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In July 2025, a series of developments across the East and West Midlands, alongside a significant contract in the Channel Islands, highlighted the UK’s commitment to economic growth, community vitality, and financial accountability.
A Lincoln-based IT firm secured a £6.5 million contract to modernise public sector IT for the States of Guernsey, enhancing service delivery. Sheffield’s Honey gained planning approval for 722 homes across Yorkshire and Derbyshire, addressing housing needs. Birmingham’s Wavensmere Homes is transforming the derelict Clarendon Suites site into a 165-home community, revitalising Edgbaston.
A Derbyshire engineering firm faces administration, threatening its 48-strong workforce, while Nottingham Venues is taking on the Grade II-listed Castle Meadow Central to create a community hub. Birmingham’s professional services sector is growing with new legal and operational appointments, and a fitness firm owner’s sentencing for Covid loan fraud underscores the importance of financial integrity. A report on county cricket warns of financial challenges for smaller clubs like Derbyshire.
Announced between 15 and 16 July 2025, these initiatives reflect efforts to drive innovation, support communities, and ensure accountability amidst economic and structural challenges.
Modernising Public Sector IT: A £6.5 Million Contract in Guernsey
A Lincoln-based IT firm, part of the Hewlett Packard empire, has secured a £6.5 million, five-year contract to supply the States of Guernsey with IT hardware and lifecycle services across its public sector, starting 1 August 2025.
The deal involves providing devices, deskside support, and integrated helpdesk services to frontline teams in education, healthcare, law enforcement, and civil services, replacing approximately 3,000 laptops to improve service continuity, accelerate fault resolution, and ensure a consistent user experience.
The contract is part of Guernsey’s multi-vendor IT strategy, following the termination of a £200 million agreement with Agilisys in 2023 due to performance issues. The deal offers cost and technology certainty over five years, with potential savings through structured hardware security and monitoring.
This agreement reinforces Lincoln’s role as an IT innovation hub and aligns with the EU’s Digital Operational Resilience Act. The challenges include integrating services across sectors and maintaining cybersecurity. The project creates job opportunities and enhances public services for Guernsey’s 63,000 residents.
Housing Growth: Honey and Wavensmere Homes Address Regional Needs
Sheffield-based housebuilder Honey has secured planning approval for five sites across Yorkshire and Derbyshire, delivering 722 homes with a gross development value of £202 million. The developments are in Duckmanton, Rossington, Maltby, Waverley, and Fenay Bridge. Since launching in 2022 with backing from Alchemy Partners, Honey has acquired 22 sites for over 3,000 homes, employing more than 100 people.
In Birmingham, Wavensmere Homes is redeveloping the 1.39-hectare Clarendon Suites site in Edgbaston into a 165-home project. The scheme will include townhouses, apartments, green space, and a children’s play area. The development meets the Future Homes Standard and retains mature trees to support biodiversity.
These schemes tackle housing shortages and stimulate local economies. Their emphasis on sustainability and community infrastructure aligns with net-zero goals. Rising construction costs and affordability issues remain challenges, but investor backing and thoughtful planning support successful delivery.
Engineering in Crisis: Franklyn Yates Faces Administration
Derbyshire-based engineering firm Franklyn Yates has filed a Notice of Intention to appoint administrators, signalling financial distress. The firm, which employs 48 staff and specialises in mechanical and electrical systems across multiple sectors, was acquired by the Greenbank Group in 2020 and recently expanded to a 19,000 sq ft facility in Derby.
The move provides temporary creditor protection while options for restructuring or sale are explored. Challenges include cost inflation, supply chain disruptions, and reduced demand in carbon-intensive sectors. However, its capabilities in water treatment and process engineering may appeal to potential buyers.
Immediate action is needed to safeguard contracts and jobs, with the Greenbank Group’s support providing a lifeline.
Nottingham Venues: Transforming Castle Meadow Central
Nottingham Venues will manage Castle Meadow Central, a Grade II-listed building reopening in September 2025 after two years of refurbishment. Located in Nottingham city centre, the venue will offer conference and event facilities, flexible workspaces, and a public deli with locally sourced food and 200 Degrees Coffee.
The redevelopment enhances the city’s cultural and economic landscape by creating hospitality jobs and promoting local suppliers. Though the events market is competitive, the venue’s heritage and central location strengthen its potential as a community and business hub.
Birmingham’s Professional Services Growth: Legal and Operational Leadership
A law firm has launched a new Birmingham office at Chamberlain Square, appointing partners to lead on housing, securitisation, employment, and immigration. Joanna Lee-Mills and her team will focus on affordable housing, while Natalie Owen and Sabina Kauser enhance other service areas.
Elsewhere, D-Drill and Sawing has appointed Paul Tomlin as operations manager to lead growth, and Acivico Group has named David Morrissey as its new group managing director.
These appointments reinforce Birmingham’s role in legal, construction, and public sector growth. While team integration poses short-term challenges, the long-term opportunities include regional development and service expansion.
Financial Accountability: Birmingham Fitness Fraud Case
On 10 July 2025, a 34-year-old Birmingham-based fitness firm owner was sentenced for fraudulently claiming three Bounce Back Loans totalling £45,500. He overstated turnover and misused the funds for personal spending. The firm later collapsed, and he received a suspended sentence, community service, and an 11-year director disqualification.
The case highlights the importance of financial oversight in public support schemes and the economic fallout for affected stakeholders.
Cricket’s Financial Divide: Challenges for Smaller Counties
A 15 July 2025 report warns of a widening financial gap in county cricket. Three counties hosting The Hundred franchises—Surrey, Lancashire, and Warwickshire—generated 44% of all county cricket revenue in 2023, highlighting disparities with non-host counties like Derbyshire.
The report urges action to support smaller clubs and develop player pathways. Strategic use of new investments could safeguard the game’s future, but failure to address the divide risks insolvency and impacts on local communities.
