Business school moves a step closer

Plans for a new business school in Derby city centre have been secured after the University of Derby raised £70m funding to help develop the state-of-the-art building – which represents a core part of its longterm strategy.

Following a competitive funding process, the £70m private placement was secured, featuring highly attractive fixed-rate, 35-year terms. It is the university’s first debt capital markets issuance and was arranged by Centrus, which acted as corporate finance advisor.

The funding is structured, so half of the funding has already been received, with the remainder due in December this year, to better match the project’s funding needs, while reducing the university’s interest costs.

Further, the funding incentivises the university’s commitment to social inclusion and equality. It does so by providing a discount if the target set by the university for reducing the attainment gap is achieved.

Giving Access to top qualification

Access Training (East Midlands) will be at the forefront of a new professional housing qualification that will soon become mandatory for all senior managers and executives in the social housing sector.

It is one of only 16 study centres across the UK accredited to offer the Level 4 certificate, and one of eight to provide Level 5, of an upcoming Ofqual-regulated housing management qualification.

The qualifications, which provide the skills and knowledge needed to perform in a senior management role, will be delivered via a blended approach of remote workshops and one-to-one tutorials that cover all relevant areas of housing policy and practice over a duration of 12 to 15 months.

The proposed Government legislation is part of the amended Social Housing (Regulation) Bill and estimated to affect 25,000 social housing managers across the UK.

Access Training managing director Corrina Hembury (pictured) said: “Over the past four years, we’ve helped over 450 individuals gain the qualifications needed to deliver the best of housing services.

“It’s so important that all within the sector who are responsible for the safety and welfare of residents hold the relevant qualifications and, at the same time, are held to account. It really is a keyway in which standards will be raised.”

And Patrons

King’s Honours nominations call

East Midlands organisations are being urged to nominate individuals for national honours.

Lord-Lieutenant of Derbyshire Elizabeth Fothergill CBE (pictured) said those who “witness true excellence and a passion to improve the lives of others” should consider making a nomination.

The King’s Honours recognise people for exceptional service and achievement; going “above and beyond the call of duty”; showing sustained delivery and moral courage against the odds; and having the respect of their peers. Examples could include individuals who:

• Exemplify the best sustained and selfless voluntary service

• Demonstrate innovation and entrepreneurship

• Work to tackle discrimination

• Help to improve the lives of vulnerable people

• Are major philanthropists who show long-term commitment

• Support children and young people to achieve their potential

• Aid social mobility, enhancing life chances and tackling deprivation

• Help to protect the environment

• Work to improve the economic prosperity of local people.

Anyone can make a nomination but often people are overlooked because it is assumed someone else will do it.

Nominations should be relatively short and clear; highlight the person’s special qualities; show what they have personally done, rather than a team’s achievements; explain how the individual has “gone the extra mile” and perhaps sacrificed to succeed in the role; and demonstrate the impact they have made. Including supporting facts and figures about the impact they have made, and letters of support from people who have benefitted, helps considerably.

For more information, visit www.gov.uk/honours