New CEO for JLR announced
JLR has confirmed that PB Balaji, chief financial officer of its parent company Tata Motors, will become its new CEO from November. The appointment follows the news last week, broken by Autocar, that current CEO Adrian Mardell was retiring after 35 years with the company. Prior to becoming CEO in 2023, Mardell had been JLR's CFO.

https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/new-cars/tata-finance-boss-pb-balaji-replace-adrian-mardell-jlr-ceo

M&S to create major new national distribution centre on edge of Rugby 

Marks & Spencer has outlined a landmark £340m investment in its food supply chain – the largest in its history – which will fund the creation of a 1.3 million sq ft national distribution centre at DIRFT, Daventry International Rail Freight Terminal, next to Rugby Houlton. The site will open in 2029, and the construction phase will create more than 2,000 jobs, and about 1,000 permanent roles once the site is fully operational, covering driving, logistics, management and more technical roles such as automation technicians. 

https://www.insidermedia.com/news/midlands/ms-to-create-thousands-of-jobs-in-the-east-midlands-with-plans-for-new-national-distribution-centre 

Revenues accelerate past £1.5bn at Volvo Group UK as profits rise 

Revenues surged past the £1.5bn mark at the UK arm of Swedish vehicle making giant Volvo during its latest financial year, new documents have confirmed, with pre-tax profits also rising. Volvo Group UK, which is headquartered in Warwick, has reported revenues of £1.53bn for the year to 31 December 2024, up from £1.45bn in 2023. The company, which is part of the Swedish-owned Volvo Group, sells and markets trucks, buses, construction equipment, such as diggers, loaders and road machinery, and marine and industrial engines, as well as parts. 

https://www.insidermedia.com/news/midlands/revenues-accelerate-past-1.5bn-at-volvo-group-uk-as-profits-rise 

New leadership for iconic automotive brand manufactured in Leamington Spa 

Iconic automotive brand MOKE International has named its new chief executive as the UK manufacturer strengthens its leadership team and looks to accelerate its growth on a global scale. Lorne Vary brings a wealth of leadership experience from his tenure at Brompton Bicycle , where he was instrumental in transforming the company from a niche UK manufacturer into a globally recognised lifestyle brand.  

https://www.insidermedia.com/news/midlands/new-leadership-for-iconic-automotive-brand-whose-vehicles-have-been-driven-by-the-beatles-and-james-bond 

The Belfry Hotel & Resort to launch 150 new bedrooms and fitness and leisure club as part of £80m renovation project 

Warwickshire's The Belfry Hotel & Resort, home of the British Masters and four-time host to the Ryder Cup, is set to launch almost 150 additional bedrooms and new fitness and leisure facilities this August as part of an £80m project. The 149 rooms offer views over The Belfry’s Brabazon golf course and will be available from 1 August.  

https://www.insidermedia.com/news/midlands/the-belfry-hotel-resort-to-launch-150-new-bedrooms-and-fitness-and-leisure-club-as-part-of-80m-renovation-project 

Aurrigo International secures backing of new strategic investor 

Leading autonomous vehicle technology company Aurrigo International in Coventry has raised almost £14m through a partnership with a new strategic investor. The company announced its intention to carry out a non-pre-emptive fundraise through a direct subscription by a new investor, Next Gen Mobility. The funding will be used to help accelerate its growth, including the build of multiple show demonstrator vehicles to support customer conversion; expanding the company's software, engineering and deployment teams; and relocating to larger facilities with increased design and manufacturing capacity. 

https://www.insidermedia.com/news/midlands/aurrigo-international-secures-backing-of-new-strategic-investor 

Tech firm Nimbus Maps secures “game changer” funding  to accelerate growth 

Warwck technology company behind a property mapping platform has secured "game-changer" funding from NatWest to accelerate its expansion and development. Co-founded in 2015 by brothers Paul and Simon Davis and originally based at the University of Warwick Science Park's Innovation Centre, Nimbus now has a team of more than 60 people, including Warwick University PhDs. The company's Nimbus Maps platform offers advanced, proprietary, real estate insights across the industry. 

https://www.insidermedia.com/news/midlands/tech-firm-behind-property-mapping-platform-hails-game-changer-funding-package-as-it-looks-to-accelerate-growth 

Turnover rises for parent company of Nuneaton’s Biddle Air Systems 

 Turnover has risen at a historic company which owns and manages a portfolio of brands that design, manufacture and install heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) equipment for a range of sectors in what the group described as a "solid trading performance". However, pre-tax profits dipped. Established in 1776, the Carver Group is an eighth-generation family business based in Walsall. Its brands include Biddle, Thermosereens, Applied Comfort, Cool-Therm, Powrmatie, Carver Clamps, and Widney Leisure. 

https://www.insidermedia.com/news/midlands/turnover-rises-in-solid-trading-performance-at-family-owned-group-dating-back-1776 

JLR launches solar farm at Gaydon Product Creation Centre 

JLR has opened a new solar farm the size of up to 36 football pitches at its Gaydon headquarters, as part of a drive to roll out large-scale renewables to help power its global operations. This includes significant projects at its facilities in Wolverhampton and Liverpool City Region. The 18MW facility will supply up to 31 per cent of the site's energy requirements, marking the completion of the first of three of its UK solar energy projects. 

https://www.insidermedia.com/news/midlands/jlr-launches-solar-farm-the-size-of-up-to-36-football-pitches-as-part-of-sustainability-drive 

Longstanding Warwickshire hotel which has “huge growth potential” hits the market for £1.45m 

A longstanding Warwickshire hotel has been placed on the market by Bond Wolfe and joint agent Enterprise Hotels & Hospitality for offers in the region of £1.45m. The Henley Hotel on Tanworth Lane, near Henley-in-Arden, features 27 bedrooms and parking for about 50 vehicles.  

https://www.insidermedia.com/news/midlands/longstanding-warwickshire-hotel-which-has-huge-growth-potential-hits-the-market-for-1.45m 

Atherstone’s Aldi on the hunt for more than 350 apprentices 

Aldi has urged students to apply for hundreds of available roles across the UK. The supermarket giant is currently looking to recruit for more than 350 apprentices. Kelly Stokes, recruitment director at Aldi UK, said: "Not every young person will want to follow the same path after school and there are plenty of ways to build a successful career.  

https://www.insidermedia.com/news/midlands/aldi-on-the-hunt-for-more-than-350-apprentices 

European manufacturer signs at Indurent Park in Dordon 

A major European manufacturer of sealants, adhesives and polyurethane foams has signed for about 50,000 sq ft of industrial and logistics space at in Warwickshire known as Indurent Park, on the edge of Tamworth. Soudal Group has signed a ten-year lease and Indurent will now complete a bespoke refurbishment, including fit-out elements. 

https://www.insidermedia.com/news/midlands/european-manufacturer-signs-at-indurent-park-tamworth 

Cadent names former Heathrow Airport boss as its next chair 

Gas distribution giant Cadent based at Ansty Technology Park has appointed a former chief executive of Heathrow Airport as its next chair of the board as Sir Adrian Montague prepares to retire after more than eight years in the position. John Holland-Kaye will initially join the Cadent board as an independent director, before taking up his new post in February.  

https://www.insidermedia.com/news/midlands/cadent-names-former-heathrow-airport-boss-as-its-next-chair 

Jobs at risk as food and beverage giant PepsiCo plans major restructure at Walkers factories 

Unite has said that it will fight for "every job" at crisp giant Walkers following reports that parent company PepsiCo is considering significant restructuring plans. Changes are being proposed at Walkers' four sites in Leicester, Coventry (Middlemarch Business Park), Lincoln and Skelmersdale.  

https://www.insidermedia.com/news/midlands/jobs-at-risk-as-the-food-and-beverage-giant-pepsico-plans-major-restructure-at-walkers-factories 

Convention bureau relaunches in Coventry and Warwickshire 

Conference, exhibition and meeting venues in Coventry and Warwickshire are set for a major boost with the relaunch of the region’s convention bureau. Coventry & Warwickshire Convention Bureau is a not-for-profit organisation that supports venues with bringing in new leads and event organisers with planning business events. The organisation, formerly known as Conference Coventry & Warwickshire, has introduced a new website which will provide showcase opportunities for venues and a “one-stop shop” for event organisers. 

https://www.thebusinessdesk.com/westmidlands/news/2099978-convention-bureau-relaunches-in-coventry-and-warwickshire 

Midlands start-ups soar but insolvency experts warn of heightened cashflow ‘red flags’

A steep rise in the monthly number of businesses set up in the Midlands since the end of last year is coinciding with a substantial heightening of cashflow ‘red flags’, according to the latest figures.  

This is according to the Midlands branch of national restructuring, turnaround and insolvency trade body R3 and is based on a monthly analysis of regional start-up data from business intelligence provider Creditsafe. The R3 figures show that the monthly number of start-ups rose steeply in July by 48.58 per cent in the West Midlands and by 40.23 per cent in the East Midlands compared to last December. Start-up numbers also shot up in July compared to the same month last year, with a rise of 17.92 per cent in the West of the region and 10.67 per cent in the East. 

https://www.insidermedia.com/news/midlands/midlands-start-ups-soar-but-insolvency-experts-warn-of-heightened-cashflow-red-flags-r3 

Coventry City take ownership of the CBS Arena 

Coventry City has completed the purchase of the Coventry Building Society Arena from retail giant Frasers Group in a move described as a "defining day" for the club. The announcement comes in the week of the 20th anniversary of the arena’s opening. The Sky Blues now own their home for the first time since the ground was built. 

https://www.insidermedia.com/news/midlands/this-is-our-home-and-it-now-belongs-to-the-football-club-and-its-supporters-coventry-city-take-ownership-of-the-cbs-arena 

Paragon Bank allocated a further £27m in the Growth Guarantee Scheme - includes £10m to help firms impacted by changes in trade tariffs 

Paragon Bank has been allocated a further £27m through the British Business Bank's Growth Guarantee Scheme, with £10m specifically set aside to support UK businesses affected by changes in international trade tariffs. The latest allocation brings Paragon Bank's total GGS lending capacity to £55m. The targeted £10m fund will help businesses in sectors such as manufacturing – many of which have been disproportionately impacted by increased costs and supply chain complexities, such as from rising global tariff rates. 

https://www.insidermedia.com/news/midlands/paragon-bank-allocated-a-further-27m-in-the-growth-guarantee-scheme-includes-10m-to-help-firms-impacted-by-changes-in-trade-tariffs 

BARJANE names contractor for major Rugby logistics facility 

Franco-British real estate developer BARJANE has appointed a contractor to build a more than 100,000 sq ft logistics facility in Rugby. Glencar will build Rugby 106, at Central Park, which will occupy a five-acre site previously home to a 45,000 sq ft vacant office and workshop facility.  

Now cleared for construction, the site sits just off Junction 1 of the M6 and within close proximity of Junction 19 of the M1. 

https://www.insidermedia.com/news/midlands/barjane-names-contractor-for-major-rugby-logistics-facility 

Plans for £343m Warwickshire employment park to go before committee 

A proposed £343m employment park in Warwickshire which aims to support "high-quality advanced manufacturing, R&D and logistics" and has the potential to create up to 6,000 jobs went  before planners earlier this month. IM Properties lodged hybrid plans with North Warwickshire Borough Council and Birmingham City Council for land near Curdworth and Junction 9 of the M42. 

Known as Thrive, the scheme would create three million sq ft of industrial space, a minimum of 30 per cent of which is being promoted for advanced manufacturing.  

https://www.insidermedia.com/news/midlands/plans-for-343m-warwickshire-employment-park-to-go-before-committee 

Data management firm secures huge logistics facility at Symmetry Park, Rugby 

A data management company has struck a deal for a recently completed logistics facility totalling more than 390,000 sq ft at Symmetry Park, Rugby. The undisclosed business has signed a 15-year lease with Tritax Big Box REIT on Unit 5, which extends to 391,000 sq ft. Unit 5 has been built to net-zero carbon construction standards and has a BREEAM 'Excellent' and EPC A+ rating. 

https://www.insidermedia.com/news/midlands/data-management-firm-secures-huge-logistics-facility-at-symmetry-park-rugby 

Claire’s administration may be followed by others on high street 

Claire's has suffered from a "perfect storm" of geopolitical considerations and a downturn in consumer and high street spending, according to a restructuring and insolvency partner at Shakespeare Martineau, who warned that "we may well see other retail giants struggle in the coming months".  With its UK headquarters in Birmingham, the company currently operates a total of 306 stores across the UK and Ireland, employing more than 2,150 people. 

https://www.insidermedia.com/news/midlands/we-may-well-see-other-retail-giants-struggle-in-the-coming-months-restructuring-and-insolvency-specialist-offers-warning-after-claires-administration 

New monthly column to support independent businesses

Live 24-Seven Magazine has engaged local journalist Amanda Chalmers to explore some of the issues affecting small businesses as well as offering top PR tips. Amanda  joins the line-up of local experts including those in the fields of fashion, health and beauty, finance and property.