3. Biz Network July August 2021 65-100.qxp_Chamberlink 30/06/2021 11:42 Page 98
COMMENT
THE LAST WORD Chamber president and ER Recruitment owner EILEEN RICHARDS MBE on how the East Midlands continues to be a hotbed for innovation hree centuries on from the opening of the world’s first fully mechanised factory and the impact of industrial innovation continues to be felt across our region. It was good to see that Lombe’s Mill – newlyreopened in Derby as the Museum of Making after a £18m revamp – includes co-working space for the innovators of tomorrow. New thinking that pushes the boundaries of existing technology is regularly reported in the pages of this magazine. In this edition alone, there is rich description of how our sportintensive region has adapted to the external forces of the pandemic. Of course, it’s been a welcome development to see the recent return of spectators to stadiums (albeit in reduced numbers). This is particularly true for Leicester City fans, who were lucky enough to be among the 21,000 supporters in Wembley to see our club lift the FA Cup! Over the years, I’ve sponsored players at the Tigers, Riders and Leicestershire CCC. As with our approach at the Chamber, I like to support other businesses in my area. I’ve really missed being able to watch top professional athletes in action live.
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Leicester Tigers are one of the region's big teams
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However, technology has – as with the silk throwing machines of the 18th century – continued to develop in order to reflect and respond to the needs of markets and society. Recent British Business Bank data reports that smaller UK tech businesses attracted a record level of equity in the first quarter of 2021. Such investment in emerging products and services is increasing as Britain positions itself for a postCovid, post-Brexit world. In our own region, Purpose Media identified the opportunity of using digital technology to provide live broadcasts linking sports fans with the matches that have been playing out behind closed doors in largely empty stadiums.
‘It’s not just emerging startups that are positioned to make an impression on a global stage’ Meanwhile, Tzuka is showing how digital technology can be matched with engineering and manufacturing as it prepares to launch the world’s most durable earbuds from Loughborough University – itself a world leader in sport science. Leicestershire Innovation Week demonstrated it’s not just emerging start-ups that are positioned to make an impression on a global stage. Nemaura, the Loughborough University-based private pharmaceutical organisation, has generated tens of millions of dollars of funding in recent years and is listed on the Nasdaq stock market. Meanwhile, Rolls Royce – for so long synonymous not just with world-leading research, engineering and design but also with the East Midlands – will test the sustainable propulsion systems of the future after investing £90m at its Testbed 80 in Derby. The UK Government has set four “grand challenges” to position the UK at the forefront of the industries of the future. Its motivation in doing so is to improve lives and increase productivity. The East Midlands has so much to offer in this regard. It has shaped industrial innovation for 300 years. It very much continues to do so today.
HOPE AMID FURTHER DISRUPTION Scott Knowles was right to take to LinkedIn last month to express the deep concerns of the leisure and hospitality sector at the four-week extension of Covid restrictions. As the Chamber has repeatedly reported and discussed, this is a sector that has been battered by external forces for such a long time. As with our sports clubs, events and hospitality venues remain closed or, if open, operating significantly under capacity. There was positive news at the time of going to press, with the reopening of not just the Museum of Making but the magnificent revamp of Nottingham Castle as well. Meanwhile, of course, a successful Download Festival was staged for 10,000 music fans at Donington Park. But for many in the leisure and hospitality sector, last month’s Government decision meant planning was disrupted once again. It looked, as Scott noted, as though this might prove one setback too many for some. That’s why, like our chief executive, I think an extension of Government restrictions should be matched by the extension of Government support.
RECORD YEAR FOR AWARDS On a brighter note, we have now shortlisted dozens of businesses from a record-breaking haul of nominations across a raft of Chamber awards. Judges for the Chamber’s three Business Awards recently spent a wonderful day looking at the best of business from our three countybased awards. Winners will be revealed in November and December. On top of this, there’s the Enterprising Women Awards gala dinner in October. Meanwhile, the brilliant young businesspeople who constitute our Generation Next group will be celebrated in July at their own virtual event. All our finalists are fantastic and we look forward to seeing them face-to-face at our events later this year. But, to be honest, everyone deserves a pat on the back for tackling the opportunities and challenges of the past 12 months. Like selecting finalists from the best of the 2021 awards nominations, it’s not been easy.
