Business Network Dec 24 Jan 25

THE FIRST WORD

East Midlands Chamber offers so many different services – from export support to management training courses, networking and sustainability advice - all while lobbying Government on behalf of its many members.

But one of the things we are particularly proud of is the range of awards we offer –awards which celebrate and thank all the fantastic businesses which help this region thrive.

The awards are our way of giving a bit more back to the business community while shining a well-deserved light on their achievements.

So, as the year draws to a close, this edition of Business Network looks back at at the two awards for our Generation Next and Enterprising Women networks along with the three separate Chamber awards which were recently held in Leicestershire, Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire.

Many of the businesses and individuals honoured through the year will be well-known to readers. But many are the SMEs, independents and family-owned companies, the entrepreneurs and future leaders, who might not yet be making headlines – but soon will be. There are stories of helping the communities in which they operate, of outstanding growth, collaboration and of investment in their people. Through all those accomplishments they are as important to our region as any other organisation.

And when it comes to overall Businesses of the Year, the quality is second-to-none.

For Nottinghamshire, that was Murphy and Son, which works with the brewing and beverage industry, and which recently cut the ribbon on a new 50,000 sq ft warehouse in Chilwell.

In Leicestershire, it was Howes Percival, which is investing huge amounts of time and effort into ensuring its workforce has the skills and confidence to give clients the very best service.

And in Derbyshire, it was Kranlee Logistics, which has seen huge growth since it was launched just a month before Covid-19 hit.

So, again, we are proud to share with you the stories of their success, and look forward to hearing even greater things from each and every one of them in 2025.

Tom Pegden, Editor, Business Network

Editor Tom Pegden

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COVER PHOTOS Highlights of the 2024 Generation Next and Enterprising Women Awards and the Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire and Leicestershire Business Awards.

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BUSINESS NETWORK is produced on behalf of East Midlands Chamber (Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Nottinghamshire) by Kemps Publishing Ltd and is distributed to members without charge. The Chamber and the publisher are committed to achieving the highest quality standards. While every care has been taken to ensure that the information it contains is accurate, neither the Chamber nor the publisher can accept

DECEMBER 2024/JANUARY 2025

MEMBER NEWS

4 Ambitious pipe laying project to create jobs

APPOINTMENTS

30 Luxury hotel appoints deputy general manager

THE BIG INTERVIEW

33 Meeting the people behind the three Chamber Businesses of the Year 2024

STRATEGIC PARTNERS AND PATRONS

40 Soaring praise for East Midlands Airport

CHAMBER NEWS

46 Why it’s so important to celebrate our achievers

56 Accelerator Project

Business adviser support – what’s it really worth?

CHAMBER NETWORKS

62 Awards are all about making connections

TRAINING & EVENTS

66 Who needs sales training?

SUSTAINABLE EAST MIDLANDS

70 University helping to transform EV systems

INTERNATIONAL TRADE

72 Getting you over the customs hurdle

POLITICS

74 Mayor seeking to boost investment

FEATURES

76 Executive Search & Recruitment

Hiring diverse leaders

80FOCUS

Round-up from the regional Chamber Business Awards 2024

86 Made in the East Midlands

Ensuring your legal support is fit for purpose

90 Steps to sustainable manufacturing

DIGITAL & TECHNOLOGY

94 AI is all the fashion for students

BUSINESS SUPPORT

96 LEGAL

Be prepared for change to sexual harassment law

98FINANCE

Rebrand aims to make a world of difference

101 SKILLS

Chesterfield gets help to close the skills gap

102 PROPERTY

Affordable homes project gets under way

104 MOTORING

Nick Jones tests the Polestar 2 AWD

THE LAST WORD

106 Chamber president Stuart Dawkins pens his final column

MEMBER NEWS

THE LATEST NEWS FROM OUR CHAMBER MEMBERS

Ambitious pipe laying project to create jobs

Severn Trent has announced plans to create more than 440 jobs to install 870 miles of new water pipes across the region.

The water company is investing £415m on the project – as part of a broader multi-billion-pound investment – to provide a more reliable water supply.

Recruitment has already begun for the work which will take until 2030 to complete and see enough pipes put down to stretch from Birmingham to Berlin. It is expected that the new pipes will last up to 100 years.

Severn Trent chief executive Liv Garfield said: “This is a hugely ambitious project – one of the largest of its kind in decades.

“We are pleased to be providing a massive boost to jobs, as well as laying miles of new water pipes across the region.

SEVERN TRENT SAID BENEFITS WILL INCLUDE:

• A 16% cut in leaks by 2030, dropping by 50% by 2045.

• Savings on costly repairs.

• Smart meters for customers in areas where pipes are upgraded, helping them track usage and save money on bills.

• A more reliable service with fewer supply interruptions.

“Upgrading our pipes isn’t just about making improvements today; it’s about creating a more secure water future and investing in our communities for generations to come. We’re building a brand-new team to make this happen and

King’s Award for Bridge the Gap

Bridge the Gap Child Mental Health has been announced as a recipient of the King’s Award for Voluntary Service – the highest accolade a local voluntary group can receive in the UK, and the equivalent to an MBE.

A member of East Midlands Chamber, the Derby community interest company provides compassionate mental health support for children and families in the city.

Chamber chief executive Scott Knowles said: “The outstanding contribution volunteers at Bridge the Gap make to the community in Derby cannot be understated.

“To receive a King’s Award for Voluntary Service clearly marks that organisation as one with exceptional standards that are worthy of recognition at the highest national level.”

Bridge the Gap director Jennifer Wyman said: “The King’s Award for Voluntary Service isn’t just a title – it’s a mark of trust. It shows that our city believes in what we do – that Bridge the Gap is a place where kindness lives and where no one has to feel alone. Over a year of work went into this process, and now, here we are – our commitment to the children and families we serve acknowledged at the highest level.

“The King’s Award reminds us of the power of community and how much more we can achieve together.”

proud to welcome so many new people into the Severn Trent family in the next year.”

The upgrades come after Severn Trent was given the green light for a £12bn investment programme that will help improve river health, secure the region’s water supply for generations to come, it said, while keeping bills affordable.

The utility company currently employs more than 9,000 people and offers a range of staff benefits.

and Birmingham have selected Heart

we’re

A Midlands PR, communications and public affairs agency has announced a charity partnership with a major regional grantgiving organisation.

PLMR’s offices in Coventry

Alex Grantham of PLMR, Tina Costello OBE CEO of the Heart of England Community Foundation, and PLMR director Lee Corden

Nikki Webster and Jennifer Wyman of Bridge the Gap

Severn Trent mains renewal

PLMR in new charitable partnership

as their charity partner for the year.

The PLMR Group, which has its head office in Westminster, donates 5% of net profits to philanthropic causes every year, a tradition that started when the

IN BRIEF

MANUFACTURER PUTS EMPLOYEES IN CHARGE

A company that makes power tool accessories, drill bits and other tools has become employee owned.

Armeg, which was established in 1973, designs and builds highperformance power tool drilling accessories for professionals.

The sale to the newly formed Armeg Employee Ownership Trust means the company’s 55 staff will share directly in its success and growth. The current directors will continue to manage operations and bring through a new generation of management.

More than £350,000 has been donated to date. Its charity of the year are the UK community foundations covering the Midlands, London and the East of England, reflecting its office locations.

Wake Smith Solicitors advised on legal matters and accountants Shorts helped with corporate finance and tax advice.

Managing director John Mowthorpe, who owned the business with Charles Pugh, said: “Armeg has been a Sheffield-based, independent drill bit manufacturing specialist for over 51 years.

“There are no immediate changes planned to either the management team or board structure at Armeg Ltd. It is very much business-asusual, and the sale has been designed to deliver seamless management and leadership continuity for years to come.

“I am delighted that we have completed the sale which I am convinced will ensure Armeg’s

longevity as an independent and successful manufacturing company.”

Connor Marshall, corporate finance senior executive at Shorts, said: “This transition into an EOT ensures that the culture and legacy of the business continues, with no change in day-to-day company operations for customers or employees.”

CITY RAIL SUPPLIER SOLD TO SWEDISH GROUP

A Derby rail engineering company has been sold to a Swedish multinational.

Tidyco, which makes hydraulic and pneumatic systems, rail and heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems, has been acquired by international technology and industrial business Indutrade AB.

The plan is to enhance Tidyco’s service across the UK while preserving its core values of “innovation, customer focus and community engagement”.

Tidyco managing director James Tidy said: “It is an exciting time to be joining the Indutrade family, a group known for its dedication to sustainability, quality and technical excellence.

“It brings great opportunities to scale our services while continuing to deliver the level of support and innovation our clients expect. We are also excited about the growth opportunities for our team.”

Milestone for recruitment agency

The team at Astute Recruitment in Derby have celebrated 15 years in business.

The agency supplies staff for all levels of permanent and temporary HR, finance and back-office roles –mainly for SMEs – across Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire and the broader East Midlands. It was launched by Sarah Stevenson and Mary Maguire after they were made redundant in 2009.

This year has seen further team expansion – including Andy Lilliman re-joining the team as director of talent acquisition: CPA audit, tax & advisory for the US market – the successful launch of an HR division, and a new website.

Sarah said: “It’s amazing to think that with just a couple of laptops and our redundancy money, we are now one of the leading accountancy and finance recruitment businesses across the East Midlands.

“It’s all down to our brilliant team and I know I speak for Mary when I say I’m really proud of what we have achieved together.”

The Astute team: (Left to right) Andy Lilliman, Matt Morgan, Tiarna Boler, Jasmine Boler, Sarah Stevenson, Mary Maguire, Liz Champion, Sandra Ainger, Kelly Thomas

Event offers a sense of belonging

ACastle Donington coach training organisation hosted its first post-Covid conference, focused on the theme of “Belonging”.

The Barefoot Coaching Conference was held at the Londoner Hotel in London, and drew hundreds of Barefoot alumni from across the country, for a full day of insights.

The event delivered a day of powerful stories bringing together different coaching practices and methodologies to an audience made up of Barefoot trained coaches and Barefoot guests, from specialist corporate to executives and small

businesses as well as those newly-qualified in the profession.

It was kicked off by Barefoot founder Kim Morgan who was joined by Emma Jones CBE, the founder of Enterprise Nation, a support platform for the UK’s small business community.

Author and speaker Owen Eastwood, who is one of the world’s most in-demand performance coaches, known for his work with elite sports teams and high performing organisations, delivered a standout session on the discovery of identity to develop a sense of belonging.

Cleaning kit has been a splash hit!

Louise and Nolan Freebury run Nottingham-based Charlie and Jane Ltd, which makes paddle-board cleaner Bio Mate.

2024 has been good for Bio Mate –what were the highlights?

Launching Bio Mate and quickly being made an official partner of Paddle UK, as part of their Clear Access, Clear Waters campaign.

What is Bio Mate exactly?

It’s a portable cleaning kit that can be used to clean paddleboards and kayaks straight off the water to help prevent the spread of invasive non-native species (INNS), as well as removing mud and detritus, so it helps care for the equipment as well.

It’s a brush with a mud scraper that has an in-built tap mechanism that screws onto a standard thread bottle – there’s one supplied in the kit, but many household bottles

can be used – and a hose pipe connector, also supplied, so it can be used portably or at home.

You simply fill the bottle with water and take it with you to your paddle location and when you’re finished, or if you’re moving to a different body of water, you give your board and equipment a swill and scrub to get rid of any particles of INNS, then dry with the included drying cloth.

Check Clean Dry is an initiative by the Non-Native Species Secretariat to encourage water sport participants to do that as they leave the water, to prevent the spread of INNS. Floating Pennywort and Himalayan Balsam are examples of the types of INNS that clog up waterways, damaging our

It referred to his personal experiences as well as learnings in working with the men’s England football team, The Royal Ballet and the South African Cricket team.

Other speakers included Andy Chandler, John Perry, author, musician, and coach James Sills, who used song to inspire attendees, and racial equity specialist Bernice Hewson.

Kim said “This has been one of our best conferences yet. It was a brilliant exchange of ideas, learning, and coming together. It was fantastic to talk about belonging and what it means to belong.”

blue spaces and preventing people from participating in water-based sports and activities. There’s a large cost to clearing waterways from INNS, so preventing the spread is the best solution. Bio Mate is an easy and cost-effective way for paddlers to do just that.

Where is Bio Mate available and how can I find out more?

Bio Mate is available on our website at www.biomate.uk as well as on Amazon and the online Decathlon marketplace. A small number of independent retailers stock Bio Mate too, and you can find it easily via Google.

What does 2025 have in store? Paddleboarding is this country’s

fastest growing sport and is also hugely popular around the world, so we’d love to reach new markets, increase our retail presence, and on the back of that help our partners Paddle UK and other environmental organisations continue to educate new and existing paddlers about the importance of Check Clean Dry and their role in preventing the spread of INNS.

Check Clean Dry isn’t just for paddlers, but also for environmental workers, ecologists, farmers and anyone who works in environmentally sensitive sites. We’re aiming to reach those sectors to encourage them to also help prevent the spread of INNS by using Bio Mate on boots, tools and equipment.

Delegates at the Barefoot Coaching Conference

Regional business icon to retire

One of the leading figures on the region’s business scene has announced his retirement, following a 36-year career in accountancy.

Kevin Harris started on a training contract at Clark Whitehill in Birmingham in 1988, moving to Bentley Jennison two years later. He spent two decades helping lead the team at Cooper Parry, becoming a partner at the age of 34, and has been a partner at RSM UK in Leicester for the past seven years – much of that time managing the city office.

‘Some of the proudest things of my executive career, I think, were developing the Cooper Parry brand in Leicester, and pretty much doing the same with RSM’

Over the decades he has built a strong reputation supporting the regional economy, as a past chair of the Leicester and Leicestershire Enterprise Partnership – where he led the creation and development of two enterprise zones – and on the board of the Midlands Engine. He was also a founding member of the Midlands Engine Investment Fund (British Business Bank).

Kevin led the merger of the Leicestershire Chamber of Commerce with the Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Chambers to form the East Midlands Chamber. He was elected president in 2018 and subsequently became chairman in February 2023 – a post he will hold until January 2026. In his years with the Chamber, he has supported work which has

helped 15,000 people into employment and which has seen £48m of support grants provided for the region’s businesses.

His work supporting regional industry was recognised nationally in October when he received the inaugural President’s Award at the 2024 British Chambers of Commerce Awards.

He said the time was now right to step back from RSM but said he would continue to help SMEs through his own consultancy business, and continue to offer his services as a non-executive director.

He said: “The key highlights for me over the years was opening the Leicester office for Cooper Parry and running that office throughout.

“Deciding to leave a firm I'd been part of for more than two decades and subsequently joining a much larger one was a big personal risk but anyone in business knows that risk taking is part of life. Eight years later I know it was the right move.

“RSM was a highlight, as was doing the LLEP and Chamber work and working with the Midlands Engine.

“Some of the proudest things of my executive career, I think, were developing the Cooper Parry brand in Leicester, and pretty much doing the same with RSM – which was formed after the acquisition of Tenon by Baker Tilley. When I took over RSM in Leicester, the office

was pretty much on its knees.

“From the non-executive side, I’m proud of the success of the Chamber mergers, because without that I think the Leicestershire Chamber would have failed.

“It was also good to be involved with the support from the Growth Hub and LLEP for businesses during the pandemic, because Leicestershire was hit with restrictions harder than many areas.

“There was also the creation of the enterprise zones, and leading on the bid for the freeport, and helping with a lot of the funding that came into Leicester and Leicestershire for infrastructure projects that will be there for a long time, such as the expansion of Horiba MIRA and the Loughborough University Science and Enterprise Park.

“It’s been great being part of that whole business community, and I always wanted to give something back outside the day job. I’m proud to have helped so many businesses along the way.”

Chamber chief executive Scott Knowles said: “Kevin has been pivotal to the economic growth of the East Midlands across his storied career – his roles as chair of Leicestershire Chamber of Commerce, leading a merger in 2013 that created East Midlands Chamber, and now chair of the board of directors, as chair of Leicester and Leicestershire Economic Partnership, delivered on top of his day job, has been nothing short of exceptional.

“Congratulations to Kevin on his retirement from RSM UK from the Chamber’s board of directors and the whole team at the Chamber. I look forward to working with Kevin in 2025 and beyond in his continuing role as chair.”

Award sees attraction reach new heights

The Heights of Abraham in Matlock Bath, Derbyshire, has been awarded a gold accolade for excellence by VisitEngland.

The gold award is the highest possible recognition of outstanding visitor experience awarded in England, and was presented following a mystery visit by a judge.

Other 2024 Gold winners included the Sandringham Estate and the Tower of London.

The Heights is this year celebrating the 50th anniversary since the Pugh family began restoration of the historic 60-acre estate.

Development director Rupert Pugh said: “Receiving this award in 2024, 50 years since my father and mother arrived here and began their restoration work on the estate, is really rather special.

“We'll be ending this special celebratory year with our new Lights of Abraham winter lights trail. I would urge people to book soon, as tickets are selling fast.”

Cable cars at the Heights of Abraham in Matlock Bath

Kevin Harris

A perfect vehicle for business

Mackworth Vehicle

Conversions (MVC) has become the latest business to sign on as a patron of East Midlands Chamber.

Management said the partnership represented an exciting opportunity for MVC to expand its network, engage in local business initiatives and contribute to the broader East Midlands business community.

MVC – which is part of the Motus Vehicle Solutions division of Motus UK – carries out van conversions and body-building for businesses and organisations in areas such as the public sector, housing associations, highways, traffic management, utilities and service industries. It works on vehicles ranging from small vans to 26tonne trucks.

As a company with strong roots in the region, management said they recognised the importance of giving back to the community,

‘Being a patron allows us to strengthen our commitment to the local business community’

investing in local talent and building relationships that can contribute to sustainable economic growth.

As a Chamber patron they hope to play a more active role in addressing the needs of local businesses, sharing best practice, driving positive change and supporting skills development and job creation.

General manager Andrew Kent

said: “Being a patron allows us to strengthen our commitment to the local business community, broaden our networks and support initiatives that contribute to the growth of our region.

“We look forward to connecting with other businesses, sharing insights, and actively participating in the Chamber’s activities.”

Peter Glover, who is managing director of Motus Vehicle Solutions, said: “Our partnership with the East Midlands Chamber is an exciting step forward for Motus and MVC. We are excited to explore the benefits that this connection will bring to our team and the wider community.”

Singing praise of Leicester music scene

Ambitious plans to make Leicester one of the UK’s foremost music cities were unveiled at the Leicester Business Festival.

The newly-formed Leicester Music Board will champion the city’s music scene and raise the profile of its diverse and vibrant music industry on a national stage.

The board is a partnership of music industry and education organisations and professionals. It is being supported by Leicester City Council to build on the success of the inaugural Leicester Music Conference which attracted more than 300 delegates, and engaged 30 music organisations, along with emerging and established artists.

Greg Aiello is managing director of Leicester-based music licensing business PPL PRS, which is backing the plans. He said: “Leicester has a long history of creating amazing talent, and nurturing the creative arts.

“Music has been, and will continue to be the heartbeat of this great city. The Leicester Music Board aims to put music at the forefront, working with and building out the ecosystem that is already in place, as well as supporting those initiatives that will really drive change and growth.”

One of the first tasks of the new board will be to guide the development of the Leicester Music Conference and Festival 2025, which is expanding across two days next year.

A Young People’s Music Careers Conference will form the first day on 27 February, followed the day after by the Leicester Music Conference for industry professionals at all career stages.

The event will take place at the city centre’s 2Funky music venue and feature industry panels, networking opportunities, one-to-ones with industry professionals, as well as live performances and workshops.

City music promoter Yasin El Ashrafi, who runs HQ CAN and founded the Leicester Music Conference, said: “I’m genuinely excited about our ambitions for the city. With a powerful blend of expertise across music, education and community, we have an incredible foundation to build upon. Our focus is to expand the music conference, conduct a thorough mapping and audit of local music businesses, and collaborate on creating a lifelong music strategy for our city. Together, we’re working to elevate Leicester’s music scene, ensuring it remains vibrant, inclusive, and impactful for generations to come.”

A “music mapping” process and consultation has been launched, to gain a snapshot of music businesses and music education providers in Leicester, to highlight gaps and unlock funding.

• Turn to page 68 for Leicester Business Festival news.

L-R: Andrew Kent, David Pearson, Steve Weigh and Lyn Rowe Ramsay

Members of the Leicester Music Board

The Leicester Music Conference 2024, held at the 2Funky Music Café, was a key part of the Business Festival

Yasin El Ashrafi addresses the 2024 music conference

NEW MEMBERS

In October 29 new members joined the Chamber

• Afina Photography

• Astute Business Thinking

• ATW

• B&F Corporate

• Braisher Safety Solutions

• Built For Good

• Certora Training

• Concept 11

• Corbar Accounting

• Dmlink

• Economit

• Fastsigns Leicester North

• Fletcher & Company

• Gary Parsons UK

• Guerrilla Chicken Spirits

• Juniper Training

• L P Marketing Consultancy

• LeisureBench

• Midori Aluminium

• Notts County Football Club

• Notts County Foundation

• Right Digital Solutions

• Rigsbys Seasonal Foods

• Ripples

• Signs Express Nottingham & Derby

• Templar Health and Safety Consulting

• Together Leicester & Leicester's Homelessness Charter

• Wildes Inns

• X2(UK)

Eco-friendly distillery is the toast of the industry

ADerby distiller which sells its vodka and gin in eco-friendly reusable metal bottles has picked up awards in two spirits competitions.

Guerrilla Chicken, based in Ascot Drive, won silver and bronze for its Upriser gin and Subverter vodka at the London Spirits Competition 2024 earlier this year.

The business followed that up with two bronzes at the International Wine & Spirits Competition – the largest global event of its kind.

Paul Hodgson founded the business three years ago after his wife surprised him with a course at the Brew School in Bakewell, which helped him turn his passion for spirits and belief in his own craft into a reality.

Along with the Subverter vodka – which has a taste of rosehip – and Upriser gin, he is selling two rums, Sedition Honey Spiced and Rabble Rouser Apple & Vanilla Spiced, in stainless steel, insulated flasks which can be refilled with recyclable pouches.

Paul said: “Subverter is a perfect example of what Guerrilla Chicken is all about. We’re taking an upstart approach to spirits by doing things differently, from the bottles to the source of the recipes and the taste of the products themselves. The metal flasks have created a huge amount of interest because people haven’t seen

Growth prompts brokers to relocate

Chartered insurance broker Russell Scanlan has relocated from its long-term home in Wellington Circus, Nottingham, to Grove House in West Bridgford – the first time in its 143 years that it has been based outside the city centre.

It follows a period of prolonged growth which has coincided with it being acquired by global insurance business Acrisure in 2022, and which saw it acquire specialist insurance

anything like them before and they’re really eyecatching.

“It’s important to me that Guerrilla Chicken is a sustainable brand, which is why I chose refillable bottles and pouches, which are also practical for people who want to enjoy their favourite spirit when they’re out and about.

“I’ve been selling Guerrilla Chicken since last year and I’m really pleased with how it’s going. It’s hard work and a real learning curve, but the reaction I get, the sales and now these awards make everything worthwhile.”

Chamber recognised

as a great workplace

East Midlands Chamber has been placed at number 20 in the Top 25 Best Companies to Work For in the service sector, moving up four places since 2023.

Within the East Midlands, the Chamber has risen five places from last year to number 35 in the Top 50 Companies to Work For, while nationally it is up 22 places to number 88 in the Top 100 Best Mid-Sized Companies to Work For.

The rankings, published by employment engagement survey bHeard, are formed from responses submitted by employees, taking account of factors such as leadership, personal growth, wellbeing and ‘giving something back’.

firm BLG in Leicester last March.

Managing director Mike Dickinson said: “It’s certainly bittersweet for us – we have a long and illustrious history at Wellington Circus, neighbours to our client and business partners at the Nottingham Playhouse.

“But we’re looking forward to the next step in our history, where we can expand our business, our team and our partnerships in a new space designed around our needs.”

Chamber director of resources Lucy Robinson said: “The Chamber is fully committed to developing and supporting its people –they’re at the heart of what we do every day, along with supporting businesses across the East Midlands.

“To be recognised at both national and regional level, and to have risen in multiple rankings over the last year is fantastic to hear.”

Russell Scanlan directors outside Grove House

Lucy Robinson

Guerrilla Chicken founder Paul Hodgson

Chesterfield now seen as place for business growth

Chesterfield’s collaborative approach to regeneration has created a solid environment for business growth, business leaders have heard.

Delegates at the Chesterfield Investment Summit at Casa Hotel received an update on some of the projects under way to create jobs and increase prosperity across the borough.

The event was organised by Destination Chesterfield and supported by Markham Vale, We Are Spaces and East Midlands Chamber.

It included an update from the East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA) on the new £160m East Midlands Investment Zone, which it is hoped will help create hundreds of high-quality jobs in advanced manufacturing and green industries on the former Staveley Chemical Works and Hartington Colliery sites (see pages 74 & 75 for more on the plans).

Cllr Nadine Peatfield, deputy mayor of the East Midlands, said EMCCA would help create 4,300 jobs and leverage £383m of private investment to the region.

The investment zone, she said, would also be a “gamechanger”.

She said: “Investing in the right places at the right times is going to be crucial to deliver the change needed to make this region the

‘Investing in the right places at the right times is going to be crucial to deliver the change

needed’

best place in the country to live, work and learn.”

Huw Bowen, the chief executive of Chesterfield Borough Council, said current and future regeneration projects include the Revitalising the Heart of Chesterfield scheme, where work is already transforming the town marketplace and the historic Stephenson Memorial Hall Building.

A further £20m of Government funding is also expected to be made available to Chesterfield.

The summit was also updated on the progress being made in Staveley.

Ivan Formin, who chairs the Staveley Town Deal project, said: “Developments are now underway with a £6m project to improve Staveley Marketplace, ensuring it is a great facility for people living, visiting and working in the area.

“On top of that, the £4.41m Staveley Waterside building is being constructed at the canal basin, complementing the wider restoration of the Chesterfield Canal.”

Other speakers included Ojay

McDonald, chief executive of the Association of Town and City Management, Amy Revell, director at We Are Spaces, Chamber chief executive Scott Knowles, Peter

Storey, who heads the Markham Employment Growth Zone at Derbyshire County Council, and David Wells, a director of property developer HBD.

Longbow takes on iconic moorland inn

Longbow Bars & Restaurants is taking on a new venue in the Derbyshire countryside.

The independent business, which is owned by Peak District hospitality entrepreneur Rob Hattersley, is taking on The Peacock at Owler Bar, with a relaunch planned for the middle of December 2024.

The Grade II listed, 19th century inn has views across the moorlands and sits on the old turnpike road to Chatsworth House and Bakewell, making it a popular spot for walkers, cyclists, tourists and people living nearby.

The property is being refurbished by Concorde BGW group, which has designed other Longbow sites, with an expected investment of £350,000.

A spokeswoman said: “As with sister venues The Ashford Arms, The Maynard, and The George Hathersage, the focus will be on celebrating The Peacock’s heritage, spectacular location, and its many original features, such as its solid oak floors and leaded windows and beams.”

It will have room for 130 diners with Raymond Blanc trained executive chef Adrian Gagea designing the menu.

Rob Hattersley said: “The Peacock commands what must be the best pub views in the area, surrounded by the Peak District countryside.

“You can imagine how travellers must have felt 200 years ago, when they spotted it after a long tiring journey on the old turnpike road.

“We’re looking forward to bringing the same highquality service, warm, welcoming, sympathetically designed interiors, and premium, local food to the Peacock, that our guests have come to expect from every Longbow venue.”

Rob founded Longbow Venues shortly before the pandemic hit, selling his house to fund his first venue, The Maynard in Hope Valley.

He took on The George, in Hathersage, in 2021, and opened the doors to The Ashford Arms in March 2024.

In April, he announced plans to transform the historic Royal Bank of Scotland building in Bakewell, into a premium dining experience, pending planning approval.

Recent award wins for Longbow include Outstanding Growth and Excellence in Customer Service at the 2024 East Midlands Chamber Derbyshire Business Awards.

Cllr Tricia Gilby (left) and Huw Bowen both of Chesterfield Borough Council

The Peacock at Owler Bar

Cllr Nadine Peatfield, deputy mayor of the East Midlands

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Jodie Shipley Fleet business development manager

jodie.shipley@parkwayvolkswagen.co.uk

Telephone: 07703 830192

What a Trump presidency could mean for UK businesses

Business leaders have been considering the potential impact the historic election of Donald Trump could have on the UK.

Trump took a solid victory in the US election this autumn, winning 312 electoral votes compared to the 226 taken by his Democrat opponent Kamala Harris.

There is now speculation that the President-elect’s protectionist approach to trade will see high tariffs stuck on imports into the States – which could have big knock-on effects over here.

David Williamson is commercial director at Howardson Works in Ashbourne, Derbyshire, which designs and builds machinery for the professional grounds-care market – and exports to the US.

He said there was big concern over higher US import taxes, but said if Trump ended up growing the American economy it could actually be good for business.

He said: “With Trump back at the helm, we are presented with a lot of unknowns, and that is probably the bigger challenge.

“Trump has said the word tariff is “the most beautiful word in the English language”, so there is no secret about his intentions.

“I don’t think this really impacts how we trade in terms of logistical complications, but it does present challenges around pricing and, more significantly, how much the “Buy American” rhetoric will take hold.

“The Howardson business has doubled over the last four years, and we plan to continue this very positive trajectory.

“We need to grow our marketplace to support our significant investment plans within the organisation, both for people and machinery. We operate in the fine turf industry and make highend professional products for sports facilities.

“With such a diverse range of sports in the US, it is an obvious area for us to expand into and is a significant part of our plans for the next five years. How we trade with the US is most likely affected by

Top: David Williamson

Above: David Pearson

the mindset of the customer rather than the process.

“Around 50% of our products are exported, with 10% going to the US. Most of this is our electric mowers, heavy-duty scarifiers, and sweepers.

“Historically, with our business focused on sport, politics hasn’t really featured. This may change with an increased desire to find products from within the US.

“Still, when we look at what we supply to our US customers, no one else is manufacturing an equivalent product, not in the US anyway.

“We also have a strong relationship with grounds staff and greenkeepers who seek out our products. Many of these specialists, especially in soccer, have come from the UK, so we have a good connection.

“That said, all businesses need to fit capital expenditure into a budget, and with extensive facilities

‘Trump has said the word tariff is “the most beautiful word in the English language”, so there is no secret about his intentions’

purchasing multiple machines, adding 10 or more per cent to our prices could close the door on some of the smaller “grassroots” facilities that we have been so successful with in the past.

“Of course, while we have all the uncertainty around us with the change of administration, it is still at a very early stage.

“The people of America have chosen Trump because they see a promise for economic growth and more wealth at every level of the population.

“If this is to happen, then our market potential will grow significantly.

“Our business predominantly serves the leisure industry, and if there is indeed the economic boom that is being promised, then we may find ourselves in a powerful position regardless of tariffs and other noise we are currently concerned about.

“This will feed into our business plans for the next five years and serve as a massive enabler for investment in people, the business and product development, strengthening our foundations for the long-term objectives.

“Though tariff adjustments could present challenges, a robust US economy would place us in an excellent position to expand our

impact in the market and support our US partners effectively.”

Charles Nicholds, is managing director of Murphy and Son, a Nottingham-based supplier for the brewery and winemaking industry, recently named East Midlands Chamber’s Nottinghamshire Business of the Year.

He said: “Murphy and Son Limited set up a sister company in the US in 2017. We have seen steady growth, post-pandemic, but the election results have made us reflect how we run our businesses.

“The UK company is the sole manufacturer, and goods are produced here in the East Midlands and shipped to the US company ready for re-sale.

“We will aim to work closely with the new authorities and hope that UK sales to the US will continue to trade smoothly and tariff-free.”

David Pearson, the Chamber’s director of partnerships, said: “The East Midlands sells nearly £4bn of manufactured goods to the US each year, and we import around £2.6bn of goods from the US.

“While there isn’t a formal free trade agreement between our two countries, the barriers to trade are low which allows the very significant amount of trade to be carried out each year.

“For those businesses involved in this trade, the potential for significant tariffs once the Trump government is in place is a real concern at the moment.

“The Chamber is ready to provide our members with support and advice as they prepare to either mitigate against any new challenges that arise or indeed seize opportunities that arise.”

Family’s charity funds brain tumour research

The family of a teenager who died after being diagnosed with a brain tumour has been gifted £10,000 for a charity set up in his name.

Keith, Sharon and Emily Priestley, set up Samuel’s Promise in memory of 18-year-old Samuel Priestly, who was diagnosed with pilocytic astrocytoma in 2018, and passed away in February 2022.

The charity – which is a Special Named Fund within the Children’s

Cancer and Leukaemia Group (CCLG) – supports research into lowgrade brain tumours and surgical advancements for their treatment.

It has received £10,000 from the Reed Foundation – part of the world’s biggest recruitment company The Reed Group – as part of £520,000 the foundation is giving to 52 charities chosen by staff in celebration of Reed’s 65th year of business and its founder, Sir Alec Reed’s, 90th birthday.

Every week, a Reed employee is drawn at random to nominate a charity of their choice. One of them was Niketa Johnson, a public sector recruitment consultant in Reed’s Leicester office and a colleague of Keith Priestley, who opted to donate to Samuel’s Promise.

‘We have control over where the money goes, and so we can direct it specifically towards research into low-grade brain tumours’

Niketa says: “We’re such a small team here in Reed’s Leicester office, and we’re all really close.

Keith often talks about Samuel, and it’s so lovely to hear just how much they love and adore him.

“I was touched by Samuel’s story and wanted my donation to support the fund's aim of keeping people talking about him.”

Keith said: “I was really taken aback when Niketa picked Samuel’s charity. When I heard she’d been

selected, I wanted it to be entirely her decision on who she thought the money should go towards, and I was emotional when Niketa made her decision. I thank her for her donation – it will make a massive difference.

“Samuel’s Promise started as something for us to do as a family. As it’s our fund, we have control over where the money goes, and so we can direct it specifically towards research into low-grade brain tumours – the condition Samuel had. The donation will make a massive difference – brain tumours are the biggest cancer killer of children and adults under 40.”

Youngster shares story to help others

A young entrepreneur from Derbyshire is helping other children after sharing his autism story on a mental health platform.

Twelve-year-old Max Palfrey, who invented a range of clothing for people with sensory issues, has appeared on the children’s mental health show Jaaq Jr, which is backed by private healthcare provider Bupa.

His experiences with additional needs inspired him to set up Comfa clothing, creating a range of sensory-friendly t-shirts complete with built-in fidget toy.

Max went on ITV’s This Morning last year after presenter Paddy McGuinness tried on one of his T-shirts, and said they would be great for his own three children who also have autism.

Max was five when he was diagnosed with autism and seven when he was identified as having pathological demand avoidance and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, as well as sensory processing disorder and hypermobility.

He said: “I am so proud of how well the clothing range is doing. I hope it is making a difference to the lives of people with similar limitations to me.”

The Jaaq Jr show encourages young people to talk about mental health challenges and is hosted by friends Freddie Xavi and Hughie Higginson who won Pride of Britain Awards for their fundraising following Hughie’s leukaemia diagnosis.

Max said: “I hope that anyone struggling with

autism can gain something from the podcast. I want to help people who experience the same limitations as me.”

The clothes are made from a semi-synthetic fabric made from beech tree pulp and elastane, with the seams encased on the inside. The washing and care instructions are also on a sticker that can simply be peeled off to stop the

need for irritating labels.

The family has received grants from organisations including Erewash Borough Council, Connecting Derbyshire, NDV and the Accelerator Programme to help build the business and there are plans in the future to design other items of clothing such as school uniform and underwear.

Max and dad Matt Palfrey of Comfa clothing

Sharon, Emily, Keith and Samuel Priestley

Samuel Priestley

Taxing times but let’s aim for growth

Dr Nik Kotecha OBE DL, (pictured), founder and chairman of RandalSun Capital, looks back at the Autumn Budget.

Typical of budget day, there was a mix of sentiments being shared in response to the changes ahead – but it is fair to say October 2024’s UK Budget has given cause to the broadest range of responses I have witnessed in many years.

Those range from concern and frustration about the biggest tax-raising budget in UK political history, to acceptance and a steadfast resolve that the job of realigning the levers of the public purse are difficult, but necessary.

Looking now into the content of this year’s monumental budget, which announced tax rises to the tune of £40bn, my first thoughts are that change is now here, and my hope is that the significant additional spending leads to the anticipated national renewal, growth in our economy and better living standards, as set out by the Chancellor.

The Chancellor’s rallying cry was that the only way to grow the economy is to ‘invest, invest and invest’, which she certainly plans to do – pledging to ‘restore economic stability’ and to ‘rebuild Britain’ by investing tens of

billions of pounds in public services – including a £22.6bn increase in day-to-day health budget spending, plus £3.1bn in capital commitments.

This is very welcome news for our NHS, which is critical for supporting those with poor health, alongside underpinning the future of our economy. But this must also be backed up by significant reforms, which I believe the NHS requires.

A 19% increase in spending of £6.7bn to the Department for Education, and pledges of £2.3bn for the Core Schools Budget to ensure hiring of teachers for key subjects, are also very welcome. But again, reforms are needed here too.

I hope that this investment will ensure young people coming through our education system are ‘work ready’ from day one in their new jobs, which business leaders I speak to regularly ask for.

This focus on health and education very much aligns with the goals of my family’s charitable foundation – The Randal Foundation – which provides significant support for good causes that directly save and significantly

Partnership to help focus Chamber policy

East Midlands Chamber has commenced a strategic partnership with Leicestershirebased RandalSun Capital, an investment company founded by entrepreneur and influencer Dr Nik Kotecha OBE DL.

The collaboration will see RandalSun Capital help shape Chamber policy, while the Chamber’s membership base –made up of more than 4,000 businesses across the region –stand to gain from RandalSun Capital’s shared insight at flagship Chamber events.

RandalSun works with a global business portfolio across fastgrowing businesses and sectors, from start-ups to patient capital, with retained interests in health, life sciences, technologies and highly innovative, IP-rich businesses.

Dr Kotecha and his wife Moni Kotecha also launched the Randal Charitable Foundation in 2017 to directly save a million lives and significantly improve the quality of life for those in need at home and abroad.

Chamber chief executive Scott Knowles said: “Partnering with influential voices at the forefront of innovation brings a wealth of

benefits to the East Midlands business community.

“RandalSun Capital is very much focused on growth through investment, while being rooted in the East Midlands.

“RandalSun Capital’s founder Dr Nik Kotecha OBE DL has deep roots in our region, having grown his global generic pharmaceuticals firm Morningside Pharmaceuticals from its Loughborough base – over three decades.

“With business interests firmly fixed on the global landscape today through RandalSun Capital, he’s also well known as someone who drives change for good, championing, generously supporting and elevating worthy

causes through a genuine commitment to improving lives.

“Leading the Randal Charitable Foundation, Dr Kotecha’s work in alleviating poverty, improving healthcare for vulnerable people and making education more accessible by tackling inequality is inspirational.

“I’m delighted RandalSun Capital have entered this strategic partnership with the Chamber, where I’m certain the experience they have in starting businesses, innovating, exporting and scaling businesses for growth – so that they reach their full potential, will be an asset to the East Midlands business community.”

Dr Kotecha said: “East Midlands Chamber’s values closely align

with ours, helping businesses grow and thrive, wherever they are in our region.

“The Chamber recognises, too, the power of a shared voice for businesses, large and small – and we’re delighted to be playing a part to amplify that, through this partnership.

“We’re very much looking forward to working closely with colleagues from East Midlands Chamber, supporting their already potent ability to communicate our regional needs, and champion regional strengths.

“The opportunity to collaborate meaningfully, to help shape policy that will deliver more for our region is something that we’re very much looking forward to.

“RandalSun Capital operates in the UK and internationally, but fundamentally, we’re Leicestershire grown and Leicestershire based, with strong connections to the East Midlands and its economy.

“I’m delighted to contribute as another voice from business –whether that’s here in the region or in Westminster or Whitehall, to keep elevating the agenda for investment and infrastructure – and more – for our region.”

Scott Knowles (left) and Dr Nik Kotecha OBE

improve the lives of the vulnerable and those suffering significant hardship in these areas.

To ‘fix’ these foundations, the Chancellor has levied the largest tax burden on the British public and businesses ever. Some of the measures announced, like changing the fiscal rules, could be enabling, as long as revenues released are used to drive investment and growth.

Alongside, we need a clear plan to make sure the debt burden it will create is paid back –underlining the need for this investment to directly and measurably support our economy.

‘I

have great concerns about the impact of key budget announcements on businesses like the Employers National Insurance rise’

However, I have great concerns about the impact of key budget announcements on businesses like the Employers National Insurance rise from 13.8% to 15%, which is forecast to net £25bn, and likely to impact the people companies employ.

It is likely to be the same for the welcome increase of 6.7% to the National Minimum Wage, which will further impact struggling businesses and sadly, as a likely consequence, limit or reduce the number of people they are able to employ.

Sectors such as hospitality, retail and social care will be most affected – and represent an important and significant employer base. And with all operating cost increases, which these

wage cost rises will be, there will be an inevitable translation, sooner or later, into the product and service price consumers pay. The impact will reach us all.

For those establishing, growing and making plans for exit, this was a deeply difficult budget. Heavy restrictions on Business Property Relief will come into play in April –effective in real terms from now, and a planned hike in Business Asset Disposal Relief will adversely impact those driving our economy –entrepreneurs, innovators and wealth creators, setting up and scaling businesses.

But the budget was not all negative for businesses. Key pledges to protect government investments in research & development ‘to unlock… growth industries of the future’ with more than £20bn of funding announced is material. The Chancellor also added it will include at least £6.1bn to protect core research funding for areas like engineering,

biotechnology and medical science. The smoothing of the so called ‘Business Rates cliff edge’ will also help, as rates will now double, rather than quadruple, as previously expected.

From a social perspective, the additional £5bn of Government spending, including support to build 1.5 million new homes and an uplift for affordable new homes, is also welcome, as is the commitment by the Government to extend support for school breakfast clubs.

This monumental budget clearly has been a huge re-design exercise, and perhaps one which was needed to generate ‘solutions’, on top of manifesto commitments, to address some of the biggest social and economic challenges of our time.

What is clear is that the change has now begun, and whether individuals and the country as a whole begin to feel better off for it, awaits to be seen.

Resolve Workplace Conflict with Mediation!

MEMBER PROFILE: THE WORKPLACE DEPOT

Family owned for over 30 years, The Workplace Depot is a thriving ecommerce business with warehouses and offices based in the East Midlands.

After completing a degree in business and economics at the University of Nottingham, Steve Miller joined the family business in 2012 and is currently the director, alongside his father Ken, who began the company as a sole catalogue seller – when it was known as Central Source – in 1991. He also has the support of his mother Wendy, who serves as the company secretary.

‘We work extremely hard to have the most

competitive pricing

on the market’

Sectors we supply include car park and traffic management, materials handling, access equipment, office supplies, storage solutions and health & safety.

Although supplying nationally,

Type of business:

Industrial Equipment, Safety Supplies & Material Handling

Number of employees: 25

Spokesperson:

Chrissy Whitechurch (pictured), business development manager

The Workplace Depot actively supports local business growth, including products to aid the construction of Sherwood Observatory’s new planetarium. The new project consists of a science discovery centre, an underground exhibition space, a cafe and the planetarium – all of which The Workplace Depot has helped to fit out.

The company has rapidly grown from a £2.4m annual turnover to a projected £15m in 10 years.

This is largely driven by transforming from 100% cataloguebased selling, to completely online

as www.theworkplacedepot.co.uk, mass product expansion and maintaining a competitive analysis with our logistics partners. We work extremely hard to have the most competitive pricing on the market, and our products are next working day delivery.

Our customers are varied and vast – they range from Buckingham Palace, to Boots, to the 2024 Paris

Olympics, to everyday customers needing a kerb ramp or ladder. The real beauty of this is we have an offering for everyone – from largescale construction companies to the everyday consumer.

My position within the business is business development manager (sales & marketing). I have many very close working relationships with our wider-scale customers and as an SME, get to work crossdepartmentally within the teams. In short, my day-to-day role is to bring in new clients, and develop additional business from existing clients.

Our plans for the future include product development and team expansion. We are always on the look-out for new talent to join our team.

The Workplace Depot has been a member of the Chamber of Commerce for over 10 years. We were a finalist in 2017 Outstanding Growth Award and in 2016 we won two awards, Small Business of the Year and Business Improvement in Technology. We are really proud of these achievements.

Now we must all have a hire purpose

Eileen Perry MBE DL (pictured) sets out how “right first time” recruitment – combined with a people-led approach to retention – limits risk to employers under emerging Government legislation.

There’s been a strong reaction to the Budget – to NIC contributions, the cost of employment – so strong, in fact, that it’s been easy to forget the other threat emerging for business leaders.

The Employment Rights Bill is described by Government itself as representing “the biggest upgrade in employment rights for a generation”.

The Bill’s purpose is to increase security and dignity in work for all – a noble aim. Yet it also raises a number of immediate potential concerns for managers and owners. And it’s these people who will ultimately be handed the job of integrating the legislation into their businesses.

This could be a not insignificant task. The Employment Rights Bill introduces 28 individual employment reforms – it represents the most significant changes to employment law in decades. And it’s pegged to take effect as soon as 2026.

Government presents the Bill as “probusiness, pro-worker”. Ministers say it’s aimed at boosting pay, productivity, and economic growth. However, some company leaders take an alternative view. You’ll have seen the headlines expressing concern about increased burden and risk.

The Bill, meanwhile, was introduced in the same month of the aforementioned Budget and employer NIC increase. All told, the balance of power is shifting firmly towards the worker.

So how can business leaders mitigate risk in the recruitment landscape over coming years? How can they safely employ people who are more expensive and have far greater rights (potentially including legal challenge against dismissal from day one)?

Such questions become particularly important when recruiting at management level, as hiring the wrong candidate becomes even more costly.

At ER Recruitment, we take a two-pronged approach – “right first-time recruitment” followed by talent retention.

Of course, there’s an alternative way of considering the Employment Rights Bill and the Budget. That is that an opportunity is emerging to fill your key roles with the best people available on the market as your competitors freeze recruitment. Many will be calculating the cost and risk of hiring.

After all, having the right people –particularly in your leadership team – will help to navigate through not just these looming domestic changes but also the big emerging macro shifts.

Do you have the leaders in place to manage the effects of US trade tariffs or the continuing push to Net Zero?

For the team at ER Recruitment, it seems quite simple – ambitious business leaders will always continue wanting to grow their organisations, regardless of what Government is planning. That means either increasing productivity or (when that is not possible) recruiting more people.

Getting your recruitment right first time –then retaining your people when you do – will inherently reduce the risks.

No need to fear AI –harness its power as an ‘idea accelerator’

Cass Vranjkovic (pictured), lead technology specialist at IT support specialist NetMonkeys, takes a look to the year ahead.

The other night at dinner, my son, who started secondary school this year, asked me if I had ever heard of PowerPoint. He was excited to show me slide transitions and how he had an idea to digitise the comic books he likes writing.

I instantly saw my moment to impress him with AI’s efficiency, but his response was brutally honest.

To him, it was boring – where was the sense of achievement or the joy of discovery? As humans, we’re naturally wired to love achieving things – it makes our brains happy and gives us that wonderful feeling of becoming better at what we do while connecting with others along the way.

2024 saw AI become a household name as it became apparent that it would simplify our work and personal lives.

As we look toward 2025, the real story isn’t about Artificial Intelligence versus Human

‘How we implement AI will define its impact on our workplaces’

Intelligence. Instead, it’s about augmenting human potential, enabling us to focus on what truly matters – genuine connections, creative thinking, and meaningful work.

While technology handles the mundane, we’re rediscovering the value of human authenticity. As generated content becomes prevalent, the “perfectly imperfect” – the natural voice, the unique perspective, the authentic relationship – these are becoming your business’ greatest assets. Like vinyl records finding new appreciation amid streaming services, genuine human creativity is becoming increasingly precious.

For businesses nervous about AI, there’s a simple approach – start by listening to your team, the people who know your business inside

and out. They know exactly where the friction points are and what prevents them from delivering their best work.

Thanks to natural language interfaces, AI isn’t just for tech experts – it’s becoming as accessible as email or spreadsheets, allowing everyone to participate in this evolution.

2024 marked our shift from seeing AI as a sophisticated tool to a thinking partner – an “idea accelerator” for exploring possibilities. The most successful organisations weren't those with the most advanced technology, but those who embraced AI’s collaborative potential.

One truth stands clear – how we implement AI will define its impact on our workplaces, and we can’t only focus on the ROI. The focus should be on the people, as without them – our employees, our clients, and ourselves – we have no business.

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This AI agent ensures you have the most accurate, up-to-date information about your prospects, empowering you to make informed decisions at every step. Whether it’s verifying contact details, adding missing information, or continuously refreshing your database, this tool keeps you one step ahead.

Key benefit

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Turn interest into loyalty with personalised follow-ups

Building strong relationships with potential customers requires consistency, but time constraints can make regular follow-ups difficult. Enter Pattrn’s lead nurturing agent –an AI-powered solution that ensures your leads never go cold.

This agent sends timely, personalised followups tailored to each lead’s unique needs and interests. It keeps your business top-of-mind while building trust and loyalty, ensuring leads stay engaged until they’re ready to convert.

Key benefit

Keep warm leads engaged automatically, without lifting a finger.

Outcome

Strengthen relationships, build trust, and improve your conversion rates.

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This AI-driven tool creates highly personalised messages for cold audiences, making your outreach campaigns more targeted and effective. Say goodbye to generic, one-size-fitsall communication – this agent crafts tailored messages that resonate with your audience, increasing response rates and engagement.

Key benefit

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Social media and digital marketing demand consistent, engaging content – but creating it can be a time-consuming drain on your resources. With Pattrn’s content creation agent, you can automate your content creation process while maintaining your brand’s unique voice. This agent generates platform-specific posts tailored to your audience, ensuring a consistent presence across all channels. It schedules and publishes content seamlessly, allowing you to focus on strategy while your online presence flourishes.

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Outcome

Boost engagement, grow your audience, and stay ahead of competitors.

APPOINTMENTS

THE

LATEST CAREER UPDATES AS COLLEAGUES MOVE UP OR MOVE ON

ROB WILL LEAD ENVIRONMENT TEAM

Law firm Mills & Reeve has appointed a new partner within its environment team in the Midlands.

Rob Biddlecombe has joined the firm from Brabners, where he led the environmental practice.

In his new role he will sit within the real estate team, where his responsibilities will include enhancing the firm’s profile, leading the environmental team and delivering complex environmental projects.

His primary focus areas will include contaminated land, environmental permitting, waste management, greenwashing, and sustainability requirements to name a few.

Rob said: “It’s a great honour to join a prestigious firm like Mills & Reeve. I aim to utilise my expertise and experience to raise the profile of the firm as a key player in the environment sector.”

LUXURY HOTEL APPOINTS DEPUTY GENERAL MANAGER

Stephen Ewing has been appointed as deputy general manager at a luxury Peak District hotel, spa and wellness centre.

He will support general manager Deirdre Billing at the 81-bedroom Buxton Crescent hotel and spa, as well as the nearby sister property The Old Hall Hotel.

The role includes working with the management team to develop operational aspects of the property across the spa, food and beverage and front-of-house areas. The hotel was recently ranked 15th best destination UK spa in the Condé Nast Traveller 2024 Readers’ Choice Awards, one of just two hotels in northern England on the list.

Stephen said: “Buxton Crescent really is a unique proposition within the spa market – a luxury hotel and modern spa housed within a Grade I Georgian listed building.

“We really want to put the hotel on the map as an outstanding destination spa in the UK. It’s a beautiful, iconic building – a hidden gem in the middle of the Peak District offering an exceptional guest experience. I am excited for what the future holds and working hard to make it happen.”

CONSULTANCY ADDS TWO NEW FRANCHISEES

Midlands HR consultancy Breedon Consulting has welcomed two new franchisees to its team, expanding its reach across the region to meet rising demand for HR guidance.

Helen Dinsdale LLM will cover south Birmingham, including Redditch, Solihull, and Stratford-upon-Avon, while Maralyn Kitchingman will serve Warwickshire, spanning Warwick, Leamington, Coventry, and Rugby.

The expansion will help Leicestershire-based Breedon increase its support for businesses navigating complex employment law changes and evolving workforce demands.

Managing director Nicki Robson said: “There couldn’t be a better time for Helen and Maralyn to be starting their Breedon journey.

“The Government’s recent announcement of the biggest upgrade to workers’ rights in a generation, will see the introduction of significant changes to employment legislation which all employers will need to grapple with.”

LDC INVESTS IN REGIONAL DIRECTOR

LDC has increased its support across the East Midlands and East of England with the appointment of Kevin O’Loughlin as investment director.

Kevin has 15 years of experience in the region and joins LDC – a private equity investor which is part of Lloyds Banking Group – following six years at private equity firm NorthEdge. Prior to that he spent three years at Deloitte working on transactions involving privately-owned and publicly listed businesses, after starting his career in the corporate finance team at EY.

His previous work has seen him lead investments and support the growth of some of the region’s most prominent and fastest growing businesses, including Nottingham-based software firm Altia and Spaldingbased grower of ornamental plants, flowers and herbs,

Bridge Farm Group, as well as wider deals including Orbis Protect, ICP, Correla and Catalis.

As an investment director he will be responsible for identifying potential investment opportunities, leading transactions and helping the management teams of LDC’s portfolio businesses to grow.

Over the past year LDC’s East Midlands and East of England team has completed five transactions with a combined enterprise value of more than £200m –including an investment in Mansfield specialist performance door set manufacturer IDSL.

It also successfully exited Nottingham digital transformation provider ENSEK and education specialist The Edwin Group, and worked on bolt-on acquisitions for some of its existing portfolio companies.

Rob Biddlecombe

LDC investment director Kevin O’Loughlin with East of England and East Midlands head David Bains

L-R: Nicki Robson, Maralyn Kitchingman and Helen Dinsdale

Buxton Crescent Hotel deputy general manager Stephen Ewing

TRAINEE HIRE IS A GOOD SIGN

East Midlands Chamber patrons Hardy Signs and members EMA Training have partnered up to place 19-year-old Chloe Waring on a multi-channel marketing Level-3 apprenticeship.

EMA Training will equip Chloe with the skills needed to thrive in the everevolving digital marketing landscape and the partnership reflects Hardy Signs’ dedication to “innovation, growth and community” as it expands its digital presence.

Chloe will work closely with the Hardy Signs marketing team to develop her expertise in areas such as social media management, content creation, email marketing and analytics.

EMA Training account director Matt Edwards said: “Having had the pleasure of getting to know Blu and many other members of the team at Hardy Signs through local Derby events, I could tell from the conversations that were had, over the years, that Hardy Signs are the kind of employer we want to engage with.

“Therefore, we are thrilled to take our business relationship to the next level and support in locating Hardy Signs’ next marketing hire.

“I have no doubt, Chloe will be a great success, especially with the support of ourselves, Blu and the rest of the team at Hardy Signs.”

KEY ROLE FOR BUSINESS STALWART

A former government business champion and ex-head of Leicestershire Chamber of Commerce has been appointed as non-executive director at Good Business Pays.

Martin Traynor OBE is supporting the organisation to encourage large businesses to adopt fast payment processes.

It is backed by financial brands including Mastercard, Barclays, NatWest Group and Intuit, as well as the Federation of Small Business, CBI, Institute of Directors, Make UK and the British Chambers of Commerce.

and pay small suppliers in the same we have in the commercial sector over the past four years.

Martin recently completed five years as the small business crown representative at the Cabinet Office, where he was tasked to work with government departments and arm’s length bodies to make public procurement policies, practices and procedures simpler for SMEs to navigate.

Terry Corby, CEO and founder of Good Business Pays, said: “We are now just months away from the Public Sector Procurement Act coming into force. When that happens I want Good Business Pays to hold the Government and public sector bodies across the UK to account for how they contract

ANOTHER YEAR OF EXPANSION FOR FREETHS

National law firm Freeths has expanded its East Midlands trusts, estates and tax (TeT) team by a third over the past 12 months.

The firm has welcomed five new starters over the last year among a number of senior promotions, strengthening services in the region and continuing to invest in private client work across the UK.

As part of the growth, director Rahul Kotecha was appointed to lead the East Midlands service line with Marie Cooper promoted to director.

Freeths was named law firm of the year at the Legal Business Awards 2024 after achieving significant strategic growth.

Rahul Kotecha said: “As we reflect on our expansion over the last 12 months, it creates a real sense of excitement as we plan ahead – not only have we broadened our performance across the region, but we have also been very much a part of the noise of a new economy.

“We are looking forward to continuing to expand our offering as we settle into the changes of a new Government.”

“Martin was one of the authors of the new Procurement Act, which is supposed to make it easier for small businesses to work with the public sector. His vast experience in business and advising government on improving payment practices will bring a wealth of knowledge to us, and help us understand the best way for Good Business Pays to make a positive difference in the public sector.”

Martin said: “As a former Chamber of Commerce chief executive I have seen first-hand the damage poor payment practices can do to SMEs.

“I am delighted to be joining the board of Good Business Pays and to help champion better payment processes in both the public and private sectors.”

BDO MAKES RAFT OF PROMOTIONS

Accountancy and business advisory firm BDO has promoted 2,440 people, including 36 new partners across its central operations, audit, tax, deals, and consulting, risk & outsourcing teams.

The changes include two new partners in the Midlands –new audit partner Cindy Hrkalovic and new business restructuring partner Ben Peterson.

In all there have been 136 promotions in its Birmingham office, with a further 33 in Nottingham.

Anna Draper, (pictured) BDO’s head of people, culture and purpose, said:

“Celebrating the success of our people is such an important part of our culture. I want to extend my congratulations to everyone who has received a promotion and thank them for their hard work and dedication.”

As part of its investment in people, BDO has also promoted 36 partners. These are in addition to 28 new external partner appointments since January, bringing the total number of partners to over 460.

Freeths director Rahul Kotecha

Martin Traynor at the Leicester Innovation Festival 2024

Matt Edwards, account director at EMA Training with Blu Hardy, marketing manager at Hardy Signs

This edition of Business Network celebrates the awards that East Midlands Chamber runs – in particular the Business Awards for the three counties of Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire and Leicestershire Over our Big Interview pages we hear from the Businesses of the Year in each of those three areas – about what the awards mean to them, what helped them win and what their plans for the future are.

Developing talent is key to growth

Howes Percival is investing a huge amount of time and effort into ensuring its teams have the skills and confidence to give clients the best service.

That commitment to talent has seen turnover at the law firm grow steeply over the last few years with plans in place to grow by 50% over the next three.

And it was what won the team the Commitment to People Development Award at the 2024 Leicestershire Business Award, prior to going on to be named Leicestershire’s 2024 Business of the Year.

That comes on the back of a recent high ranking in the ‘Best Companies to Work For’ and making the Times Best Law Firms 2025 list, as well as being recommended for 21 legal specialisms in the latest Legal 500 list.

The commercial law firm’s clients range from individuals and families to global businesses and government departments in areas such as corporate, commercial and banking, employment law, property, litigation and private client work. Today the firm 360 people at its offices in Leicester, Cambridge, Manchester, Milton Keynes, Northampton and Norwich, and at the start of 2024 it acquired specialist commercial, IP and media law firm Maier Blackburn, which gives it a new footing in Oxford.

MEETING THE PEOPLE BEHIND THE REGION’S TOP BUSINESSES

Key to that growth is the people strategy which, chairman Geraint Davies and head of people Natalie Clarke (both pictured) said, gives the firm an advantage over many of its competitors when it comes to winning and retaining clients.

Natalie said that strategy starts with bringing in the right juniors, then nurturing them and helping them grow professionally and personally.

She said: “There are a variety of things that we’ve implemented over the last two years to support that. For instance, there’s an outreach programme, which has seen us attending school fairs, and we’ve launched an apprenticeship recruitment scheme.

Continued on page 34...

...from page 33

“We want to foster a culture of continuous development, where learning is a priority.”

Geraint Davies said winning the Chamber’s Commitment to People Award was evidence that the hard work they were putting in was paying off.

He said: “That was really important to us because being in professional services means we are a people business.

“Some 96% of our businesses is won through relationships so it’s really important to us is that we have fantastic people working collaboratively, building relationships with clients.

“Clients want strong relationships with us as well as practical, commercial advice, so everything we’re doing now is focused on making sure that we give our fee earners and partners the support to do that.

“So, all of the technology and the systems that we’re putting in are developed around helping them build better relationships with clients. And rather than sending clients 14 text messages asking what the service was like, we’re encouraging our juniors to actually speak to them and ask them if there’s anything we can do better.

“And we're using feedback to develop our service. Treating people really well is core to our

success, and people want to work collaboratively – if that’s happening within a firm they will stay with you.”

He said the expansion into Oxford and a big refurbishment underway at the Leicester office, which is just off junction 21 of the M1, were part of the long-term plan to not just win more work across central England but to attract high quality staff, keen to work here.

‘What we want to be able to say to clients is yes, we’re going to tell you the full story, but also, we're here to support you and make you feel more relaxed’

He said: “We put together a plan to be across the middle of the country in really high growth areas with great universities, where we could attract fantastic candidates.

“But also, we want to be in places where there is a thriving business community and I think that we’ve achieved that.

“We wanted to have an environment where people felt they were part of the business, so we consulted staff and the partners when we put

the strategy together so that they would buy into it. We also felt our brand wasn’t as clear as it should be so we consulted internally first to decide what is it about us that's different. Then we used a branding agency to put that together and help us communicate it.

“What we want to be able to say to clients is yes, we’re going to tell you the full story, but also, we’re here to support you and make you feel more relaxed in a slightly uncertain world.

“We’re finding now that we've reached a size where, with all the positive things we’re doing, recruits are coming to us. They want to be part of the project.

“For the last three or four months every team has been producing a business plan for the next three years – identifying their market, who they want to act for, the expertise that their clients require, that they can provide and showing what financial results they expect to achieve over the next three years.”

“If you put all of that together it’s ambitious as it shows just over 50% further growth in those next three years and while we appreciate that economic conditions continue to be uncertain, the last time we undertook this process our teams achieved their goals a year early.

“None of us can predict the future, but it’s important that we’re ambitious and that we understand together what we are trying to achieve.”

Courtney Borthwick of Howes Percival and host Emma Jesson at the 2024 Leicestershire Business Awards

Drinks specialist raises a glass to Awards success

With the ribbon cut on a new 50,000 sq ft warehouse in Chilwell, and having won two Chamber Business Awards, 2024 has been a good year for Murphy and Son, which provides product solutions and technical expertise to the brewing and beverage industry. Managing director Charles Nicholds talks with Tim Smith on how 2024 saw the company’s biggest changes in 50 years take place and how being announced as both Small Business of the Year and Business of the Year at the Chamber’s Nottinghamshire Business Awards on 1 November was a special moment.

“I’m incredibly proud for all the team,” Charles says. “They deserve this. To be named as Nottinghamshire’s Small Business of the Year gave us the complete reassurance that everything we've changed over the years –particularly this year – paid off and has been recognised by people other than just inside our business.

“Over the last four years we’ve worked hard to redevelop what Murphy and Son is to our team, to the industry and to the East Midlands. We’ve invested a lot in people and since the pandemic, we've added nearly 20 people to the head count.

“We’ve held over 20 different training courses for staff, restructured and pivoted to look at where we want the company to be in the next five years. To be recognised at the Chamber’s Nottinghamshire Business Awards, both for Small Business of the Year and the overall Business of the Year award, after we’d made those changes to the business feels incredibly humbling, but also satisfying that we’ve got there.”

While Murphy and Son made big changes in 2024 to grow the business, the roots of the business remain ingrained in the quality of its ingredients and are the foundation of what the company evolved into, as Charles explains: “When Murphy and Son formed in 1887, our founder was certain the water in Burton on Trent would make better beer, and being a chemist and scientist, he was able to find out why – the scientific and natural process of water permeating through rocks meant the water had the right level of minerals and salts to make really good quality beer, so he found a way to replicate that.

“It became known as ‘Burtonisation’, making what we call ‘liquor treatments’ – essentially water treatment for the brewing process. Over the years, the founder added enzymes and a plethora of products, but when he passed away in the 1940s, the business experienced a dark period because his knowledge hadn’t been passed on to anyone else.”

By the 80s and beyond, providing for the growth in microbreweries became a major part of the Murphy and Son business plan, before developing their own product range.

“The managing director in the 80s started acquiring businesses to add to the portfolio, so we could become the one-stop-shop,” explains Charles.

“Between the mid-80s and 90s we had a portfolio to service microbrewers as well as larger breweries, whether that be processing aids, optimisations, clarification or beer stability.

“When I came on board in the 2000s, I added to that portfolio and we recognised that, while the appetite to acquire new businesses was healthy, we had the technical skill, doctors in chemistry and biology to do it ourselves.

“We’ve been investing for nearly a decade to develop product ranges in-house, coupled with Nottingham University, Nottingham Trent University and Heriot-Watt University in Scotland.

“We’ve done R&D for around four or five products per year. That allows the brewing industry to be as innovative as possible, while we can look at ways of saving money, but more importantly be sustainable.”

Sustainability and helping the industry reduce its carbon emissions is a high priority for Murphy and Son, as Charles explains: “It's a very easy word to throw out – sustainabilitybut not necessarily an easy

Continued on page 36...

‘Everything

we’ve changed over the years – particularly this year –paid off and has been recognised by people other than just inside our business’

Murphy and Son managing director Charles Nicholds

The Murphy and Son team with their Business of the Year award

word to back up. I believe the products we’ve developed not only make our business sustainable, but stronger and more successful.

“Ten years ago, the average micro or craft brewer would have used 10 or 11 pints of water to make one pint of beer and collectively across the industry we’ve got that down to five and we aim to reduce their water usage further.

“It’s important to try and reduce the carbon footprint for brewers. We don’t shout up enough about the sustainability of the products we can offer. During 2025 we’re going to pivot to explain the products we can offer that can reduce capacity, speed up production, so if we've got a warehouse that can offer that onestop-shop facility, the brewer can get everything under one roof delivered in a single pallet, or multiple pallets, to reduce their carbon footprint with products that can actually improve their own sustainability.

“So, our focus is about putting ourselves on the pedestal to demonstrate how to our own industry, how that can be achieved.”

2024 was a year of significant change for Murphy and Son, furthering its journey ‘from beer to beverages’ and culminating in moving to new 50,0000 sq ft premises in Chilwell.

“2024’s probably been Murphy and Son’s biggest period of change for 50 years.

“During the Covid-19 pandemic we decided we needed to pivot. We needed more space. We couldn’t grow where we were in Basford. We needed to ensure our production facility was food grade to allow us to continue selling food grade products into the beverage sector.

‘We want to be the number one technical resource for the beverage sector within a five-year window’

“To relocate from our Basford site, that we’ve been at since 1919 to move to our new site was a process that began in January of 2024, before moving in during November. It's been a big change for staff, and we're very fortunate to say we've looked after and held the hand of the brewing sector in the UK for decades.

“There are more than 2,000 breweries in the UK and we’re proud to say we sell something to most of them.

“There are around 9,000 breweries in the EU and 9,000 in the US, so we set up our sister company in America in 2017 to start growing into that sector.

“Post-Brexit, we evolved to have a third-party warehouse in the Netherlands and recruitment out in mainland Europe so we can start going after a wider market. We’re also moving out of beer into beverage.

“The UK wine industry is buoyant at the moment, so we've been supporting that industry for products. We’ve been supporting

cider, and next year plan to get into distilling and soft drinks in a bigger way too. Pivoting from beer to beverage has been the strongest message internally, and getting that marketing message out externally has been important for 2024.

“The blue sky plan we developed in 2010–2020 had to be scaled back; we initially wanted to find either green or brownfield land and build a 100,000 sq ft facility for a production warehouse and our labs. Increased building costs that came in after the pandemic meant that wasn’t affordable, so we decided in 2023 to find a 50,000 sq ft warehouse.

“Chilwell came to our attention in December 2023. We agreed a deal in January and we’ve redeveloped it with the landlords over the last six months. We’re very proud to say we moved into it and began trading from it in November.

“Our hope is to create an Amazon-style business, while our prowess will continue to be in technical support. Brewers, like everyone else, expect a much faster delivery these days than we would have provided 10 years ago. The new warehouse will allow us to achieve a next day service for all our UK customers.

“It will allow us to react more quickly when somebody’s run out of a product or allow us, if there’s a problem with the brew, to get that material to them. If you like, we’re trying to become “Amazon of the Beverage Sector” really.

Murphy and Son’s new Chilwell warehouse and its “Amazon of the Beverage Sector” vision is not where growth ambitions for 2025 end, as Charles explains: “We’ve got a lot of exciting things happening across Europe and the US. We're looking for growth there and we set a challenging but achievable vision that we want to be the number one technical resource for the beverage sector within a five-year window. We’re a year into that.

“We’re proud to say we support the UK beer sector very strongly, but there’s a lot of work to be done to gain that trust across the EU and the US too, so that’s our goal and what we plan to do for 2025.”

The company’s original base in Basford

Charles Nicholds at the company’s new warehouse

The new warehouse has space for the company’s laboratory facilities

‘Our people are our greatest asset’

Kranlee Logistics has seen strong growth since it was launched just one month before Covid-19 hit the UK, writes Tom Pegden.

From a standing start, brother and sister Karen Mosley and Lee Wells have taken their business to a £6m turnover and a 16-strong team – achievements which helped Kranlee collect the Small Business of the Year Award and then the overall Business of the Year at the Chamber’s 2024 Derbyshire Business Awards.

From its base just outside Chesterfield the freight forwarding business offers export support for clients across the UK, helping them ship anything and everything to the four corners of the world.

Karen said that for a start-up which launched as a pandemic swept across the world and as Britain exited the EU, they had a huge amount to be proud of.

She said: “It was a shock on the evening to hear that we had won the awards because we never really expected it.

“Our growth has been fairly significant, but when you live with it every day you don’t really notice. And when you reflect on it, you realise what we’ve achieved is actually fairly substantial.

“I think the awards were also for the investment that we’re making in our people, because they are our greatest asset. They are the ones who work with our clients every day and really give them the service that they've become accustomed to.

“It’s also partly down to our adaptability and the changing times we have had to overcome.

“And hopefully, through the awards we will reach a wider market and win new clients that can also experience the service that we offer.

“There are lots of companies out there that I think do struggle with the complexities of international shipping. And one of the things that we pride ourselves on is guiding them

through that legislation. The work that we do is second nature to us so it it's really rewarding when somebody says you're doing really well.”

Karen and her brother have around 50 years of experience in the sector between them, and she said it had made sense to put that into a joint business.

“We specialise in international shipments, assisting local manufacturers and importers with the movement of their goods, helping them through all the complexities around customs and local legislation.

‘It’s three very different businesses, but when you put them together, we can assist anybody with a distribution or logistics requirement’

“We also have clients that do what we call cross trade management, where they might source products, for example in China, but they don’t come into the UK, they go to somewhere like the EU.

“We manage that whole process through three businesses in total. There's Kranlee Logistics, assisting import and exporters; we then have Kranlee Customs Brokerage, which was set up predominantly when we were leaving the EU to assist companies that were trading with the EU and suddenly found themselves with a lot of red red tape; and we also have Kranlee Distribution which specialises in UK distribution and warehousing, but which is a smaller part of what we do.

“It’s three very different businesses, but when you put them together, we can assist anybody with a distribution or logistics requirement.

“We fully manage the whole logistics process, anything from sending an envelope or documents to the USA, to full factory moves. We've even moved theme parks – which is quite complex and which needed a specialist ship –and chartered aircrafts. We will help with literally anything that anybody wants to move.

“We're very busy and getting busier and busier, and have grown much quicker than we expected.”

She said they had big plans for 2025, including rolling out new software which will bring different IT packages together, link the different parties involved in import/export transactions and allow clients to track shipments, in real time, on every step of their journey.

There will also be further investment in staff training, with plans to take on more people, including sales people.

She said: “Lee and I know a lot of exporters and importers so all the growth we've had so far has been people that either know us or recommendation.

“So 2025 will be the first year that we actually approach sales in a focused way.”

Karen Mosley and Lee Wells of KranLee

L-R: Lee Wells and Karen Mosley from Company of the Year Kranlee Logistics with Lucy Robinson and Emma Jesson at the 2024 Derbyshire Business Awards

STRATEGIC PARTNERS AND PATRONS

NEWS AND UPDATES FROM EAST MIDLANDS CHAMBER’S LEADING SUPPORTERS

Asenior Government figure said he was delighted at the role East Midlands Airport (EMA) plays in driving regional growth.

Services, small business and exports Minister Gareth Thomas MP was the keynote speaker at a “Made in the Midlands, Sold to the World” exporter roadshow which was held in the Rolls Royce Flight Operations Centre at the airport.

The event was hosted by the Department for Business and Trade and brought together hundreds of business leaders with exporters, trade experts and Government representatives.

East Midlands Airport is the UK’s number one dedicated air freight hub – for cargo that isn’t carried in the bellies of passenger jets –contributing an estimated £1.6bn national GVA (gross value added) and supporting more than 17,000 jobs across the UK in 2023.

It is connected to 185 of the world’s major cities, centrally located and operates 24-hours a day.

Management said that, and its specialisation in cargo-only aircraft, means the airport is uniquely placed to handle express air freight – the fastestgrowing type of air cargo which is projected to support between £687m and £1.8bn in additional

Soaring praise for East Midlands Airport Partnership skills up apprentices

Heater engineering business

Vaillant has joined forces with Derby College Group (DCG) to help ensure heating apprenticeships have the skills needed to support the move to Net Zero.

The partnership between Vaillant and DCG will provide school leavers and mature students with the skills needed for a career in the heating industry and a broader working knowledge of the sector.

A new Vaillant Low Carbon Technology Training Room has opened at the college group’s Roundhouse campus, featuring heat pumps and controls and providing hands-on learning for the first 10 Low Carbon Heating

GVA and between 2,700 and 12,600 extra jobs by 2030.

Gareth Thomas said: “The Midlands is a hotbed for innovation across many sectors, with businesses here developing and selling amazing products and services right across the world.

‘This boosts the whole region and helps deliver good local jobs’

“Through our supply chain support and webinar and advice programmes from our expert international trade advisors – the UK Government is working hard to ensure businesses have the tools they need to thrive.

“East Midlands Airport plays a vital role in making this happen, supporting businesses in advanced manufacturing, automotive, aerospace and pharmaceutical industries with their global delivery goals. This boosts the whole region and helps deliver good local jobs and economic growth.”

Technician (LCHT) apprentices and future cohorts.

Vaillant hired the first full-time LCHT apprentices in 2023, and they are now part-way through three years of training across the business – including working with qualified heating engineers.

Vaillant Group UK and Ireland managing director Henrik Hansen said: “Derby has long been known as a hub for engineering and innovation.

“As one of the largest manufacturers in the area producing a significant proportion of the UK’s heating appliances in Belper, we are keen to train and upskill those coming into the low carbon heating industry.”

Carol Dixon, director of employer partnerships at DCG, said: “It is much talked about that the heating industry has an ageing workforce, so it is essential we look at new ways to showcase and encourage people into this wide-ranging

industry, and ensure they leave work and skills ready to make a difference as we move to a low carbon era.”

Derby College Group is one of England’s biggest colleges with around 15,000 students.

Henrik Hansen and Carol Dixon

Trump campaign was a ‘masterclass’, says expert

The online campaign that helped get Donald Trump elected US president was a masterclass on how to reach your audience that UK companies should learn from, according to a Derbyshire digital marketing expert.

Tim Lenton, digital innovation and strategy director at Purpose Media, in South Normanton, said that, putting politics and personality aside, Trump’s team delivered an effective campaign that understood and reflected his audience’s core values and lead from the forefront of digital political strategy.

‘His team showed they knew their audience deeply and the kind of messages that they would be open to’

The controversial Republican president-elect defied the polls as he brushed away the challenge of Democrat Kamala Harris to win the White House for his second term. Tim said while his campaign was often badtempered, foul-mouthed and mired in controversy –and even saw him survive an assassination attempt –the headline often obscured the hard work taking place away from the headlines.

Trump leveraged social media and digital advertising with a host of platform-specific strategies in order to maintain an engaging online presence fuelled by controversy, micro-targeted ads and community building.

Tim said: “Regardless of where you stand on Donald Trump and his politics, his digital campaign was nevertheless a masterclass in online electioneering and there are a wealth of lessons that companies and marketers can learn from. From segmenting his audiences to choosing the right content for the right digital platform, his team showed they knew their audience deeply and the kind of messages that they would be open to while they also invested heavily in data analysis to ensure their ads were targeted and personalised.

“Their campaign was at the forefront of digital political strategy and although not everyone is happy with the result of the election, it does show what’s possible online, even for companies with a limited budget.”

Uni wins accommodation award

The University of Derby has taken the best university housing accolade at the 2024 Global Student Living Awards (UK and Ireland) for the third year in a row.

Derby also scooped the best environmental management award for the second year running and was shortlisted for best customer service, best value for money, best student wellbeing and best moving in experience.

The awards are based exclusively on direct feedback from more than 150,000 students at universities and colleges across the UK and Europe.

IN BRIEF

FREETHS COMPLETE 70 DEALS BEFORE BUDGET

National law firm Freeths completed 70 corporate transactions for clients in October ahead of the autumn Budget.

Closing an average of over two deals a day, Freeths also had more than 15 signed off the day before Chancellor Rachel Reeves delivered Labour’s first Budget in 14 years.

The M&A team, headed by Leon Arnold, worked on transactions from high profile clients across sectors including energy, retail and hospitality, telecommunications, healthcare and technology.

It follows a year of record growth for Freeths’ corporate arm which saw partner Martin Smith join the team in April, followed by director Hannah Tessyman in May. The firm welcomed partner Ania Vernon in June, and more recently senior associate Grace Hill in the East Midlands.

MTU IN PARTNERSHIP WITH LUMENTUM

The Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTU) in Coventry has teamed up with laser manufacturer Lumentum to help speed up the use of lasers in UK manufacturing.

Lumentum specialises in highperformance commercial lasers, while MTC has been engaged in laser-based manufacturing for more than a decade for industrial applications including welding, cutting, and surface engineering.

To kick-start the collaboration, a new laser has been installed at MTC allowing more research into its uses in manufacturing.

Dr Sundar Marimuthu, technical specialist at MTC said: “I’m thrilled to see Lumentum become a member of MTC. Their expertise aligns with MTC’s mission to drive advancements in the UK manufacturing sector.”

L-R: Adam Lindley, Ros Liddane, Steve Ward, Charlotte Arnold and Ollie Shearer

HyDEX: Driving Hydrogen Innovation in the Midlands

Hydrogen is emerging as a key solution for businesses aiming to decarbonize their operations, enhance energy security through localized production, and generate new highly skilled jobs. However, the challenge of building a hydrogen economy lies in developing an industrial and manufacturing sector that is still in its infancy. Addressing this challenge is the HyDEX programme, funded by Research England and managed by the Energy Research Accelerator (ERA), a partnership of eight leading universities and the British Geological Survey. HyDEX is actively fostering a hydrogen industrial economy and network in the Midlands.

BUILDING A REGIONAL HYDROGEN PARTNERSHIP

Since its launch in 2022, HyDEX has organized more than 30 in-person events across the Midlands, as well as in key locations such as London, Brussels, and Singapore. These events aim to engage a wide range of stakeholders, including businesses, researchers, policymakers, and civil servants, to raise awareness of hydrogen's potential and create valuable connections. In addition, the programme has hosted numerous webinars covering diverse topics, including hydrogen production, storage, transport, applications, regulations, and social acceptance.

One significant initiative is the HyDEX OffRoad Network (HORN), which was formed after a successful event held at JCB in Uttoxeter. Attendees saw hydrogen-powered plant equipment in action and heard insights from industry and academic experts. HORN focuses on hydrogen applications in off-road and off-grid

contexts, particularly in agriculture and construction. Its membership has grown to over 60 organizations, who benefit from two-monthly "Lunch & Learn" sessions. These sessions feature expert talks on topics such as hydrogen production, storage, and application in projects and farms.

HORN has been instrumental in fostering collaboration and knowledge-sharing among stakeholders. One member described the network as invaluable for "networking, learning, and company introductions," helping the Midlands hydrogen community to thrive.

To join the HORN network, please email Nick King, Marketing Manager for HyDEX and ERA on nick.king@era.ac.uk

SUPPORTING HYDROGEN INNOVATION

HyDEX has worked closely with a number of SMEs, startups, and spinouts to support the development of hydrogen technologies. These collaborations have focused on diverse projects, including producing hydrogen from sewage and converting diesel generators to run on hydrogen. Such partnerships have enabled companies to conduct feasibility studies, develop prototypes, and explore target markets, including Nepal. Through these innovation projects, HyDEX has significantly impacted the participating companies. Two businesses have secured external funding for commercialisation, five have expanded their workforce, and four have entered international markets such as Nepal, Nigeria, Australia, Dubai, and South Africa.

One standout example is GreenCo’s collaboration with Aston University to advance its BR300 system. This auto-thermal steam reformer produces low-carbon hydrogen from low-grade forestry waste, overcoming limitations of traditional biofuel processing. Aston University provided feasibility studies on potential plant locations and helped enhance the system to handle lower-quality waste. GreenCo is now using the findings to secure further funding and proceed to the next project phase.

DEMONSTRATING HYDROGEN TECHNOLOGIES

A key component of HyDEX’s mission is showcasing hydrogen technologies through demonstrator projects at Midlands universities. These demonstrations serve to advance hydrogen production and usage methods while connecting academic expertise with industry needs.

HyDEX recently had a celebration event at the Museum of Making in Derby

HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE HYDEX DEMONSTRATOR PROGRAMME

Aston University:

Focuses on hydrogen production via biomass conversion using thermochemical, biological, and catalytic processes. The Energy and Bioproducts Research Institute (EBRI) specializes in gasification and pyrolysis.

University of Birmingham:

Collaborates with Tyseley Energy Park to build hydrogen infrastructure, including a refuelling station and an integrated ammonia cracker for renewable energy storage and clean transport fuels.

Cranfield University:

Explores innovative bulk hydrogen production techniques, such as Sorbent Enhanced Steam Reforming (SESR) and catalytic methane cracking, while examining hydrogen blending and carbon by-product applications.

Keele University:

Successfully demonstrated a 20% hydrogen blend in heating networks through the HyDEPLOY trial. It also produces green hydrogen using a PEM electrolyser during energy surpluses, focusing on practical energy solutions.

Loughborough University:

Conducts extensive hydrogen research on sustainable production, material reuse, and lifecycle management, aiming for cost-effective, recyclable products.

University of Nottingham:

Developed the "Flex Fuel" engine, enabling diesel engine retrofits to transition between hydrogen and ammonia, reducing emissions. Research also focuses on solid-state hydrogen storage.

University of Warwick:

Investigates renewable hydrogen production with systems demonstrating higher efficiency than existing methods, with efforts to scale technology for commercial use.

These demonstration projects highlight the Midlands' growing expertise in hydrogen technologies and underscore its potential to lead the UK’s hydrogen transition.

DEVELOPING SKILLS FOR THE HYDROGEN ECONOMY

HyDEX recognizes the importance of cultivating a skilled workforce to support the hydrogen economy. Its skills programme, led by Loughborough University, focuses on addressing skill gaps and creating educational opportunities to upskill current and future workers.

INITIATIVES TO BUILD THE HYDROGEN WORKFORCE

Inspiring Young Minds:

HyDEX has promoted STEM and hydrogen-related careers to school pupils through engaging activities, such as the Hydrogen Grand Prix competition. Students built and raced model hydrogen cars, learning about the science and engineering behind the technology. Other initiatives included school visits during British Science Week and National Careers Week, as well as university-led workshops on building and racing hydrogen cars.

Winter and Summer Hydrogen Schools:

These week-long events provided university researchers, industry professionals, and students with an in-depth understanding of hydrogen technologies. Topics covered included hydrogen production, storage, transport, and applications across various industries.

By raising awareness and providing hands-on experiences, HyDEX is not only preparing the current workforce but also inspiring the next generation of hydrogen professionals.

INFORMING HYDROGEN POLICY

HyDEX has played a vital role in shaping hydrogen policy at regional, national, and international levels. Through research, meetings, and workshops, the programme has provided actionable insights and recommendations for governments and industry stakeholders.

KEY POLICY REPORTS

1. Accelerating Hydrogen Adoption in Industry: This report outlines how the UK can enhance its hydrogen industry through investments in infrastructure, training, public awareness, and financial incentives. It provides a roadmap for unlocking hydrogen’s potential to achieve netzero goals.

2. Hydrogen Rail in the Midlands: Focusing on hydrogen-powered trains as a cleaner alternative to diesel, this report identifies four routes in the Midlands where hydrogen trials would be practical. The Midlands, with its strong rail industry presence, is ideally positioned to lead hydrogen rail innovations.

3. Benefits of UK-EU Collaboration in Hydrogen: Highlighting the mutual benefits of UK-EU cooperation, this report advocates for the establishment of a UK-EU Hydrogen Taskforce to coordinate efforts on cross-border projects, safety standards, and best practices.

These reports, available on the HyDEX website (www.hydex.ac.uk/resources) provide crucial guidance for policymakers to harness hydrogen's potential effectively.

JOIN THE HYDROGEN REVOLUTION

HyDEX is at the forefront of hydrogen innovation in the Midlands, addressing critical challenges in building a new hydrogen economy. We are fostering networks and supporting cutting-edge technologies, developing skills and shaping policy. Working together with partners, HyDEX is laying the groundwork for hydrogen to play a key role in the Midlands’ sustainable, low-carbon future.

For more information about HyDEX or to get involved in our network, visit HyDEX’s website (www.hydex.ac.uk) or email enquiries@era.ac.uk

CHAMBER NEWS

CONNECTING, CHAMPIONING AND SUPPORTING LOCAL BUSINESSES

Why it’s so important to celebrate our achievers

Sponsors play a key role in each of the Chamber’s three Business Awards ceremonies in Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire and Leicestershire Here some explain the value of their support.

DERBYSHIRE

Rick Arnell, capability manager of Rolls Royce which sponsored the Excellence in Innovation Award:

“Innovation is so important for us in terms of bringing the next generation along, staying competitive and keeping the UK at the cutting edge of new technology. I think it's really good to recognise all the great work that everyone in the area is doing, take a break from what is sometimes a hard job and celebrate.”

Professor Kathryn Mitchell, vicechancellor of The University of Derby, sponsors of the Entrepreneur of the Year Award: “We’re delighted to have sponsored Entrepreneur of the Year because entrepreneurs are so important in the economic growth of the UK. We really want to inspire our own graduates, so they will have the chance and the opportunity to take up being an entrepreneur. These awards are really important for us, and East Midlands Chamber is so important to the university. The Chamber makes a big difference to our region.”

NOTTINGHAMSHIRE

Nick Gall, managing director of NetMonkeys, which sponsored the Business Improvement Through Technology Award: “We do a lot around business improvement through technology day-to-day. So, it's great to be able to award somebody who has seen success in their business by using technology and that’s a really positive thing.”

Charlotte Nicholls, employer chair of the East Midlands Apprenticeship Ambassador Network, sponsors of the Apprentice of the Year Award: “We want to recognise and advocate for apprenticeships, and by sponsoring this category it means we get to celebrate everyone that's made a big achievement and also recognise the talent of apprentices in the East Midlands. Apprenticeships are exceptionally important.”

Andrew Brook, project manager of Vertas Group, which sponsored the Environmental Impact Award:

“We’re deeply committed to sustainability and it’s very important that we can support awards where Nottinghamshire can be shown to be leading the charge in that field. The Chamber’s Business Awards are extremely important because where people are delivering business on the ground, it's very difficult to see how much of an impact you have. The Awards give a great example of what you can actually achieve and be able to celebrate in your locality.”

Sophie Wragg owns Be Your Best Version, which sponsored the Entrepreneur of the Year Award:

“I'm an entrepreneur myself and I know how lonely and how tough it can be. To be able to help raise the profile of other entrepreneurs was just something that was really important to do. The Chamber’s Business Awards are a celebration in Nottinghamshire and at times I think Nottinghamshire can feel forgotten. Being able to celebrate Nottinghamshire is fantastic.”

LEICESTERSHIRE

Professor Katie Normington, vice-chancellor of De Montfort University, which sponsored the Commitment to People Development Award: “The way you have a very effective, high performing business is by bringing the best out of people around you. As a university we do a lot of training for our own students but also for businesses in Leicester and Leicestershire and the wider field.”

Chan Kataria OBE, chief executive of emh Group, which sponsored the Community Impact Award: “Working with local authorities and communities is integral to us achieving our mission so it's a privilege to be able to sponsor this award. The Chamber’s Business Awards are so important in recognising good practice and celebrating the success of business.”

Richard Bryan is general counsel at Cambridge and Counties Bank, which sponsored the Environmental Impact Award: “We’ve sponsored this category for

a few years now and for us, it's about having a positive impact across environmental, social and governance, so this is a good award for us to sponsor, about giving something back to the planet.”

Mir Patel, aluminium operations manager at Unique Windows, which sponsored the Outstanding Growth Award: “We were fortunate enough to win the same award in 2023 which then led us to go on and win the Business of the Year award. It means a lot to us personally, and we thought it would be appropriate to sponsor the same award that we won ourselves.”

Sarah Knight, executive assistant to Eileen Perry and office manager at ER Recruitment, sponsors of the Customer Service Award: “Customer excellence means a lot to ER Recruitment because it's what we do as well. It's about creating those true partnerships and understanding client needs to build success together. Customer service should be the be all and end all, of every business.”

Recognition is important for all

Business Network hears from some of our 2024 Chamber Awards finalists, finding out what the awards mean to them and why it is so important to be involved.

Design agency Creative62, which is based in Enderby, Leicestershire, was honoured with two wins at the 2024 Leicestershire Business Awards – the Community Impact Award and the Excellence in Customer Service Award.

As finalists in four categories, the agency joined business leaders and peers for a night that celebrated outstanding achievements across the region and offered finalists inspiration to carry on the good work that they do.

The Community Impact Award recognised Creative62’s dedication to addressing key social issues through Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives – which include work with charities, social programmes and educational support.

This award underscores the team’s commitment to enhancing the communities it serves by integrating CSR into its overall business strategy.

Meanwhile, the Excellence in Customer Service Award represents Creative62’s focus on setting industry-leading standards in service and consistently striving to exceed customer expectations.

Creative62 founder Mark Robinson said achieving the award after five years of dedicated effort underscores the agency’s belief that outstanding service is integral to business success, highlighting the positive impact of having a customer-centric strategy.

He said: “Winning these awards is a true honour and a humbling experience. The Community Impact Award acknowledges our ongoing commitment to making a difference in society, and the Excellence in Customer Service Award is especially meaningful, as it reflects our dedication to the people we serve.

“We’re grateful for the support from our business partners,

clients, their families, other agencies and regulatory authorities, and to have that commitment recognised through this prestigious Chamber Award is fantastic.

“As well as supporting us on recovery and outcomes monitoring, the technology is helping us get people back into work. I think that’s what stood out and led us to win.”

Greene Tweed, which designs and makes thermoplastics, composites and engineered components for the harshest of environments, won Excellence in International Trade at the 2024 East Midlands Chamber Business Awards.

Its management said the Chamber played a vital role in connecting, supporting, and championing businesses and communities across Derbyshire, Leicestershire and Nottinghamshire.

As one of five finalists in the category, Greene Tweed was selected for a growth strategy focused on international expansion, following steady sales growth.

collaborators, and the incredible clients who inspire us every day.”

He said the 2024 Awards brought together a wide array of businesses to celebrate their accomplishments across the region as he thanked the Chamber, its team, and its network for their continued support.

Loughborough addiction recovery charity The Carpenter’s Arms was also a finalist at the Leicestershire Awards, winning the Business Improvement Through Technology Award.

A key way in which the charity is embracing technology is by digitising the resident journey from the point of application through to support plan. As a result, the risk of entry errors has been reduced and significant staff time freed up.

Software also identifies trigger words such as seizure, bail or

suicide, and auto enrols an applicant onto the appropriate “high risk” telephone interview which means the charity can offer more acute support from the very beginning.

Chief executive Richard Spence said the journey to sobriety relies on the right intervention at the right time and technology is providing staff with the tools to access everything about a resident, from their background, motivations and triggers to their medication.

Each resident can see his journey online and how he is progressing against certain measures that gives him accountability for, and pride in, his progress. It also demonstrates that technology can be used in a positive way to residents who may have little IT knowledge or training.

Richard said: “Our investment in technology provides greater accountability of our charity to our

Judges praised the company’s passion for supporting customers, as demonstrated in its strong corporate culture and deep analytical insights.

Greene Tweed Nottingham UK site operations leader Tony Baldassarra said: “We truly appreciate this recognition by the East Midlands Chamber.

“The ‘Excellence in International Trade’ award is a testament to our unwavering commitment to global trade compliance, and it reflects the team’s dedication to collaboration with international partners to uphold high standards.”

To find out about the 2025 Awards being planned by the Chamber and to get information on sponsorship opportunities email: Emily.Perkins@emc-dnl.co.uk

Clockwise from top left: One of Creative 62’s awards; guests at the Derbyshire Business Awards; Chan Kataria OBE of emh group, Mark Robinson of Creative62 and host Emma Jesson at the Leicestershire Business Awards

Business Peak District (BPD) is a free membership organisation for businesses in the area covered by the Peak District National Park, High Peak, Staffordshire Moorlands and Derbyshire Dales. Its principal supporter is East Midlands Chamber, and it works closely with councils, the Peak District National Park Authority, the University of Derby, as well as Visit Peak District and Derbyshire.

For details email members@businesspeakdistrict.com

Hi-tech works in a rural area!

Digital Urban started as a one-man band. Working from his small spare room in a Peak District village and with a background in 3D technology, Simon Mabey wanted to explore applications of immersive technology.

He developed projects with the Royal Institute of British Architects, the Royal Horticultural Society and even Chatsworth, with a virtual reconstruction of Joseph Paxton’s Glasshouse, which was later featured on Channel Four.

The pandemic brought this work to an abrupt halt but thankfully Simon won two large commissions to digitally model towns, in the boroughs of Watford and Wirral. With the help of the East Midlands Chamber, Digital Urban started to grow.

It recruited a small team as part of the Government’s Kickstart scheme, and several years on, has continued to expand to 18 fulltime employees, most recently recruiting managing director Matt Rain.

Matt said: “Digital twins and immersive technology are game-changing when it comes to the way people experience and interact with places of the past and the future. Our cuttingedge digital twin and immersive technology needs to be seen to be believed.”

Simon said: “Working in 3D technology has empowered me to be involved on many exciting and prestigious projects across the globe. At Digital Urban we want to empower our clients and their communities to make tougher, but more informed choices about the future of their town, neighbourhood or city.”

Digital Urban specialises in immersive technology

‘As a technology company we rely on great network speeds and this can sometimes be an issue’

Locally, they have worked with Chatsworth on an installation at the RHS flower show and a virtual reconstruction of Joseph Paxton’s Great Conservatory which was demolished in 1920.

Matt said: “The Peak District is a beautiful place to live and work – we find our clients like to come and visit us to experience what Bakewell has to offer.

“While people enjoy visiting, transport links can prove to be challenging, meaning that we have to rely on cars for the final sections of

most journeys. Usually, a pick-up or drop-off at Chesterfield or Grindleford is required for those who want to travel via public transport. We're a climate-conscious bunch so that can be frustrating for us as we try to keep our carbon emissions to a minimum.

“On the plus side, our office rents are more affordable than city locations and the business park we are situated on has good amenities, including a brewery which is popular when we have guests!

“More resilience is needed with regard to our communication infrastructure – as a technology company we rely on great network speeds and this can sometimes be an issue. Rental accommodation for our team is also limited in the area – they suffer from the common problem in the park of having to compete with restricted housing supply due to holiday accommodation and second homes.

“Our CEO Simon has raised his three children in the Peak District so he appreciates the shared desire of BPD to create employment opportunities for the young people of the area.

“The drive to retain talented young people from the area is also good for us as a business and the work to support this that BPD is doing helps us support our ambitions of employing local people.

“The group is also a great conduit for us to meet new clients, suppliers and contacts who share similar challenges to us and understand the unique set of circumstances running a business in the Peak District brings.”

Find out more at: www.digitalurban.place

Funding for project to boost cyber skills

A project to close the cyber skills gap and create a workforce to protect businesses and communities from online threats has won Government funding.

CyberSprint: Fast Track to the Future, will help redefine cyber security training, moving it from traditional IT to reskilling people in sectors such as law, logistics, creative industries and construction.

It will also see cybersecurity embedded in the curriculum for 93 schools and colleges across the region. De Montfort University Leicester (DMU) will lead the £76,000 project, working with regional leaders in cybersecurity, education, and business.

The CyberSprint model of training non-technical professionals ensures a diverse range of participants acquire practical, industry-recognised cybersecurity skills that can be readily applied in the workplace.

CyberSprint’s partners are: East Midlands Cyber Security Cluster, Leicester and Leicestershire Business and Skills Partnership, Leicestershire Careers Hub, SASIG (Specialist Awareness Security Information Group), Barclays Eagle Labs, Digital Planning Limited, East Midlands Chamber, the Chartered Institute of Information Security (CIISEC), and the Chartered Institute for IT (BCS).

Most of region’s businesses not optimistic after Autumn Budget

Half of East Midlands businesses plan to revise their recruitment intentions, six out of 10 anticipate a drop in profit and almost half are likely to lower investment plans according to a snap post-Budget survey carried out by East Midlands Chamber.

Around 80% of respondents expressed a negative overall impression of the Autumn Budget, citing concerns over increased costs and a lack of targeted support for SMEs.

Some 239 businesses across Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire and Leicestershire took part from sectors such as manufacturing, construction, retail, hospitality, transport & logistics, professional services, and the public sector through health and education.

The findings have been presented to political leaders at both regional and national level and include:

• Eight out of 10 have a negative impression of the Budget

• Half plan to cut recruitment

• Four out of 10 expect to reduce staff numbers

• Six out of 10 expect profitability to fall

• 44% plan to cut investment over the next year

• Four out of 10 expect sales to grow and two out of 10 expect sales to fall.

‘Many businesses feel they need to prioritise immediate financial stability over training’

East Midlands Chamber director of policy and insight Richard Blackmore said: “With increased NI contributions, reduction in the secondary threshold and the national minimum wage increasing, businesses are anticipating significant increases in operational costs – that really shows in this research.

“For small and medium enterprises, this burden is particularly challenging and could impact their ability to sustain workforce levels.

“Respondents anticipated reducing their staffing level, particularly in labour-intensive

sectors such as hospitality and retail, while a hesitancy to invest in workforce development could impact skills growth and productivity.

“Many businesses feel they need to prioritise immediate financial stability over training.

“Over half of respondents indicated they could pull back on recruitment plans, reflecting the cautious approach businesses are adopting due to cost increases.

“This trend could limit job creation in the East Midlands. Many businesses expect profitability to decline over the next year, with respondents citing the combined pressure of higher wages, tax burdens and operating costs as barriers to maintaining profit margins.

“While this research shows some optimism with sales – four out of 10

expect sales to increase – what stands out is the sizeable portion of East Midlands businesses ready to consider cutting back on capital investment, staffing levels and recruitment plans, in the light of rising operational costs and economic uncertainty.

“These findings underline the need for supportive policies that address both the social and economic challenges facing East Midlands businesses. We have put the results of this survey to political leaders at both regional and national level, urging them to consider the insights and advocate for policy adjustments that will enable East Midlands businesses to thrive amidst the challenges posed by the Autumn Budget.”

Read the report at https://is.gd/MAPraG

Inflation is providing cause for concern

Inflation rose this autumn to 2.3%, its highest figure in six months, pushed up by a rise in energy costs.

The estimated Office for National Statistics figures were above the Bank of England’s target of 2% and higher than economists anticipated.

Chamber director of policy and insight Richard Blackmore said: “While we’ve seen a trend of gradually falling inflation from the skyhigh level, we were at not all that long ago, news of a return to a level greater than the Bank of England’s 2% target will frustrate businesses already grappling with price pressures, the high cost of doing business and bracing for the impact of decisions announced in the Autumn Budget.

“East Midlands businesses highlighted inflation as their second biggest concern after corporate taxation in our most recent Quarterly Economic Survey.

“The new figure doesn’t come as much of a surprise, when you factor in the huge cost of energy, but it does cast a shadow of doubt on

Richard Blackmore

than economists anticipated at 0.1% in the three months to September.

a lower interest rate being announced next month.

“For businesses having to work out how they’ll find funds for higher NI contributions and a higher national living wage, as revealed in the Autumn Budget a few weeks ago, any additional pressure to increase prices, harm competitiveness and keep borrowing high, is not helpful.”

Separate ONS figures showed GDP grew less

Richard added: “When combined with the increased costs to businesses on the horizon, including National Insurance contributions, as announced in the Autumn Budget, the fact we’re seeing slowing economic growth is another redflashing bulb, especially when the new government’s whole mantra is about growth.

“Figures published earlier this week showed a slight rise in East Midlands unemployment among over 16’s to 4.6%, and when you add higher recruitment costs for businesses to soon contend with and this slowdown in economic growth, the need for action from political leaders is underlined.

“While we had a mildly comforting few months earlier this year where we saw some green shoots of growth and a gradual exit from ‘technical recession’, these latest indicators all reinforce the need for political leaders to be rolling up their sleeves to do what they can to support businesses.”

New president will put the focus on skills

wants to put skills front and centre of her agenda for the year, writes Tom Pegden.

Dawn Whitemore is replacing former Alliance & Leicester director Stuart Dawkins, who steps down this month following an extended two years as Chamber president. She takes on the chains of office on 9 December.

Dawn has been principal and chief executive of SMB College Group for the past six years, a period in which local colleges have played an important part in bridging the skills gap for industry while, at the same time, struggling with tighter budgets.

During her time at the Leicestershire college group she has overseen the merger of Melton and Brooksby College with Stephenson College, in Coalville.

And right now, she is working on plans to grow the group further through a merger with Loughborough College, which could happen next year.

Prior to her current job she was principal and chief executive of New College Nottingham, and also established the University of Derby Corporate – an operating division dedicated to working with employers through higher apprenticeships.

She said taking on the Chamber presidency will help her shine a light on the value of further education training and apprenticeships and the benefits businesses can get from working closely with their local colleges.

Dawn, who describes herself as a problem-solver at heart, said she was proud of what she had achieved, steering students through lockdown, moving many of the Melton courses to Brooksby to improve the student experience and overseeing a sports academy which works

closely with the Leicester Tigers – players who have come through include Sam Edwards, Will Wand, Tim Hoyt, George Martin, Archie Vanes, Joe Woodward and Lewis Chessum.

She said: “We definitely punch above our weight.

“We are the most valuable part of the post-16 education system, because what our young people get is often a second chance.

“But more importantly, they get a skill. So, we shouldn’t be called further education – we should be called the skills education sector because everyone has been helped by someone who has been through the further education system.

“When you have a plumber come out or need a bricklayer or the plasterer or a motor vehicle engineer, they have come through a college like ours.

“We are absolutely core to the economic survival of this country.

“And my job is to give those young people as many options as possible. When they finish here, I want them to be resilient. I want them to be adaptable. I want them to be able to problem-solve.

“When I see them completing their courses, it's awesome.

“You see these young people coming in on their first day, who are really shy, and I’ve seen those same students leaving, years later, and saying they want to come back to teach.

“That’s why I do this job. FE is the best that thing we can provide to close the skills gap.

“I think the time is perfect for me to be Chamber president because it's a real opportunity for me to highlight how important skills development is and link it directly in with our businesses.

‘We shouldn’t be called further education – we should be called the skills education sector’

“Why shouldn’t we be leaders in developing a joined-up approach to making sure our businesses get the skills they need.

“No business knows exactly what they want when it comes to skills –they have an idea, but they don't know now what skills they will want in five years’ time.

“The current pace of change is massive, so I think there's an opportunity for me to highlight how important it is for businesses to engage with their local college and to make it theirs.

“Businesses need to be vocal about what they need because that's the way things change –because if we get our skill provision right, with the right sort of investment, then that increases the benefits to the economy and to society. Our members already appreciate the lobbying and I want to use my time as president to really help translate what businesses and FE need to ensure the skills of the future are delivered.

“So, my campaign for the year is going to be about making sure businesses embrace the skills agenda and influence what is needed.

“Our region is already stronger than most, but if we get that right we could lead the country in skills.

“It’s about changing lives through equipping people to be self-sufficient and independent.

“I’m really excited about the next 12 months. I think it's an opportune time to be doing this.”

Chamber chief executive Scott Knowles said: “We all know the skills challenges businesses face now – championing skills for the future and life-long learning is essential for businesses to determine what skills will be needed in the short, medium and long term.

“After knowing Dawn for about 20 years across her FE career, I’m delighted to work much closer with Dawn in her year of presidency of the Chamber.”

Dawn aims to highlight the value of education and training during her time as Chamber president

Business adviser support – what’s it really worth?

By Diane Beresford (pictured), deputy chief executive, East Midlands Chamber

Regardless of size, it is so often the case that business owners and senior managers fail to carve out ample time to consider what their business needs to evolve. Is the business plan it created three years ago still fit for purpose? Is it taking full advantage of new opportunities, both here and overseas? Is there legislation on the horizon that will impact its operations?

Sometimes hitting the pause button to reflect on the state of the business seems impossible when there is so much else going on. After all, it is the productivity of the business that pays the bills! But who is keeping check on whether that productivity is the best it can be? That your firm focus is on those products or services that are most profitable? That you are not missing out on new opportunities while your more fleet-footed competitors thrive?

‘Whether you need a helping hand or would simply like reassurance that you are on the right track, support from a business adviser can be invaluable’

Whether you need a helping hand or would simply like reassurance that you are on the right track, support from a business adviser can be invaluable. It is support at the very heart of Accelerator, a project funded by UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) and managed by the Chamber on behalf of 14 local authorities in Derby, Derbyshire Leicester and Nottinghamshire.

At every step of a business’s journey – from pre-start through to growth and diversification – there is support in areas such as developing and updating business plans, advice on budgeting, cash flow and financial forecasting, market research, legal and regulatory compliance, and relationship building.

Chamber business advisers are often described as critical friends or, for long-standing relationships, unofficial members of the senior management team. Their role is not to make decisions for a business but to give the business the information it needs to arrive at those decisions and to consider all options.

For example, the forecast might identify that sales are dropping off. A natural response to this might be to pivot sales efforts to those products or services that are selling well; but if the market is showing an overall decline, the Chamber’s business adviser might suggest more creative options to explore.

A business may not need the building footprint that it once had, for example, and converting unused parts into managed workspace may generate new income. On the other end of the scale, a business may be struggling with growing pains or fulfilling a large volume of sales orders.

The Chamber can support on leadership & management training programmes, putting in place HR policies and recruiting new talent.

Beyond their own skillsets – which can range from financial and banking backgrounds to successfully running multiple businesses – the Chamber’s business advisers have an unparalleled reach when it comes to facilitating introductions to other networks and support agencies, from the Chamber’s own East Midlands Manufacturing Network to the national Made Smarter programme, Innovate UK Business Growth and other funding sources.

FOCUS ON DECARBONISATION AND DIGITAL

Helping businesses to develop and implement a decarbonisation plan or new-to-the-firm technology is a key element of UKSPF which the Chamber’s business advisers can support in two key ways.

Firstly, through recommendation of digital workshops, specialist support and bespoke consultancy to help businesses enhance their digital use and/or implement new processes to support them to switch to advanced and automated technology.

Secondly, through fully-funded premises audits, training and consultancy to help businesses gain green business skills and plan their journey towards carbon neutrality and Net Zero.

Subscription to online sustainability platform Zellar, the first year of which is fully funded by Accelerator, helps businesses showcase the real-time environmental impact of their activities and produce a decarbonisation plan.

Growth vouchers of up to £2,000 are available to businesses adopting digital practices who can demonstrate that these activities will either create or safeguard jobs. Growth voucher support is also available to Leicester City businesses that are adopting energy efficiency measures.

HOW TO GET INVOLVED

1. Register your interest

Contact the Chamber’s business support team on 0330 053 8639, info@emc-dnl.co.uk to arrange an exploratory meeting. Or, select your district from the Accelerator landing page: www.d2n2growthhub.co.uk/ accelerator and complete an Expression of Interest form.

2. Meet your business adviser

Your first meeting will typically be around an hour long.

3. Do your homework

Working with a business adviser is a two-way process and needs your commitment too to succeed. Your adviser might set you tasks to keep progress on track.

4. Share your ideas

Make sure your adviser fully understands what you want so they can advise you on who is best placed to support you in those efforts.

Premium events at The City Ground

Sodexo Live!, a global leader in hospitality services in the sports and leisure industry, is pleased to announce it has secured a five-year contract with Nottingham Forest Football Club. This agreement will see Sodexo Live! deliver an enhanced premium hospitality and retail experience at the City Ground, as well as non-match day event delivery.

The club has undertaken a multi-million-pound upgrade of its hospitality facilities at The City Ground. In line with Nottingham Forest’s relaunch of its new matchday hospitality offers, Sodexo Live! will introduce exciting and diverse menus designed to elevate the dining experience. Sodexo Live! is dedicated to making Nottingham Forest an award-winning stadium experience. Outside of

match days, the stadium provides an excellent backdrop for all event types.

If you’re looking for a new space to host your event, whether it’s a meeting or conference, awards dinner, or a personal occasion, our onsite team of experience makers will be happy to work with you on menus, audio-visual equipment, entertainment, and any other aspect of your event.

Our city centre venue boasts ample on-site free parking, making it easy for your guests to get to your event. Our proximity to the train station is great if you’re looking to reduce your carbon footprint and promote eco-friendly travel to your delegates.

In addition to being a stunning riverside venue, we have multiple versatile spaces to accommodate all event sizes, whether you need breakout rooms, a large bar, or varied seating options throughout the day. You can also book a museum experience, stadium tour, or pitch-side photography to elevate the experience for your guests. We can’t wait to welcome you to The City Ground.

As part of our partnership with East Midlands Chamber, we are proud to offer a 15% discount on new bookings which take place by 31 March 2025. Terms and conditions apply.

Please contact the team at thecityground@sodexo.com and quote CHAMBER15 upon enquiry.

Funded support to speed ahead

Leicester city businesses are being encouraged to take advantage of fully-funded business support to help develop and implement a decarbonisation plan or new-to-the-firm technology.

The support is being offered by the Accelerator project. Delivered by East Midlands Chamber on behalf of local authorities in Derby, Derbyshire, Leicester (city) and Nottinghamshire, the Accelerator project is funded by the UK government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF). The fund aims to improve pride in place and increase life chances across the UK.

‘Helping businesses grow through digital transformation and workplace innovation’

In Leicester, the Accelerator project is focused on two key areas:

• Digital: workshops, specialist support and bespoke consultancy to help businesses enhance their digital use and/or implement new processes to support them to switch to advanced and automated technology.

• Net Zero: energy reduction premises audits, as well as training and consultancy to help businesses gain green business skills and plan their journey towards carbon neutrality and Net Zero. Access to online sustainability platform Zellar helps businesses showcase the real-time environmental impact of their activities and produce a decarbonisation plan.

Growth vouchers of up to £2,000 are available to businesses adopting energy-efficient or digital practices, and who can demonstrate that these activities will either create or safeguard jobs.

Leicester City Council head of economic regeneration Peter Chandler said: “Our UK Shared Prosperity Fund programme includes specialist advice and support from East Midlands Chamber that will help businesses improve their energy efficiency and use of digital technology.

“By tapping into the expert advice that’s available to them via the Accelerator project, local SMEs will be supported in digitising and decarbonising their business. I’d encourage all local SMEs to find out how support from the Accelerator project could benefit their business.”

At the heart of the Accelerator project is support from dedicated

WHAT CHAMBER BUSINESS ADVISER SUPPORT MEANS TO LOCAL BUSINESSES

Rosie Cope, managing director, Trans-Sport.TV, Bassetlaw:

“Paul (Paul Stuart, head of the Chamber’s business support services) acts as a one-stop shop of signposting and has a wealth of knowledge. He opened conversations with the Made Smarter team who have made such a positive impact on our operational activities not only with their knowledge in manufacturing and how that links into our day-to-day business but also through our successful grant application to implement barcoding.”

business adviser Joanna Moore.

Part of the business adviser team at East Midlands Chamber, Joanna brings a wealth of experience, having helped hundreds of SMEs to “survive and thrive” as an adviser on the Business Gateway Growth Hub and as a freelance business consultant.

East Midlands Chamber deputy chief executive Diane Beresford said: “As well as expertise spanning strategy, business development and operations, Joanna is passionate about promoting environmentallyfriendly practices and helping businesses grow through digital transformation and workplace innovation.

“This makes her the perfect choice as business adviser for Leicester Accelerator with its focus on supporting SMEs on their net zero journey and on improved digital capabilities.”

Businesses interested in signing up for support, can find out more at: www.emcdnl.co.uk/services/accelerator

Helen Yates, managing director, Luke Evans Bakery, Amber Valley: “Peter (Chamber business adviser Peter Lawrence) creates a comfortable environment where anything can be discussed without feeling judged. He has been a highly effective business adviser to me which has in turn benefited the business. From the moment we started working together he has made a significant impact on our strategic journey.”

Karl Shaw, designer and director, Mr Shaw:

“The support received from Steve (Chamber business adviser Steve Phillips) has been a breath of fresh air. He’s really taken the time to understand our business and the vision we have to progress our brand and Sadler Gate. The High Street Grant scheme allows us to push forward our vision and make things possible. We’re truly grateful that retail businesses are being supported in this way.”

Andy Moore, recipient of pre-start business advice:

“I had expected Friday’s session with Lisa (Chamber business adviser Lisa Baggott) to be useful, but it exceeded my expectations and in ways I couldn’t have possibly imagined before the session. Lisa is so good at what she does and her encouragement is so valuable for me. I really felt like I was heard by her.”

UPCOMING WORKSHOPS AND WEBINARS

IN PERSON

16 December: Hospitality Growth Masterclass: Ignite & Elevate Your Dream Business, Leicester

10 January: Derbyshire Manufacturing Network, Buxton

14 January: Nottinghamshire Manufacturing Network, Mansfield

22 January: Harnessing AI for Business: Practical Applications and Legal Insights, Nottingham ONLINE

12 December: Getting Started with Leadership and Management Book your place at: bit.ly/AcceleratorEvents

* The Accelerator project is funded by UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

Joanna Moore

CHAMBER NETWORKS

BUILDING CONNECTIONS WITH YOUR PEERS AND BUSINESS LEADERS

Awards are all about making connections

Kate Nemeth is the Generation Next manager at East Midlands Chamber. Here she sums up why the Generation Next Awards are so inspiring for the region’s young entrepreneurs.

While many traditional awards ceremonies are known for their formalities, the Generation Next Awards have always embraced a refreshing, more relaxed approach.

The focus here is on genuine connections and creating a fun, enjoyable atmosphere for everyone. Rather than the usual black-tie attire and fancy hors d'oeuvres, the 2024 Generation

Next Awards took a different route with a street food-inspired catering menu and a casual dress code, encouraging guests to be themselves. We wanted to create an environment where people could comfortably network.

The street food not only sparked great conversation, but it was also delicious and allowed our guests to mingle freely without the formalities of traditional dining.

So much value in honouring women

The Enterprising Women Awards in September brought together outstanding leaders, entrepreneurs, teams and apprentices at Winstanley House in Leicestershire. Enterprising Women co-chairs Eileen Perry MBE DL and Jean Mountain sum up the value of the event.

The women that win these awards have absolutely excelled in their field, whether that’s through innovation and creativity or sheer hard work, confidence and the ability to lead change.

Lots of thought has gone into the breadth of award categories – so that we’re able to recognise established brilliant leaders such as the wonderful Lindsey Williams, the former chief executive of Futures Housing Group who

This shift in atmosphere was an overwhelming success. Attendees described the event as the best they’ve ever attended, praising its relaxed vibe, short awards ceremony, and the ample networking opportunities.

With arcade games adding to the fun, the event fostered both celebration and connection. The casual nature of the event, paired with its fun energy, really helped break down networking barriers. It allowed people to be themselves and form meaningful, genuine relationships.

With the success of the 2024 Generation Next Awards, we are already looking ahead to 2025, promising an even bigger and better experience. We’re excited for next year. There will be more categories, more networking opportunities, and a whole new level of excitement. We’re building on this year’s momentum and can’t wait to see what the future holds.

For the young professionals who have grown their careers and built lasting connections through the Generation Next network, the 2024 awards ceremony was a true testament to the power of innovation and the value of cultivating a dynamic, supportive community.

deservedly won the Lifetime Achievement Award, and who has made a huge contribution to the East Midlands over the years.

At the same time, I think it’s fantastic that we have an award for Apprentices too, which this year went to the inspiring Sarah Illsley from Pentaxia. The breadth of awards means women at all levels of business get a chance to shine.

Kate Nemeth

Lucy Robinson at the 2024 Generation Next Awards

Generation Next Awards host broadcast journalist Kirsty Shelts

Enterprising Women Awards 2024. L-R: Emma Jesson, Eileen Perry, Jaz Kaur and Jean Mountain

Meeting is something to build on

The Chamber-led East Midlands Manufacturing Network (EMMN) hosted its first region-wide meeting in the autumn – bringing together businesses from a huge geographical area.

It was the first time that members of the six regional groups – covering Derby, Derbyshire, Leicester, Leicestershire, Nottingham and Nottinghamshire – had come together as one to hear about the latest developments in manufacturing, to share best practice and make new contacts.

The network was launched in March 2022 and today has more than 400 members which have one thing in common – they all make something.

The meeting took place at the Delta by Marriott Hotel Nottingham Belfry and was attended by representatives of some of the biggest names in the sector.

Vicki Thompson, head of leadership and training programmes and Chamber lead for

EMMN, said “The Chamber has a strong commitment to support manufacturing businesses across the region.

“During 2024 we recruited a dedicated manufacturing business advisor, Debbie Rogers, and this has enhanced the support we can offer and has also supported the growth of the network.

“We have created a safe space for leaders of manufacturing companies to come together, and share their challenges and successes with each other, and with this, we have seen an amazing level of collaboration between these members, sharing good practice and really offering support across their areas.

“We already have some members travelling between counties to attend meetings, so with the regional meeting, we took the opportunity to bring together our members from across all six networks, giving them the opportunity to meet, network and collaborate with each other, strengthening the ties and commitments to grow and support

The awards have grown and developed over the years, and we love that –while the

the

rooftops, with all the things that go with it – the photos, the media interest, the trophies, the night of celebration.

each other. It’s been an amazing opportunity and the Chamber is keen to see this collaboration continue and grow.”

Guests at the regional meeting included Steve Morris who leads SME support services at the Manufacturing Technology Centre, which is a Chamber strategic partner.

He said: “There is a big ambition to make sure businesses can collaborate and share information about what each is doing. I think it's a great foundation and we're very happy to support them in

their journey. There are two key challenges facing manufacturers at the moment – one is the labour shortage and the second one is the skills shortage.”

Mark Goldby, who chairs the East Midlands Manufacturing Network meetings, said: “The six networking groups we have in the East Midlands have been working wonderfully independently, but it was the perfect time to bring all the members together, with all their disparate and complementary ideas, and launch what I hope will be a new phase of collaboration.”

THERE ARE PLANS TO HOLD A FURTHER REGIONAL MEETING IN THE AUTUMN OF 2025.

The next meetings are:

11 December: Nottingham - bit.ly/4epNF1w

10 January: Derbyshire - bit.ly/3zizzAo

14 January: Nottinghamshire - bit.ly/3XkDJzu

Even if a business cannot attend the meetings, becoming a member entitles them to a monthly newsletter, webinar invitations and details of the latest funding and support. To sign up visit bit.ly/3JqVxlX

Winning or being a finalist can propel your career, boost your confidence and each year we’ve been a bit braver – we’ve gradually grown the event and made it more glitzy, more memorable.

Months of planning go into the Awards, from bouncing ideas around to getting every tiny detail right and working with the Chamber’s events team to get the very best venue, lighting, live entertainment and catering.

But I think the judges have the biggest headache – our loyal sponsors have the difficult decision every year of selecting a winner from a pool of high-quality entries.

As co-chairs, seeing the network grow even further is a key goal for 2025. Being part of Enterprising Women has really boosted the careers of so many women in the East Midlands and it’s amazing to be a part of that.

Networking with women on a similar journey to you is empowering and gives you that injection of confidence to really make things happen.

The start of the year is always exciting because we enjoy working with the events team to prepare a calendar of events and there’s so many exciting things planned including both self-development events as well as socials – and of course the awards.

When we look back on own experiences it’s the importance of that mentoring and self-belief that have supported us in our journeys.

Enterprising Women is a tremendous platform, supported by women and men that encourage this personal and professional development across all levels from apprenticeship to female business leaders.

evening is a set of incredible achievements,

actual Awards are an achievement themselves. The EW group was developed 27 years ago. Back in 1997, there was a need to showcase women in business, get them up on stage and shout their wins from the

Sarah Higgins, Evony Higgins, Alice Houghton and Emma Jesson at the 2024 Enterprising Women Awards

East Midlands Manufacturing Network first region-wide get-together in Nottingham

Jon Rawcliffe and Preethi Kang

The power of the

‘Inside Outsider’

By Richard Williams (pictured below), founder of Connect With Impact

Success in business is often contingent on staying ahead of the curve, adapting to change, and continuously improving. This is where a good business coach can really give you an advantage. But not all coaches are created equal and you need to find what I call an ‘Inside Outsider’. Allow me to explain.

CLOSE TO THE TEAM, YET NOT PART OF THE MACHINE

‘The Inside Outsider’ is a unique breed of business coach. They walk a fine line, being close to the inner workings of your company while remaining detached from the daily grind. This position grants them a special vantage point, one that enables them to understand your business on a profound level while maintaining an outsider's perspective.

ASKING SEEMINGLY NAIVE QUESTIONS

What sets ‘The Inside Outsider’ apart is their ability to ask seemingly naive questions. These questions, rooted in experience, curiosity and a desire to bring a fresh perspective, unearth hidden inefficiencies, opportunities, and innovative solutions. It's their capacity to

challenge the status quo which distinguishes them from the generic franchise coaches armed with standardised templates and tools.

TAILORING METHODS TO YOUR BUSINESS

I’ve spoken to a lot of people who’ve used generic coaching in their businesses. Almost without exception they’ve experienced a rigid approach, offered without insight to their circumstances. A successful business coach will understand your specific context and adapt their methods accordingly. ‘The Inside Outsider’ is equipped to shape their coaching techniques to suit what you really need. No two businesses are identical, and what works for one may not work for another.

ACCOUNTABILITY WITHOUT FEAR

Accountability is a cornerstone of effective coaching. ‘The Inside Outsider’ excels in holding you accountable, calling you out when necessary, and pushing you beyond your comfort zone. Importantly, their position allows them to do so without the fear of jeopardising their own career within your organisation. This special position allows for candid feedback and ensures that your business remains on the path to growth.

WORKING WITH THE COACHABLE

Lastly, ‘The Inside Outsider’ should be honest enough to admit that a good coach would rather not work for a client than work for one who isn’t coachable. A successful coaching relationship is built on mutual respect, trust, and a willingness to embrace change. If a client is resistant to feedback or unwilling to adapt, “The Inside Outsider” will advise on the best course of action, even if that means parting ways.

‘The Inside Outsider’ is a special kind of business coach. One who possesses the knowledge and insight to bridge the gap between insider knowledge and an outsider's perspective. This capacity to ask probing questions, tailor their methods, and hold you accountable without fear is what truly sets them apart.

If you’d like to experience the transformative power of this for yourself, I’d love to talk. Please visit my website at www.connectwithimpact.net (you can also use the QR code opposite) where you’ll be able to get in touch.

TRAINING & EVENTS

BOOST YOUR WORKFORCE AND DEVELOP YOUR BUSINESS

CHAMBER DIRECTOR DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME

The next Chamber Director Development Programme starts on 21 January, with five sessions delivered over the following weeks until 11 March.

Along with providing hands-on experience of managing and leading others, the dedicated programme helps provide a well-rounded view of the workings of a director, and refresh participants’ knowledge of the processes and skills useful to a senior role.

The five full days of the programme take delegates through the various skills needed to succeed – including leadership strategies, planning priorities, finance, people management approaches and driving performance and change.

The course will run at the East Midlands Chamber Nottingham office and costs £1,550 for Chamber members and £1,950 for nonmembers plus-VAT.

For details visit: is.gd/wErnim

SELLING FOR THE NON-SALES PERSON – ONE-DAY COURSE

There are many instances when a “sales support person”, usually involved in the implementation or delivery of a product or service, can have significant influence on the level of present and future business from that client. In fact, non-sales people probably generate more trust and future business in just these situations.

Your support people also need to understand the influencers involved. They have easier access to the “insider” information the sales approach needs, and need the commercial skills to ask the right questions to gain further business opportunities and close them or feed them to their colleagues to secure more added business.

Our next course runs in February 2025.

ADVANCED SALES EXCELLENCE –TWO-DAY COURSE

The Advanced Sales Excellence programme strives to improve outcomes from business meetings through a more structured and focused approach to selling and negotiating.

The programme aims to drive business performance through a well-planned approach and solid meeting framework, helping delegates to understand each stage of the sales process. This two-day course will provide delegates with the confidence and toolkit to run highly effective meetings with clients, positively impacting on closure rates, average order value and margin.

Our next two-day course runs May 2025.

BESPOKE TRAINING

If you have more than one person interested in sales training, contact us to find out about our bespoke training offer, email: vicki.thompson@emc-dnl.co.uk

Or find out about our sales training at bit.ly/4fIQ1cB

Who needs sales training?

East Midlands Chamber’s successful Director Development Programme has been running for 20 years. It is designed to help directors and senior managers develop the skills to grow their business or the department they lead. Programme trainer Charles Barnascone (pictured inset) ponders where sales training fits in.

Asking about the value of sales training could be a reasonable or controversial question depending upon the tone in which it’s asked!

It raises a question about the value of selling, and how clients differentiate one offer from another. So why do people buy, how do they generally choose between two or more possible suppliers?

It seems to distil down to two factors –perceived value and trusted relationships.

In other words, as a customer do I think that the item is worth what I’m being asked to give for it, and do I trust the person or organisation I’m going to get it from?

The way you represent these two elements could make a huge difference to your success –they are points of differentiation, and this is where the art of selling comes in to play.

Going back to the root of the verb ‘to sell’ seems to stem back to the Norwegian word “selje” which literally means “to serve”.

Good selling, therefore, is akin to good serving, and do your salespeople need to be trained in how to serve well, and differentiate themselves from their competitors? Well, it would seem that serving well is good for repeat business based on value and trust.

If you want your team to help the sales effort, their skills will probably need to include, answering/using the telephone, dealing with enquiries, serving customers, visiting/meeting with clients, problemsolving, managing customer relationships, providing technical support, fulfilling the sale, and making sure the client is happy after all that.

‘People

still buy from people, and as salespeople we need to be good at asking questions and problem-solving’

The reality is that some of this kind of training can and should be completed internally so that your customer enjoys an experience which is consistent with your brand.

They can also be trained externally in how to make the most of that client interaction by having a clear and professional structure to their approach to identify up-sell and cross-sell opportunities to generate more value from the sale, and include additional product or service opportunities, which are good for the client and profitable for you

The reality is that people still buy from people, and as salespeople we need to be good at asking questions and problem-solving, so that your client feels like they can trust you and will buy again.

There are various sales training courses available from the East Midlands Chamber to suit all levels of sales experience, and to help all employees who interact with your customers, to generate more sales opportunities, repeat business and potentially more profit.

Have a look at the options available, we can also create a bespoke session just for you if you need a group of people ready to make more sales.

Businesses react to the Budget

More than 25 business leaders attended a Chamber Budget Day roundtable event at Freeths in Nottingham to discuss their thoughts on the Chancellor’s announcements. A number of participants spoke to Tim Smith about the potential impact.

BECKY VALENTINE, CO-OWNER AT SPENBECK SUSTAINABILITY CONSULTANCY:

It was very vanilla in how it came across. The growth that the Chancellor keeps talking about – I’m not quite sure where that comes from. Public services have been underfunded for a very long time, but it feels like the money’s going there.

Being a sustainability consultant, it would have been nice to hear something about how we're not going to destroy the environment and how we are going to create the skills and the infrastructure to support what we need.

We didn't hear any of that. The 2023 Budget was all about green growth, and they said that so many times, but none of it actually came to fruition. This one only talked about carbon capture and storage. There was a bit about EV.

You can’t nudge or drive people to buy EV cars if you haven’t got the infrastructure to support it. There was nothing in there about how they’re going to do that. There was talk about electrification, but that needs to be far more ambitious.

It’s great that it’s touching rural areas and towns, but we’re not going to get sustainable travel to people unless we really invest in the infrastructure to support it. More detail will come I’m sure about skills, but we are so under-skilled to deliver the green agenda and the fact that that wasn’t touched on at all terrified me.

I got a bit bored of hearing about Manchester and the West Midlands quite a lot, but you know other than investment in aerospace in Derby, where does that leave us as a region?

CHARLES NICHOLDS, MANAGING DIRECTOR BREWING, WINEMAKING AND DISTILLERY CONSULTANTS MURPHY AND SON:

In this Budget they giveth and taketh away. Anything to do with reduction of tax on beer is welcome, given the amount of duty that goes onto it. Anything that encourages people to be a bit more social in a pub might protect some more of our pubs as the closures at the moment are quite scary, but the announcements around National Insurance contributions and increases to the living wage will have significant implications to our business and the industries we serve.

The National Insurance contribution and the cost-of-living wage will impact my business in excess of £200,000 a year from next April. The reduction in beer duty, while welcome, is only a small part of the bigger picture.

Every brewer and supplier into the brewing industry will have the impact of these increases and having spoken to people in trade the net effect could push beer prices up by as much as 30p-to-40p per pint – impacting the average worker by reducing their disposable income and potentially driving up inflation.

As a business that was on a steep growth curve post-pandemic, we are now seriously reflecting on what impact this will have on our business and whether it is sustainable throughout 2025.

Delegates monitor Budget developments at the Chamber’s roundtable event

‘National Insurance costs to businesses will probably have an impact on workforce and the ability to recruit more people’

KEVIN HARRIS, CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD AT THE CHAMBER:

For small businesses, I felt there wasn’t a lot of help and support.

National Insurance costs to businesses will probably have an impact on workforce and the ability to recruit more people into businesses. There was not really a lot to encourage greater investment in innovation – we need to increase levels of R&D and innovation and there wasn’t much in there to help do that at a macro level.

It was disappointing for the East Midlands that we didn't hear much mention of this region, losing out to mentions of the West Midlands and Manchester, not hearing of electrification plans for the Midland Main Line – and we've been looking at that for many, many years. A review of the rating system was something we’ve been pushing for but we didn't see any mention of that in the Budget, albeit some mention about relief.

LAURA SHEPHERD, LOUGHBOROUGH COLLEGE DIRECTOR OF STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS:

The fact that further education was actually mentioned in the Budget was positive. There is £300m towards FE colleges, but how far that will stretch? What exactly that’s for is yet to be determined.

We need to understand the detail on what’s behind it, but that was something we’ve been really concerned about. And when the schools

pay award was announced earlier in the year, colleges weren’t mentioned at all.

Investment in apprentices and the young workforce seem to be an area that’s slowing down or stopping. We’re seeing that across businesses we’re working with, and a lot of that is to do with hikes in the National Insurance and the national minimum wage, which is impacting business costs.

MARK ROBINSON, MANAGING DIRECTOR CREATIVE62 DESIGN AGENCY:

What I struggle with as a micro or small business, is at this smaller end, small sums matter and small sums add up. Then it becomes a thing and it puts decisions off.

Small or micro businesses have such potential for growth. They’re the ones that employ their first person, their second person, they take on apprenticeships. If you stifle that it stops – they’ll bring a freelancer in which doesn’t benefit anybody. I wish they’d leave small businesses alone to do what they do, let them grow.

The roundtable included representatives of Spenbeck, Murphy and Son, Futures, the Arkwright Society, the University of Derby, Loughborough College, Turner and Townsend, Aztec Oils, Creative62, Cloud Busting Solution, NetMonkeys, Samworth Brothers, Loates HR, Fairgrove Developments, Water at Work and Futures Housing.

Bringing the business community together

The 2024 Leicester Business Festival (LBF) took place in November, celebrating its 10year milestone and promoting the region’s creative and collaborative business community.

The opening event was held at the new Blackbird Industrial Park, situated on the site of a former housing depot on Blackbird Road.

This state-of-the-art development features four buildings that offer over 30,000 sq ft of light industrial workspace across 21 units, designed for local start-ups and growing businesses.

With a strong emphasis on sustainability, all the buildings include low carbon, energyefficient features such as roof-mounted solar panels, excellent insulation, and smart lighting, along with electric vehicle charging stations and secure bicycle storage. The units will be available for lease starting in winter 2024, ranging in size from 750 to 2,500 sq ft.

The festival highlighted Leicester’s position as the fifth most creative city in the UK and Leicester City Mayor Sir Peter Soulsby underscored the importance of the festival, sharing exciting initiatives, including a creative industry strategy which launched during the festival.

He also shared ambitious redevelopment plans for the city centre, such as the £22m upgrade of the railway station and enhancements to the Leicester Waterside area.

Events during the fortnight included the Leicestershire Business Awards, DMU’s Entrepreneurship Day, a Create Better Content workshop dedicated to getting the best results from content marketing, an East Midlands Cyber Security Cluster session on digital safety and a Sir Thomas White Loans Charity panel discussion for new business owners looking for advice and support.

East Midlands Chamber was one of the backers of this year’s event. Director of policy and insight Richard Blackmore said the festival

1. Going for Growth at Charnwood Campus

2. Delegates at the Power to Change conference

3. Festival chair Richard Osborn

4. One of the many breakout sessions

5. Networking at Power to Change

was an excellent opportunity for networking and expanding knowledge – with a session for every interest – to share ideas and hear views from a variety of sectors.

He said: “2024 was a special year – the 10th year of the festival and aligned perfectly with the Chamber’s Leicestershire Business Awards that took place right in the middle of the festival’s run on 8 November, where we recognised outstanding achievement from multiple industries across the city and county.”

‘2024 was a special year –the 10th year of the festival and aligned perfectly with the Chamber’s Leicestershire Business Awards’

Rajiv Popat, ITV news reporter, hosted the launch event, bringing together businesses, entrepreneurs and industry leaders to showcase innovation, creativity and share insights.

He interviewed Milan Gosai from Paani Bottles, a Leicester-based company that produces handcrafted copper water bottles.

Launched during the pandemic, Paani combines traditional Ayurvedic practices with modern health benefits from using copper. Each bottle is made from over 99% pure copper, supports local artisans in India, and helps reduce plastic waste – appealing to customers who value authentic and sustainable products.

Tom Willday, founder of Willsow, also took to the stage to share his inspiring story of creating the world’s first plantable books, which encourage children to engage with nature by growing into flowers or vegetables when planted in the ground.

Willsow burst onto the business scene in 2021 after winning a Leicestershire Live Innovation

Sir Peter Soulsby addresses the launch event

Award and then appearing on Dragon’s Den where it secured backing from Sara Davies.

It has gone from strength to strength including expanding into the international market. The company has also broadened its range of ecofriendly products, including greeting cards and calendars, and formed partnerships with organisations such as the Royal Horticultural Society including launching an RHS “sustainable” Christmas crackers this year.

Jennifer Thomas of the Federation of Small Businesses has been involved since the festival's inception and is now on the board of the LBF Community Interest Company.

She said: “It was a brilliant celebratory start to the 10th annual LBF – and great to have the opportunity to experience messages of support from some familiar faces from business festival years gone past.

“The LBF is truly our ‘Glastonbury for business’ with more than 70 diverse events designed to empower the business community and highlight our resilience.

“Thank you to everyone involved, our festival sponsors and all participating businesses for making this festival possible.”

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SUSTAINABLE EAST MIDLANDS

www.emc-dnl.co.uk/sustainability

HELPING BUSINESSES TRANSITION TO A SUSTAINABLE AND LOW-CARBON ECONOMY

Academics applaud green growth plans

Loughborough University academics have reacted to Rachel Reeves’ 2024 Budget by welcoming her plans for green growth.

The Chancellor’s autumn statement was aimed at plugging a giant fiscal blackhole by raising £40bn in taxes and provide billions of pounds of investment for schools, the NHS, transport and the environment.

She announced a raft of proposals in the House of Commons, including changes to employers’ national insurance contributions, inheritance tax and capital gains tax.

Ms Reeves (pictured) also set out plans for environmental growth by investing in green energy – in particular £2bn in 11 HAR1 (Hydrogen Allocation Round 1) schemes in the UK – and changes to the windfall tax on North Sea oil and gas firms.

Research into hydrogen technology is a big area of study at Loughborough, and the pledges were welcomed by Professor Dan Parsons, Loughborough’s pro-vice chancellor for research and innovation.

He said: “This is excellent news for the UK’s leadership in the Net Zero transition.

“Hydrogen will play a key role in our global decarbonization journey – from hydrogen jet engines to methods of storing green power, hydrogen holds huge potential.

“It’s encouraging to see the UK government provide confidence to the sector by committing to invest in technologies based on hydrogen solutions.”

University helping to transform EV systems

The University of Nottingham has played a part in a bi-directional charging system which Nissan plans to launched on some of its electric vehicles (EV) from 2026.

The new tech means drivers will be able to store spare electricity in their vehicles – which they can charge when energy is at a low rate or even free – which they can use to power their homes or even sell back into the grid.

Nissan will initially launch the technology –where a car can act as a portable alternative to a battery in the home – in the UK, followed by Europe. It has conducted around 40 pilot projects worldwide over the past decade.

Its AC-based solution, which is needed to supply electricity into the UK grid, follows a successful year-long project at the University of

Nottingham, which gave Nissan space to them to run their testing and carry out experiments, supported by academic staff.

The university also helped with testing at its eight-home micro-grid research test bed.

Under the banner of Nissan Energy, EVs equipped with the V2G technology can help integrate and increase the mix of renewables into the energy supply, by storing electricity generated by wind or solar, and directing it back into the grid when needed, reducing dependency on fossil fuels.

Professor Lucelia Rodrigues, chair in sustainable and resilient cities at the University of Nottingham, said the “significant” breakthrough would transform electric mobility and contribute to more efficient and resilient energy systems.

New coaches for flagship express route

trentbarton’s flagship Derby-Nottingham red arrow express route is to be enhanced by the arrival of 10 new coaches in a £3m investment.

The spring 2025 arrival of the coaches will mean more than a quarter of trentbarton’s fleet has been renewed in three years, underlining the operator’s commitment to high quality, greener services.

The Yutong GT12 coaches will bring longdistance coach comfort to the day-to-day commuting enjoyed by red arrow regulars and to travellers accessing city centre leisure opportunities and health workers and visitors going to Nottingham’s QMC.

Each new coach will have 53 seats, USB charging ports and WiFi.

Tom Morgan, managing director of trentbarton, said: “Over the last three years we

have invested over £13m in brand new vehicles.

“Backed by our ongoing investment in our team, training and technology, we are wholly focused on boosting the nation’s number one public transport choice.

“We want to continue offering the highest quality service, delivered by to our best-in-thebusiness drivers, and that means continuously refreshing our fleet.

“We’re sure our customers will appreciate red arrow’s upgrade, and that in turn will encourage more people to see the bus as the best, greenest and most relaxing and productive way to travel.”

Each new bus joining trentbarton’s fleet meets or exceeds the latest Euro VI emissions standard, with each emitting less nitrogen dioxide than a new car.

Nottingham leads the way for greener arenas

Motorpoint Arena Nottingham (pictured) has supported a green guide to help all 23 major UK Arenas become more sustainable.

The National Arenas Association (NAA) worked with live event sustainability experts A Greener Future to publish the guide to help big indoor arenas in the UK and Ireland to share best practice.

The Motorpoint Arena Nottingham is already making good progress on its own sustainability journey including:

• 1,000 solar panels – the largest single site installation in Nottingham

• Electric vehicle chargers in the car parks

• 98% LED lights

• 25% reduction in energy consumption in last few years

• 33 tonnes of waste recycled each year

• No waste goes to landfill

• Reusing wastewater from the cooling towers to make the ice rinks.

Lee Chadburn, head of facilities at the arena and National Ice Centre, said: “Our journey to be more sustainable began around 2011. Since then, we believe we have made great progress in being as sustainable as we possibly can be.

“We have used the least amount of energy to power our operations this year than any other

year. We recycle more than 40% of our waste –the rest is sent to a waste-to-energy system, which then provides electricity and heating to our building.

“We are the city’s largest single site PV installation producing enough energy to power 30 live music events a year. We were the first UK arena to have a dedicated vegan outlet, reuse cup scheme and water saving washroom systems.

“We still have plenty to do and aim to be constantly better. Our aim is to make any events and activities in our venue as sustainable as possible and continue to support the city of Nottingham’s pledge to be carbon neutral by 2028.”

Forest backed for UNESCO status

Loughborough University is backing Charnwood Forest’s bid to become a UNESCO Global Geopark.

The partnership between the University and Charnwood Forest Geopark covers everything from research and education to science outreach and support for local communities.

Charnwood Forest is home to some of the oldest animal fossils ever discovered and contains rocks from six different geological periods and countless examples of the region’s cultural heritage. Geopark projects include conservation work, schools outreach, arts programmes, and interpretation infrastructure.

It is hoped that in the coming years an application can be made to UNESCO, the UN’s education, science, and cultural organisation, to become a Global Geopark.

L-R: Dr Jack Matthews, Cllr Martin Cartwright, Dr Jo Jennings and Professor Dan Parsons

INTERNATIONAL TRADE

SUPPORT, STRATEGIES AND RESOURCES FOR EXPORTERS AND IMPORTERS

Project aims to make it easier to use FTAs

Business can take advantage of a pilot project to make it easier to trade within the framework of Free Trade Agreements (FTAs).

International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) has launched a new digital trade tool, ICC Genesis, which helps streamline the invoice selfdeclaration process. The tool has been developed by the World Chambers Federation (WCF) at ICC and a handful of member chambers of commerce around the world with the aim of simplifying exporting under FTAs.

Post-Brexit, the UK is in the process of putting together new FTAs with trading partners.

To benefit from FTAs, exporters must selfcertify the originating status of their goods – a process for which no regulations or obligations are currently in place.

‘Mistakes made during this process, due to the complexity of the Rules of Origin, can lead to fines and longer holding periods at customs’

During the process, Rules of Origins are applied to determine if goods are eligible for duty-free or reduced duties under FTAs.

This assures importers and customs that the shipments they are receiving are at a lower risk of exposure to fraud, ensuring smoother custom checks and reducing legal liability.

Mistakes made during this process, due to the complexity of the Rules of Origin, can lead to fines and longer holding periods at customs clearance, costing businesses time and money during international transactions.

FTA numbers are rising with over 360 currently in force worldwide, lowering barriers to international trade and opening up markets for businesses. Yet, the lack of standardisation and low levels of knowledge around the invoice selfdeclaration procedure under FTAs can be a costly obstacle for companies looking to import or export, especially smaller businesses.

The simplified certification process offered by ICC Genesis verifies that the self-declaration that has been made is accurate – giving both the exporter and importer peace of mind and, paving the way for a new era of trading digitally.

For details contact Lucy Granger at Lucy.Granger@emc-dnl.co.uk

Getting

over the customs hurdle

Cmain export hurdle for UK companies, according to a major new survey of businesses by the British Chambers of Commerce Insights Unit.

More than 1,300 businesses took part in the online survey during July and early August.

When asked what businesses (regardless of whether they export or not) perceived as the main trade barriers, 45% put customs procedures and documentation as the top answer.

‘East Midlands Chamber can support businesses with understanding customs procedures’

That was slightly down on the 2023 figure of 49%. Other top barriers cited include export documentation (39%), regulations and standards (35%) and tariffs (33%). East Midlands Chamber offers various types of support to help businesses overcome import and export hurdles.

Meanwhile, some 40% of companies said geopolitical events had significantly impacted their business in the last 12 months. Issues linked to the war in Ukraine, conflict in Gaza and Brexit are cited as the main events impacting trade via problems such as higher energy costs and shipping delays. More than a third of exporting businesses (37%) said they expected an increase in exports over the next

12 months, with 16% expecting a decrease.

Manufacturers were the sector most likely to expect exports to go up, the survey found.

When asked what most would do to encourage them to export, businesses said there needed to be improved access to the EU market, simpler trade regulations and reduced bureaucracy, and more export support.

The survey showed awareness of incoming trade changes was low among firms who are actively doing business internationally. Around two-thirds of respondents (65%) said they were unaware of the Border Target Operating Model.

Ahead of the UK joining the Asia Pacific trade bloc CPTPP in December, over half of respondents (53%) said they were unaware of the plans. A similar number of firms said they had no knowledge of the safety and security certificates now needed for imports from the EU.

The launch of new biometric checks for

foreign travellers, including Britons, entering the EU had the highest level of preparedness from business – around a third were not aware and 37% said they knew some details or were actively preparing for the change.

Lucy Granger, international trade manager at East Midlands Chamber, said help was available. She said: “East Midlands Chamber can support businesses with understanding customs procedures as well as completing customs declarations on your behalf with ChamberCustoms.

“ChamberCustoms offers an HMRC compliant service, ensuring that your goods clear through customs in a timely manner. It has direct links to all major air, sea, and land port terminals in the UK. With our extensive knowledge, reputation, and first-class service in facilitating international trade, we can take the hassle out of your hands when it comes to exporting and importing goods.

“The service is offered direct to businesses, ensuring that customs clearance is accurate, timely and avoids additional costs through delays or errors. We can offer guidance to ensure that you understand the process and understand your responsibilities as a trader.

“We can also support in understanding and utilising Free Trade Agreements, most of which allow for self-certification for proving goods are of preferential origin. Genesis (see left) offers support in establishing the origin of your goods and verifying your invoice statement to ensure supply chain compliance.”

Helping firms go global

East Midlands Chamber provides a broad range of services to help businesses importing and exporting goods and services do their work as smoothly and efficiently as possible, including:

CHAMBER CUSTOMS DECLARATIONS

The Chamber’s expertise can be used to help businesses avoid border delays and additional costs. The Chamber team has extensive knowledge and a solid reputation and can provide first-class service in facilitating international trade – taking the hassle out of a business’s hands when it comes to exporting and importing goods. The service is offered directly to businesses, ensuring that customs clearance is accurate, timely and avoids additional costs through delays or errors.

CUSTOMS HEALTH CHECK

HMRC is putting full responsibility on businesses that import and/or export and expects full awareness and compliance with their responsibilities.

Chamber expert consultants can guide businesses through a personalised one-on-one session to ensure documentation is verified and compliant with an HMRC audit.

This free service is ideal for early-stage exporters and businesses in international trade.

ITOPS QUALIFICATION

The International Trade Operations and Procedures (ITOPS) qualification is a BCCAccredited and highly practical, relevant qualification designed to prove that candidates have the necessary skills to accurately operate the administration procedures in an international trade environment – whether that of a manufacturer/supplier or freight forwarder.

It focuses on training in the key areas of:

• Export Documentation

• Freight moving

• Customs and official procedures

• International Payment methods

The course is delivered in partnership with Fidelitas Training.

INTERNATIONAL COURSES

The Chamber has a comprehensive range of courses which focus on the compliance side of trading internationally – for example Incoterms® 2020, Customs Procedures and Documentation, Understanding Commodity Coding and IP/OPR-Inward/Outward Processing Relief.

The most popular course is Export Documentation which covers what documents are required and how to complete them correctly. The Chamber will be able to advise businesses on the best support they can get and any funding that could help cover the cost.

Contact Julie Whiting or Theresa Hewitt on internationaltraining@emc-dnl.co.uk for an eligibility check.

GENERAL ADVICE AND SUPPORT

Whether you’re looking to trade overseas for the first time or seeking a fresh trading opportunity, the Chamber has someone who can probably support you. The Chamber’s team can offer a one-stop-shop that starts with arming you with the knowledge, insight and information you need to make your international aspirations a reality.

To find out more visit: www.emc-dnl.co.uk/services/international

Conflict is impacting business

Half of UK businesses say they have been impacted by the conflict in the Middle East –almost double the proportion who said they were affected in late October 2023.

The main impacts cited by businesses were increased costs, shipping disruption and delays, and uncertainty on oil prices. Some firms even reported cancelling work in the Middle East because of the conflict.

The findings, from the BCC’s Insights Unit, also showed a rise in impact since February 2024, when firms were asked specifically about Red Sea disruption, and two-fifths were affected.

Shipping container rates have fluctuated significantly since the current Middle East conflict began in October 2023. The cost of shipping a 40ft container from Shanghai to Rotterdam has risen from just over $1,000 then, to $4,000 now, having peaked at over $8,000 in July.

William Bain, head of trade policy at the BCC,

said: “Alongside the grim human impact of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, the situation continues to have economic reverberations around the world.

“The effect on businesses here in the UK has continued to ratchet up the longer the fighting has continued. If the current situation persists, then it becomes more likely that the cost pressures will build further.

“Certain sectors of the economy are obviously more exposed to this than others. But with the on-going war in Ukraine, wider geopolitical uncertainty, and the prospect of tariffs looming, the UK needs to think carefully about its trade strategy. We need to seek out new deals with like-minded nations on critical raw materials, components and minerals to ensure their supply. And we must lean more heavily into the digital trade revolution to reduce costs and make exporting and importing simpler.”

Customs procedures can often delay exports

POLITICS

ROUNDING UP LOCAL AND NATIONAL AFFAIRS

The first permanent chief executive for the East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA) has been appointed.

Amy Harhoff will join EMCCA from Durham County Council, where she has been corporate director for regeneration, economy and growth for the past four years. She is expected to take up the post in the new year.

Mayor seeking to boost investment

East Midlands Mayor Claire Ward is setting up a commission to identify how the region can unlock billions of pounds of investment and boost prosperity.

She said the Inclusive Growth Commission will guide how the East Midlands Combined County Authority invests a £4bn funding pot to help drive the economy across Derby and Derbyshire, Nottingham and Nottinghamshire.

Mayor Claire and council leaders across the region have brought in the Royal Society of Arts – which has experience helping places join the dots between economic opportunities and people’s needs – to run the commission. It will be chaired by RSA chief executive Andy Haldane – the former chief economist of the Bank of England – who will work with a team of experts including Sir John Peace, who is chairman of the Midlands Engine and a founder of Nottingham-based global business Experian, and Gillian Sewell, the chief executive of YMCA Derbyshire.

They will spend the next few months talking to residents and community groups, businesses, councils and big regional institutions to find out what people think about the region and its potential. The commission will release an initial report next spring, and a final report next autumn outlining how investments could grow the economy.

‘Whether you live in one of our vibrant cities or a rural town or village, this will make a real difference to how we lift our region’

Mayor Claire said: “Inclusive growth means creating opportunities for all — good jobs, quality education, and thriving local economies that work for every single resident. It’s about ensuring no one is left behind as we build a prosperous, sustainable future.

“Whether you live in one of our vibrant cities or a rural town or village, this will make a real difference to how we lift our region.

“I’m proud to have put together this ambitious commission, and together, we will make the East Midlands the best place to live, work, and learn.”

Andy Haldane said: “I am excited to be chairing this new commission which has the potential to unlock tens of millions in growth across this dynamic region.

“By taking a fresh look at the many opportunities underpinning the East Midlands economy, we will seek to supercharge the region, bolster job opportunities, and make progress towards net zero.

“At the RSA, our Design for Life mission draws on the ingenuity and interconnectedness of communities and local leaders around the country- not least through our Prosperous Places work. I look forward to seeing that come to life in the year ahead”.

She has previously worked at senior levels at Sandwell Council in the West Midlands, South Yorkshire Combined Authority and Transport for Greater Manchester.

She will be responsible for leading EMCCA’s work on regional transport, housing, economic development, Net Zero, jobs and skills priorities.

It will make EMCCA the only mayoral combined authority in the country with two women in its most senior roles.

Amy said: “I’m delighted to be joining EMCCA at such an important time for the East Midlands – this is a once in a generation opportunity to deliver real change across the region.

“The potential is unrivalled – the East Midlands is an exceptional place, with international investment clusters, visitor and heritage destinations and talent.

“We are a new model nationally, trailblazing the way as the East Midlands has so many times before and we are determined to deliver outcomes for our region. I’m delighted to work with Mayor Claire and really looking forward to working in partnership with colleagues in local authorities, our businesses and many amazing enterprises to succeed in the challenge.”

Mayor of the East Midlands Claire Ward said: “This is a vital role for our region and she will play a key part in working with me and partners across the East Midlands as we make it the best place to live, work and learn.”

Funding will help to grow the region’s green industries

Sir John Peace said: “I know from my own experience that the East Midlands is a place that can lead the world. It is brimming with inventive spirit, and has a long tradition of taking new ideas and turning them into innovations that change people’s lives.”

A £160m East Midlands Investment Zone is being created to support advanced manufacturing and green industries. Government funding, spread over a decade, will support growth at three sites – Infinity Park in Derby, Hartington-Staveley in Chesterfield and The Explore Park at Worksop.

Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves used her first Budget speech to confirm the plans, which it is hoped will attract £383m of

East Midlands Mayor Claire Ward

‘I’m delighted to work with Mayor Claire and really looking forward to working in partnership with colleagues in local authorities, our businesses and many amazing enterprises’

EMCCA Chief Executive Amy Harhoff

Amy to make most of region’s potential

private investment and help to create 4,300 jobs.

The Chesterfield borough site is close to the already successful Markham Vale business park, just off J29a of the M1. The land set to be developed includes the former Staveley Chemical Works site and former Hartington Colliery site.

The three East Midlands Investment Zone sites will benefit from tax benefits to help new companies, while the Chesterfield and Derby sites will benefit from Business Rate Retention –where income raised from business rates will be reinvested locally.

The £160m will also provide funding and grants for investment proposals and business cases, for developing new technologies, skills

and training, and for research, innovation roadmaps and pilot projects.

Mayor of the East Midlands Claire Ward said: “This is great news and I’m delighted the government has recognised the potential for our region to lead the country in green industry growth. The East Midlands Investment Zone will help us turbocharge our economy, attracting major investment and creating opportunities for businesses and residents and thousands of high-quality new jobs and apprenticeships for local people.

“As a combined authority we can work at a regional level to deliver opportunities like this across the East Midlands and make this the best region in the country to live, work and learn.”

IN BRIEF

FUNDING FOR EV STATIONS

Plans to roll out more electric vehicle (EV) chargepoints across Leicestershire have taken a step forward.

The county council is in a consortium with four other authorities which has secured almost £1m of Government funding to install public EV chargers.

Cllr Ozzy O’Shea, county council cabinet member for highways and transport, said: “With EV ownership growing rapidly in Leicestershire, we need a chargepoint network that can keep up.

“Many of our residents don’t have access to a driveway – but this shouldn’t be a barrier to making the switch to electric.”

The work will be carried out in collaboration with operator Wenea, and it will be Leicestershire’s first public on-street EV charging infrastructure.

Chargepoints will be strategically placed to best serve the needs of local communities and meet growing demand, based on feedback from residents and careful research.

The roll-out is planned from 2025 onwards.

NEW BRIDGE WORKS TO START EARLY IN NEW YEAR

Work on the first new bridge over the River Trent in 60 years is expected to begin early in 2025.

Nottingham City Council will build the 85m long pedestrian and cycle bridge between Trent Basin and Lady Bay.

It will be the final project to come out of the city council’s Transforming Cities Fund programme, which began in 2020 following a successful bid for more than £160m of central Government funding.

It will be the first bridge over the River Trent since Clifton Bridge in the 1950s, linking the Trent Basin area – with its new homes and schools – and the south side of the river with its sports facilities including the City Ground, Trent Bridge, Holme Pierrepont and Nottingham Rugby Club.

The new bridge will also help the city towards its Carbon Neutral 2028 ambition as well as encouraging people to leave their cars at home.

Planning has been underway since 2019, and has included public consultations, detailed design work, land agreements, securing planning permission from the city council and Rushcliffe Borough Councils, as well as working with the Environment Agency, residents and other stakeholders to ensure the bridge would work for everyone.

The maximum delivery budget for the total project is £18m and the council intends to enter into contracts with lead delivery partner Balfour Beatty in January with enabling works starting early in 2025.

Derby’s Infinity Park

How the new bridge on the Trent will look

FEATURES

TURNING THE SPOTLIGHT ON ISSUES AND SECTORS THAT MATTER TO BUSINESS

Hiring diverse leaders

Business Network offers its top tips on inclusive recruitment methods to ensure you get a diverse – and successful – leadership team.

It’s a well-known fact that having the right staff can improve productivity and innovation. And hiring a diverse senior leadership team comes with an even wider variety of advantages – not only will it demonstrate your company’s commitment to positive social change, but it can also improve your competitive advantage, expand your market reach and bring a wider set of knowledge and skills to your organisation So how can a company adopt inclusive executive recruitment methods and hire outstanding candidates from a mix of ethnic, cultural and gender groups? Here are a few top tips.

IMPLEMENT INCLUSIVE HIRING POLICIES

If you’re looking to foster a more equitable and representative leadership team, you must first implement inclusive hiring policies:

• Create inclusive job descriptions – use welcoming and inclusive language and avoid gendered or stereotypical language. For example, words like ‘dominate’ or ‘decisive’ and phrases such as ‘work hard, play hard’ might be seen as more masculine coded.

• Assemble a diverse interview panel – this will ensure an inclusive and welcoming interview environment and help to mitigate unconscious bias.

• Ask behaviour-based questions – focus on skills, leadership qualities and lived experiences, not just qualifications and school background.

• Offer reasonable adjustments and remove barriers – some candidates might need more support during the interview. Adjustments include: offering questions in written format, providing a sign language interpreter, additional time in assessment activities and assistive technology.

WIDEN HIRING NETWORKS

Attracting a diverse pool of executive-level professionals means going above and beyond your traditional recruitment methods. You may already have preferred recruitment agencies or job boards where you will usually post any vacancies in your firm. However, you might be

limiting yourself. To tap into the full range of talent offer, you should also utilise recruitment agencies that cater for underrepresented job seekers. A simple search online will bring up a number of agencies that put diversity and inclusion first.

You should also consider leveraging employee referrals, as these can help you access diverse talent pools that may not be accessible via traditional channels. In order to maximise referrals, you can offer your staff incentives for every successful interview or onboarding.

Finally, you should also focus on forging lasting connections with underrepresented groups through networking events. By participating in diversity and inclusion-focused events, career fairs/open days and conferences and exhibitions, you’ll find you have access to a range of potential candidates from a variety of backgrounds.

FOSTER AN INCLUSIVE WORKPLACE CULTURE

In order to attract top diverse talent, it’s important to demonstrate to candidates that you will respect and support them in the workplace. The benefits of this are twofold: you will have happy, and more productive staff, and you will demonstrate your ability to look after your people thus helping you attract even more talent. Ways to create an inclusive workforce include:

• Providing accessible facilities and workplace accommodations for staff with disabilities.

• Creating employee safe spaces, such as lactation rooms for new mothers or unisex bathrooms.

• Celebrating different religious holidays.

• Offering diversity training and skill-share programmes.

• Using inclusive language and giving staff the opportunity to share their voice and express concerns without fear of criticism.

• Implement a formal policy against workplace discrimination.

By following these strategies you can bring in the diverse senior leaders you need to spark innovation and drive longterm success.

‘Attracting a diverse pool of executive-level professionals means going above and beyond your traditional recruitment methods’

Bespoke training - the best option for workplace teams to grow and thrive

By Minakshee Patel, equality, diversity & inclusion specialist, MindSonar® professional and organisational development coach.

When it comes to business training I firmly believe that one size does not fit all. Any training needs to take account of the type of business and the industry, so that staff understand how everything fits together.

AVOID COSTLY RECRUITMENT MISTAKES AND BUILD YOUR BEST TEAM YET

With decades of experience in Equality, Diversion and Inclusion (EDI) and the most accurate psychometric profiling there is, I want to show you that people are never the problem. It’s the way you relate to each other that counts.

I offer one-to-one and group training for directors, managers, individuals or small teams.

First of all, I’ll get together with you to understand exactly what you need before

MISSION STATEMENT:

tailoring your bespoke training session. We’ll then agree on the time, place and approach for delivery that will suit you best.

IT’S THE WAY YOU RELATE TO EACH OTHER THAT COUNTS

Have you ever wondered how to recruit the right person or wished your team could understand and adapt to one another better?

Perhaps you’re feeling that what started out as workplace banter no longer has its place?

I’m passionate about EDI. I’ve helped all kinds of local businesses, councils, the NHS and even the fire service to see that when you get relationships right, teams thrive.

As a young Asian girl growing up in the 60s, I saw that the world wasn’t always fair. Supported by my family, I was encouraged to challenge, but gently. Others have called this “soft but strong”,

By providing collaborative consulting, bespoke solutions and impartial support, Minakshee Patel Consultancy nurtures a culture of equality, diversity, and inclusion, resulting in increased employee engagement, communication and productivity, thereby inspiring a harmonious and efficient workplace.

OUR VALUES: Authenticity, Fairness, Integrity, Quality, Collaboration, Supportive.

an approach that has helped me to engage others, open conversations and bring people together with incredible effect.

EQUALITY, DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION

The UK is rich in cultural diversity – and that means our workplaces are too. With the Equality Act 2010 as our guide, I can help you to understand different types of discrimination and put all the practical steps in place to create a fair and respectful workplace with a workforce who are highly motivated to want to work for you. Working with businesses like yourself, I have created more inclusive and diverse workplaces where everyone feels welcome and valued, regardless of cultural diversity and differences. I have enabled companies to have a clear policy on EDI, outlining their commitment to these values and setting out the steps they will take to promote them and a training programmehelping employees understand the importance of these values and how to put them into practice.

WORK WITH ME

I offer a variety of services to meet your specific needs. Together we will develop the right systems and solutions for you, your employees, and your business. My goal is that everyone has a voice, is confident to be themselves, listens to others and so are able to reach their full potential.

MY TRAINING IN ACTION

I am currently working with an organisation who wanted to train their staff on the topic of EDI and human rights legislation so that they have an understanding of the legislation and how it relates to the business and their working practices. This session will be run later in the year so keep an eye out for updates in this publication.

On 25 July (pictured above), I presented at a business network meeting, in which I outlined many of the principles and approaches covered in this article.

If you're ready to take the next step in your personal or professional or business development, call me to discuss how I can help your business grow and thrive.

Tel: 07831 634896 Email: minakshee@minaksheepatel.co.uk Visit: www.minaksheepatel.co.uk

Photo Courtesy of Pete Martin Photography

FOCUS

THIS EDITION OF BUSINESS NETWORK CELEBRATES THE AWARDS THE CHAMBER HOSTS EACH YEAR – AND COMES ON THE BACK OF RECENT CEREMONIES TO MARK THE WINNERS OF THE DERBYSHIRE, NOTTINGHAMSHIRE AND LEICESTERSHIRE BUSINESS AWARDS. THE NEXT SIX PAGES FEATURE PICTURES FROM THOSE THREE AWARDS AND ALL THE WINNERS’ NAMES.

Derbyshire event celebrates range of achievements

ALL AWARDS FOCUS PHOTOGRAPHS BY

STEVE EDWARDS PHOTOGRAPHY

Businesses were recognised for outstanding achievement in 13 categories at East Midlands Chamber’s Derbyshire Business Awards 2024.

Hosted by ITV presenter Emma Jesson, the Derbyshire Awards took place at Derby County Football Club’s Pride Park Stadium.

Awards were presented across categories including Outstanding Growth, Commitment to People Development and Excellence in Customer Service, with the ceremony accompanied by a three-course dinner and followed by live entertainment.

The annual Awards were the first of three ceremonies which took place across the three counties this autumn, to showcase the stand-out businesses in all corners of the region.

The Derbyshire Business of the Year Award, supported by The Green Entrepreneur’s Fund funded by Derbyshire County Council, went to Kranlee Logistics, which also won the Small Business Award. Business of the Year is a special award, selected from any one of the category winners during the ceremony. The recipient goes through to the regional and national British Chambers of Commerce Awards taking place in 2025.

East Midlands Chamber chief executive Scott Knowles said: “Derbyshire is fortunate to boast a wealth of businesses of all sizes that continually excel, further underlining the East Midlands as a centre of trading excellence.

“Whether through innovation, approach to sustainability or superb customer service, the

finalists and award winners this year were simply exceptional.

“The Chamber’s Derbyshire Business Awards bring together organisations from all over the county, across a wide range of sectors.

“To be able to network and build valuable connections over a three-course dinner, and at the iconic location of Pride Park Stadium made for an unmissable evening.

“I’d like to extend my congratulations to all the award recipients whose resilience, creativity and sheer hard work gave them this welldeserved recognition. I thank all those who entered, sponsored or supported the Derbyshire Business Awards and played a part in creating such a memorable evening.”

Kranlee Logistics co-owner Lee Wells, after winning the Business of the Year Award, said: “Winning this will elevate us so much within the industry and within the community. We've got loyal customers that support us so much, but this might expose us to a lot more customers. We’re all about service, all about personality. There's the staff we’ve got working for us that

Dominika Walker and Scott Knowles

Guests at the Awards

CHAMBER AWARDS

that work so hard day-to-day, providing the personal feel that we give to people.”

The Environmental Impact Award, sponsored by Futures Housing Group went to play equipment company Cosy Direct.

Managing director David Hook said: “We represent over 100 people at the Cosy Direct office who do a fantastic job, really helping with educating children, getting them active outdoors and using natural resources to do that. So, it’s a really sustainable business.”

The Apprentice of the Year Award, sponsored by East Midlands Apprenticeship Ambassador Network, went to Sarah Illsley at composite supplier Pentaxia.

Sarah said: “To be able to get work experience at the same time as learning is something that's become bigger and bigger in the last few years and it's amazing to be a part of it.

“I'm on my third apprenticeship at the minute and I'd definitely recommend it.”

The University of Derby sponsored the Entrepreneur of the Year Award.

Vice-chancellor Professor Kathryn Mitchell said: “Entrepreneurs are so important in the economic growth of the UK and we really want to inspire our own graduates, so they will have the chance and the opportunity to take up being an entrepreneur. We’re delighted to have sponsored this category.”

EAST MIDLANDS CHAMBER DERBYSHIRE BUSINESS AWARDS 2024 WINNERS:

Community Impact award – sponsored by YMCA Derbyshire WINNER: AtkinsRéalis

Business Improvement Through Technology – sponsored by Purpose Media WINNER: Global Brands

Outstanding Growth – sponsored by Amazon WINNER: Longbow Venues

Excellence in International Trade –sponsored by Your Export Office at East Midlands Chamber WINNER: Valve and Process Solutions

Education and Business Partnership –sponsored by Vertas Group WINNER: Hardy Signs

Commitment to People Development –sponsored by Derby College WINNER: Pennine Healthcare

Excellence in Collaboration – sponsored by East Midlands Manufacturing Network WINNER: Railston & Company

Excellence in Customer Service –sponsored by Howden WINNER: Longbow Venues

Environmental Impact – sponsored by Futures Housing Group WINNER: Cosy Direct

Small Business of the Year – sponsored by Generation Next WINNER: Kranlee Logistics

Apprentice of the Year – sponsored by East Midlands Apprenticeships Ambassador Network

WINNER: Sarah Illsley, Pentaxia

Entrepreneur of the Year – sponsored by University of Derby WINNER: Ecotech Engineers

Excellence in Innovation – sponsored by Rolls Royce WINNER: Brilliant Ideas

Business of the Year – supported by The Green Entrepreneur’s Fund funded by Derbyshire County Council

WINNER: Kranlee Logistics

David Pearson (left) with the team from Valve and Process Solutions

Pennine Healthcare won the award for Commitment to People Development

Lee Wells and Karen Mosley from Company of the Year Kranlee Logistics with Lucy Robinson and Emma Jesson

Meet the very best of Nottinghamshire business

The Nottinghamshire Business Awards 2024 took place at The Delta by Marriott Hotel Nottingham Belfry, showcasing outstanding achievement from the county’s businesses.

ITV presenter Emma Jesson hosted the packed ceremony, where 13 awards were presented across categories that included Business Improvement Through Technology, Apprentice of the Year and Environmental Impact.

The Awards are considered one of the most important events in the Chamber’s calendar and were the second of three ceremonies in each of the region’s three counties.

The Business of the Year Award, sponsored by Nottinghamshire County Council, went to brewing and winemaking specialists Murphy & Son, which also won the Small Business of the Year Award.

The most illustrious award of the ceremony, Business of the Year is selected from one of the winners earlier in the ceremony and its recipient goes through to the regional and national British Chambers of Commerce Awards in 2025.

East Midlands Chamber chief executive Scott Knowles said: “Nottinghamshire’s business community is built on of a wealth of talented innovators, makers, creators, manufacturers and exceptional individuals that the county can be incredibly proud of, whether they impact their community, their journey toward Net Zero or give outstanding customer service.

“The Nottinghamshire Business Awards shine the spotlight on those that excel, from a wide range of sectors and have navigated challenges and grasped opportunities through resilience and skill; they play a key part in driving growth in Nottinghamshire and I would like to express my congratulations to all of the award recipients.

“Networking and building of connections over the awards dinner is valuable for the business community and I extend my thanks to all those

who entered or sponsored the

Murphy & Son managing director Charles Nicholds said: “It’s such an accolade – never in our wildest dreams did we think we’d win.

“In the 2019 to 2022 period things were tough, but we’ve come out on the other side. We’ve grown in staff, in stature, we’ve grown in turnover and in profits too. We couldn’t do what we do without our team. We’ve invested heavily

Nottinghamshire Business Awards.”

Selfies at the awards night

Shortlist Marketing won the Business Improvement Through Technology Award

Members of the Chamber team

Company of the Year Murphy and Sons

EAST MIDLANDS CHAMBER NOTTINGHAMSHIRE BUSINESS AWARDS 2024 WINNERS:

Business Improvement Through Technology – sponsored by NetMonkeys

WINNER: Shortlist Marketing

Community Impact – sponsored by Eversheds Sutherland

WINNER: Enterprise – Enterprise Loans

Outstanding Growth – sponsored by Qinesis

WINNER: Browne Jacobson

Excellence in Collaboration – sponsored by East Midlands Manufacturing Network

WINNER: Volute & NHS East Midlands Cancer Alliance

Environmental Impact – sponsored by Vertas Group

WINNER: FSG Returnables

Commitment to People Development –sponsored by Generation Next

in expansion over the last year-and-a-half. We’ve upskilled staff and done a lot of training.

“We’ve got high hopes for 2025 and our fiveyear plan is to double in size. We’ve just taken on a brand new warehouse and we’re going to be running multiple sites.”

The Entrepreneur of the Year Award, sponsored by Be Your Best Version, went to Shivani Soni, of Step Up Rehab Physiotherapy Clinic.

Shivani said: “I’m very grateful for the opportunity to be here tonight. I think the service we provide to our clients stood out.

“We’ve created a community where we really focus on impacting people’s lives, whether they’re aged 30 or 90; we’re there to support all ages and backgrounds.”

The Commitment to People Award, sponsored by Generation Next, went to Nottingham Venues. Learning and development manager Amy Butler said: “We put a lot of effort into investing in our people and it’s about the passion that we have for making sure that our people feel valued and motivated. The Nottinghamshire Business Awards are a great way to celebrate people’s work and their achievements. To win is wonderful.”

Apprentice of the Year, sponsored by East Midlands Apprenticeship Ambassador Network

WINNER: Nottingham Venues

Apprentice of the Year – sponsored by East Midlands Apprenticeship Ambassador Network

WINNER: Lucy Brown – Shortlist Marketing

Entrepreneur of the Year – sponsored by Be Your Best Version

WINNER: Shivani Soni – Step Up Rehab Physiotherapy Clinic

Education and Business Partnership –sponsored by University of Nottingham

WINNER: Nottinghamshire College & Thoresby Hall Hotel

(EMAAN) went to Lucy Brown – digital marketing executive/apprentice at Shortlist Marketing.

Lucy said: “It’s been amazing to win this award. I thank Shortlist Marketing for giving me the opportunity to be an apprentice and EMAAN for sponsoring this award.”

Excellence in Customer Service –sponsored by Delta Hotels

WINNER: Lion Secure Despatch

Excellence in International Trade –sponsored by DHL

WINNER: Greene Tweed & Co

Small Business of the Year – sponsored by Nottingham Trent University

WINNER: Murphy & Son

Excellence in Innovation – sponsored by Geldards

WINNER: Bio Mate, by Charlie and Jane Ltd

Business of the Year – sponsored by Nottinghamshire County Council

WINNER: Murphy & Son

All the Nottinghamshire winners

Guests raise a glass at the awards night

First Enterprise – Enterprise Loans won the Community Impact Award

Hannah Pritchard (left) with Maddy Jackson from Turner and Townsend

Howes Percival scoops top award in Leicestershire

Outstanding businesses were recognised at East Midlands Chamber’s Leicestershire Business Awards 2024, which took place at The Venue @ DMU.

There were 13 awards across categories including Community Impact, Excellence in Collaboration and Entrepreneur of the Year.

The Awards were the last in the series of three ceremonies held this autumn in each of the three counties covered by East Midlands Chamber.

Law firm Howes Percival won the Business of the Year Award, sponsored by RandalSun Capital, after winning the Commitment to People Development Award earlier in the evening.

Howes Percival partner Satnam Chayra said: “We are passionate about our people, we’re passionate about Leicester – we’re grateful to be recognised.

“The Leicestershire Business Awards are very important because we need to recognise achievement, promote businesses and work together.”

The firm’s head of business development Courtney Borthwick said: “We are a people business, and this award really shows the investment the firm’s made and how everyone gets involved in people development. This award is for all our team and we’re so overwhelmed with this win.”

The Outstanding Growth Award, sponsored by Unique Windows, went to shopfitting specialists Melita POS. Managing director Daniel Jacques said: “Winning this award is incredible. It really does recognise the work that our team have put in. It’s about the company and the work that people have put in over 20 years, not just the last few years. We’ve had a substantial amount

of growth. We put a lot on in the last few years, and we’ve used it as a springboard for the future. We don’t just rest on our laurels; we’re going forward with purpose.”

The Excellence in Customer Service Award, sponsored by ER Recruitment, went to design agency Creative62, which also won the Community Impact Award, sponsored by emh group. Creative62 managing director Mark Robinson said: “We can’t do what we do without good customer service, but I think we’ve always taken customer service a bit further. It’s going back and saying “so, what have we done? What’s the return for you?”.

“We’ve done that since the day we started, and we instil it in the team as they come through and that’s why we get the big returns we get for our clients.”

The Business Improvement Award, sponsored by NetMonkeys, went to addiction charity The

The East Midlands Chamber team

Courtney Borthwick of Howes Percival

Carpenter’s Arms Trust.

Chief executive Richard Spence said: “It was a privilege just to be nominated, but to win this award is fantastic.

“We’ve been working with rehabilitation and outcomes monitoring, getting people back into work and I think that’s what stood out and led us to win.”

The Excellence in Collaboration Award, sponsored by East Midlands Manufacturing Network, went to HMP Fosse Way and Serco.

The prison’s employment lead Shelley Drew said: “It’s fantastic to be recognised. We collaborate with businesses to provide opportunities for men on release, which is really, really important to stop and reduce reoffending, with the overall goal in making sure businesses can fulfil their social values as well.”

Chamber chief executive Scott Knowles said: “Leicestershire is well known for its history of

EAST MIDLANDS CHAMBER LEICESTERSHIRE BUSINESS AWARDS 2024 WINNERS:

Business Improvement Through Technology – sponsored by NetMonkeys

WINNER: The Carpenter’s Arms Trust

manufacturing, for making, creating and innovating. The county boasts an impressive array of businesses and noteworthy individuals, deserving a bright spotlight shone on them for their achievements and their contribution to growing the county’s economy.

“The Leicestershire Business Awards highlight those that, through resilience, through the overcoming of hurdles and challenges, and by seizing opportunities, drive Leicestershire to thrive, whether through their approach to their people, their customers, or sustainability.

“In addition to showcasing remarkable people and firms, the awards dinner is an ideal environment for the business community to network and build strong connections.

“I extend my thanks to all those who entered the Leicestershire Business Awards and to the sponsors that made the ceremony such a memorable occasion.”

Community Impact – sponsored by emh group

WINNER: Creative62

Outstanding Growth – sponsored by Unique Windows

WINNER: Melita POS

Excellence in Collaboration – sponsored by East Midlands Manufacturing Network

WINNER: HMP Fosse Way & Serco

Environmental Impact – sponsored by Cambridge & Counties Bank

WINNER: SE-LF

Commitment to People Development –sponsored by De Montfort University

WINNER: Howes Percival

Apprentice of the Year – sponsored by Loughborough College

WINNER: Jimmy Colver, Caterpillar UK

Entrepreneur of the Year – sponsored by Bradgate Estates

WINNER: Nick Megson, Abacus Flooring Solutions

Education and Business Partnership –sponsored by Blueprint Interiors

WINNER: Loughborough University Careers Network

Excellence in Customer Service –sponsored by ER Recruitment

WINNER: Creative62

Excellence in International Trade –sponsored by Your Export Office at East Midlands Chamber

WINNER: Coba Automotive UK

Small Business of the Year – sponsored by Generation Next

WINNER: Melita POS

Excellence in Innovation – sponsored by RSM

WINNER: Abacus Flooring Solutions

Business of the Year – sponsored by RandalSun Capital

WINNER: Howes Percival

DMU VC Prof Katie Normington (left), the Howes Percival team and host Emma Jesson

Nick Megson of Abacus Flooring with Emma Jesson Stuart Dawkins

Ensuring your legal support is fit for purpose

trusted legal support is vital for new and growing businesses in the East

way

Can law be done differently? For years it was a closed topic of discussion that solicitors charged in a certain way – they recorded time (meticulously) and that time was then (often again meticulously!) billed to a client on a specific matter, calculated based on a particular lawyer’s hourly charge out rate. It was therefore accepted that with some exceptions, solicitors charged for their time in this manner.

The exceptions were for those who worked on fixed fees, often in the residential conveyancing arena. In most cases regardless, fees were calculated by reference to an hourly rate and the time anticipated to be taken to complete a matter, with the obvious caveat that if it took longer for any reason, the fee would be revisited.

However, this common narrative that law had to be done only one way – through the billable hour, is being challenged by some in the industry. Many are now acknowledging that a law firm that is fit for purpose in the modern world needs to be one that does look at the provision of legal services and its own culture in a much more holistic and sustainable way.

SUSTAINABILITY AT ITS CORE

To do this, in my view, law firms have to fully understand that sustainability is not just a current ‘buzzword’ or simply a case of making your office building carbon neutral. It is about investing in the long-term culture of your practice to ensure that your business is genuinely inclusive and accessible to all, caters for a wide range of clients and team members and ensures it is looking to the future to constantly evolve and adapt.

Fully appreciating that there are long-held traditional practices in the legal sector, it is important to think about whether the way you charge for legal services is effective or whether it is merely a remnant from the past that does work for some but isn’t necessarily fostering wellbeing or growth.

The pressure of timesheets is well documented in the legal profession (and indeed in other areas of professional services). There are two elements to this. Firstly, does this model work now for clients and secondly, what is its impact on your staff? In my experience (which has been corroborated by many in the profession), there is a risk that a rigid “bill all your time” model does not look after clients or team members.

From the client perspective, it can lead to huge cost uncertainty and mounting costs which may not be viable on various projects especially those concerning development or property. It also leads to clients often feeling that matters are being deliberately delayed by their legal advisors to eke out more costs from them.

Similarly, if what a lawyer bills is the only or principal marker for their performance, promotion and pay prospects, this can lead to toxic behaviour at various levels as well as affect the mental and physical health and wellbeing of your workforce. It can also prevent the creation of close-knit teams that work together to achieve the best results rather than unhealthily competing with each other, with service standards compromised.

THE SOLUTION?

As ever, there can be no “one size fits all” but there are definitely challengers in the market place who are not frightened to change the status quo. Value-based pricing is an obvious solution and some firms, including my own, have adopted this approach.

This means work is priced much more cohesively by trying to work out the value of the service to the client and marrying that up with what returns they would be getting, thus making it more palatable to absorb the costs.

In other instances, fees can be fixed at the outset and if on a particular transaction more than was anticipated is required, a longer-term view of the client, the relationship and other work being carried out is the consideration rather than a narrow focus on the matter at hand.

Similarly, technological advances mean that with the right investment in the correct systems and processes, but ensuring that personal communications and service are valued, the whole client and employee experience can be significantly enhanced.

This may mean foregoing immediate profit returns for equity partners to achieve that far reaching investment.

Key to all of this are your people. If they are motivated, understand your business vision and drivers and genuinely “buy” into your ethos, feeling supported and valued as they do so, this can only lead to success.

It seems obvious, but sadly it often is not and only through the legal industry acknowledging that they need to look beyond turnover and profit to a much wider consideration of their future, can things change for the better.

‘Law firms have to fully understand that sustainability is not just a current ‘buzzword’ or simply a case of making your office building carbon neutral’

Having

Midlands. Shruti Trivedi (pictured) managing director at Devello, explores a new

of offering legal support that is evolving to the meet the needs of a modern world.

Steps to sustainable manufacturing

The manufacturing industry is one of the UK economy’s largest greenhouse gasemitting sectors. It’s clear that the industry needs to clean up and shift towards more sustainable practices – so as a manufacturer, what can you do to reduce your impact on the planet? Business Network explores some of the options.

FACTORY EFFICIENCY

Is your factory as energy efficient as it could be?

An easy place to start is with lighting. It can be as simple as switching to LED bulbs, programming automated lighting systems to ensure that unused spaces aren’t lit unnecessarily and using motion detector sensors in outdoor spaces, rather than leaving lights on all night.

Make sure you’re only running equipment when it is in use too. In addition, machinery will need regular cleaning and maintenance to optimise performance and expand its lifespan, and systems such as heating and/or air conditioning should be replaced with more efficient models if they’re more than 10 years old.

Proper insulation will drastically reduce the energy needed to preserve room temperature in winter and also help keep buildings cool during summer.

REDUCE YOUR WASTE

Waste reduction is another easy way to kickstart your sustainability efforts. And if you cut out waste, you’ll be boosting your bottom line as well as helping the planet.

Start by focusing on the processes that generate the most waste (either scrap product or a high percentage of damaged goods coming off the line) and then take a wider look at the factory as a whole. A waste audit may identify areas of waste that have previously gone overlooked, while mechanical and novel chemical recycling techniques could be used to reduce primary plastic production.

Next, consider implementing an inventory management system, as this will minimise the amount of excess raw materials you have in stock at any one time. You may find you’re spending more than you need to.

In terms of packaging, opt for reusable or recyclable materials. If that’s not an option, look at redesigning the packaging instead so that it uses less material and reduces the amount of waste that will be sent to landfill.

DECARBONISE

The government has declared that the UK must reach net zero by 2050, and there are a number of schemes, government grants and resources available to help you get started. Decarbonisation can help you either move to alternative energy sources or negative-emission methods. These include:

• Replacing natural gas with hydrogen (which doesn’t produce any greenhouse gas emissions)

• Generating renewable energy, such as solar or wind

• Switching from gas, petrol or diesel to electric

• Combined heat and power (CHP)

• Installing heat pumps to lessen the emissions from heat-demanding processes.

BRING YOUR STAFF UP TO SPEED

Your staff will need to be on board with your efforts in order for you to make a real difference.

Firstly, are your staff properly trained to use the machinery and technology? Your team need to have the right knowledge in order to use them efficiently, as poorly trained staff may result in extra waste being generated. In addition, make sure your staff have the right skills for a greener future. They may require further training to close the low-carbon skills gap.

You should also share your energy-saving initiatives with your employees and get them excited about doing their bit. If you help them see the wider impact they will have and encourage them to share their own eco-friendly ideas, together you will be able to manufacture a more sustainable way forward.

DIGITAL & TECHNOLOGY

THE CUTTING-EDGE SECTOR THAT IMPACTS THE FUTURE OF BUSINESS

AI is all the fashion for students

Afashion lecturer is pushing the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to help students build the skills needed to succeed in the multibillion-pound industry.

Alan Beattie, programme leader of fashion textile design at De Montfort University, wants his students to embrace AI and prepare for an industry that ‘has always moved incredibly quickly’.

He believes AI can be used to help with everyday tasks such as creating sketches and images and to support the designers of the future.

He said: “We need to break down the barriers of resistance to AI. It is just a tool. It is no different to what we teach with anyway. A pencil is a tool, a paintbrush is a tool, a pair of scissors is a tool. We are still creating, working creatively and using our knowledge of design culture to get a resulting image from AI.”

AI relies on people writing ‘prompts’ which it then uses to create an image – and Alan thinks future assessments for fashion and textile design students will be based on the prompts they

New global HQ for simulator company

A company that makes life-like models to help healthcare professionals simulate clinical scenarios such as putting catheters into veins has opened a new global headquarters.

The Simulator Company – which is said to be the world’s number one innovative company in advanced circulatory therapy simulators – has opened the new offices in Coalville, in north west Leicestershire.

The state-of-the-art facility is the first of its kind in the UK and is dedicated to supporting global operations and driving innovation in clinical training.

The Simulator Company was founded in October 2019 by Babita

Haval and Sagar Haval and is now at the forefront of the industry with simulation solutions.

It designed the UK’s first manikin-based Extracorporeal Life Support (ECLS) simulators, and its technology now provides healthcare professionals with a highly realistic training experience for critical care procedures, revolutionising clinical training worldwide.

Chief executive and managing director Sagar Haval said they were thrilled to establish their new headquarters in Coalville. He said: “This move enables us to expand our operations across the UK and Europe and support our global partners.

use to create their fashion illustrations. He said: “It allows us to turn our thoughts into some visual reality. That is exactly how we should use it. The prompt writing for AI is the control. We are going to have to get students to reference the application they used and the prompts they used to show how much of the work is them and how much of it is the computer.

“We are entering a new phase within design education where the assessment will be ‘what did you ask the computer to do?’.

“The fashion industry is very digitally driven in terms of what is in their tool box. It would be naïve to ignore it.

“Being visible with our digital skills and teaching means we are further ahead than many other universities in the country.”

As part of his research into teaching AI, Alan is asking four student volunteers to use the generative AI image maker Midjourney to see how they get on.

At the same time, his knowledge of using AI in fashion textile design will be taught to students in the second and third years.

“The new facility will serve as a gateway for clients and collaborators worldwide to experience our cutting-edge simulation technology firsthand.”

He said the Coalville

headquarters would help the company’s mission to make bestin-class simulation training accessible for advanced circulatory therapies while streamlining its inhouse manufacturing.

Main photo and inset: Two images of AI fashion made by Alan Beattie

Demonstrating the simulator

BUSINESS SUPPORT

THE LATEST NEWS AND UPDATES FROM OUR KEY INDUSTRY SECTORS

A great deal of corporate activity

Howes Percival’s corporate team completed 37 deals in the immediate run-up to the Budget.

The deals included transactions where a preBudget completion was requested by the client, including MBOs, business and share acquisitions and sales, share buybacks, exercise of options, and solvent corporate group reorganisations.

The deals spanned sectors including professional services, media & publishing, care and manufacturing, food & beverage, automotive and property.

James Stephen, partner and head of corporate, said: “The whole team have been amazing and I’m incredibly proud of what we have been able to achieve.”

Be prepared for change to sexual harassment law

Companies need to put fresh measures in place to protect staff from sexual harassment following a change in the law, according to an HR & employment law firm.

Management at Derby-based Precept said the new Worker Protection (Amendment of Equality Act 2010) Act 2023 means employers must take positive steps to protect workers from sexual harassment and take preventative action against it – or face the potential of financial penalties or action from the Equality and Human Rights Commission.

Senior associate Philip Pearson-Batt (pictured) said companies should undertake risk assessments around sexual harassment and regularly review and update them. Employers should have a clear and comprehensive set of guidelines on what constitutes sexual harassment, where and when it might occur and

the steps to prevent it. Businesses also need be aware that sexual harassment could come from outside the company.

He said: “As we enter this last quarter of the year there are some really big changes on the horizon that we at Precept think every business owner needs to be aware of. Under the new legislation there is a new and positive duty on employers to take reasonable steps to prevent the sexual harassment of their workers – a shift from preventative to proactive duties. No employer, regardless of their size or the nature of the work they undertake, is exempt from this, so it is vitally important we’re all fully aware of what is expected.”

If a worker succeeds in bringing a claim for sexual harassment at an employment tribunal, compensation could be increased by 25% if the employer is found to have breached this new positive duty.

CMP Legal celebrates key industry accolade

Management at CMP Legal say they have been picked as the only law firm headquartered in Chesterfield to be recognised in the corporate and commercial section of the Legal 500.

The niche commercial law firm specialises in corporate, commercial, dispute resolution and employment law.

The Legal 500 assesses the strengths of law firms in more than

150 jurisdictions and highlight the practice area teams who are providing the most cutting edge and innovative advice to corporate counsel.

The list is based on feedback from 300,000 clients worldwide, submissions from law firms and interviews with leading private practice lawyers, and a team of researchers who have unrivalled experience in the legal market.

Anna Cattee, Executive Director, Solicitor & Notary Public at CMP Legal

PwC is still tops for social mobility

PwC has retained its top spot in the 2024 UK Social Mobility Employer Index.

The index, created by the Social Mobility Foundation, ranks Britain’s employers based on the actions they have taken to improve social mobility in the workplace.

It is the fourth time that PwC – whose regional office is in Castle Donington – has topped the ranking, this year sharing the top spot with Nottingham law firm Browne Jacobson.

Employers are assessed across eight key areas, including their work with young people, routes into the company, how they attract talent, recruitment and selection, data and advocacy, pay, progression and retention. This year 150 employers were considered for the Top 75 rankings.

PwC has continued its commitment to opening up pathways for young people of all backgrounds and engaging with a wide range of schools and universities across the country, providing both employment and schools outreach programmes.

Senior partner Marco Amitrano said: “At PwC inclusion, and inclusive growth, is part of our everyday conversation and aspiration.”

Rebrand aims to make a world of difference

Midlands-based accounting and advisory firm PKF

Smith Cooper has rebranded as part of a networkwide initiative by PKF Global.

The firm said the move would help promote its international connections with more than 200 PKF businesses worldwide.

The rebrand sees PKF Smith Cooper align its identity with other members of the PKF network, with a new logo that symbolises PKF’s five geographical regions.

‘We were able to bring the PKF brand to life in a way that still felt true to PKF Smith Cooper’

It follows a year of expansion for the business which has welcomed 85 new starters and seen it acquire BLB advisory.

Operations partner Selma Delic led the marketing team during the rebrand.

She said: “We have worked closely with the PKF Global team over the past year to ensure consistency with the wider network, while also making sure our brand continues to resonate

with our team, clients and the external market.

“Ultimately, we were able to bring the PKF brand to life in a way that still felt true to PKF Smith Cooper with the help of STENCIL Creative, a Nottingham agency.”

James Bagley, managing partner of PKF Smith Cooper, said: “While the way we look may be changing, our company name, client-focused values and the highly personalised services we deliver will remain the same.

“We became proud members of PKF in September 2021 and since then PKF Smith Cooper has gone from strength to strength. With plans to double the size of our company within the next five years, we are looking forward to continuing to leverage our international capabilities to achieve further growth within the Midlands and UK. The ongoing expansion of our team through both recruitment and the support and development of homegrown talent is fundamental to this.”

Accountants count on 34 trainees

BHP, the biggest independent accountancy firm in north Derbyshire and Yorkshire, has welcomed 34 trainees to its ranks.

The intake includes 17 graduates, nine nongraduates and eight placement students.

All of them will take part in BHP’s training programme, which is run across each of its five offices, and all its service lines.

Over the last five years the training programme has helped more than 200

professionals build their careers.

Chief people officer Karen Arch said: “At BHP, we’re passionate about nurturing and developing the skills of young professionals looking to break through and leave their mark on the finance industry.

“One of the core values at BHP is about having a positive impact, whether that be on our clients, the communities in which we work or the lives of people who work here. Our trainee

programme is key to this as not only through each intake do we help create the next generation of advisors, we also ensure that our clients and our own business are able to thrive –not just today, but long into the future.

“Being certified as a Great Place to Work we pride ourselves on being a supportive workplace that always keeps the wellbeing and future success of our people at the forefront of our business.”

BHP has welcomed 34 trainees

PKF Smith Cooper’s new branding

Chesterfield gets help to close the skills gap

Fto encourage job creation and growth in Chesterfield’s manufacturing and engineering industries.

Manufacturing Futures will provide mentoring skills to help companies engage with young talent – and encourage businesses to offer more work experience opportunities, take on apprentices and interns, and provide careers advice to young people.

‘By

equipping businesses with the skills to mentor and develop talent from local schools and colleges, we can continue to close the skills gap’

The idea came from a manufacturing and engineering forum organised by Destination Chesterfield which identified recruitment challenges in the sector.

In Chesterfield festival supported by The Chesterfield College Group, which offered school pupils a chance to visit local manufactures, engineers and construction businesses to find out about the types of jobs on offer.

The training sessions for business mentors will be held at iron bar maker United Cast Bar, with Chesterfield College hosting the sessions.

Ivan Fomin, managing director of MSE Hiller and Destination Chesterfield board member, said:

“While progress has been made in encouraging young people to pursue STEM careers, there is still much work to be done.

“By equipping businesses with the skills to mentor and develop talent from local schools and colleges, we can continue to close the skills gap and ensure our local firms remain vibrant and successful.”

The programme is funded through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund after Chesterfield Borough Council secured £2.6m to improve life for local people and support local businesses.

To get your business involved go to www.chesterfield.ac.uk

Courses in land management

SMB College Group has launched a skills bootcamp in Level 2 Sustainable Land Management Skills.

The intensive, 12-week course is designed to equip individuals with practical skills and knowledge to pursue a career in land management – with an emphasis on sustainability.

It will cover areas such as health and safety, machinery operation, habitat and forestry management, and regenerative agriculture and students will develop confidence in working with machinery including chainsaws, tractors and brush cutters.

It will also have a strong focus on decarbonising agriculture, sustainable forestry and practical estate skills and set attendees up for jobs in farming, forestry, environmental management and similar areas.

SMB Group takes in Melton College, Stephenson College in Coalville, and Brooksby College.

The bootcamp will be taught at the Brooksby Campus, an 850-acre campus in the Leicestershire countryside near Melton which specialises in landbased industries. The campus is home to Hall Farm, an equine centre and animal studies facilities.

Alex Gray, project lead for agriculture, said: “Whether you’re employed, unemployed or self-employed, this course provides a comprehensive overview of the sustainable land management sector, with insights into the various sub-sectors that play a vital role in environmental stewardship.

“If you're passionate about a meaningful and rewarding career in the outdoors but aren't sure where to start, this course is the perfect springboard into this increasingly significant industry.”

To find out more visit: www.smbcollegegroup.ac.uk

Network calls on business support

The chairs of the East Midlands Apprenticeship Ambassador Network (EMAAN) have issued an appeal for more businesses and young trainees to find out about, and get involved in, the positive work they do.

The network brings together employers and apprentices across the region, and is part of the national Apprenticeship Ambassador Network. Ambassadors use their influence, advocacy and passion for apprenticeships to back business productivity and social prosperity.

Events through the year include careers fairs, school assemblies and awards ceremonies, as well as networking opportunities and help developing skills.

To find out more go to: www.emaan.org or email ApprenticeAmbassador@east midsaan.onmicrosoft.com

Ivan Fomin

Green consultant joins Pick Everard

Pick Everard has appointed its first associate circular economy consultant – helping the Leicester-based firm build its green credentials.

Jonny Burke (pictured) has 14 years’ experience in management consultancy roles, building expertise in circular economy strategy, investment planning, environmental strategies and asset management.

In his new role he will work closely with both public and private sector clients to help identify and secure opportunities to implement circularity in both new-builds and the management of existing sites, helping find lowimpact, future-proofed solutions.

Jonny said: “The long-term vision for Pick Everard is to fulfil our potential to be a leader in circular economy practices within the built environment.”

Work has started on 52 new affordable homes in South Normanton. Representatives from emh group, Bolsover District Council and developer Owl Partnerships met to launch the mixed tenure, affordable homes at The Meadow, at the back of Red Lane in the village.

The development will include 28 homes for social rent and 24 for shared ownership, with a mix of onebedroomed maisonettes, and two, three and fourbedroomed semi-detached and detached family homes.

‘Our population is growing and we have to provide good quality housing for them to be able to live in’

Chan Kataria, group chief executive at emh said: “We’re proud of our close partnerships which allow us to develop high quality, affordable homes, enabling local people to meet their housing aspirations. We look

forward to seeing the development progress in the coming months.”

He said emh is committed to providing high-quality homes to meet housing need and consulted with Bolsover District Council to agree on the type and number of homes to be included.

Council leader Cllr Steve Fritchley said: “We have made no secret that one of our main ambitions is to build more housing. Our population is growing and we have to provide good quality housing for them to be able to live in, not just private homes but good quality affordable social housing as well and this development ticks all these boxes.”

Andrew Browne, land and partnerships director at Owl Partnerships, said: “We are dedicated to delivering quality, energy-efficient homes that meets the needs of residents. We look forward to welcoming families into their new homes soon.”

The first homes should be available next summer, with the scheme expected to be completed in the winter of 2026.

Affordable homes project gets under way Manufacturers are joining the space race

More and more manufacturers are showing interest in buying, rather than renting, purpose-built and existing space, according to one property consultancy.

According to FHP, with existing space in the East Midlands at such a premium, sites such as Clowes Developments’ Dove Valley Park offer an ideal combination of bespoke space for both warehouse and manufacturing occupiers – with the potential to purchase the property.

Dove Valley Park sits just off the A50 west of Derby, offering tenants access to Stoke and the M6 to the north, the M1 to the south and the West Midlands via the A38.

The agents on the scheme are Darran Severn and Tim Gilbertson of FHP and Nick Waddington and Adam McGuinness of Carter Jonas.

Tim said: “There is no doubt that while the months in the run-up to the Budget have been quieter than we would have liked, there has

been a definite trend of occupiers coming forward who are more manufacturing than distribution-based and looking to have premises purpose-built for them and only interested in buying rather than renting accommodation.

“It’s an interesting trend and while distribution occupiers still dominate the bespoke built sector, there’s no doubt that manufacturers seem to be seeking more space currently which is good news to my ears.”

Work starts on new emh homes at the Red Lane site

Dove Valley Park has space for both warehouse and manufacturing occupiers

Polestar EV shines brightly

Journalist

Nick Jones tests the Polestar 2 Fastback all-electric vehicle.

The fact you can order anything online from the comfort of your own home and not have to visit the shop has seen us become somewhat lazy.

Even despite that, a visit to the local car showroom has never been a pleasant experience – taking an eternity to complete, with the salesperson seemingly hell-bent on calculating their commission, instead of supplying the right car for you.

Polestar has addressed this and have opened several ‘Space’ stations in which (in this digital age) you enjoy a better way to purchase your car. It really is an innovative way forward, and instead of having pushy salespeople, it has product specialists who know everything about the Polestar experience and are salaried, rather than paid commission on sales.

It’s a smart set-up and signifies a shake-up in the structure which has seen it break away from partner

‘Thanks to bigger batteries and new electric motors, the car can travel more than 20% further while using 10% less energy’

Volvo to operate as a separate entity within the group.

New models on the horizon are the Polestar 3 luxury SUV and 4 SUV Coupe, both exciting vehicles. The one here is the Polestar 2 fastback model which has been updated with an improved range, efficiency and performance. Thanks to bigger batteries and new electric motors, the car can travel more than 20% further while using 10% less energy.

It’s a great companion. My long-range dual motor version with four-wheel-drive was a sure-footed as they come and offered comfort and power in spades.

It’s also more fun to drive and with a whole raft of options and detailing is as good as it gets.

One thing that takes getting used to is the fact it has no ignition and no start button; you simply sit in, select drive and you’ll be on your way. When you stop, you just put it in park and it shuts down and locks on exit automatically.

The nearest outlet is in the Meadowhall shopping complex in Sheffield.

THE LAST WORD

In his final column, Chamber president Stuart Dawkins looks back at his two years in office with a sense of pride of the work being done by the region’s businesses.

Ibecame Chamber president in December 2022. This was extended for a second term, but – like the current US Constitution – the Chamber’s Articles of Association limits a president to two terms of office, so at the end of this year I will hand over to my successor. In this, my final Last Word article, I thought I would reflect a little on that two-year period.

When I became president, Rishi Sunak had been Prime Minister for about six weeks. The Bank of England had just increased interest rates to 3% after around 15 years hovering as close to zero as they have ever got (don’t get me started on monetary policy, as regular readers know I am prone to the occasional digression into economic history…).

News headlines at the time spoke of ‘mass strikes’ and ‘political turmoil’ as well as containing much about the cost-of-living crisis in its various guises and the war in Ukraine.

Two years later? The General Election provided some stability, as wished for by Chamber members and many others. One consequence of that stability (and, to some extent, the ending of those ‘mass strikes’ as well) has been the recent Budget, whose short-term impact will add material costs to Chamber members’ businesses.

World politics looks, if anything, less stable than it was, although we are close to the end of 2024, the year in which over half the world had the chance to vote on their national government.

Inflation has receded, interest rates are falling, but will that last? The cost-of-living crisis, as illdefined as the term might be, continues to be spoken about, and the war in Ukraine is still following its tragic course, supplemented by the conflict in the Middle East.

How does the last two years look when considered against the themes I chose for my presidency? You may remember, these related to supporting our local communities and to supporting generation next-but-one.

There are examples of people and organisations doing great work to support their local communities. But the overall trend in the UK is poor, worryingly poor.

‘The businesses and the communities of the East Midlands continue to be proactive, and to create and to do their bit to make the world, and our little patch of it, a better place’

Local councils are mostly near-bankrupt and public sector support for local charities has fallen by £400m per annum in the last 10 years.

The private sector has not stepped in that much to bridge that gap. On a parochial, personal level, I have been delighted that some people who have heard me talk about the work our community foundations do locally to push against that trend, have then put their hands in their pockets to help. I thank them for doing so and urge others to follow their lead.

Our impact on generation next-but-one has many facets, with climate change the biggest. Serious work on climate change continues to be done, by the Chamber and many others. Yet, the US, the world’s largest economy and the one that does the most to set the global zeitgeist for technological change, has voted in a President who has called climate change a ‘hoax’. We will have to see how the rhetoric of the Trump campaign translates into policy. Maybe the fact that the US continues to experience increasingly frequent and increasingly costly climate-related disasters might eventually move the dial on this?

This analysis of the last two years reads rather

negatively. I do not wish that to be my final pronouncement as Chamber president. Particularly as my main emotion about the period is one of pride and continued satisfaction about what the Chamber does and, even more so, about what our members do going about their business –whatever that business might be. Yes, of course, business is sometimes done against headwinds, but the businesses and the communities of the East Midlands continue to be proactive, and to create and to do their bit to make the world, and our little patch of it, a better place.

I am writing this a couple of days after the Chamber’s Leicestershire Business Awards, the last of the Awards evenings this year across our three counties. The achievements celebrated there, the joy shown by the winners and the sense of striving to make things better – that is what I will keep as a measure of the past two years.

I took on the role of president at the Derby Museum of Making – the first factory in the world. I will hand the role on at Toyota’s site in Burnaston, also in Derbyshire. I like the narrative implied by that. From leading the world into the industrial revolution – a change that shaped the next 250 years – to building the hybrid cars that form a part of our still-imperfect response to the consequences of those 250 years.

I also had a close look at the Leicestershire Chamber chains of office – one of the two sets of ceremonial chains that I have enjoyed wearing at various events and which I will wear at the Chamber annual lunch on 6 December.

It tells me that the Leicestershire Chamber was formed over 160 years ago. All of this puts my two years into perspective. A period long enough to include significant activity, but also not that long in the great scheme of things. We do our bit, as diligently as we can, then we move on.

At our AGM on 9 December, there will be an orderly transition to my successor, Dawn Whitemore. Dawn will bring her own perspective to the role. I hope she enjoys it as much as I have. It has been a privilege for two years. I hope those who I have met during that time, and those who have read my meanderings here, have got at least some value out of it. I know I have.