DEALS & MERGERS


PwC advises on the sale of Hillarys


PwC’s corporate finance team has provided lead mergers and acquisition (M&A) advice to the shareholders of fellow Chamber member Hillarys - the manufacturer of made-to- measure window coverings and floorings - on its sale to Hunter Douglas. Hunter Douglas has agreed


to acquire Hillarys from Ares Capital Corporation. The existing management team has transformed the company from a single product proposition focused on window blinds, to the UK market leader in made-to- measure blinds, shutters, curtains and recently launched a new business in flooring. Hillarys, established in


Nottingham in 1971, employs over 1,300 people over three sites and has a network of over 1,000 self-employed advisers who provide an in-home service, selling and installing core and specialist products. The PwC corporate finance


team acted as M&A adviser to Ares Capital Corporation. PwC’s Tax team also provided tax services to the management team.


A digital impression of the new Premier Inn


Colleges come together


Central College Nottingham and New College Nottingham (NCN) have merged to create Nottingham College – set to be one of the largest colleges in the country. The legal merger announcement


comes after months of complex planning. With an estimated annual turnover of over £80m, Nottingham College expects to employ 1,500 staff and support up to 40,000 full- and part-time students into employment, higher-level apprenticeships or degree courses. The agreement follows extensive


public consultation, as well as subsequent discussions with staff, students, employers and the unions. Nottingham College is now in a strong position to influence and respond to policy changes around apprenticeships, technical qualifications, employer ownership of skills, and the Government’s Industrial Strategy. Nottingham College CEO, John


van de Laarschot, said: “We have a unique opportunity to bring students and employers into a single, dynamic learning environment and I want to encourage employers, partners, parents and students to join us as we design a new and very different kind of college. “We’ve already entered into


discussions with representatives of


Nottingham College CEO John van de Laarschot (centre) with Central and NCN staff and students


local and national employers to make sure the Nottingham College curriculum is designed around their needs for a sustainable and skilled workforce and we will continue to prioritise investment in areas of our business which support the region’s economic growth plans.” Carole Thorogood, Designate


Chair of Nottingham College, added: “I wish to publicly acknowledge the contribution of colleagues and partner organisations who have worked tirelessly to bring this merger over the line. The guidance of the


Education and Skills Funding Agency, and the partnerships forged with the D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership, Barclay’s Bank and Nottingham City Council have been invaluable. But the really exciting work starts now. “Nottingham College is being


built on the very best that Central and NCN have to offer and I want to thank board members, staff, students and partners for their unwavering commitment. I am confident that our ultimate ambition to create one of the best colleges in the country is now underway.”


Dame Asha Khemka DBE


College develops elearning vision


A premier contract for Clegg


Clegg Construction is on course to deliver a new multi-million pound Premier Inn hotel in Leeds. The company, which has its headquarters in


Nottingham, is the main contractor for the scheme at the Arndale Centre in Headingley. The £6.2m contract involves the redevelopment of


Arndale House – a 1960s vacant office block comprising 4,000sq m over nine storeys. Work started in October 2016 to provide 96 en-


suite bedrooms, reception and lobby area, restaurant and kitchen, alongside associated parking.


14 business network July/August 2017 The Premier Inn will open for business in the first


quarter of 2018 and 45 jobs will be created. The hotel is situated close to Headingley Stadium, the University of Leeds and Leeds Beckett University. Simon Blackburn, Clegg Construction’s Managing


Director, said: “We are very familiar with the Arndale Centre after completing £1m of work there in recent times. The scheme is progressing well and highlights our expertise within the leisure industry.” The project at Headingley continues Clegg Construction’s planned expansion in Yorkshire.


Vision West Nottinghamshire College has developed a new partnership with e-Careers to significantly expand its course offering and increase engagement with SMEs across the UK. Dame Asha Khemka DBE, Principal and Chief Executive of Vision West Nottinghamshire College, said: “Each year the college prides itself on supporting some 26,000 students in securing new qualifications. By forming this new partnership with e-Careers we hope to expand on this by offering hundreds of elearning courses.”


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