community on this special project to celebrate the 900th anniversary of the cathedral’s founding,” said Focus project manager Ellie Clarke.

“The vision is for the cathedral to be a place of worship, education and music, encompassing all aspects of an ever-growing and changing society, and Focus is proud to be playing a key role in helping the achievement of these aims.”

Focus Consultants, which is based in Nottingham with offices in London, Leicester, Boston and Lincoln, is spearheading the development of the new Heritage and Education Centre, which involves refurbishing the Grade 1 listed Knights’ Chamber.

The £3 million development is part of a £10 million campaign of improvements at the cathedral, which, in 2018, will mark the 900th anniversary of the foundation of the present cathedral building.

The plans received a first-round pass from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) earlier this year, with the second-round capital bid being prepared for submission in the New Year.

Focus Consultants specialises in creative approaches to securing funding packages and delivering high quality projects across the Midlands and the UK.

Focus has secured more than £800 million of grant assistance, and delivered more than £1 billion of projects and programmes since 1994.

It has worked on a number of heritage and ecclesiastical developments including Lincoln Cathedral Old Palace, St. Margaret’s in Bradford, Nottingham’s St. Martha’s the Housewife and Greyfriars Tower, King’s Lynn.

www.focus-consultants.co.uk

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Anchors away for Focus Consultants’ latest museum project which features the Titanic story

East Midlands-based project managers Focus Consultants played a major role in the opening this week of a new £15 million maritime museum featuring the story of the Titanic.

The new SeaCity Museum in Southampton was unveiled exactly 100 years after the ill-fated ship set sail from the city on her maiden voyage. Five days later she sank in the Atlantic Ocean, off Newfoundland, with the loss of more than 1,500 lives.

Focus Consultants, based in Nottingham and with offices in London, Leicester, Lincoln and Boston, has been project manager for the new museum scheme in conjunction with Southampton City Council.

The development involved converting the grade II listed former Magistrates’ Courts adjoining the Civic Centre, Southampton City Art Gallery and the Guildhall, and is the centre piece of a major regeneration of the city’s new Cultural Quarter.

“This has been a tremendously exciting project to be involved in, and we are very proud of the new SeaCity Museum, which represents a real asset to the maritime heritage of Southampton and its tourist attractions,” said Focus Consultants partner Steven Fletcher.

“The team at Focus Consultants has wide experience of both heritage and tourism schemes, and SeaCity Museum is a combination of the two. It’s expected to attract thousands of visitors, and 2012 is a particularly significant year for the museum to open, given that it’s exactly 100 years after the Titanic went down and it’s such a momentous event in Southampton’s history.”

Focus Consultants developed the Heritage Lottery Fund application for stage 1 and stage 2 of the project along with Southampton City Council. The company acted as project manager for the whole scheme, including the building and exhibition works, and also contract administrator for the exhibition works.

The SeaCity Museum features two permanent exhibitions focusing on Southampton’s Titanic story and the city’s role as a gateway to the world, as well as a special exhibition marking the centenary of the Titanic disaster. It has been designed and built to engage visitors of all ages with exciting interactives throughout its three galleries: Gateway to the World, Southampton’s Titanic Story and Titanic the Legend.

The museum, which was opened by British rowing champion and double Olympic gold medallist James Cracknell, is expected to attract 150,000 visitors every year.

Building constructor was Kier Construction and architect was Wilkinson Eyre Architects, with the exhibitions being designed by Urban Salon and installed by 8Build.

Focus Consultants, which has its head office at Phoenix Business Park, Nottingham, specialises in creative approaches to securing funding packages and delivering high quality projects across the UK.

Since its creation in 1994, Focus has secured over £800 million of grant assistance, and delivered more than £1 billion of projects and programmes - including enterprise support, innovation, culture, health, regeneration, affordable homes and energy carbon sustainability projects.

Representatives from Focus attended the official opening of SeaCity Museum, which took place on April 10th.

Focus has offices at Phoenix Business Park, Nottingham, Endeavour Park, Boston, Princess Road East, Leicester, Aubourn, Lincoln, and Holborn, London.

The Heritage Lottery Fund awarded Southampton City Council £4.9 million towards the attraction. The remainder of the £15 million was raised raised by the council. A Southampton Cultural Development Trust has also been formed to raise funds towards SeaCity Museum and other aspects of the Cultural Quarter.

www.focus-consultants.co.uk

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Expansion plans for Focus Consultants

Regeneration experts, project management specialists and construction and property services firm Focus Consultants has made six new appointments in Nottingham and Leicester.

The company also plans to take on additional staff at its recently opened office in London.

The firm, based at Phoenix Business Park in Nottingham, and with branches in Leicester, Lincoln, Boston and London, specialises in securing grant assistance and delivering projects and programmes. Across the UK, Focus has secured £730 million of grant assistance, and delivered more than £980 million of projects and programmes since 1994 - including heritage, culture and the arts, health, regeneration, affordable homes and energy carbon sustainability projects.

The recent appointments have been made in response to growing demand for services in the firm’s Energy Carbon Sustainability Team and the Economic Development Team. They will soon be joined in the new London office by project managers and building surveyors.

“We are very pleased to welcome six new employees, each of whom brings different talents to our teams,” said Steven Fletcher, partner at Focus Consultants. “It’s also exciting news that we are expanding our London office after winning a number of contracts in and around the capital.”
T
he new employees in Nottingham are chartered and trainee quantity surveyors Matthew Gent and William Morris, Sophie Noon, who is a specialist researcher, building surveyor Andy Graham and assistant building surveyor Thomas Willis. Gareth Morris has also joined the Leicester office as part of Focus Consultants’ Energy Carbon Sustainability Team.

Focus Consultants specialises in creative approaches to securing funding packages and delivering high quality projects across the Midlands and the UK.

www.focus-consultants.co.uk

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New range for Original Cake Company thanks to Food and Drink iNet (Innovation Network) support

Lincoln-based Original Cake Company is developing a new range of cakes as part of its expansion plans, thanks to support from the Food and Drink iNet (Innovation Network).

The business, which specialises in fruit cakes, is diversifying into baking a selection of non-fruited cakes.

It already has a customer lined up for the new products and hopes to create two or three new jobs as a result of the development, said general manager Simon Woodiwiss.

The Food and Drink iNet has awarded £7,437.50 Innovation Advice and Guidance support for the development of the six-strong range of new cakes, which the Original Cake Company is match funding.

“The Food and Drink iNet support is very welcome, as it’s made it easier for us to fund the project and meant that we have been able to bring it forward,” said Simon Woodiwiss. “We have an existing customer for the range, and it may possibly create two or three new jobs, depending on how successful the new range is.”

The Food and Drink iNet, which is funded by East Midlands Development Agency (emda) and the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), is one of four regional iNets that operates across the region. It has a pot of finance available this summer to provide match-funded support for eligible East Midlands projects in the food and drink sector, which could be focusing on new products, accessing new markets or looking at new ways of working.

Richard Worrall, Food and Drink iNet director, said: “One of the Food and Drink iNet’s roles is to support firms in new product development and to help them create new markets. We are pleased to support the Original Cake Company as it diversifies with a new selection of cakes.”

The Original Cake Company, with more than 30 years of baking experience, used the funding support to help with new product development, holding consumer review sessions, and the design of packaging and labels. It hopes to launch the new range later this month (July).

The Food and Drink iNet aims to build on the tradition of innovation in the food and drink industry in the region by helping to create opportunities to develop knowledge and skills, and to help research, develop and implement new products, markets, services and processes. It is managed by a consortium, led by the Food and Drink Forum and including Food Processing Faraday, Nottingham Trent University, the University of Lincoln, and the University of Nottingham. For more information visit www.eminnovation.org.uk/food

For more information please contact the Food and Drink iNet on info@foodanddrink-inet.org.uk

www.originalcake.co.uk

Nottingham public relations company Perfect 10 PR www.perfect10pr.co.uk