Coventry & Warwickshire in business
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PET-Xi Business Futures Programme celebrates its 100th Learner! This month PET-Xi celebrated its 100th learner to sign up for their new Business Futures Programme. The free six-week Business Futures programme provides budding Warwickshire entrepreneurs with a range of business support and advice as well as the opportunity to take part in a Dragon’s Den-style pitch for the opportunity to receive a £1,000 grant to help launch their idea. It aims to support jobseekers across the county to develop their entrepreneurial skills to launch a business and become their own boss. The course includes pre-recorded content, enabling participants to take part at a time that suits them, as well as live weekly webinars, and participants are allocated a business mentor and |can receive a free logo design. Josh Hall, age 21 from Nuneaton, is unemployed and on Universal Credit and has attended a number of PET-Xi courses in the past which have helped him to develop his employability skills. He has a keen interest in building and refurbishing computers and had always wanted to set-up his own business in this field, so thought PET-Xi’s Business
Futures programme would provide the perfect opportunity to build his knowledge and develop his skills to launch this. Josh was given access to the pre-recorded online sessions which focus on topics including business structure, registration, developing a business plan, social media, marketing, and competitor analysis. His business mentor also helped him to develop a business plan for his company Nexuro Limited, which sells refurbished computers, laptops, and electronics. Keen to keep products affordable for customers, he was given advice on achieving this while remaining profitable. Josh then pitched his business idea to a panel of judges and was successfully awarded a grant of £1,000 to help launch his business. Gary Drake, of PET-Xi, said: “Josh was extremely enthusiastic about his business idea which will help people in the community who cannot afford brand new computers, laptops, and other electronics by giving them the opportunity to purchase ones that have been refurbished.
“We loved Josh’s business idea. It not only has a focus on sustainability and the environment, ensuring that old electronics are re-used rather than being sent to landfill, and will support a lot of people in the community who might be struggling. “Our aim with the programme is to support people within the Warwickshire community and give small businesses the opportunity to develop and prosper. “We were extremely pleased to award Josh a grant of £1,000 to develop his business and look forward to hearing more about his success in the future.”
Business Futures is a governmentfunded programme through the UK Community Renewal Fund, which is allocated locally through Warwickshire County Council. The six-week online programme is delivered by PET-Xi and is open to Warwickshire residents aged between 16 and 65 who are unemployed. For more information on the Business Futures Programme and details on how to apply, Email Gary Drake gdrake@pet-xi.co.uk
Sam scoops Rising Star award at prestigious Props
Sam collects the award from Jonnie Irwin and award sponsor Richard Mees from Rainier Developments
Bromwich Hardy graduate surveyor Sam Cooper has been named the Midland’s rising property star – after just one full year in his job.
“I have been fantastically fortunate to start my career at such a wonderful company and to be learning so much from a remarkable team,” said Sam.
Sam scooped the Rising Star award at the inaugural Midlands Props awards after judges heard the 25-year-old concluded thirty-four separates in his first full year worth millions of pounds.
Judges were told Sam had secured £1.4million of lease deals for 202,000 sq. ft of space, twenty-two separate industrial lettings worth £1.1 million and six office lettings equating to 40,000 sq. ft.
Sam said he was hugely honoured to have won the title and paid tribute to his colleagues at Coventry-based Bromwich Hardy for their part in his success. www.cw-chamber.co.uk
Awards host Jonnie Irwin – of TV’s Escape to the Country and A Place in the Sun – told guests at the awards
ceremony at Birmingham’s Grand Hotel that Sam was like ‘a machine.’
property market in the Midlands in general in his first year in the job.
Sam, who joined Bromwich Hardy in July 2022 and who is halfway through a Masters in Real Estate at Birmingham University, added: “It was a real shock to be shortlisted and I never dreamed I would actually win.
“He has a maturity beyond his years and an understanding both of the industry and – more importantly – the people we do business with, quickly winning their confidence and trust. He is already a key part of our team, and we look forward to working together for many years to come.”
“I have had an incredible first year in the job and would like to thank all my clients, colleagues at Bromwich Hardy and most importantly founding partner Tom Bromwich for taking me under his wing and passing on some of his expert knowledge. “I have my sights firmly set on becoming a chartered surveyor so there is still plenty for me to learn and lots of hard work ahead.” Tom said: “Sam is a remarkable young man who has made a huge impact both on our business and the commercial
Bromwich Hardy was shortlisted for three awards at the event, also being nominated for best regeneration project with Complex Development Projects for a scheme which including the creation of the Telegraph Hotel Coventry, whilst Tom was shortlisted for office deal of the year for the sale of Bishops House on Tachbrook Park, Warwick. The awards recognise the leaders making a difference in the world of Midlands real estate and raise funds for Variety, the Children’s Charity.
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