Tom Zaunmayr speaks to Justin Fris about why Indigenous business-based acquisitions are on the rise in WA.

Plus: Cutifani leaves Woodside for Northern Star; House brick shortage biting; PolarBlue to exit WA for $1.5b Tasmanian facility. 

Sports hall, a historic hotel and a new shop

A trio of small but impactful projects are in the running for the Small Non-residential Scheme of the Year category in the 2026 ProCon Leicestershire property and construction awards.

A sports hall, a historic hotel and a new shop are the finalists in this award, which is sponsored by Merali Beedle and is one of seven in this year’s 23rd ProCon Leicestershire Awards.

The Small Non-residential Scheme of the Year finalists are:

Central Co-op – The Bluebell Inn, Desford

Submitted by Corporate Architecture

A new food shop was created for Central Co-op whilst safeguarding the long-term future of the adjoining Bluebell Inn in Desford.

The heritage-led project combined conservation, commercial viability and sustainable design by transforming a café and residential accommodation into a modern 4,000 square feet convenience store with new extensions.

Located in the Desford Conservation Area and adjacent to a Grade II* listed building, the project required a balanced approach that respected the historic environment and met the operational requirements of a contemporary retailer.

LGS Stoneygate New Sports Hall, Leicester

Submitted by Watson Batty Architects, LGS Stoneygate (Leicester Grammar School Trust), Addison Hunt, CPW, Curtins, Bailey Construction and YMD Boon

The new Sports Hall at Leicester Grammar School is a modern four-court facility that supports curriculum PE, sport, training, competition and wider community use.

The project links directly to the senior school building via a new entrance lobby, allowing existing changing, toilet and classroom facilities to be shared rather than duplicated.

The hall delivers a Sport England compliant, low-carbon facility with enhanced thermal performance, air source heat pump heating, acoustic control and durable sports finishes.

The Grand Hotel – Phase 1, Leicester

Submitted by Hickman & Smith Architects, The Grand Hotel and Leicester City Council

The restoration of Leicester’s Grand Hotel transformed the appearance of one of Leicester’s most prominent listed buildings. Over time, piecemeal alterations had eroded the architectural quality of the ground floor.

Oversized fascias, shallow aluminium shopfronts, roller shutters and fragmented frontages have been replaced by a Victorian composition of traditionally detailed timber shopfronts, polished granite, Portland stone, decorative ironwork, deep recessed entrances and coordinated signage.

The reinstated principal hotel entrance and canopy once again establish the building as a focal point, restoring its civic presence on Leicester’s principal route between the railway station and the city centre.

Amanda Rogowska, Partner at award sponsor Merali Beedle, said: “Merali Beedle is delighted to support the Small Non-Residential Award. The impressive breadth of submissions highlights the extraordinary creativity and passion shaping today’s built environment.”

The 2026 ProCon Awards are backed by two corporate sponsors: Salus and Unique Window Systems. The Leicester Mercury’s Business Live is the media partner.

The other six awards are:

• Rising Star of the Year, sponsored by Galliford Try
• Small Residential Scheme of the Year, sponsored by Fusion 360 Group
• Medium Residential Scheme of the Year, sponsored by Fusion 360 Group
• Medium Non-residential Scheme of the Year, sponsored by Knights
• Large Non-residential Scheme of the Year, sponsored by Procure Partnerships Framework
• Regeneration Project of the Year, sponsored by NJC Surveys and AR Demolition

All the contenders will be in the spotlight at a Finalist Showcase at the 2025 winner Jewry Wall in Leicester from 6pm on Wednesday October 7.

Finalists and winners will be celebrated at a ceremony on November 12 at Leicester City’s King Power Stadium. Details of all the awards finalists are at: procon-leicestershire.co.uk/procon-awards/2026

Companies keen to attend the Finalist Showcase, the ceremony or to enquire about sponsorship opportunities can contact Allyson Jeffrey on 0116 278 1443 or via email: info@procon-leicestershire.co.uk

The Prime Minister is set to pitch the government as a partner for growth to top chiefs on Monday

Andy Burnham will call for a “culture shift” in how Britain does business as he meets senior executives from the likes of Aviva, Rolls Royce and Revolut UK on Monday.

The Prime Minister is set to position the government as a partner for growth to business leaders at a reception at Downing Street today. Burnham is expected to tell his guests that the government’s devolution plans will enable infrastructure to be delivered more swiftly, draw in greater investment and generate more opportunities in communities throughout Britain.

Speaking ahead of the event, Burnham said: “If we’re going to unlock this country’s full potential, we need a culture shift in how Britain does business.

“That means putting government firmly on the side of the people who take risks, start companies, create jobs and bring new ideas to life. It means ensuring ambition is rewarded, making it easier to start and grow a business, and giving people the confidence that if they have a great idea, they’ll get all the support they need to bring it to life.”

The gathering will follow numerous industries urging the government to cut taxes and reduce the cost of doing business as Chancellor John Healey begins drafting the Autumn Budget, due to be delivered on October 28.

Some economists have predicted that the £22bn in fiscal headroom left by former Chancellor Rachel Reeves in her 2025 Budget could be reduced by as much as half following a spike in gilt yields during a recent bond sell-off,

reports City AM.

Analysts have cautioned that Healey has little scope for additional borrowing and will be compelled to raise taxes in order to remain within the fiscal rules, which stipulate that day-to-day expenditure must be matched by receipts by 2030.

The heads of Britain’s largest industry groups launched their campaigns ahead of the Budget last week with demands to cut costs and kickstart economic growth.

A number of revenue-generating measures have been rumoured to be under consideration by Healey, including levies on banks, an increase to capital gains tax and the introduction of a contentious exit tax.

Prior to the main reception, Burnham will also chair a roundtable with many of the nation’s leading entrepreneurs, including Octopus Energy, Oxford Quantum Circuits, and Oaknorth.

Founders have been amongst the most outspoken critics regarding a proposed exit levy, which would be imposed on business owners should they relocate abroad. Several executives previously told City AM that speculation alone was already prompting some founders to contemplate moving overseas.

The County Durham detection technology firm saw a fall in profitability but says it has ‘positive momentum’ for the year ahead

Detection technology company Kromek has hailed a year of “strong operational and commercial progress” despite seeing a fall in profitability.

The County Durham firm has released final results for the year to the end of April which show that its revenues rose slightly to £27.1m. But operating profits fell in the same period, going from £4.7m a year earlier to £2.9m.

2025 had been a breakthrough year for the NETPark company as it turned years of leading-edge science into profit for the first time. The company has maintained profitability and said it had seen particular growth in its advanced imaging and CBRN (chemical, biological, radiation and nuclear) detection divisions.

Around half the group’s revenues came in North America, but it saw growth in the UK, Europe and Asia.

CEO Dr Arnab Basu said: “FY 2026 was a year of strong operational and commercial progress for Kromek. We delivered increased revenue, with significant underlying growth in Advanced Imaging and further growth in CBRN Detection, reflecting increased delivery on long-term customer programmes, new order wins and the continued expansion of our international distributor network.

“We also made further progress with major OEMs in next-generation medical imaging, secured an initial order under the UK Government’s Radiological Nuclear Detection Framework, and continued to invest in manufacturing capability, automation and our intellectual property portfolio.

“We enter FY 2027 with positive momentum, supported by a healthy order book, an encouraging commercial pipeline and strong engagement with customers across both divisions.

“As demand develops for our Advanced Imaging technologies and government and security customers continue to invest in CBRN detection capabilities, we expect to deliver results in line with market expectations, including significant revenue growth in both divisions, while maintaining disciplined cost control and investment in key growth opportunities. Accordingly, the board continues to look forward to the year ahead with confidence.”

The company, which has manufacturing operations in the UK and the US after spinning out of research at Durham University, has been recognised for its commitment to innovation, and now holds more than 190 patents globally. As well as contracts with global Governments and defence organisations, it is working with Newcastle Upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Newcastle University and University College London on new technology to better detect breast cancer.

He will lead the operational delivery of the mining project near Pool

A mining company looking to restore production at an historic tin mine in Cornwall has appointed a new managing director. Juan Kemp will take the helm of Cornish Metals on Monday, September 14.

Mr Kemp will lead the project and operational delivery of South Crofty, near Pool. The mine was forced to close in 1998 after more than 400 years of continuous production due to lack of investment and falling metal prices. Cornish Metals acquired the site in 2016 and said earlier this year it could be producing by 2028.

Mr Kemp has 30 years’ experience in the mining sector. He began his career with AngloGold in 1994 before joining De Beers in 1998, where he was appointed plant manager in 2001.

He joined Petra Diamonds in 2005 and held a number of senior operational and executive positions, including general manager of Cullinan Diamond Mine from 2011, chief technical officer from 2019 and operations executive from 2024.

In February 2025, he was appointed joint chief executive of Petra Diamonds – a position he held until May this year when he stepped down.

Mr Kemp will be based at South Crofty and will report to Don Turvey, Cornish Metal’s chief executive.

“As South Crofty continues to advance towards production, strengthening our operational capability and building the right team to operate the mine safely and efficiently is an important part of our development,” said Mr Turvey.

“His appointment comes at an important stage for South Crofty as we progress the plant construction and mine development alongside preparations for future operations.

“Juan will play a key role in building our operational readiness, embedding strong safety and operating standards, and importantly developing a skilled workforce from the talent pool in Cornwall and beyond as we move towards production.”

Mr Kemp said Cornish Metals had “an exciting opportunity” to develop a “modern, safe and responsible” mining operation in Cornwall.

“My focus will be on our people and disciplined delivery – progressing the project safely, building operational readiness and developing a high-performing local team,” he said.

“I look forward to working with Don, the Cornish Metals team and the people of Cornwall to make South Crofty a successful and sustainable operation.”

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