prabhu
The East and West Midlands are navigating a complex landscape of economic challenges and opportunities, as evidenced by five significant developments announced on 15 July 2025. Franklyn Yates Engineering, a Derbyshire-based firm, faces an uncertain future after filing for administration, threatening its 48-strong workforce. Nottingham Venues has taken the helm of the Grade II-listed Castle Meadow Central, transforming it into a vibrant hub for events and community engagement. Ward Hadaway’s new Birmingham office, bolstered by senior legal hires, strengthens the region’s professional services, while D-Drill and Sawing and Acivico Group appoint key leaders to drive growth in construction and public services. Meanwhile, a Birmingham fitness firm owner’s sentencing for misusing Covid loans underscores the importance of financial accountability.
Franklyn Yates Engineering: Navigating Financial Uncertainty
Franklyn Yates Engineering, a mechanical, electrical, instrumentation, control, and automation (MEICA) specialist based in Derbyshire, filed a Notice of Intention (NOI) to appoint administrators through law firm Shoosmiths on 15 July 2025. This filing provides temporary protection from creditor action, allowing the firm to explore options such as restructuring or a potential sale to address its financial difficulties. Established on 25 October 1999 and acquired by the Greenbank Group in 2020, the company expanded its operations with a move to a 19,000 sq ft production facility in Derby after outgrowing its former plant in Connah’s Quay, Flintshire. It operates across critical sectors, including power, energy-from-waste, water, wastewater, petrochemical, food, pharmaceutical, anaerobic digestion, and process engineering, offering end-to-end services from concept design to installation using lean principles and robust project management.
Employing 48 staff, as reported in its 2022 accounts, Franklyn Yates has built a reputation for delivering complex engineering solutions, such as water treatment installations and biomass projects. However, the NOI suggests significant financial strain, potentially driven by rising costs, supply chain disruptions, or declining demand in sectors like coal-fired power generation, which has faced regulatory pressures due to the UK’s net-zero commitments. The administration process could lead to job losses or project delays if a viable rescue plan isn’t secured, impacting Derbyshire’s engineering sector and the firm’s ongoing contracts.
The Greenbank Group’s ownership provides a potential lifeline, as its resources could facilitate a sale or restructuring to preserve jobs and expertise. The firm’s diversified portfolio, spanning water and renewable energy, positions it as an attractive asset for buyers seeking to capitalise on the growing demand for sustainable infrastructure. For instance, its work in anaerobic digestion aligns with the UK’s push for green energy, offering opportunities to secure new contracts if financial stability is restored.
Nottingham Venues: Transforming Castle Meadow Central into a Community Hub
Nottingham Venues has been selected to manage Castle Meadow Central, a Grade II-listed building in Nottingham city centre, set to reopen in early September 2025 after a two-year refurbishment. Part of the Castle Meadow Campus, the venue will serve as a multifunctional space for conferences, events, and flexible working, accommodating up to 300 guests with five meeting rooms and a large central atrium. A public-facing deli, Deli Central, will offer locally sourced fresh food paired with 200 Degrees Coffee, catering to both the business community and the general public. Tom Waldron-Lynch, chief executive of Nottingham Venues, stated, “Castle Meadow Central is one of the region’s most recognisable buildings. For many years it was home to HMRC, and while people in Nottingham have always known the building, very few have had the opportunity to step inside and experience it. That is now changing. Our aim is for Castle Meadow Campus to become a real asset to Nottingham, not just for the businesses based here, but for the wider community.”
Nottingham Venues, which also manages the East Midlands Conference Centre, Orchard Hotel, Bramleys Restaurant, Jubilee Hotel, and University of Nottingham campus venues, is expanding its portfolio with this high-profile addition. The transformation of Castle Meadow Central into a vibrant hub is poised to boost Nottingham’s economy by attracting event-driven revenue and creating jobs in hospitality, event management, and catering. The deli’s focus on local produce supports regional suppliers, fostering economic linkages, while the venue’s heritage appeal and central location make it a unique offering in a competitive market.
The project faces challenges, including the need to secure consistent bookings amidst competition from other regional venues and economic uncertainties that could dampen corporate spending. However, its multifunctional design and public accessibility position it to serve diverse audiences, from businesses hosting conferences to community groups seeking event spaces.
Birmingham’s Professional Services Boom: Ward Hadaway, D-Drill, and Acivico Group
Ward Hadaway’s opening of a new Birmingham office at Chamberlain Square, announced on 15 July 2025, marks a significant expansion into the West Midlands. The firm has appointed three experienced partners—Joanna Lee-Mills, Natalie Owen, and Sabina Kauser—to lead a full-service legal team specialising in housing, property securitisation, employment, and immigration law. Lee-Mills, supported by director Jenny Walker, managing associate Clarissa Pritchard, and solicitor Christy Davies, will focus on affordable housing, aiding Registered Providers with land acquisitions, regeneration, and residential development. Owen specialises in property securitisation for acquisitions and asset management, while Kauser, joined by paralegal Arooj Tussadiq, strengthens immigration services. Steven Petrie, managing partner, stated, “As we grow the firm, we’re focused on expanding into regions where there is clear demand for the type of legal services we offer. Opening in Birmingham is a significant milestone.” Harmajinder Hayre, head of employment, added, “Sabina’s reputation as a ‘go to’ specialist immigration lawyer in the West Midlands is well established and she brings exactly the kind of practical, commercially focused advice our clients need.”
D-Drill and Sawing, a nationwide diamond drilling and concrete sawing specialist, appointed Paul Tomlin as operations manager to drive growth. With 25 years of experience in transport and engineering, Tomlin’s role involves identifying new opportunities and streamlining operations, enabling senior staff to focus on securing contracts. Tomlin stated, “I am really pleased to be here at D-Drill & Sawing at what is an exciting time for the company. We are a well-respected name in the industry, with branches covering the whole of the country.” Julie White, managing director, noted, “Paul’s developed skills and experience across a quarter of a century that will make him a great asset to the business.”
Acivico Group, a local authority trading company, appointed David Morrissey as group managing director. With a strong background in public sector leadership, Morrissey previously led HTS Group, focusing on maintenance, facilities management, and major projects. David Powell, chair of Acivico’s board, said, “David impressed us with his strategic skills, delivery focus, and consultative approach.” Morrissey added, “I’m delighted to be joining Acivico at such an exciting time. The business has a strong foundation and a clear ambition to grow and diversify.”
These appointments enhance Birmingham’s professional services, supporting housing, construction, and public sector projects. Ward Hadaway’s legal expertise addresses the region’s housing needs, D-Drill’s operational focus aligns with government infrastructure plans, and Acivico’s leadership strengthens public service delivery. Integration challenges include aligning new teams with regional demands, but the opportunities to drive economic growth through housing and infrastructure projects are significant.
Birmingham Fitness Fraud Case
On 10 July 2025, Junaid Dar, a 34-year-old Birmingham fitness firm owner, was sentenced at Wolverhampton Crown Court for fraudulently securing three Bounce Back Loans totalling £45,500 in 2020, despite regulations permitting only one loan. Dar overstated his firm JDARPT’s turnover—claiming £55,000, £60,000, and £70,000 across three applications, against a true figure of £61,000. While some funds were used legitimately, Dar diverted money for personal expenses, including purchases at Amazon and Argos, restaurant and meat store payments, visits to West Midlands Safari Park, and settling personal credit card debt. JDARPT, founded in March 2017, collapsed into liquidation in July 2021.
Dar received a 20-month suspended sentence, 18 months’ supervision, 20 days’ rehabilitation, 180 hours of community service, and £2,400 in costs, alongside an 11-year director disqualification from April 2022. David Snasdell, chief investigator at the Insolvency Service, stated, “Junaid Dar deliberately made false representations to fraudulently receive three Bounce Back Loans when businesses were only entitled to one. The Insolvency Service will not tolerate abuse of the public purse and will continue to pursue fraudsters who exploited schemes designed to help legitimate businesses.”
