MEMBERNEWS IN BRIEF Surge in net mortgage


applications Hinckley & Rugby Building Society has started 2017 with a 23% rise in net mortgage applications. At its AGM in Hinckley, the


Society revealed that net mortgage applications totalled £48m from 1 December 2016 to 28 February 2017. At the end of February the mortgage book stood at £559m, £19m higher than at the start of December. Mortgage advances in its first


quarter topped £46m, 45% higher than in the same three months a year before. Savings inflows during the same period were £10.3m and at the end of February savings balances stood at £531m. Chief Executive Chris White


said: “We have started the new year with an even stronger momentum, thanks to blossoming relationships with key broker networks and an uncompromising approach to providing outstanding service to all our customers.”


Tidyco enjoys period of growth


Derby-based Tidyco, a supplier of hydraulic and pneumatic products to a diverse range of industries, has reported an increase in growth for the company. Jay Bhundia, Finance


Manager, said: “I am delighted that the organisation has achieved an impressive 14% growth in operational turnover while retaining consistently healthy profit margins and bottom line figures. The group has also scored a 100/100 credit rating from Experian, which is classed as outstanding. “Tidyco has experienced significant success in growing turnover through existing supply chains within the UK rail industry as well as its Hose Doctor reactive mobile hydraulic hose replacement service provision.”


Community bank reaches record milestone


Derbyshire Community Bank is celebrating the milestone of lending £10m to local people. The credit union was founded


in 2006 to encourage saving and to offer fair cost loans. It has grown steadily to now serve around 3,000 members. Derbyshire Community Bank


CEO Sara Dinsdale said: “To reach £10m of loans granted is a significant milestone in the development of the credit union and shows that there continues to be both a need and demand for the services that a credit union can offer to the community.”


8 business network May 2017 L-R: Gloria de Piero, Steve Shirley, Phil Ball, Dean Briggs and Mark Sipson


MP opens Alpha Rail’s manufacturing plant


Gloria de Piero, as Member of Parliament for Ashfield and Eastwood, officially opened Alpha Rail’s new manufacturing facility in Huthwaite. Over 40 customers, staff, and


suppliers attended the event to celebrate the company’s move to its new purpose-designed workshops and offices. Many of the local contractors involved in the £800k refurbishment also attended. Gloria said: “Over its 30 year


history, Alpha Rail has played an important part in the local economy, providing employment for generations of local people. Its growth and expansion in to this fantastic new facility represents the next phase of its development and I wish it every success.”


‘Having a modern facility has definitely benefited our production capacity’


Founded in 1985, Alpha Rail has


over 30 years of metal fabricating expertise and is one of the UK’s leading manufacturers of metal railings, pedestrian guardrail, Juliette balconies and metal gates. Steve Shirley, Managing Director,


added: “We completed our relocation in January and are now all settled in. The response from customers and other visitors has been excellent. Having a modern facility has definitely benefited our production capacity, the efficiency in which we can work, and is


ultimately helping to continuously improve our customer service and delivery lead time. The move has also given employee morale a further boost.” The new facility is located on


Nunn Brook Rise, on The County Estate, in Huthwaite. Alpha Rail has redeveloped the site to create one open plan unit which now provides over 16,000sq ft of floor space and two storey office space. In total, over £800k has been invested to include reconfiguration of the factory floor to accommodate metalworking machinery and dedicated areas for each fabricating process. The company employs over 40


staff and currently has a turnover of £3m.


A celebration of achievements


Inspirational sporting and coaching achievement has been celebrated at West Nottinghamshire College’s inaugural Sports Personality of the Year (SPOTY) Awards. Dedication, motivation and the


power to inspire others were just some of the qualities on display as individuals and teams took to the stage to collect prestigious accolades. More than 80 guests, including


staff, students and sponsors, filled the college’s restaurant to see 17 awards handed out in categories ranging from player of the year across football, basketball and rugby, to student, coach, team and volunteer of the year. The evening’s big winner – the


college’s Sports Personality of the Year – was A-level biology, chemistry and psychology student Sarah Maqbool for being the driving force behind the college’s first-ever equestrian society. Guest speaker was computer


The College’s sports personality of the year Sarah Maqbool (centre) receives her award from college sport maker Robert Pearce, flanked by fellow award- winners


science student and para swimmer Ben Foulston, who is no stranger to awards success after being named Junior Disabled Sports Person of the Year at the Nottinghamshire Sports Awards earlier this year. The 16-year- old, who has cerebral palsy, talked about his dedication to the sport


and how it has changed his life. Awards organiser, Robert Pearce,


said: “There’s been a tremendous amount of sporting achievement across the entire college this academic year, so this was a fitting way of sharing and celebrating people’s success.”


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64