36 minute read
CHAMBER NEWS
Get the right people at the right time
In the March issue of Business Network, the Chamber’s head of employment services Paul Needham (pictured) explained how his team supports unemployed people to find work – a service that has grown in importance during the pandemic. Here, he turns his attention to how the team supports businesses and encourages them to hire people who are often from long-term unemployed backgrounds.
I’ve previously written about the importance of getting into the mindset of individuals who are unemployed in order to change their attitudes to the world of work.
Encouraging people to have a more positive outlook on their job prospects is only one side of the equation, however, as businesses may need to be persuaded to hire someone without experience –either in their industry or, sometimes, in any form of regular work.
Just as we take a tailored approach to the individual jobseeker, it’s important to treat every business and its needs on a unique basis.
WHAT DOES THE BUSINESS NEED?
Understanding what the business wants is the most important aspect of any journey to sustainable employment. Otherwise, the person being recruited won’t last too long.
We’ll help to prepare individuals by sifting out those who aren’t the right fit for a particular job, while we also offer training to tailor their CVs and equipping them with interview skills.
To help a business decide on a candidate, we’ll arrange for them to do a few days of work experience to demonstrate they can do the role.
It’s a risk-free opportunity for the company, which doesn’t need to pay wages for a short period of work, while we ensure the individual continues to receive outof-work benefits during this time. The Chamber will also remunerate them for any expenses.
This is particularly useful when the jobseeker’s background doesn’t match the job. For example, they may have previously worked in office-based roles but an industrial cleaning company has vacancies.
As the job would require an understanding of chemicals, specialist equipment, and health and safety measures, we can offer training on the fundamentals before they do a work placement. The employer can then make a decision on whether to hire the person.
SUPPORT FOR BUSINESSES AFTER HIRING AN INDIVIDUAL
When someone starts a job following our support, we don’t just step away immediately. We’ll create in-work action plans to ensure the individual stays focused and becomes a crucial part of the team.
But we also support the business, which may not be equipped to deal with that person depending on their circumstances.
It might not have employed someone with a disability, for example, so our team will work with the company to ensure it can accommodate that individual.
The Chamber holds Disability Confident Leader status, which recognises organisations that support disabled people and those with long-term health conditions into employment, so in this situation we provide detailed assistance to the employer.
We can also help it to access the Government’s Access to Work programme, which offers grants to help cover the costs of practical support in the workplace, such as special equipment and adaptations, as well as to support people experiencing mental health issues in the workplace.
This support is very wide and varied, but may include adjustable height desks, specialist chairs, stair lifts or ramps at entrances.
It may not even involve new equipment and could just adapt the rhythm of work to suit individual needs.
For example, if a factory worker has a physical impairment and struggles to stand for long periods, rather than asking them to do a job on their feet for six hours, they could do two hours stood up and then four hours sat down carrying out another task.
BENEFITS FOR BOTH SIDES
Ultimately, it’s not just individuals who benefit from support that gets them back into work. Businesses are keen to have someone who is keen, eager and possesses some spark.
The world of work is changing and there’s more people coming into the labour market with lowlevel barriers, so companies need to be a little sharper and more agile because one size doesn’t always fit.
Supporting businesses
Business Network speaks to Nick Perry, director of recruitment company Total Support Recruitment, who has worked with the Chamber’s employment services team to find Covid marshalling work for jobseekers.
How did you first come into contact with the employment services team?
I received a call from Dan Worthington at the Chamber, who had seen an advert I had issued and we have worked together brilliantly ever since.
What was the result of the support you received from the Chamber?
We’ve now got about 30 people into work. Dan supported me with screening and vetting customers, and kept participants warm when work on site was delayed.
Has it changed your perspective on the types of people you now employ?
It hasn’t because I would always be happy to use people that are out of work. I like to make a difference to people’s lives and therefore I usually prioritise the people who are out of work.
How important is it to offer job opportunities to people who may otherwise be at risk of long-term unemployment?
It’s very important – otherwise they can get into a routine of not working and this can have an effect on their morale.
More people in the East Midlands are now in jobs than at the tail end of last year – but the unemployment rate remains above the national average, according to the latest Government figures.
Between December 2020 and February 2021, the region’s unemployment rate was 5.1%, down from 5.6% in the three months to November 2020, the Office for National Statistics’ (ONS) labour market statistics show.
Only three regions had a higher unemployment rate during the most recent reported period, with the UK average at 4.9%.
But the Chamber’s chief executive Scott Knowles (pictured) pointed out that the figures are heading in the right direction.
He said: “While the East Midlands has clearly been disproportionately affected during the pandemic in terms of unemployment – largely due to the fact our economy is well represented by many of the industries that have been shut down, including hospitality, tourism and retail – these latest labour market statistics should give us confidence about what the future holds.
“The falling unemployment rate may be a result of the successful vaccine rollout programme giving businesses the assurance they need to begin employing people again.
“Our latest Quarterly Economic Survey for Q1 2021, which received a record 539 responses from East Midlands businesses between 15 February and 8 March, showed that while a net 2% of firms decreased headcount over the previous three months, a net 26% expected to increase their workforce over the next three months.
“With the Government presenting its roadmap out of lockdown in late February and the vaccine rollout continuing strongly, we can expect to see recruitment intentions speed up over the coming months – with the unemployment rate falling further as a result.”
In March, the Office for Budget Responsibility revised downwards its forecast for peak UK unemployment later this year from 7.5% to 6.5%.
But with the projection still 1.6% above the current national unemployment rate, Scott warned further action – such as a temporary cut in employer national insurance contributions – will be needed to support the labour marked once the Job Retention Scheme is wound down.
Chamber in tribute to Duke
Chamber chief executive Scott Knowles has paid tribute to the Duke of Edinburgh after his death on 9 April, aged 99.
He said: “Prince Philip was a fantastic public servant and will be remembered fondly for his great commitment and devotion to our country, while the business community will recognise him as a strong advocate for UK enterprise.
“We offer our deepest sympathies to Her Majesty the Queen and all members of the Royal Family at this time.”
Full occupancy for Chamber workspaces
Spring marked an important milestone for the Chamber’s managed workspaces portfolio as full occupancy was achieved in its 55 units across three sites.
There are now zero vacancies at Brian Clough Business Centre in Derby, Leicester Food Park and Friars Mill in Leicester – which have remained open and Covid-secure throughout the pandemic – despite the significant challenges affecting businesses and working habits since the first lockdown.
Brian Clough Business Centre, which has been managed by the Chamber since 2005 and incorporates the John Smith Enterprise Hub, has attracted a number of new tenants to its offices, workshops and light industrial spaces in recent months.
One of these was estate and letting agent Your Choice Property, a new business seeking a centrally-located, high-quality and cost-effective workspace.
Brian Clough Business Centre
Friars Mill
Director Ashley Hancock said: “The John Smith Enterprise Hub offers everything we need to effectively manage property, has client parking, and is a great place for connections, as well as offering flexible contracts.”
Centre manager Ed Sims said: “Covid-19 has had a significant impact upon every business, so being on site to provide practical help and support has been essential.”
Friars Mill, at the heart of Leicester’s Waterside regeneration area, is managed by the Chamber on behalf of Leicester City Council and offers 15 “follow-on” office spaces.
Workspace manager Tom Munro said: “Offices on site are larger than in other managed workspaces across the city, so provide opportunities for businesses to graduate to something bigger without losing the raft of benefits that serviced office space and city centre life brings. Business support remains a cornerstone of Chamber activity, so being able to advise and support tenant businesses while providing staff with welcoming and safe workspaces has been critical to achieving this milestone.”
Chris Tandy, business development director at Dynamic Personnel Ltd, which has recently moved to Friars Mill, added: “As a recruitment agency specialising in the industrial and warehousing sector, we wanted our East Midlands office to reflect historically the industrial heritage of Leicester and its workers.
“Friars Mill being Leicester’s oldest surviving factory, combining history with modern facilities and on-site business support fit the bill perfectly.”
Leicester Food Park, in Hamilton, is managed in partnership with The Food & Drink Forum, also on behalf of the city council.
The campus provides nine food-grade manufacturing spaces with office and break-out facilities, ranging in sizes to allow progression on site.
In addition to business support offered by the Chamber, tenant businesses benefit from technical advice and guidance from qualified staff on site.
Tourism bosses call for new ways of thinking
Tourism and leisure operators in the region are realistic about what success will look like in the immediate future – but collaboration and new ways of thinking will be crucial to their long-term prospects.
Businesses including Heights of Abraham, Vine Hotels and Leicester Tigers RFC discussed the sector’s challenges and opportunities as lockdown restrictions ease – but with capacity remaining limited – at the second Chamber president’s dinner of the year, hosted by Eileen Richards MBE.
Rupert Pugh, director at the Heights of Abraham cable car attraction in Matlock, said a positive summer was dependent on the Government’s roadmap to recovery being delivered in full and on time.
“If we’re allowed to go back to effectively the situation of last
Stephen Gould
autumn, which is similar to the next stage of the roadmap, we can have a reasonable year. If we can open things further in June, there’s the potential to have a very good year.
“But when will things get back to normal?That’sthebigquestion.I know the Government is pushing hard for this to be in June but there seems to be a lot of rhetoric that things are getting back to normal, although with all these provisos in place. If, as people predict, we’re only allowed 50% capacity in June, that’ll be very challenging unless you’re lucky enough to have a very big venue.”
Garin Davies, chief executive at Vine Hotels, whose Whirlow Brook Hall venue is on the north-eastern edge of the Peaks, has had the confidence to buy three new properties in the past year despite turnover being less than a fifth of usual levels in 2020/21.
Andrea Pinchen
Transformation of Nottingham Castle
Robin Hood will take centre stage at Nottingham Castle when it reopens next month after a £30m redevelopment.
The tourist attraction’s historic Ducal Palace and grounds will welcome members of the public from Monday 21 June.
It will feature a dedicated exhibition, an adventure playground and family-friendly activities linked to the famous outlaw.
Sara Blair-Manning, chief executive of Nottingham Castle Trust, said: “Nottingham Castle has been transformed into a world-class heritage site.”
The three-year redevelopment and conservation project followed a £30m investment from National Heritage Lottery Fund, Nottingham City Council, D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership and Arts Council England, plus fundraising by the trust.
It includes a new visitor centre comprising a coffee shop and gift shop, and a terrace café at the Ducal Palace that offers panoramic views of the city. Nottingham City Council portfolio holder for culture, Councillor Dave Trimble, said: “It will bring new opportunities for jobs and volunteering, enhance tourism and boost the local economy, as well as spearheading the wider regeneration of Nottingham City centre.”
Heights of Abraham
“Our view is the leisure sector will grow quite rapidly but corporate use of hotels and hospitality will remain low for some time,” he added.
For Scott Charlish, who oversees the East Midlands financial planning team at wealth management firm Brewin Dolphin, the sector’s shortterm success relies on creating an economic climate that encourages people to spend.
He said: “We need to stimulate the spending capacity of consumers, who might otherwise want to hold on to the savings they’ve built up. Let’s not miss the opportunity of having that money spent in our towns and cities too as businesses need it to provide employment.”
LONGER-TERM OPPORTUNITIES
may well be found by thinking outside the box and collaborating with traditional competitors, according to some business leaders.
The president’s dinner guest speaker Stephen Gould, managing director of family-owned Everards Brewery, has overseen an ambitious project to create a new brewery complex at Everards Meadows in Leicester that will house a 40,000 sq ft glass-fronted beer hall, shop and offices. It’s due to open by the end of this month and follows completed work at the park to create cycling tracks, while future plans include a hotel.
Stephen said the mixed-use approach highlighted how, “in leisure and tourism, there’s increasingly an opportunity to stretch customer occasions and think more broadly to insure against peaks and troughs in trading”.
Collaboration has been found at two of the region’s sports clubs during the pandemic. At Derbyshire County Cricket Club, not only have more than 80% of members either donated subscriptions to the club or allowed them to be deferred until the following season, but clubs have joined forces to create a closer “cricket community”, believes chairman Ian Morgan.
And at Leicester Tigers, Andrea Pinchen believed this was a key part of turning around the club’s on and off-field fortunes after being appointed as chief executive in May 2020.
She said: “The culture had eroded within the club so we had a lot of work to do to bring that transparency back. So employees weren’t just treated as employees, but as a unit, so we were all in this together.”
Robin Hood’s Hideout at Nottingham Castle
Chamber offices will adopt the WELL Health-Safety Rating with the help of Blueprint Interiors, headed up chairman by Rob Day (right)
Seal of safety for Chamber offices
The Chamber has signed up to a new building health and safety accreditation to ensure its offices have a recognised safety seal in time for the anticipated return of employees and visitors after lockdown.
The organisation’s offices in Chesterfield, Nottingham, Derby and Leicester will be assessed according to the WELL HealthSafety Rating. Established by the International WELL Building Institute (IWBI) public benefit corporation, it provides a thirdparty verified rating focusing on operational policies, maintenance protocols and design strategies to address a post-Covid environment.
Office fit-out specialist and workplace consultant Blueprint Interiors is working with organisations across the East Midlands to roll out the accreditation and the Chamber is the first to sign up.
East Midlands Chamber chief executive Scott Knowles said: “After such a considerable period of working from home, we wanted to ensure we could display a certificate that is an internationallyrecognised seal of approval that our workplaces are safe.
“When Blueprint Interiors approached us, we jumped at the chance to be the first organisation in the East Midlands to sign up to achieve the WELL Health-Safety Rating and we will be encouraging all Chamber members to consider the reassurances this seal of approval can provide.”
The WELL Health-Safety Rating was created with input from IWBI’s WELL Building Standard and more than 600 experts within its Covid-19 Task Force, in addition to guidance developed by groups including the World Health Organisation.
It helps building managers and organisations address the health, safety and wellbeing of their people via 22 strategies, including sanitising spaces, assessing air and water quality, and communicating health and safety efforts.
The accreditation is a visible indication of confidence and trust as the WELL Health-Safety Rating communicates to everyone entering a space that evidence-based measures have been adopted and verified by a third party.
Blueprint Interiors is a longstanding Chamber member and patron. In 2017, the company completed the fit-out of the Chamber's Chesterfield head office, which was designed to provide more agile workspaces. It has also revamped the organisation's Leicester and Derby offices. It was this early foresight and investment that enabled Chamber employees to adapt easily to work from home during the pandemic.
The company is now advising businesses in the region on how to achieve the WELL Health-Safety Rating.
Blueprint is also redeveloping its own office in Ashby-de-la-Zouch to illustrate the benefits of safe and agile working, in a project called WorkLife Central.
Founder and chairman Rob Day said: “As people begin to plan their return to work, a lot of businesses are rethinking their needs and discussing how to create compelling reasons for their most valued asset – their people – to return to work safely.
“Businesses that achieve the WELL Health-Safety Rating seal have to demonstrate that they have met the highest health and safety standards, and therefore employees and visitors will feel confident knowing the space they are entering is managed by an organisation that believes in putting health first.”
Partnership to boost recruitment
A new partnership between the Chamber and Business 2 Business (B2B), a Leicester-based employability company, will aim to boost recruitment across Leicestershire.
The organisations have signed a memorandum of understanding that involves a variety of schemes aimed at supporting employers to get more people into work during and after the pandemic.
These include a collaboration on the Kickstart scheme; skills development of the city and county’s current and future workforce; and joint bidding for future Department of Work & Pensions programmes that help people made redundant during the pandemic to find sustainable employment.
Chamber deputy chief executive Diane Beresford said: “We know many people have unfortunately found themselves out of work due to the economic impact of the pandemic, and it’s imperative we do all we can to support these people to find jobs as soon as possible.
“With more than 4,000 employers in our membership, we’re in a great position to engage with the organisations that can offer these opportunities.
“By linking up with B2B, which has an established reputation in giving individuals the support they need to take advantage of job openings, we’ll be able to streamline and accelerate recruitment processes –allowing businesses to expand their business while increasing Leicestershire’s productivity and prosperity.”
A long-standing Chamber member, B2B was set up 35 years ago to tackle unemployment and social exclusion. It recognised local people weren’t often able to benefit from jobs in the Leicester economy and has offered the additional support needed, such as upskilling and addressing barriers to employment.
Veejay Patel, managing director of B2B, said: “We get tremendous satisfaction from finding the right candidates for local employers, and watching their businesses grow and prosper.”
Expanding opportunities for children
An innovative programme aimed at raising aspirations among primary school pupils in seven of Derby’s most deprived wards engaged more than 12,500 children and teachers in its first 18 months, a new report shows.
Our Future Derby, which brought together a unique consortium of education providers and employers including the Chamber, delivered career-based learning at 32 schools between April 2019 and December 2020, with the goal of expanding opportunities, improving gender equality and enhancing social mobility.
In an evaluation and impact assessment report published last month, it was found that after taking part in activities as part of the £250,000 Government-funded project, 81% of children said they had learned about at least five new jobs. Meanwhile, 93% agreed that “people like me can do any job they want when they grow up”.
Pieter Eksteen, the Chamber’s education and business partnerships manager, said: “Research shows children’s aspirations are often shaped, moulded, and restricted by gender stereotyping, socio-economic background and the people they meet in their local area. We believe that collaboration between schools, families and businesses will help children to gain a better understanding of world of work and the opportunities that are out there.”
The Our Future Derby project began in summer 2019 to link children and schools in the seven wards – Abbey, Arboretum, Boulton, Chaddesden, Derwent, Normanton and Sinfin – to the world of work. Commissioned and funded by the Department for Education’s Opportunity Area Board, the programme works in partnership with 32 primary schools and is led by a partnership including dmh associates, East Midlands Chamber, Education and Employers, Forum Talent Potential and Learn by Design.
Dr Deirdre Hughes OBE, research programme director at dmh associates, conducted the evaluation for the Our Future Derby Report 2020, which found that 68% of children initially indicated the main influencers of their job ideas were from parents or other close family members.
She said: “Children can’t be what they can’t see – therefore, broadening horizons and raising aspirations from an early age is essential. Derby city primary schools and business links are leading the way in being highly innovative to inspire children to have brighter futures.”
As part of its aim to connect employers in the region with their future workforce, East Midlands Chamber launched the Chamber Schools programme in September 2019, with more than 130 secondary schools signed up for free membership.
For more information, visit https://www.emcdnl.co.uk/chamber-schools/
New waste disposal techniques are being explored by a Nottinghambased eco-focused foodservice equipment distributor as it seeks a platform to reach the next level – with the support of a Chamber-run growth programme.
FSG Tableware, which supplies public sector and commercial catering operations across the UK and Europe with innovative, eco-friendly foodservice products, is carrying out product development for a new modular bin system to be used in catering establishments and piloting a new digital system to help improve its recycling processes.
It has been aided by the D2N2 UpScaler project, which is delivered in partnership by the Chamber and Nottingham Business School, based at Nottingham Trent University (NTU) – which founder and managing director Lynn Johnson compared to “opening a Pandora’s box of growth support”.
She said: “The amount of support I’ve received has been overwhelming and has really helped me to focus my efforts on the future of the business and what I need to do to get there.
“Thanks to the programme, I feel that we have grown as a business, but I have also grown as a person too.”
FSG Tableware, which employs six people based at Southglade Business Park, is the exclusive UK importer for some of the world’s leading food display and tableware manufacturers.
Products – which are distributed via a network of catering equipment distributor – include healthcare-adapted dinnerware to improve nutrition and hydration, eye-catching buffet displays and reusable alternatives to single-use food and drink containers.
While it had experienced solid organic growth since it was founded in 2009, Lynn was keen to take it to the next level but, playing a hands-on role as the head of a small team, was limited by time.
She was introduced to UpScaler through NTU’s Leading to Grow programme, which funded an initial business diagnostic and “helicopter” business plan, as well as identifying the biggest opportunities for growth.
Lynn attended UpScaler workshops and benefited from one-to-one coaching. The programme connected her with Chamber patron RDS Global, which is developing a new digital solution for FSG Tableware, and signposted her to funding opportunities for help with new product development. Lynn plans to recruit new sales staff this year to service the projected growth and hopes to bring manufacturing of some products to the UK.
The D2N2 UpScaler project has supported 250 SMEs – with a combined workforce of 3,550 people and £435m turnover – across Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire since November 2018 and comes to an end in June. This consists of 2,733 hours of support and £175,000 worth of grants committed.
FSG Tableware managing director Lynn Johnson
For more information visit d2n2lep.org/project/upscaler
Support for local food and drink businesses
Food and drink producers in Leicestershire have navigated a steep learning curve with support from the Business Gateway Growth Hub.
As businesses turned to online, takeaway and delivery services, they have been forced to get to grips with digital technology, social media and additional safety requirements.
To support producers and manufacturers, the Growth Hub and its delivery partner The Food and Drink Forum has created a free webinar programme that runs until December this year.
Topics include selling online, finance, diversification, supply chain management, labelling and packing, business continuity and resilience, and workforce management.
Growth Hub manager Jon Egley said: “I am amazed by the innovation and speed with which local food and drink businesses have adapted during this pandemic. This funded programme is about working with them to fill any gaps in their knowledge.”
Rajal Rajpra, business manager at Gokul Foods, received support from Growth Hub advisor Joanna Moore to develop her vegetarian catering business specialising in Indian sweets and snacks.
Upcoming food and drink webinars include: 12 May – The art of cashflow forecasting; 19 May –Building a resilient workforce to plan for new ways of working; 26 May – Getting started with food photography and styling; 2 June –Planning product diversification for new markets; 9 June – Flexible workforce development plans.
Gokul Foods business manager Rajal Rajpra
For more information about free support for Leicestershire-based food and drink producers and the webinar programme, visit bit.ly/3dHICxv, email growthhub@bizgateway.org.uk or call 0116 366 8487.
Generation Next, the new Chamber network for young professionals, has launched a board of “champions” to help shape its offer.
The group of 11 individuals will take an active role in the development of the network’s activity and profile.
Generation Next supports professionals and the next generation of business leaders aged between 18 and 35, based in Derbyshire, Leicestershire and Nottinghamshire.
It features a series of networking events and educational workshops led by a range of East Midlandsbased companies and specialist advisers, with the goal of developing its members’ professional networks and skills.
The Chamber’s director of resources and Generation Next lead Lucy Robinson said: “We are thrilled to be launching the Generation Next board ‘champions’.
“It features 11 truly fantastic young professionals, representing a range of sectors and backgrounds, and we look forward to working closely with them all.
“Generation Next is passionate about developing and retaining young talent in the East Midlands so it is crucial for our activities to be as relevant as possible for our target audience – and what better a way to achieve this than involving those people in our strategy planning.”
The champions will meet with the Generation Next team quarterly to inform the network’s future direction. The group will also be involved in the judging process of the Generation Next Awards, which will be held virtually on 16 July.
Emma Baumback, an independent financial planner at Future Life Wealth Management, has been elected as chair of the board.
She said: “Working in the financial services industry and being a young woman in business, I am in a fortunate position to help to deliver the Generation Next mission and I’m thrilled to be joining the board.
“From experience, I know that confidence can play a huge part in shaping what people in our younger generation decide they want to do in life and how to progress their careers and ambitions. Generation Next’s vibrant community is the perfect vehicle to help develop our skills and get the support from our amazing role models out there.
“Having the opportunity to work with like-minded young professionals to deliver this mission is a humbling and inspiring opportunity and I will put my all into making a real change for the next generation of business leaders in our region.”
Generation Next headline partner the University of Derby will also put forward two members of its student base to sit on the board. Shortlisting is currently underway and the successful applicants will be confirmed in the coming months.
To become a member of the network, visit generationnextemc.co.uk/ become-a-member or email the team at gennext@emc-dnl.co.uk. You can also keep up with the network via LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook.
Meet the Generation Next champions
2 1. EMMA BAUMBACK (CHAIR)
Emma is an independent financial planner at Future Life Wealth Management. She has recently been listed in the Top 35 Next Generation Advisers in the prestigious list compiled by New Model Adviser and was also shortlisted for Rising Star of the Year in the 2020 Women in Investment Awards.
2. BETH BEARDER
Beth is a senior associate solicitor at Keebles specialising in employment law. Beth advises on a range of employment law matters including claims for unfair dismissal, harassment, breach of contract and misconduct investigations – with expertise advising on disability discrimination and the exit of senior executives.
3. BYRON BURGHART
Byron is an investment manager at Brewin Dolphin and works with people from a variety of backgrounds to help them make the most of their finances. He has recently completed an MBA at Cranfield University.
4. CHATHURA SUDHARSHAN
Chathura is the founder of digital fashion technology business Chanodil. He has both a fashion design and product development bachelor’s degree at the University of Moratuwa in Sri Lanka, and a master’s degree in entrepreneurship and business operations at Nottingham Trent University.
Daniel is the marketing manager at professional and digital signage company Hardy Signs. Last year, he was awarded Generation Next Young Professional of the Year at the Derbyshire Business Awards.
6. HOPE THORLEY
Hope is a senior resourcing advisor at multi-disciplinary construction and property consultancy Pick Everard – and is responsible for sourcing and attracting talent for the firm. Prior to working within recruitment, Hope worked within the hospitality sector both in the UK and overseas.
7. KATIE GILBERT
Katie is the head of product development at food gifting company, TTK Confectionery. Accolades to her name include the Rising Star Award at the Nottingham Post’s Women in Business Awards and the Chamber's Enterprising Women Awards Team of the Year 2020.
8. KATRINA STARKIE
Katrina is the space and community manager at the new Dryden Enterprise Centre at Nottingham Trent University. The centre is a new home for entrepreneurs, startups and SMEs at the university. Katrina is also on the board for the D2N2 Growth Hub and is a longterm supporter of the Chamber’s Enterprising Women network.
9. LEE TOMES
Lee is an award-winning filmmaker and managing director of video storytelling company Orange Fox Studios. Lee has had various projects screened at national film festivals as both a director and cinematographer. His most recent triumph came at the 2018 Birmingham International Film Festival when his collaborative short film Martin Sharpe is Sorry scooped Best Micro Short. He is also the winner of Generation Next Young Professional of the Year category at the Chamber’s Leicestershire Business Awards.
10. RUBINA LOKAT
Rubina Lokat is an accomplished management accountant with a specific eye for design combined with a drive for results. She is the managing director of PrintPrint, a Leicester-based design and print house.
11. SCARLETT TINSLEY
Scarlett is the brand and marketing executive at Leicester-based recruitment consultancy ER Recruitment. Scarlett initially joined the business as an intern while studying at De Montfort University and has since worked on some incredible campaigns and projects.
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The success of our virtual events
Once again, the Enterprising Women group is entering the brighter months with a spring in our step.
There have been a variety of incredibly successful events, each of which have been well attended with some outstanding guest speakers involved.
Attendees of the most recent Enterprising Women event featuring guest speaker Natalie Fahy (pictured), editor of Nottinghamshire Live and Derbyshire Live, described the event as “honest”, “inspiring” and “immensely eye-opening to the journalism industry”.
We now have our sights set on upcoming events over the summer, including an event on 22 May to announce the Enterprising Women Awards finalists, featuring with Chamber vicepresident and Futures Housing Group chief executive Lindsey Williams as guest speaker.
Despite events having to have been run virtually over the past year, we have been delighted with the engagement and attendance from our members.
The interaction, collaboration and connectivity has remained consistent for group members and as a network we have supported each other.
Members are always welcome to join our network, and we look forward to seeing both familiar and new faces at our next event.
Eileen Richards MBE and Jean Mountain, co-chairs of Enterprising Women
Each year, the Chamber president chooses three charities across our three counties to support with a series of fundraising activities. In 2021, these organisations are Chesterfield Samaritans, Help the Homeless Leicester and Nottinghamshire Hospice. In this issue, Business Network speaks to the founder of Help the Homeless Leicester.
Who are you and what’s your role within the charity?
My name is Arif Voraji and I founded the charity. I’m also in charge of highlighting our work to the public, businesses and anyone in general who may be in treated in working with us or supporting us. I am the “hob knobber” and thrive in networking, although this is very restricted at present.
What is the background to your charity?
I started the movement from the boot of my car in 2014 with 14 pairs of jeans, before fully registering in March 2018. I took inspiration from a Facebook video of a friend in Bolton helping someone with clothing and replicated that in Leicester.
Who do you support?
We support homeless people from all walks of life – street homeless, people being evicted and prisoners being released to no fixed address – to find accommodation by working with Leicester City Council.
The majority of our referrals come via professional services or organisations, and we also help anyone struggling with white or material goods, as well as delivering food parcels to people’s doorsteps every Wednesday.
How has Covid-19 affected the work of the charity?
We have become busier with provisions, such as food parcel deliveries, but the housing advocacy work slowed down as the majority of homeless people are still in accommodation supported by the council.
How important a role do businesses have to play in supporting your charity?
Their role is very important. We appreciate all monetary donations of any size as I firmly believe it all adds up, but when businesses join our 2020 Club, which costs £460 per year, it’s a great cash injection.
What does the future hold for your charity?
We’ll continue to grow internally, with more staff, and we’re currently looking at moving into a bigger headquarters to help this growth.
For more information on how businesses can support Help the Homeless Leicester, contact av@hthleicester.co.uk
The Chamber is supporting Help the Homeless Leicester by encouraging businesses to take part in the charity’s Sox & Box campaign.
Organisations and individuals can donate new socks and boxer shorts, which will then be handed out to service users.
Help the Homeless Leicester will make collections from business premises in Derbyshire on Tuesday 25 May, Nottinghamshire on Wednesday 26 May and Leicestershire on Thursday 27 May. To book a collection from your premises, email Help@HTHLeicester.co.uk.
Alternatively, send items directly to Help the Homeless Leicester Sox & Box Campaign, 9 Abbey Street, Leicester, LE1 3TE.
Face mask sales support charities
A healthcare equipment manufacturer has pledged to donate a proportion of proceeds from every face mask it sells to the three charities being supported by the Chamber.
International Biomedical Limited, based in Nottingham, makes CEapproved masks, including the medical-grade Type IIR coverings.
It has set a fundraising target of £5,000 by donating 50p towards the Chamber’s charity pot – to be split between Chesterfield Samaritans, Help the Homeless Leicester and Nottinghamshire Hospice – from every £7.50 box of 50.
Chamber members can also benefit from an exclusive discount of 50p per box.
The company’s director Steven von Kohorn said: “We are delighted to offer a double benefit to Chamber members and the Chamber-supported charities, which really will make a difference in these troubled times.
“Type IIR medical masks are still the most essential barrier between us and rising infection rates. These specific masks are the ones chosen by the NHS to protect frontline workers.”
Steven von Kohorn
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Great leadership starts with even greater coaching
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Coaching & learning facilitation consultant
A Senior experienced female leader with 35 years of corporate HR; experienced in learning, development, facilitation & coaching.
