The North Staffordshire Regeneration Partnership (NSRP) is awaiting the results of an audit on behalf of regional development agency Advantage West Midlands (AWM), the outcome of which will determine whether withheld funding for its planned projects will be released. Auditors from KPMG have carried out an inspection of the regeneration body’s procurement procedures, with results expected in February. Until those results are known, AWM, which is one of the body’s funding partners, has refused to release £500,000 of regeneration cash. The audit is a follow-up to an earlier investigation undertaken after concerns were raised about whether the NSRP’s recruitment and procurement procedures followed set guidelines. The January 2009 investigation examined the appointment of consultants on some of the area’s key regeneration projects. Investigators said processes prior to January 2009 "lacked transparency and scrutiny" and "failed to demonstrate how value for money has been achieved". The NSRP subsequently agreed on an action plan to ensure procurement processes meet legal requirements, and KPMG’s current audit is checking whether they have been put into practice. In a statement to Insider, Brian Ward, Stoke-on-Trent City Council cabinet member for regeneration, said: “It was jointly agreed with AWM to withhold a proportion of funding until a review of the recommendations had been completed. No projects have been delayed while waiting for the release of funding.”

Shock waves are reverberating around the local professional services and property communities at the news that property consultancy Drivers Jonas has been acquired by big four accountancy firm Deloitte. Drivers Jonas, well known for its public-sector work, will join the accountancy firm’s existing real-estate team. DJ’s local office is in Cornwall Street in central Birmingham and is headed by Gary Cardin. Deloitte, based in Brindleyplace, is managed by Richard Edwards. Drivers Jonas, which has annual revenues of approximately £100m, will move its 650 employees to Deloitte, with its 25 equity partners also transferring their stakes. The deal will create a business group of approximately 700 partners and professionals called Drivers Jonas Deloitte. The combined group will have annual revenues of more than £110m. It will work alongside Deloitte’s core audit team, which counts British Land, Hammerson and Segro among its clients. Nick Shepherd, managing partner of Drivers Jonas, will become managing partner of the new real-estate group.

Up to 500 new jobs will be created in Nottingham after Eon announced it will be opening three customer services centres in the city. Eon told Insider that two of the sites - those looking after credit and general contact and correspondence - will be at brand new offices in the city centre, with the third, the power firm’s Phoenix Park site, dealing with smaller businesses and metering industry management. A spokesperson for Eon did not confirm the location of the city-centre offices, but said: “We’re looking for somewhere relatively close to the existing offices, so our existing staff don’t have any travel issues.” Matt Smith, a partner at property consultancy King Sturge in Nottingham, said this is very positive news for the city that “also sends an extremely positive message within the property market”.

Steel products manufacturer Metalrax Group, based in Birmingham, has “made good progress” in the turnaround of the business, according to a trading statement released today. The Group’s performance for the year to 31 December 2009 pre-exceptional items is expected to be “slightly ahead of market expectations”. Metalrax participated in the February Midlands Business Insider turnaround round table; for more from that event, click here.

The West Midlands is playing a major part in Europe’s new programme to tackle climate change through investments in technology, innovation and people. Advantage West Midlands (AWM) led work to co-ordinate a successful bid to the new European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT), which will bring together a consortium of six regions, including the West Midlands, five of Europe’s top universities, including Imperial College and ETH Zurich, and ten major companies, including CISCO and Shell.

Yorkshire Bank is to become a corporate partner of BioCity, the bioscience incubator business park in central Nottingham. The bank, which is based in Lock House, Castle Meadow Road in the city centre, will support the growth of bioscience and healthcare technology companies at BioCity and across the East Midlands by offering bespoke financial services and business advice. To mark the official collaboration between the two organisations, 60 businesses at BioCity have been invited to attend a presentation by leading economist Nick Parsons on Tuesday 9 February at the site in Pennyfoot Street. The event is also open to other East Midlands businesses.

The Birmingham office of accountancy firm Grant Thornton has been appointed auditor to city-based transport group Rotala. Formed in 2005 and based on Long Acre in Aston, Rotala provides bus, coach and transport management services to the public and private sector. Group operating companies include Flights Hallmark, Central Connect and the Diamond Bus Company. David White, Birmingham-based partner at Grant Thornton, said: “Being appointed auditor to Rotala is a major win for the Birmingham office, and we look forward to working with this ambitious business.”

Herefordshire MP Bill Wiggins has called for more local entrepreneurs and young businesses to make the most of the Leominster’s Rural Enterprise Centre. Speaking at a business support event organised by the Rural Regeneration Zone (RRZ) and Evans Easyspace, Wiggins predicted that the future prosperity of the area will be driven by growing companies expanding and creating jobs for local people. Some 12 firms have already moved into the £1.5m centre. “Leominster has always displayed great enterprising tradition and this is something we must continue. To do this, we need to create an environment that supports our future businesses,” Wiggins said.

We hope you are enjoying your regular fix of Insider News and find it an insightful and valuable tool for your business. You’ll also be interested in our new Insider Membership (magazine subscribers are now members) that’s been designed to keep you informed and involved with the Midlands business community: In print. In person. Online. Click here to discover the benefits. Don’t miss out; as a valued Insider News reader, you can become a member/subscriber and take advantage of our special "3 years for the price of 2" offer (saving at least £613 on the full package). Simply order online (selecting the three-year new subscription) and submit promotional code: M58. Alternatively, contact Richard Graham for further information. This offer is available until 31 January 2010.

To submit your property to Commercial Property Finder click here

Prime office activity in Birmingham in the fourth quarter of 2009 returned to levels seen earlier in the year following a spike of activity in quarter three, according to latest research from leading adviser DTZ. But in its latest Property Times report, DTZ states that the composition has changed, with nearly two thirds (64 per cent) accounted for by Grade B space. David Tonks, head of office agency at DTZ, said: “Demand has focused on Grade B stock, either by virtue of its location or specification, largely due to churn from flexible, manoeuvrable firms which already have a presence in the city centre.”

Geary’s Bakeries has relocated to the Hayhill Industrial Estate in Barrow upon Soar, Leicestershire, after taking out a lease on a 20,000 sq ft property. The unit offers industrial accommodation at ground level, with offices one the first floor and an extended yard to the rear. The unit has been used for food production for many years but has been completely stripped out and refurbished by landlord Jelson along with the construction of a new extension. Geary’s has taken out a ten-year lease. Innes England acted for Jelson on the deal.

Following the news that the Jewellery Quarter Regeneration Partnership’s office is closing, businesses in the Quarter are asking Birmingham City Council to work with them to make sure momentum isn’t lost. Fiona Toye, chair of the Jewellery Industry Business Support Strategy (JIBSS) and chief executive of Toye Kenning & Spencer, said: “Andy Munro and his team have made a significant contribution to the Quarter over the years, and we believe it’s important we find a way for this to continue.” Meanwhile, a £2.5m funding package has been agreed by Advantage West Midlands and partners to create a live/work scheme in Hylton Street in the Jewellery Quarter to encourage the next generation of jewellery designers to make it their home.

Industrial Insulation Company has relocated from Chapel House in Main Street, Humberstone, to a new-build 1,919 sq ft office unit at Kibworth Business Park. The firm is a thermal insulation specialist involved in major projects in London, including White City, Europe’s largest indoor shopping centre, the new Olympic stadium and the Savoy Hotel. Leicester commercial property specialist Andrew and Ashwell acted for the company on the deal.

Severn Trent’s corporate affairs director Peter Gavan will be leaving the company at the end of January. Tony Wray, chief executive of the Coventry-based FTSE 100 water utility company, said: "Peter has led us through a period of most challenging issues for Severn Trent." Gavan said: "My work with Severn Trent, for long periods incredibly demanding, is now complete, and it's with great eagerness and anticipation that I can look forward to whatever big challenges await in my next role."

The Y Factor is here with a golden opportunity for would-be singers to make their mark on stage. HBJ Gateley Wareing, along with Clearwater Corporate Finance, DLA Piper, Barclays Commercial, LDC and Royal Bank of Scotland are sponsoring Mencap’s Y Factor event, which is taking place at the Glee Club in Birmingham on 24 March. Deloitte, Harvey Ingram, Dimensions and Maverick TV are supporting the event. Budding singers will be taking to the stage for one night only to perform in front of a live audience; they will be critiqued by a panel of judges including Insider editor Andy Coyne. Heart FM's Ed James will host the event, which hopes to raise £25,000 for Mencap. Tickets are available from Mencap on 020 7696 6006 or via email.