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Barratt writes off £208.4m
Leicestershire housebuilder Barratt has announced a range of promotions after its annual profits dropped 68 per cent. The company will pay stamp duty on houses worth up to £500,000 and protect buyers from price falls of up to 15 per cent during the next three years. The deals apply to completions made before Christmas. Barratt posted pre-tax profits of £137.3m for the year to June 30, but has had to write off £208.4m from its £3.3bn land bank due to the depression in the residential market. Forward sales at the year end were down 51 per cent to £697.6m. On an underlying basis, Barratt's average selling prices were 5 per cent down over the year.
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Gem of a deal for Safe
Safe Computing, the Leicester software development business, has acquired Nottinghams Topaz Computer Systems. The combined business will have a turnover of more than £10m and will operate from existing facilities employing 120 staff. Geoff Griffiths, managing director of Topaz, is staying with the business and will be appointed to the Safe board of directors. Lead adviser on the transaction was John Sykes of Skye Corporate Finance. Legal advice to Safe was provided by Gareth John and Abeda Suleman of HBJ Gateley Wareing in Leicester. The shareholders of Topaz were advised by Simon Dakin of Actons solicitors in Nottingham. 
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Sweet results for Thorntons
The Mike Davies effect continues to work at chocolate maker Thorntons after it posted a 20 per cent rise in annual profits, which stand at £8.5m. Revenues increased 11.9 per cent to £208.1m for the year to June 28 on the back of successful new products and the relaunch of old favourites. Davies says he is committed to reaching his goal of opening the companys 400th store before Christmas.
Next profits dip
Leicester-based retail giant Next continues to suffer as its profits dropped 6.8 per cent to £198m for the half year to the end of July. However, chief executive Simon Wolfson has said the company expects to make its predicted full-year profit of between £400m and £440m. He also ruled out any forced store closures.
Derby Uni gets down to business
On Friday 12 September the University of Derby will launch its University Corporate business its direct response to government calls for higher education institutions to do more to foster higher level skills development in the workforce. The service will offer employers services ranging from short work-based learning packages to full industry specific courses. University Corporate will be in temporary premises at Friar Gate Studios in Ford Street from October until it moves into a purpose-built Business and Enterprise Centre, to be built at the universitys Jackson Mill site in Bridge Street by 2010.
East Mids consultants win Teesside contract
Four consultancies from the East Midlands have won work on a sport and health sciences building for the University of Teesside in Middlesbrough. CPMG Architects has been appointed as the architect behind the £9.9m scheme. The commission has been awarded on the back of two completed buildings at the University of Teesside the Phoenix and Athena Buildings designed by CPMG, and a campus masterplanning exercise. The designers have chosen a local team to carry out the work in the North East. CPW will provide building services consultancy, with BWB providing structural and fire engineering input. All three companies are based in Nottingham. Derbyshire-based FPCR has also been appointed as landscape designer.
The Russians are coming
Independent insurance broker and financial adviser The Wilson Organisation is launching an initiative to help Midlands organisations and individuals establish and expand business links with Russia. The Russia Midlands Business Club is the only initiative of its kind running outside London. The launch event will be held on 18 September with registration and refreshments at 6pm at Tonic Bar & Restaurant, Chapel Bar, in Nottingham.
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Andrew begins resi work in Leicestershire
Property developer Andrew Homes has started work on two schemes in north Leicestershire at Mountsorrell and Shepshed. Nine homes will be built at the Mountsorrell development, close to the village centre. At Shepshed an existing home will be demolished to create an access road and ten detached houses will be built around a private drive.
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New group chairman for LHA-ASRA
Shaukat Moledina has been elected chairman designate of Leicester-based LHA-ASRA housing and regeneration group. He replaces Rodney Pitts, who steps down in April 2009. Moledina is non-executive chairman of an investment trust providing equity and debt finance to small and medium-sized companies. He is also deputy chairman of the Housing Corporation, a trustee and main board member of Save the Children and vice president of United Response, a learning disability charity in the UK.
Andersons welcomes three starters
Nottingham law firm Andersons Solicitors has recruited three solicitors. Ann Elliott joins the family department, Stephen Luke joins the employment team as a legal executive and Marcus Brown, legal executive, has joined the dispute resolution team.
Iconic appointments
Retford rubber specialist Icon Polymer has made two appointments. Daniel Millard is joining as sales manager at its Retford headquarters and Andrew Paxton as a technical engineer at its Silentbloc UK business at Burton-on-Trent.
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