Biz Network May 2025

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BUSINESS

network Keep up to date on latest developments at

www.emc-dnl.co.uk/news

MAY 2025

@EMChamberNews

WE’RE ALL PART OF THE REGION’S CULTURE CLUB INCLUSION AND DIVERSITY ARE KEY TO BUSINESS SUCCESS

INTERVIEW POLITICS SPORTY STUDENT BECOMES BUDDING ENTREPRENEUR

REGENERATION AGENCY PURCHASES BROAD MARSH SITE

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THE FIRST WORD

CONTENTS MAY 2025 MEMBER NEWS 4

Energy Secretary visits Vaillant factory

APPOINTMENTS 22 New chair for Destination Chesterfield

THE BIG INTERVIEW

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his month’s Big Interview – about a new, wireless earbud that is waterproof and shatterproof, with a built-in memory chip – is more than just a story of innovation and invention.

It’s a story of Great British entrepreneurship and of the hurdles pretty much every start-up faces as it struggles to become established.

Tom Jelliffe has dedicated years of his life to developing his Tzuka headphones and is now just few short steps from going into full production.

The technology seems sound, and market solid, so it’s going to be fascinating following his story – and success – over the coming months and years.

Tom features because this month we have a technology theme – and the East Midlands punches well above its weight when it comes to the application of ingenuity and knowledge.

Elsewhere in the magazine we report on the camera lens maker that played a big part in the phenomenal success of the Netflix drama Adolescence and hear from one of the co-founders of Zeeko, which makes super-high-precision polishing machines which have helped NASA put satellites in space.

We also hear from a tech company that has been operating four-legged robotic dogs in the hazardous environments inside Sellafield and from our universities about the ground-breaking technical research they are doing. And, inevitably, there is also a mention or two of AI. There are also updates on our Enterprising Women and Generation Next Awards, and news of new strategic partnerships.

And, if you hadn't had enough of it already, there’s also a bit about Trump’s tariffs – even if the leader of the free world will probably have changed his mind again, half a dozen times, by the time we roll off the presses.

Tom Pegden, Editor, Business Network

25 Tom Jelliffe, founder of technological start-up business Tzuka

STRATEGIC PARTNERS AND PATRONS 30 Awards recognise region’s top entrepreneurs

CHAMBER NEWS 32 A round-up of the Chamber’s 2025 Celebration of Culture and Communities

CHAMBER NETWORKS 40 Finalists unveiled for this year’s Generation Next Awards

TRAINING & EVENTS 42 AI in the spotlight at Chamber conference

SUSTAINABLE EAST MIDLANDS 48 Why sustainability must be treated as a business opportunity

INTERNATIONAL TRADE 50 Chamber offers support to exporters hit

by Trump tariffs

POLITICS 52 Homes England buys key Broad Marsh site

FEATURES 54 HOTELS, CONFERENCES & EVENTS Business Network’s guide to planning a corporate event 58 FOCUS An overview of how technology continues to shape the world around us, with input from top local experts 64 GROWING YOUR BUSINESS It’s time to make most of podcasting

Editor Tom Pegden T: 07816 347 451 E: tom.pegden@emc-dnl.co.uk Contributor Tim Smith All Submissions E: magazine@emc-dnl.co.uk Chamber Membership E: membership@emc-dnl.co.uk Follow the Chamber W: www.emc-dnl.co.uk Twitter: @EMChamberNews

Publishers Kemps Publishing Ltd 8, The Courtyard, 707 Warwick Road, Solihull, B91 3DA T: 0121 765 4144 w: www.kempspublishing.co.uk

COVER PHOTO The Chamber’s 2025 Celebration of Culture and Communities event

Managing Editor Laura Blake T: 0121 765 4144 E: laura.blake@kempspublishing.co.uk Designer Lloyd Hollingworth Advertising T: 0121 765 4144 E: jon.jones@kempspublishing.co.uk Printers Stephens & George Print Group W: www.stephensandgeorge.co.uk

68 How to boost your online sales

DIGITAL & TECHNOLOGY 70 Baasit Siddiqui backs IT firm’s ‘ed tech’ conference to keep teachers in the loop

BUSINESS SUPPORT 72 LEGAL Unsung hero award for Geldards paralegal 74 FINANCE PKF helps with fast-food chain acquisition 76 SKILLS Degree tackles shortage of maths teachers

PRIVACY NOTICE Kemps Publishing Ltd process personal information for certain legitimate interest purposes, which includes the following: •

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Whenever we process data for these purposes, we always ensure we treat your Personal Data rights in high regard. If you wish to, you can visit www.kempspublishing.co.uk to view our full Privacy Notice and to learn more about our legitimate interests and your rights in this regard.

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 any responsibility for any omission or inaccuracies that might arise. Views expressed in the magazine are not necessarily those of the Chamber. This publication (or any part thereof) must not be reproduced, transmitted or stored in print or electronic format without prior written permission of Kemps Publishing Ltd.

78 PROPERTY Huge unit let at Stud Brook Business Park 80 MOTORING Nick Jones tests a new Suzuki hybrid

THE LAST WORD 82 Chamber president Dawn Whitemore explains why East Midlands businesses must make the most of new technologies May 2025 business network

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MEMBER NEWS THE LATEST NEWS FROM OUR CHAMBER MEMBERS

Ed Miliband Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, visits Vaillant in Derby

E Leicester City players celebrate the team’s promotion back to the Premier League at the end of the 2023-24 season

Relegation has major impact on club’s finances N ew Leicester City accounts for the year to 30 June 2024 show the impact relegation to the Championship had on the club’s finances.

After nine consecutive seasons of Premier League football, the first year outside of the top flight in a decade had a marked impact on revenues – although a “profitable period of player trading, positive commercial performance and appropriate management of costs” enabled the club to make the investments.

‘We still have work to do to return to the consistent heights of the last 15 years’ The club - just relegated from the Premier league - made a pre-tax loss of £19.4m for the 12 months, compared with a loss of £89.5m a year before.

Turnover for the year fell to £105.3m (compared to £177.3m in 2023), and while broadcast rights revenue (£54.2m) and sponsorship revenue (£21.5m) were down, gate receipts held firm at £18.4m in both 4

business network May 2025

The club’s King Power Stadium

2024 and 2023 and other commercial revenues increased by £300,000 to £9.8m.

The financial results also reflected ongoing investment in LCFC Women, who secured a fourth successive season of Barclays Women’s Super League football, while maintaining their record of having improved their points total every year since promotion in 2021. Chairman Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha’s overall investment in the club since 2010 is more than £420m, following a latest conversion of debt into equity in January 2025.

Leicester City chief executive Susan Whelan said: “Operating outside of the Premier League during the 2023/24 season required some obvious adjustments compared with previous years.

“However, we achieved success on the pitch and attained promotion and the Championship title at the end of the season.

“As a club, we still have work to do to return to the consistent heights of the last 15 years and the ability to successfully adapt to different challenges is a strength we will rely on as we build for future seasons.”

nergy Secretary Ed Miliband visited Vaillant’s new, £40m manufacturing plant in Derby, producing its high recovery, hot water cylinders.

The cylinders are a key component of effective and efficient heat pump installations, with the investment demonstrating the company’s commitment to low carbon home heating systems and job creation.

The new facility – close to Vaillant’s Belper headquarters, where it manufacturers its heat pumps and boilers – will produce its latest, future-proof uniSTOR high recovery slimline cylinder models.

‘The clean energy transition is the economic opportunity of the 21st century’ The purpose-built facility could see around 200 jobs created for the area in the coming years as the heat pump market grows. Some current employees have already moved from the Belper plant, and new roles have been created for those wanting to upskill and join the industry.

Vaillant said heat pump demand is surging with applications the government’s £7,500 Boiler Upgrade Scheme up 79% year-onyear in January.

The government has almost doubled the budget for the scheme to £295m for the next financial year as part of the Warm Homes Plan, which will help up to 300,000 families find ways to save money on energy bills and deliver cleaner heat to warmer, comfortable homes.

The energy secretary said: “The

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MEMBER NEWS

Miliband backs cleaner energy on Vaillant visit clean energy transition is the economic opportunity of the 21st century. This government intends to seize the chance for Britain to lead.

“What this new Vaillant plant shows is the different economic opportunities we can get from becoming a clean energy superpower.

“By building heat pumps in Britain and continuing their roll out, we can not only ensure people have warmer, lower carbon homes but support jobs like these in Derby.”

Henrik Hansen, managing director of Vaillant Group, UK and Ireland, said: “This investment in a purpose-built cylinder plant marks an exciting move for Vaillant as we continue to lead the transition to decarbonised homes.

“The move to heat pumps in the UK requires commitment from manufacturers to invest in the UK infrastructure, build consumer confidence in the technology and generate additional jobs in the sector.

“By investing in the production of advanced, energy-efficient hot

Ed Miliband chats to Vaillant staff

water cylinders, we’re providing the UK market with a full heat pump system solution to support the overall development of the UK supply chain, ensuring products are designed and manufactured to meet the needs of the country’s housing stock.

“With a heritage in the Derbyshire region which dates back to 1934, we are proud to be part of a region which has a wealth of manufacturing innovation and expertise across a wide range of industries. This new investment, which includes grant support from Derby City Council, continues to secure Derbyshire’s place as an engineering hub.”

In other news, Vaillant Live has been unveiled as the new name for Derby’s new flagship Becketwell venue.

The 3,500 capacity destination for concerts, family events, sports and conferencing is owned by Derby City Council and operated by Legends and ASM Global.

A five-year sponsorship of the Derby venue will support Vaillant in its mission to support the local community.

Growing components firm is really taking off ITP Aero, global leader in the design, development, manufacture and servicing of aero components for both commercial and defence aviation, has reported record revenues of €1.61bn for 2024 (about £1.38bn), a 24% increase on 2023.

The company, which has its UK base in Hucknall, Nottinghamshire, also posted EBITDA of €295m, up 43%, and said invested €102m in R&D last year, compared to €66m in 2023.

During the year the business also expanded its global by more than 730 new employees, to 5,689.

It said this performance was driven by continued demand for its products combined with growth in maintenance, repair and operations and in defence. It said commercial aviation – which makes up more than 75% of ITP Aero’s business – grew 10.4% last year and that trend is expected to continue into 2025.

ITP Aero Group chief executive Eva Azoulay said: “2024 was an incredible year for our company, marked by exceptional performance and continued momentum.

“Our strong market position, in commercial aviation, defence and MRO combined with our relentless commitment to excellence and the passion and dedication of our incredible team have been the driving forces behind our success.

“Further, our investments in R&D and expanding our workforce highlight our long-term commitment to innovation and delivering sustainable growth.”

She said that, among other things, ITP Aero had continued growing its work with Pratt & Whitney and had strengthened its collaboration with Rolls-Royce, which it delivers a range of components and modules for, increasing deliveries by 15%.

Cell research could have health benefits Scientists have revealed how tiny swimming cells, such as sperm and bacteria, are able to move faster when travelling as a group – research that could accelerate the development of microscopic robots that deliver drugs to specific regions of the body.

The work, conducted by researchers from Loughborough University and the Indian Institute of Science, shows that when 'microswimmers’ move together through enclosed environments, they change the properties of the fluid around them, reducing resistance and increasing their speed.

The findings could be key to designing tiny, controllable, swimming robots that could be used for medical applications, such as IVF, parasite treatment and targeted medical drug delivery.

Dr Marco Mazza, the study’s senior author, said: “Imagine if we could create artificial

microswimmers that can be injected into the bloodstream and controlled from the outside.

“We could navigate them to specific areas of the body, for example, cancer cells, and have them deliver drugs only to these areas.

“To do this, we first need to understand how naturally occurring microswimmers navigate different fluid environments and our study has made significant progress in this area.”

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MEMBER NEWS

Derby will seek inward investment at showcase event

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eam Derby is set to fly the flag for the city at the UK Real Estate Investment and Infrastructure Forum (UKREiiF), which takes place in Leeds from 20-22 May. More than 10,000 people are expected at the property showcase.

Marketing Derby’s inward investment team, accompanied by leaders from Derby City Council and city businesses, will highlight city investment opportunities, building upon work down at the global MIPIM property conference in Cannes in March.

‘It’s really important to keep putting Derby on the investment radar’ Meanwhile, East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA) will launch a new vision for the future of the region’s economy in its first East Midlands Pavilion at the event.

Councillor Nadine Peatfield, leader of Derby City Council and deputy mayor of EMCCA, said: “It’s really important to keep putting Derby on the investment radar.

“This year, we are doing so on the back of considerable investment momentum with many transformational projects coming to fruition in Derby city centre this summer and significant public and private sector investment in key sectors such as rail, nuclear and low carbon.

William Roache OBE and Claire Sweeney

Booking agency and client are streets ahead John Forkin of Marketing Derby

“We are looking forward to doing so in partnership with colleagues at EMCCA and alongside other inward investment teams in the region to help demonstrate the breadth of opportunities and depth of local expertise.”

Team Derby’s activity will include panels, roundtable discussions and one-to-one meetings.

Marketing Derby is partnering with AtkinsRéalis – appointed as a fissile design partner in the expansion of the Rolls-Royce Raynesway site in Derby – to deliver its programme at UKREiiF. John Forkin, managing director at Marketing Derby, said: “We have created a programme of activity that showcases some of Derby’s sector-based USPs which will have a significant impact on the city’s, and wider region’s, economy and growth.”

Booking agency Champions Music and Entertainment has scooped an agency of the year award at The Entertainment Agents’ Association’s Agents Ball, which were held at the Athena in Leicester, with long-term client William Roache OBE collecting a lifetime recognition award.

The actor, best known as Ken Barlow in Coronation Street, has been a regular on TV since 1960 and has been represented by Leicestershire-based Champions for more than 20 years.

His lifetime award was presented by Coronation Street co-star Claire Sweeney and longtime friend and international recording star Tony Christie.

William Roache said: “It is an immense privilege to receive this award and I couldn’t be happier to have my hard work for the last 60years recognised in such a way.

“If you’d said to me back when Coronation Street began all those decades ago that I’d still have a prominent role on the show in 2025, I would never have believed you!

“It’s incredible to think of how many amazing actors I’ve worked alongside over the years, and I am eternally grateful to all of them for being incredible co-stars.

“I’d also like to thank John Hayes and the team at Champions, who have always been on hand to offer support with anything I’ve needed.

The agency is fantastic and I owe a lot to it.”

Champions chief executive John Hayes said: "We have looked after Bill for over 25 years, and he is one of the nicest and best celebrities that we have had the pleasure of representing.”

Firms team up to boost education facilities

John Hithersay from L.E.A.D. IT (left) with Peter Ellse, CEO of Cosy Direct

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A Derby education IT company has partnered with a multi-millionpound sustainable playground furniture and equipment business.

L.E.A.D. IT services, which provides tech support to almost 250 schools and trusts across the UK, has signed up Cosy Direct after expanding its remit to work with businesses.

Cosy Direct, based on the Derbyshire and Staffordshire borders, supplies sustainable nursery and educational equipment and furniture across the world.

L.E.A.D. IT’s technicians are providing the company with additional helpdesk, networking

and cyber security capabilities, supporting its expansion plans and activity in new markets.

Peter Ellse, founder and chief executive of Cosy Direct, said: “L.E.A.D. IT has really helped us expand our capabilities with their specialist experience. They are such nice people and share the passion for supporting children’s education that we all have at Cosy.”

L.E.A.D. IT founder and director Lee Jepson, said: “It’s brilliant to work with Peter and the team at Cosy Direct. Both our businesses are keen to do all we can to help children have the best access to educational facilities.”

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MEMBER NEWS

Forest score a winner with stadium tour

Teaming up to offer more inclusive sport The University of Nottingham is strengthening its para and inclusive sport offerings through a partnership with Midland's construction firm GF Tomlinson.

This new partnership will support a range of initiatives including increased para-athlete recruitment; growth of the BUCS Championshipwinning wheelchair basketball team; increased student access for disability sport and fitness membership; and wider support to help the university sports clubs grow their inclusive sport offer.

GF Tomlinson has a long history working with the university, designing and building key facilities across its campuses, and students will further benefit from the partnership with industry placements and degree

apprenticeship pathways being created with the business.

Andy Sewards, Chairman, GF Tomlinson said: “We are thrilled to be working with the university to further develop our expertise in inclusive design and build.

“The synergy we share is incredible, and we are proud to help develop a more inclusive campus environment alongside supporting the university community to thrive.

“I have been incredibly inspired by the athletes I have met and the ambition of the university. I am so excited to see where this journey takes us all and we can’t wait to see Nottingham’s para-athletes competing on the world stage and more people than ever involved in the university’s sport programmes.”

Nottingham Forest’s museum and stadium tour experience has been awarded gold standard accreditation by The AA’s Visit England assessment scheme.

The club – riding high in the Premier League – got a 92% overall score, and two nominations for the prestigious gold and hidden gem awards. The winners of those accolades will be revealed in the autumn.

Since opening its doors in April 2024, the Forest Museum has had almost 11,000 visitors, and is already being added to with Viv Anderson’s 1980 European Cup winner’s medal and other significant relics from the club’s history.

The club has also relaunched its City Ground tour experience while legends tours will provide a dive into the club’s past followed by a Q&A with a former Forest favourite.

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MEMBER NEWS

Museum goes on a tram raid!

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istoric Merseyside trams have officially joined the collection at Crich Tramway Village, home of The National Tramway Museum in Derbyshire.

Over several days the trams – from Liverpool Corporation Tramways, Birkenhead Corporation Tramways and Wallasey Corporation Tramways – were carefully transported more than 90 miles from their base at Wirral Transport Museum to their new home in Crich.

The trams have been transferred from the Merseyside Tramway Preservation Society (MTPS), which was set up in 1960 by Liverpool University students who wanted to save one of the city's famous ‘Green Goddess’ trams, which

Healthcare firm backs kids’ charity Staff at a Derby company have chosen to raise funds for the county’s specialist child exploitation charity Safe and Sound.

Pennine Healthcare is an employee-owned medical device manufacturer – marketing and distributing products in more than 50 countries worldwide and employing around 180 people at its London Road base.

Head of marketing and communications Dan Wilson said: “Our purpose as a business is to protect life, empower colleagues and enrich communities.

“Safe and Sound were nominated by various colleagues and, when we researched the charity, it was evident they share our purpose and values and were therefore the perfect fit for this year’s charity fundraising efforts.”

Meanwhile, Derby Rotary Club has presented Safe and Sound with a cheque for £3,500 raised during its annual Santa and Sleigh tour and sale of Christmas trees.

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was then operating in Glasgow. That tram – Liverpool 869 – later joined the collection at Crich.

National Tramway Museum chief executive Graham Bennett said: “We would like to express thanks to everyone involved in this incredible effort.

“The movement of three trams takes a huge amount of planning and hard work, and we’re happy to welcome them to a new home at Crich for future generations to enjoy.

“Our conservation workshop team will be assessing the trams in due course to determine the work needed to enable them to operate on our tracks in the future.”

Birkenhead 20 (top) and Wallasey 78 (above) trams arrive at Crich Tramway Village

Milestone for Nottingham venue Nottingham’s Motorpoint Arena is now 25 years old

The Nottingham City Council-owned National Ice Centre and Motorpoint Arena has celebrated its 25th anniversary.

To mark the milestone, the venue has unveiled a lineup of celebratory events and initiatives that will reflect its history and legacy.

Since opening on 1 April, 2000, the venue has become a cornerstone of the region’s cultural landscape, attracting millions of visitors to performances, sporting events and concerts.

Big name acts to have performed there include Lady Gaga, Elton John, Beyoncé, Coldplay and Justin Bieber, while it has hosted Premier League Darts, World Championship Boxing, UFC, WWE and the annual Elite Ice Hockey League play-off finals.

A recent study by business students at Nottingham Trent University suggested the National Ice Centre and Motorpoint Arena Nottingham had contributed more than £1bn to the city’s economy over the past 25 years – supporting businesses such as hotels, bars and restaurants, and creating hundreds of jobs.

Councillor Sam Lux, Nottingham City Council’s executive member for carbon reduction, leisure and culture, said: “Our initial £16m investment now generates over £40m per year for the local and regional economy; benefiting hotels, bars, restaurants, local transport and retail businesses. Let’s see what the next 25 years has to offer.”

A highlight of the anniversary celebrations is the People’s Picture Project, a photo mosaic created from thousands of fan photos, capturing the essence of the venue’s impact over the years.

And this summer, Motorpoint Arena Nottingham will host Torvill & Dean’s Last Dance – a farewell performance by the legendary ice dancing duo.

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MEMBER NEWS

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he owner of one of the handful of traditional armour workshops still operating in Britain is looking for premises to expand the business – where he won’t upset the neighbours.

Lancaster Armoury makes ceremonial kit for the military and reproduction pieces for battle reenactors, English Heritage sites, film and theatre productions and even jousting enthusiasts.

‘Most places aren’t substantial enough for the noise we make because they have thin breeze block walls’ Its armour recently made its way onto the runway at London Fashion Week, as part of a collection from fashion label Annie’s Ibiza which mixed historical craftsmanship with contemporary fashion. The armoury is currently in the process of putting a quote in to supply the British Army.

The Nottinghamshire workshop, which employs five armourers, has been making authentic medieval reproduction armour for almost 50 years. Current owner Matthew

Members of the Lancaster Armoury team with Matthew Finchen (second from right)

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Lancaster Armoury supported Annie’s Ibiza at London Fashion Week

Finchen took over in 2017.

Matt said he is looking for around 1,000 sq ft of premises, within the East Midlands, which are remote enough so that the banging and bashing that goes on doesn’t upset nearby businesses.

Matt said: “At the moment we’ve got premises in Mansfield Woodhouse which we would like to keep for assembly and polishing, but we’ve got staff who live around Ilkeston and Langley Mill and would like to have a location with a good commuting distance from us – between Junction 25 and 29 of the M1 – as part of our plans to grow and create new jobs.

(Credit: Annie’s Ibiza and Faceless London)

Armoury needs workshop that will shield noise from neighbours T

The Armoury creates reproduction kit for battle re-enactors

“We only need about 1,000 sq ft, but unfortunately the work we do alienates us a bit from most industrial units because the majority of landlords are looking for light industry and storage.

“Most places aren’t substantial enough for the noise we make because they have thin breeze block walls and neighbouring units – our power hammer is 100db for instance. Workshops which are suitable for this level of industry are mostly available as part of a larger square footage which is beyond our funds and business needs. Finding a remote farm unit or workshop within a much heavier

industrial site, that has some small space available, would be ideal."

Matt said the UK had always been a fairly small producer of armour, with the market traditionally dominated by Italy and, to a lesser extent, Germany.

He estimated there were around a 20 armour workshops still operating in the country. A basic suit of armour costs around £2,000 while more intricate pieces with gilding and engraving might sell for around £30,000.

He said: “The five armourers we have at the moment come from a mix of backgrounds – one from jewellery, one is a blacksmith and another comes from knife-making.”

He sources his steel plate, stainless steel sheets and aluminium sheets, as well as wrought iron components for toolmaking and sword pommels, and spheres for helmet-making from suppliers such as FH Brundle.

FH Brundle managing director Michael Brundle said: “Supporting Lancaster Armoury has been a fascinating departure from our typical commercial and industrial supply work and it’s incredibly rewarding to see our industrial materials transformed into fashion pieces and featured on the London Fashion Week runway – a testament to the versatility of our materials and Matt’s extraordinary skill.”

Anyone who might be able to help with premises can get in touch via the website: www.lancasterarmoury.co.uk/

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MEMBER NEWS

From Nottingham to Northampton, Parkway Volkswagen is on hand to offer you friendly and informative advice on all aspects of purchasing and financing your next company car or personal contract hire lease. We can offer support throughout the process, from sourcing one car to helping to manage multiple purchases and supplying larger fleets.

There has never been a better time to consider Volkswagen for your fleet with our fantastic range of models offering something for everyone from our iconic Golf to hybrid and fully electric ID Range - all available in the new enhanced Match specification!

I would love the chance to talk to you in more detail.

Please contact me on the details below or pop in for a chat and please check out my linkedin page at:

www.linkedin.com/in/jodie-shipley-b1b4b4108/ Jodie Shipley Fleet business development manager jodie.shipley@parkwayvolkswagen.co.uk Telephone: 07703 830192

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MEMBER NEWS

We’ve created an agency with genuine insight Business Network meets Grainne-Alexandra (pictured), marketing manager of Insight Consultancy in Leicester Tell us what your company does?

Insight Consultancy is a full-service digital design and marketing agency that helps small businesses grow. It was founded in 2009 by Inzar Haq after he experienced challenges with design agencies in his previous businesses. He found that it often felt as though the agencies prioritised creating work for their portfolios rather than truly understanding other businesses’ goals and objectives.

As someone without a background in design or development, Inzar faced a steep learning curve and, at times, had to make difficult decisions. However, through perseverance and a commitment to the key values of Insight Consultancy – transparency, honesty, reliability, and empathy – Inzar eventually built an in-house team that shared the same vision.

Insight grew exponentially and continues to thrive today, staying true to the principles that shaped it from day one. Insight now has 13 employed key members of staff and more than 10 freelancers that it

regularly works with. On top of this, Insight offers yearly internships with Leicester’s universities and always has at least one apprentice.

What services do you provide?

We tailor strategies across web design and development, website hosting and maintenance, paid advertising, social media, SEO and branding. We focus on serving SMEs, offering a personalised approach to ensure every client’s unique goals are met.

Insight Consultancy stands out for its personalised and transparent approach to digital marketing, combining creativity with datadriven strategies to deliver exceptional results. What sets us apart is our total transparency, focus on creativity, measurable results, and collaborative process that brings our client’s visions to life.

What is your position in the business?

I have been with the business for more than three years. No day at our agency is the same, and that's

what we, as a team, thrive off of.

My key day-to-day roles include client management and liaison, creating and deploying marketing strategies, building our public relations efforts, continuous quality management, and overseeing the marketing department and team.

What are the company’s plans for the future?

We want to foster growth while maintaining the essence of a small business. We aim to continue building strong connections with our SME clients, ensuring that they can relate to us as we do to them.

While growth is essential to provide cutting-edge, technologically advanced services, it is equally important to preserve the personal touch that defines a small business. We are committed

to avoiding excessive growth that might lead to an impersonal, automated approach akin to a factory-like operation.

Our focus will remain on staying true to our core values, always prioritising customer relationships.

How long has the business been a member of East Midlands Chamber, and how have you engaged with the membership benefits?

This is our second year as a Chamber member. We have been very active with our membership, from entering the awards to attending webinars. We also take advantage of the unlimited news we can share in the weekly newsletters, sharing exclusive member discounts and submitting editorials for the monthly magazine.

Investing in employees always pays off

By Elain Crewe (pictured) from Wellbeing4Life, who has been helping businesses invest in workplace wellbeing for a decade.

Change and uncertainty are the only certainties in today’s economic climate.

Businesses are grappling with rising costs, supply chain disruptions, workforce challenges, inflationary pressures, and continuing postpandemic impact. Many leaders are making tough decisions while asking employees to navigate yet another wave of change and remain productive.

Traditionally in tough times, businesses look to cut non-essential spending, and wellbeing initiatives often fall into that category. But is employee wellbeing really a ‘non-essential cost’?

The impact of neglecting it is welldocumented – absenteeism and presenteeism rise, productivity drops, and workplace conflicts increase. A workforce struggling with stress and ill-health is not well-equipped to help a business survive tough times.

Investing in employee wellbeing isn’t just a moral decision—it makes financial sense. A 2023

report by Business in the Community (BITC) and the McKinsey Health Institute found that enhancing employee wellbeing could contribute between £130bn and £370bn to the UK economy annually, equating to 6-17% of GDP. This translates to £4,000 to £12,000 per UK employee.

Managers are often under immense pressure to support both their teams and leadership demands. Providing them with the right tools through education and coaching enables them to manage stress and lead with confidence, having a positive ripple effect on their team’s wellbeing and performance.

Involve Employees in the Process Wellbeing is a shared responsibility between employer and employee. Don’t disempower them by assuming what they need – ask them.

During challenging times, prioritising employee wellbeing isn’t an expense – it’s an investment in resilience, productivity, and longterm business success.

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(Credit: Wanan Yossingkum)

MEMBER NEWS

AI’s digital footprint will impact emissions Tim Smith talks to Becky Valentine (pictured), co-owner of sustainability and building health consultancy Spenbeck, a Nottingham-based multi award-winning business that has helped companies optimise their sustainability journey to Net Zero and ESG for more than 40 years.

What holds businesses back?

There’s a mindset challenge where sustainability and Net Zero are seen as a cost. Initial investment can be

The team at Leicestershire design agency Creative62 give their thoughts on the best ways to “spring clean” your business.

Spring is traditionally a time for renewal. We clear out the clutter, refresh our surroundings, and embrace new beginnings.

But what about businesses? A corporate ‘spring clean’ is just as important – assessing operations, strategy, and market position to ensure continued relevance and growth. One of the most significant yet often overlooked aspects of this process is rebranding.

Globally, businesses tend to rebrand approximately every 10 years. However, in the UK, that cycle is closer to seven years. This is not just about design trends or logo fatigue – it’s a strategic necessity. Over time, industries evolve, customer expectations shift, and competitive landscapes change. Businesses that fail to adapt risk stagnation.

‘A rebrand provides the opportunity to realign with the market’

Can AI help companies achieve Net Zero?

For companies saying “AI is going to make us more productive and more efficient” – yes. But it’s also going to massively increase digital footprint. AI is power hungry. If you’re trying to reduce emissions, AI will limit that. If you search for something with AI, one estimate says you’ll be using about 30% more energy. When search engines like Google now automatically use AI you’re inadvertently increasing your carbon footprint.

What should businesses be doing?

Many companies are doing brilliantly, but most advice was focused on operational quick wins. What they need to deliver now is more significant actions and to do it at pace. We only have five years left of this decade and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change said the 2020s is the decade for action.

We don’t need to wait for carbon capture and other tech advances, we have the tech we need already. It’s now thinking more robustly, holistically – not just reducing operational or real estate footprints but considering governance, risk, necessary cultural change and capability improvements.

Being more sustainable is an additional demand on businesses already struggling with cost-of-living increases, but the need for urgency should be recognised. At Spenbeck we’re seeing training and development requests increasing as firms acknowledge the importance of embedding sustainability capabilities.

This isn’t a nice-to-have and in tough economic times, training budgets tend to go. Yet legislation makes sustainability and Net Zero an increasing requirement of tenders and customer expectations, so it's not something that can be dropped.

Refresh your brand with a corporate ‘spring clean’

significant, but it doesn’t need to be. Much of the work we do is supporting companies to decarbonise their governance, considering the impact of climate change on their risk register and business continuity.

Businesses should see it as an investment because they’ll benefit, strengthening their brand and the recruitment and retention of staff and customers. It’s not going to get cheaper, but increasingly and possibly prohibitively expensive. At that point competitors have stolen a march and you're languishing behind.

With home working, fewer people commuting and AI streamlining work processes, will that effectively offset AI emissions and solve the problem?

If working from home, your AI footprint has followed you. It doesn't matter where you're doing the work, it's still creating a footprint. AI-related demand for computing power is doubling every three to four months, so that's a lot of commuting that would need to not happen to balance things.

On the plus side, there are technological developments that make data centres more efficient.

There’s a move to quantum computing that’s more energy efficient than traditional computing. So, while AI’s data-hungry trajectory might not always be as bad, it’s unlikely there’ll be sufficient trade-offs to mitigate that as much as we might hope.

Think of it as a home that hasn’t been redecorated in a decade.

Styles move on, and what once felt fresh can start to feel outdated. The same applies to a business’s visual identity, messaging, and overall brand presence. A rebrand provides the opportunity to realign with the market, strengthen customer engagement, and sharpen competitive differentiation.

A refreshed brand can provide a strong competitive edge. If your competitors have evolved and modernised while you’ve remained static, your business may start to feel less relevant. Rebranding allows you to signal to customers, stakeholders, and even competitors that you are forward-thinking, innovative, and ready for the future.

In today’s fast-moving digital economy, where social media presence and online engagement are critical, an outdated brand can mean losing visibility and influence.

The businesses that proactively refresh their image and messaging tend to remain ahead of the curve.

Not every business needs a fullscale rebrand, but a regular brand review should be part of your company’s “spring cleaning” strategy.

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Students look the part at palace fashion show

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tudents and graduates from De Montfort University Leicester (DMU) took part in a prestigious fashion show in the King’s State Apartments at Kensington Palace.

Five current DMU fashion students worked backstage dressing professional models for the runway as part of a fashion show hosted by Historic Royal Palace’s.

Meanwhile, three graduates of DMU’s fashion communications course were on hand to capture the action on the catwalk, and chronicle the frenetic activity behind the scenes.

The show was a precursor to a major new exhibition at Kensington Palace, called The Dress Codes, which explores how the dress codes of the royal family and royal court relate to the dress codes we all follow in our own lives.

The Young Producers fashion show celebrated the work of young people who were inspired by the Royal Ceremonial Dress Collection to create music, film and fashion which was then, with expert help, turned into the clothes modelled at the show.

DMU’s students and graduates were involved thanks to the university’s close connection with fashion consultant Avis Charles, whose clients have included Vivienne Westwood and Victoria Beckham.

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Avis Charles was named an Honorary International Research Fellow and Decolonising Ambassador by DMU in 2021. She was also among the first cohort of DMU’s Black Women’s Academics Development Programme.

Isabelle Barton, a third-year fashion design student, said: “Being part of this event has been such a good opportunity, I feel like I’ve just learned so much about how behind the scenes works and how a cat walk runs, and we’ve just made such good connection in the industry as well."

The students were supported by their lecturers Della Swain, associate professor in fashion at DMU and Lucy Wilding, programme leader for the BA Hons Fashion Communication course.

Lucy said: “We do a lot of showcasing across the year at various places in and around Leicester and at the university, but the opportunity to do this with Avis Charles Associates and the Historical Royal Palaces Team has been something quite special.”

Della said: “To take part in such a prestigious event as this, with Historic Royal Palaces and Avis Charles Associates is pretty incredible.”

The Dress Codes exhibition runs at Kensington Palace until 30 November, 2025.

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MEMBER NEWS

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MEMBER NEWS

Mattioli Arena Leicester

NEW MEMBERS In March, 44 members joined East Midlands Chamber: • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

African Heritage Alliance Amber Valley Vineyards Barlow Carnival Committee Belvoir Rail Chesterfield FC Community Trust Community Enterprise Engine Cuttlefish David Fowler Deaf-initely Women Department for Work & Pensions EC Manufacturing Group Elite Turnkey Solutions Giving World including Personal Care Packs Hallam Read HEC Showman HLP Therapy Hollogram Ingeus UK Kathryn Wood - HR Consultant Kim Hazzard Kinetic ICT Solutions L.E.A.D SERVICES Linford Marketing Marbl. Media UK Market Link Property Neworks Consulting Nottingham Greyhound Stadium P H Flexible Packaging/ Packaging GB PA Your Way Pedestrian Personnel Solutions Midlands

Arena cues up top sports events Stone Soup Academy staff

• Sirius Transformation • South Leicestershire Electrical • Step Up Rehab Physiotherapy Clinic • Stone Soup Academy • Stormsaver • Stratstone Land Rover Nottingham • Tacladders IT Solutions • The Grand Hotel • The Growth Collaboration • These Hands Academy • Video Analysis Solutions • Washworks • Workstation Specialists

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attioli Arena Leicester has signed a deal with Matchroom Multi Sport to host the Sportsbet.io Champion of Champions snooker tournament for three years.

The arena – home of Leicester Riders basketball – has worked with Matchroom for the last five years to host more than 100 live days of international sport.

The news follows the launch of the 2025 BoyleSports World Grand Prix of Darts which will return to the arena in October 2025, following a sell-out tournament beamed to a global audience of millions in 2024.

Mattioli Leicester Arena has a full calendar of events for 2025, including: • Harlem Globetrotters UK Tour 2025 • Armageddon ’25 darts evening including Luke Littler, Fallon Sherrock and Phil Taylor

• PDC World Grand Prix of Darts • Multiple Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) tournaments • Multiple World Snooker Tour (WST) tournaments The 2025 Sportsbet.io Champion of Champions will feature a field of title-winning players including defending champion Mark Williams and Leicester’s own Mark Selby and is set to take place from November 10-16.

Mattioli Arena general manager Dave Clayton said: “We are delighted to welcome the Sportsbet.io Champion of Champions to the Mattioli Arena.

“Hosting an event of this calibre is a fantastic opportunity for Leicester and showcases our venue as a premier location for top-tier sporting action. We look forward to providing players and fans with an unforgettable experience over the next three years.”

Nicsa Global celebrates great place to work gong Derby IT support specialist Fortitude Nicsa Global has been ranked number one in the small business category of the Great Places to Work Award 2025.

The accolade recognises organisations that foster exceptional workplace cultures, placing emphasis on employee engagement, inclusivity, and professional development.

A spokesman said: “With employees at the heart of its business, Fortitude Nicsa Global has established itself as a leader in workplace excellence, demonstrating an unwavering commitment to diversity, mental well-being, and long-term career growth.

“This award reflects the company’s investment in its people, ensuring that every team member has the tools, support, and opportunities needed to thrive in a dynamic, fast-paced industry.”

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The Great Places To Work awards night

Key initiatives that contributed to the ranking included: flexible and hybrid working policies; diversity and inclusion programs; leadership and career development opportunities; mental health and well-being support: and a culture of “recognition and collaboration”.

Chief executive Katy Upton said: “Winning the Great Places to Work Award and ranking number one in the UK is a moment of immense pride for everyone at Fortitude Nicsa Global.”

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MEMBER NEWS

Agency makes key supplier list

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R agency 1284 Communications has been named as a supplier on the Crown Commercial Service’s Communications Marketplace.

The marketplace enables government and public sector organisations to access a wide range of specialist communications services from listed agencies without having to continually re-tender.

Marketplace suppliers must pass prearranged checks to be listed, including showing the impact of previous contracts, details of professional accreditations, and include public sector customer testimonials.

Once checks are complete, suppliers appear in the search results of potential customers, who are able to use a filtering system to search marketplace suppliers based on their own communications needs.

Amy Orton (pictured), account director at the Loughborough agency, said: “Being named as a CCS supplier means it’s now easier for government and public clients to access our extensive experience and expertise.

“We already work with several public sector partners, so we know how important it is that organisations can commission trusted outsourced support at pace.”

BBC reporter Clive Myrie at the Derby Book Festival

Chapter and verse at Derby Book Festival The 10th anniversary Derby Book Festival runs from 23 May to 1 June, with 60 events being held at venues across the city including QUAD, Derby College, Derby Theatre, Artcore and Derby Museums.

Highlights will include the Poet Laureate Simon Armitage; Horrible Histories author Terry Deary; Guardian journalist and author Lucy Mangan; and BBC News special correspondent and former Radio 4 Today presenter James Naughtie.

Professor Keith McLay, chair of Derby Book Festival and deputy vicechancellor at the University of Derby, said: “Derby Book Festival is a cherished part of our city and region’s cultural life, and 2025 marks a special milestone as the charity celebrates its 10th anniversary.

“Once again, there is a wide-ranging programme of events and inspired guests that appeal to all ages and interests.”

The festival is funded by Arts Council England and the University of Derby with sponsorship from several local businesses and individuals.

The Chamber has supported the festival as a sponsor for several years.

For more information and tickets, see the festival website: www.derbybookfestival.co.uk/whats-on

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MEMBER NEWS

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APPOINTMENTS

APPOINTMENTS THE LATEST CAREER UPDATES AS COLLEAGUES MOVE UP OR MOVE ON

ANDREW NAMED CHAIR OF DESTINATION CHESTERFIELD

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TYRON RUNFLAT ADDS LOGISTICS SPECIALIST Tyron Runflat has appointed experienced logistics and administration operative Beata Sleightholme (pictured).

The Loughboroughheadquartered business is investing in its team to support growing demand for its runflat products for armoured, off-road and VIP vehicles.

Beata has a decade of experience in the logistics industry, with a background in managing time-sensitive logistical operations.

She said: “I’ve hit the ground running and I feel excited to be part of such a supportive and driven business.”

director of the family group that manages Chatsworth House, the Bolton Abbey Estate in North Yorkshire, the Lismore Estate in County Waterford, and the Compton Estate in Sussex, has become the chair of Destination Chesterfield.

Andrew Byrne, group property development director of The

Devonshire Group, will work with the board and team of the partnership, helping its work raising the profile of the town as a thriving place to live, work, visit and invest in.

The post had previously been held for more than a decade by Peter Swallow, managing director of property development and investment company Bolsterstone.

Andrew Byrne, group property development director of The Devonshire Group and chair of Destination Chesterfield

Andrew said: “I’m looking forward to working with partners to highlight the new East Midlands Investment Zone, which will bring highly skilled jobs in green industries and advanced manufacturing to the Staveley area.

“We are also evolving into a town to experience – through the revitalisation of our high streets in Chesterfield and Staveley, an extension to Chesterfield Canal, and the ongoing development of the groundbreaking visitor attraction PEAK Gateway Resort.

“We continue to build quality housing for residents in Chesterfield, including increasing the number of homes around our town centre.

“My priority, and that of the Destination Chesterfield partnership, is to ensure this continued regeneration benefits residents and bolsters our communities, as we continue to promote Chesterfield as a prime location to live, work, visit and invest.”

BWB APPOINTS IAN TO HEAD UP GEOTECHNICS Geotechnical engineering specialist BWB has appointed Ian Gardner (pictured) as its new head of geotechnics.

Formerly at Hydrock, Ian has overseen numerous major projects in logistics, residential, energy, infrastructure and manufacturing, developing solutions that cut groundwork risks and expedite project timelines.

Highlights of his career include work on big logistics schemes including East Midlands Gateway, Coventry Gateway and Northampton Gateway, and he will strengthen BWB’s expertise and market position in strategic rail freight interchanges.

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L-R: John Tansur, Francesca Curry and Jake Wright at Blueprint Interiors

DESIGN FIRM FILLS THREE KEY ROLES John Tansur has joined the Blueprint Interiors team as commercial director.

The Ashby-de-la-Zouch workplace interior design specialist has also appointed Jake Wright as project manager and promoted Francesca Curry to furniture project administrator.

John has more than 25 years’ experience in business development and senior management positions and will help deliver Blueprint’s business strategy, enhance its marketing and support business development.

Operations director Rachel Biddles and creative director Chloe Sproston took ownership of the business last year, and investing in the commercial director role was seen as a key part of their growth strategy.

John said: “Knowing the team at Blueprint and seeing their progression over recent years, I feel privileged to be asked to be part of the business for what we know can be a very exciting future. The culture within Blueprint and their reputation for injecting passion into delivering projects for clients is very appealing to me.”

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APPOINTMENTS

RAFT OF NEW FACES JOIN LAW FIRM’S EMPLOYMENT TEAM Freeths has bolstered its national employment team with a number of new hires.

Led by partner and national head of employment, pensions and immigration, Rena Magdani, the team has announced eight new lawyers across seven of its 13 offices. Double-digit growth at the firm has coincided with the employment team growing by 43% in the last four years.

The team has welcomed employment barrister Fergus Currie in Bristol, senior associate Mitchell Roberts in Leicester, senior associate Lisa Aitken in Birmingham, senior associate Stephanie Clarke in Milton Keynes, senior associate Jainika Patel in Manchester, associate Sophie Lloyd in Nottingham, associate Claudia Booth in Sheffield and Ellie Wise, qualifying as associate in Milton Keynes.

Rena Magdani said: “This expansion is a direct

response to our unprecedented growth and the increased demand for employment law advice, particularly driven by the Employment Rights Bill.

“This strategic growth ensures we continue to provide first-class, commercially astute, and pragmatic advice to our national client base.”

Mitchell Roberts said: “As we know, the Labour government are making radical changes to Employment law, and I am looking forward to playing my part in helping Freeths’ clients manage these changes and challenges.”

Sophie Lloyd added: “It is an exciting time to become an Employment solicitor at Freeths, with significant reforms on the horizon due to the Employment Rights Bill. I look forward to contributing to our team’s success and helping our clients to navigate the evolving landscape of employment law.”

APPRENTICES EARN AGENCY POSITIONS PR and communications agency Nielsen McAllister has hired two new team members after successfully completing their PR apprenticeships, reinforcing the agency’s commitment to developing industry talent.

Alice Blackwell has joined as an account executive after gaining her diploma in PR and communications from the Public Relations and Communications Association (PRCA). She has had a year-and-ahalf of hands-on experience in technical business-to-business, PR and has spent more than five years in digital marketing.

She said: “I am delighted to join Nielsen McAllister and make the move to Derby. I love combining my skills and experience with my creative approach to PR and I’m looking forward to applying this to my new role.”

Rory Hay, meanwhile, has stepped into a full-time role following the completion of his

Rory Hay and Alice Blackwell of Nielsen McAllister

digital marketing apprenticeship at Nielsen McAllister, supported by local training provider Althaus.

Rory said: “During my time as an apprentice at Nielsen McAllister, I've had the opportunity to develop my skills across social media,

content creation and digital strategy in a fast-paced B2B environment.

“It’s been a rewarding experience, and I’ve loved getting hands-on with campaigns that make a real impact.”

Kate Donlon (top) and Lucy Brooks of PKF Smith Cooper

KATE AND LUCY LOOK FORWARD TO TAXING TIMES Midlands accounting and advisory firm PKF Smith Cooper has made additions to its employment tax and VAT team.

Kate Donlon, an employment tax manager in the firm’s Derby office, has joined after fourand-a-half years at a big four firm in the East Midlands.

Lucy Brooks has joined as assistant indirect tax manager, primarily working with businesses in manufacturing, transport and logistics and eCommerce.

She specialises in overseas businesses trading in the UK, varying from sole traders to big corporations. She has extensive experience working with clients through HMRC compliance checks and advising on the tax implications of contracts relating to import terms.

Kate Donlon said: “I am really looking forward to developing my knowledge, experience and client service by working with and learning from a diverse range of clients and colleagues. It is an exciting time to join PKF Smith Cooper and I am looking forward to being part of its continued growth and success.”

Lucy Brooks said: “I’m really excited to meet the team and widen my knowledge of indirect tax as well as sharing my current experience of working with overseas businesses.”

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BUSINESS NETWORK

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THE As part of this month’s focus on technology and its applications for business – and business success – Tom Pegden chats to Tom Jelliffe, founder of start-up business, Tzuka, and finds out how and why the former Loughborough University student came up with a plan to create the ultimate workout earbuds.

BIG INTERVIEW

MEETING THE PEOPLE BEHIND THE REGION’S TOP BUSINESSES

Budding inventor has a real sporting chance

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ike the best inventions, Tom Jelliffe’s came from simple problem that was begging for a simple solution. The Loughborough geography and business management student and keen sportsman had found himself faced with equipment that wasn’t fit for purpose – a total of nine pairs of earbuds that fell apart while he was working out in the gym.

He couldn’t understand how, despite the many millions invested in the technology, there were so few products capable of coping with the pressures of exercise and swimming.

That was eight years ago, and the seed had been sewn.

Fast forward to 2020, and Tom set about creating a new type of earbud that was sturdy and waterproof and, significantly, had onboard storage for music so you could leave your phone behind.

Over the years he has been through four funding rounds, winning close to £1m of seed funding – including backing from serial entrepreneur and former Capital Radio chief executive David Mansfield – and is now on the verge of going live with the Tzuka earbud.

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THE BIG INTERVIEW

Tom’s product has been developed in partnership with a UK engineering company called Newbury Innovation.

Right now, after years of R&D, trying to make ends meet and constantly updating the design, Tom said he recently appointed marketing manager Jack Seton – everything else is outsourced – are ready for a short trial run of 40 pairs. In fact, the product is still so secret Tom won’t yet share any marketing images of it.

If that early run succeeds though, the brand will go live this spring.

‘The idea for Tzuka came to me when me and a gym buddy broke nine pairs of buds in our final year’ In an ideal world he would love to be manufacturing in the UK, but said it would be hard meeting the tough demands of full-scale production.

Instead, he is using a Hong Kong electronics team which has capacity to produce 500,000 units a week.

In fact, Tom Spent the first few years of his life in Hong Kong where his dad worked for the architect Norman Foster on the Chek Lap Kok international airport which opened in 1998.

He developed a passion for making things as a child and started thinking about setting up his own business following a placement year at Adidas, while studying in Loughborough.

He said: “When I was at primary school, I always wanted to make things – I used to make things out of toilet rolls with my dad, that kind of stuff.

“Then when I did my placement year, I realised pretty quickly that I didn't want to work for a massive company.

“I thought I don't have kids, I don't have a mortgage, so I'm going to take a risk and do something now. The idea for Tzuka came to me when me and a gym buddy broke nine pairs of buds in our final year.

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MAIN PICTURE: Tom Jelliffe of Tzuka INSET LEFT TOP: Chek Lap Kok international airport, which Tom’s father worked on INSET LEFT BOTTOM: Tzuka is based on Loughborough University’s Science and Enterprise Park

“We just thought “this is so stupid, let’s just go and buy a pair that are made for more extreme sports”, and quickly realised that whether you were spending £10 or £250, they were all made in a very similar way – the same plastics, the same assembly method.

“I spoke to so many people about it – a lot of big gym users told me they would actually bulk buy earbuds on Amazon, just cheap earbuds with the knowledge that they were going to break at some point.

“So, I decided to revolutionise it. What we have come up with is something that is totally waterproof so you can swim with them – which is not very common – but more that that is the fact that they've actually got storage on the earbuds.

“Bluetooth will not work underwater. They are only true wireless earbuds in the world that have onboard storage.

“That’s something that we’ve called “FreedomMode” and it means you have the ability to leave your phone at home or in the locker room, with no environmental limitations, no tech restrictions and no distractions.

“They use a flash storage chip which has got 4 gigabytes of storage. There’s more processing power than the first rocket that went to the moon.

“And they’re the same size as a standard pair of earbuds.”

Tom pitched the initial idea as part of his final year university project, admitting it was a very raw concept back then, with the earbuds were wired rather than wireless.

“You look back at it and think, “oh, my goodness, it’s so embarrassing”, and the number of pivots we’ve made to get to where we are now is insane.

“There was no FreedomMode in our original thoughts – it was just durable, wired earphones that you could wear at the gym.

“After a year of doing a wired product, following one hour of meetings, we just thought “right, start again, scrap it”.

“If anyone had told me we’d be in a swimming pool three years later, filming a prototype, I’d have said they were crazy.”

Tzuka is based on the Loughborough University Science and Enterprise Park and Tom said as a start-up the business would never have survived without the university’s backing – or the support of their manufacturing and engineering partners.

He said: “I kind of see myself as the conductor – I don’t know how to play the instruments, but I do know how to organise and keep things moving and I've got very good May 2025 business network

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MAIN PICTURE: Marketing shot with Tom Jelliffe, founder and managing director Tzuka (back left) OPPOSITE TOP: Tom with one of the all-important circuit boards used in the product’s development OPPOSITE BOTTOM: The company’s marketing images are designed to attract users from aa range of high impact sport

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THE BIG INTERVIEW

connections in the sporting world as well and really enjoy the marketing side of it.

“I can't wait to get out of the product development stage and step into marketing the product, which is imminent.

“When I first started, I had no real idea what I was doing. I was a boy with a pipe dream and it took me seven to eight months to raise my first investment round.

“That was for £100,000 and I got 96 nos and two yeses – the yeses always come last.

“There was one point where I was offered a third meeting with a prominent investor down in London.

“I thought, “bingo, here we go”. I looked my bank account, and I had about £70, and a train ticket to London was £35, so it was half my entire business bank account – it would be almost like Apple spending $1.5 trillion on a train ticket.

“I went down anyway, and he said “I know you're desperate, so I'm offering £30,000, but I want I want 10%”, and I just said cannot do that.

“My parents were disappointed that I hadn’t taken it, but about two months later I got more than twice as much for that 10%, from the family office that owned Wilkos.

“Then I did another round and closed that in six weeks, which was for about £150,000. I learned a lot along that journey and about how to pitch.

“Today there are seven key advisors across the globe who offer support whenever I need some – one of them, David Mansfield, is very, very close and acts as my kind of strategic advisor. They are all seasoned investors, and know the risk of investing in a high-risk tech startup. It could go very, very well, but there’s of course the risk that it

doesn't go well, which unfortunately, is what happens with a lot of startups.

‘You’ve got to put your money in different pots and a lot of those pots will fall and crash – but one might go and make 100 times what you put into it’

“Something like nine-out-of-10 startups fail.

One of my investors said to me you’ve got to put your money in different pots and a lot of those pots will fall and crash – but one might go and make 100 times what you put into it.”

Tom hopes his will be that one – and describes his product as the “ultimate earbuds that enable athletes to train without limits” with “unrivalled” durability.

He said: “These are the only earbuds in the world with an impact resistance certification – they are dustproof, shockproof and waterproof.

“And, of course, you have enough storage for 1,000 songs. They have Bluetooth streaming like any other earbuds, but you just have to double tap them to turn on FreedomMode.

“If these 40 units come back OK then we can activate our pre-order strategy, and make our website fully live (right now we just have a landing page where you can submit your e-mail for interest).

“We’re only going to do a small production run to begin with and then after two months of that, we'll go into full retail mode and just operate as a standard retail company.

“They are likely to retail for £220 which I would say is well-balanced in the high end of the earbud market. Apple come in at around £249, and you’ve got some Sony earphones that come in at £300.

“Of course, we have to build up our brand, our brand loyalty and brand awareness – and we’re targeting people who get involved with CrossFit, Hyrox and swimming. That’s our core market, where we see a big gap in the market.

“No other headphone, as far as we can see, is actually built for these more extreme sports – they all kind of target runners.

“Even then, ours would be perfect for runners because you can just run without needing to have a phone attached to your chest or your pocket or your arm. It’s only because we have a limited marketing budget that we need to target the people that we really think are the lowest hanging fruit.”

As soon as the green light from the manufacturers comes, he said Tzuka would effectively turn into a marketing company, first hitting the UK market then hopefully setting its eyes set on the huge US market – despite all the apparent obstacles Donald Trump is trying to through at global exporters.

If the “ultimate workout earbuds” can navigate Trump’s America, Tom should have no bother conquering the rest of the world.

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STRATEGIC PARTNERS AND PATRONS

STRATEGIC PARTNERS AND PATRONS NEWS AND UPDATES FROM EAST MIDLANDS CHAMBER’S LEADING SUPPORTERS

Event recognises region’s top entrepreneurial talent

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Andrew Cropley

NEW COURSE TARGETS COMMUNITY COACHES West Nottinghamshire College and Nottingham Forest Community Trust have teamed up to offer a new course aimed at aspiring coaches looking to make a difference in their communities.

The CIMSPA Community Coaching with Nottingham Forest Community Trust (Advanced) Level 3 programme is designed to give 16-to-18-yearolds a competitive edge in the world of coaching by learning from skilled practitioners from the club’s charitable arm.

The course, which has 25 places, promises learners a unique opportunity to work within the trust’s extensive network, where they will gain direct access to professional coaching pathways and realworld community engagement opportunities.

It starts in September and will be delivered from The Forest Sport Zone in Nottingham and the college’s Derby Road campus in Mansfield.

Classroom-based teaching will be underpinned by a strong emphasis on practical coaching in primary schools and community settings.

Students will also have the chance to get involved with Nottingham Forest matchday Fan Zone activities, offering a unique behind-the-scenes experience with a professional football club.

College principal and chief executive Andrew Cropley said: “This course will not only equip learners with coaching qualifications but also instil in them the values of leadership, teamwork, and community engagement, which are essential for success in this field.”

he East Midlands Real Entrepreneurs’ Awards 2025 took over the Leonardo Hinckley Island Hotel, celebrating the region’s dynamic business leaders on 10 April, 2025.

Now in its fourth year, the event recognised outstanding entrepreneurial talent from Leicester, Derby, and Nottingham.

A highlight was the Pitching Platform, sponsored by Nelsons, where three startup founders presented their ventures, with winner SallyAnne Kirk, founder of Leicester Fashion District receiving legal and marketing mentorship from a non-executive board comprising Rik Pancholi of Pattersons Commercial Law and Jenny Cross of awards founder Cross Productions.

SallyAnne impressed the audience with her ambitions to create a mapped fashion district in Leicester. She said: “I just love Leicester and I don’t want to see our fashion industry die.

“For me, this is a legacy piece, so after I’m gone, that fashion district

will be there and everyone will benefit from it for years to come.”

The 2025 award winners were: entrepreneur for good Tania Gerard, Tania Gerard Digital; entrepreneurs’ entrepreneur Zinthiya Ganeshpanchan, The Zinthiya Trust; scale-up entrepreneur Thomas Cropper, Tuk In Foods; entrepreneurial collaborator Jane Hearst, National Centre for Creative Health; international entrepreneur Karen Mosley, KranLee Logistics; start-up

entrepreneur of the year Rebecca Holders, Holders Estate Agents; innovation in entrepreneurship Rahul Sabbarwal, Luxe 360 Booths; young entrepreneur of the year Henry Brogan, BidScript; and entrepreneurial educator Tania Gerard, Tania Gerard Digital.

Real Entrepreneurs’ Club founder Jenny Cross said: “It is an honour to organise an event that shines a spotlight on their achievements and fosters meaningful connections among business leaders.”

Double honour for asphalt specialist

Dr Helen Bailey

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Winners and sponsors of The Real Entrepreneurs’ Awards

Dr Helen Bailey, the leader of the asphalt programmes at the University of Derby’s Centre for Mineral Products, has achieved the rare position of holding honorary officer positions simultaneously at both the Institute of Quarrying and the Institute of Asphalt Technology.

In Derby, Helen is building on her outstanding knowledge of the mineral products sector by completing an MSc in sustainable and ethical business management, to support the integration of sustainable business practices into the sector.

The university said her achievements were a testament to her hard work and determination – and commitment to creating a more diverse and inclusive industry.

Dr Bailey has more than 17 years’ experience in research,

development, integration and delivery of strategic projects in the mineral products sector, and was elected to the two officer roles by her peers who see her as a change agent for the sector.

The mineral products sector faces significant challenges concerning the circular economy and delivering Net Zero Carbon and Helen wants to ensure students are appropriately skilled to tackle these challenges.

Dr Bailey said: “Global challenges – such as achieving the 1.5°C ambition and being on track to reach Net Zero by 2050 – and future orientated scenarios are complex, uncertain and should not be underestimated.

“Businesses will need to mobilise and display climate leadership to achieve real change and influence action within society.”

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STRATEGIC PARTNERS AND PATRONS

IN BRIEF UNIVERSITY HELPS DRIVE INNOVATION

Social landlord scoops award for eco initiatives

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ocial landlord emh Group has scooped accolades for its work to reduce residents’ energy bills and help to reduce carbon footprint.

The housing provider, which has 20,000 homes across the East Midlands, was awarded best housing association of the year in the annual East Midlands Energy

Efficiency Awards 2025. It was the fifth consecutive year emh has won this regional award, and recognised its £10m investment in energy efficiency works which have benefitted more than 400 homes.

There were 13 categories up for grabs at the awards ceremony, and emh was highly commended among the large-scale project

nominees.

Group director of property Ian Davies said: “Homes account for about a third of all the UK’s carbon emissions, so it’s an urgent imperative for us to upgrade properties to make them better insulated, more energy efficient and affordable to heat for our residents.”

Funding boost for grassroots charities The Randal Charitable Foundation has teamed up with two other foundations to support grassroots charitable organisations in Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire.

The Leicestershire-based foundation is supporting Forever Notts, which specialises in working with likeminded organisations to secure funding for local charities, voluntary organisations and social enterprises. It has distributed more than £30m of grant funding since 2001 to more than 4,000 community groups. Ten charities will benefit from that partnership.

The Randal Foundation is also working in partnership with Foundation Derbyshire to help 10 Derbyshire charitable organisations which offer mental health support.

Foundation Derbyshire has almost 30 years’ experience of distributing funds to grass root community causes in need.

The Randal Foundation is focused on directly saving and significantly improving more than one million lives in the UK and globally.

The Blidworth On The Move Support Network is among the charities being supported

A big rise in the number of spin-outs and start-up companies from the University of Nottingham has underlined its role in driving innovation and growth.

Between 2015 and 25, 29 spin-out companies were launched from the university, compared to eight between 2005 and 2015.

Figures from the Higher Education Statistics Agency suggest the university has a current portfolio of 36 staff start-ups, 135 student start-ups and seven social enterprises.

Nottingham is also second in the UK for the turnover of its student start-ups, which were reported to total more than £400m for the year 2022/23.

Professor Tom Rodden, pro vice-chancellor for research and knowledge exchange, said: “Through our expertise and know-how, combined with the world-class research that is synonymous with the University of Nottingham, we have established an eco-system that supports new start-ups and spin outs.”

DNS LAPS UP SUCCESS OF DERBY 10K RACE Document management, print services and IT specialist DNS sponsored the recent Derby County Community Trust Derby 10k, alongside HUUB Design as headline sponsors.

A spokesman for the business said: “A special shoutout goes to our very own Laura EatheringtonLangley and Jonathan Clements, who absolutely smashed it with their finish times. Your dedication and performance have made us all proud.

“We also want to send a massive thank-you to all the DNS helpers who worked tirelessly to keep runners hydrated with plenty of DNS water at the finish line. Your support helped fuel every step and we couldn’t have done it without you.”

THE CHAMBER IS HONOURED BY THE SUPPORT OF ITS STRATEGIC PARTNERS AND PATRONS

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CHAMBER NEWS

CHAMBER NEWS CONNECTING, CHAMPIONING AND SUPPORTING LOCAL BUSINESSES

Event highlights our wonderful diversity Photos by Pete Martin Photography

MAIN PHOTO: Karan Pangali - KSPARK Entertainments

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round 500 guests enjoyed good food, great company and live music and dance at the Chamber’s 2025 Celebration of Culture and Communities.

Classical singers, grime and hiphop acts performed side-by-side in the packed entertainment programme which spotlighted the region’s rich cultural heritage.

Now in its fifth year, the Athena Leicester event was delivered in conjunction with events and marketing company Sanjib8 and supported by headline partners RandalSun Capital, emh Group and De Montfort University, with associate partners Sanjay Foods, PPL PRS and Nelsons Law. Alongside soprano Faryl Smith – who was discovered on Britain’s Got Talent – there were performances from hip hop artists Sly and Estar, Leicestershire singersongwriter Jake Thompson, Bollywood act Karan Pangali and DJ The Old Boy. Comedian Tej Dhutia hosted the night with Indian food provided by Sanjay Foods.

Chamber director of resources Lucy Robinson said: “The value the East Midlands places on diversity is

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1. CL-R Chan Kataria OBE - emh Group, Dr Nik Kotecha OBE DL RandalSun Capital, Professor Katie Normington - DMU 2. BBC presenter Anne Davies 3. Sanjib Sahota and Atul Lakhani 4. Chamber vice president Dr Cham Kang 5. On the dancefloor at the 2025 Culture and Communities celebration 6. Athena Leicester 7. Eileen Perry MBE DL and Jean Mountain 8. Soprano Faryl Smith 1

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9. Event host Tej Dhutia

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applauded the world over and is a shining light on what the country can achieve by embracing cultural richness. Research carried out by the Chamber and emh Group has shown an increase to seven-out-of10 businesses in the East Midlands now having a policy on equality, diversity and inclusion and that’s something the region can be proud of and build on.

“Through fantastic stage performances, international cuisine and businesses coming together with charities in recognition of the region’s achievements, the Celebration of Culture and Communities has once again underlined the East Midlands as a brilliant place to work and live and I extend my thanks to the partners

that helped make this such a standout event.”

Chan Kataria OBE, chief executive of housing group emh, said: “Diversity is one of the key competitive advantages of the East Midlands, particularly in Leicester and Leicestershire.

“In order to address the productivity gap we need to celebrate and take advantage of our key characteristics.

“At emh Group, we focus a lot on trying to make our colleagues feel psychologically safe, regardless of their religious backgrounds and where they come from. It’s important that we celebrate those characteristics so that they can bring their entire selves to work, so they’re fully engaged and

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CHAMBER NEWS

‘The value the East Midlands places on diversity is applauded the world over and is a shining light on what the country can achieve by embracing cultural richness’

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motivated and then able to deliver more for the organisation and for the region.”

RandalSun Capital founder & chairman Dr Nik Kotecha OBE DL said: “Another great evening spent in the company of friends and colleagues from right across the East Midlands, celebrating all that’s great about our culturally diverse region. We are proud to headline sponsor this important event – having supported it right from the outset.

“When we celebrate together, we deepen our understanding of, and respect for one another. Our businesses, our communities and our region can all thrive when we share that understanding and move forward, together. “

De Montfort University vice chancellor Professor Katie Normington said: “At DMU, diversity isn’t just something we talk about – it’s who we are. As a university in one of the UK’s most diverse cities, our students tell us that we create a truly inclusive community where everyone can thrive.

“The Celebration of Culture and Communities is a superb event that champions unity, understanding and the richness of different perspectives. We are proud to be a part of it.”

PPL PRS managing director Greg Aiello said: “As a Leicester-based business we recognise the wonderfully diverse community that is the heartbeat of the city, we strive to reflect this through our diversity and inclusion policies and our connection to the communities.

“The Celebration of Culture and Communities offers a great chance to bring everyone together and connect across those communities.”

Nelsons Solicitors partner Laura Kearsley said: “The Celebration of Culture and Communities is such a great event to highlight how diversity and inclusion really benefits both the business and the wider community in the East Midlands.”

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CHAMBER NEWS

We’ve all got the technology bug Scott Knowles (pictured, inset), chief executive of East Midlands Chamber, offers his thoughts on technology – the theme of this month’s Business Network.

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he pace of technological change detailed in this issue demonstrates the scale of developments, and the opportunities it presents for business to unlock barriers to growth in the ‘interesting’ economic times we find ourselves in.

It makes me think of the start of my career at the Chamber, back in 1999, working for what was then North Derbyshire Chamber of Commerce & Industry as an IT adviser (fresh from the IT sector where I’d worked since I was 18). At that time, like now, there was funding available for businesses for digital transformation.

There were various UK Government initiatives such as ‘UK Online For Business’ (occasionally you still find some ancient, branded collateral at the back of the stationery cupboard!).

‘Like most businesses, the Chamber is starting its AI journey, exploring the hundreds of tools that are already in the marketplace’ At the time, Government was throwing significant funding at Y2K/The Millennium Bug. For those that can remember, many computer programs represented four-digit years with only the final two digits, making the year 2000 indistinguishable from 1900.

Computer systems' inability to distinguish dates correctly had the potential to bring down worldwide infrastructures for computer-reliant industries (of which there weren’t as many then where of course all industries are now reliant on such systems and the general interconnectedness of everything).

In the years leading up to the turn of the millennium, the public gradually became aware of the "Y2K scare", and companies predicted the

global damage caused by the bug would require anything between $400m and $600bn to rectify.

A lack of clarity regarding the potential dangers of the bug led some to stock up on food, water, purchase backup generators, and withdraw large sums of money in anticipation of a computer-induced apocalypse.

Of course, we know with hindsight that planes didn’t fail, and you could still get cash from ATMs on 1 January 2000 (the Chamber and others of course must have therefore done a cracking job with the preventative action undertaken by 31 December 1999!).

Back then, I was visiting businesses who were asking, with hindsight, straightforward technology questions such as ‘my competitor has this thing called a web site – what is it and do I need one?’.

The Chamber still offers the same digital transformation support today that it did then – the support asks are of course now more complex and focus on the adoption of AI, automation and robotics to create efficiencies

and replace repetitive tasks that currently require human intervention to allow human resources to add greater value and do things only they can do.

Like most businesses, the Chamber is starting its AI journey, exploring the hundreds of tools that are already in the marketplace, seeing where they may add value to members, bolstering how and when we get in touch that’s tailored to individual members needs and create as slick a customer journey as possible.

This workstream for all of us is going to be a constant going forward and its importance in our overall business structures will continuously grow over time. I’m sure we are all thinking about what skills we need now to optimise new and emerging technologies. We keep hearing that there will be jobs in 10 years that we’ve never heard of – it feels to me at least that we’re on the cusp on this now, rather than in a decade’s time.

In short, I’d encourage any business to engage with the Chamber’s digital transformation expert team to help navigate an increasingly complex marketplace to ensure you invest to get the best outcome for your business.

GDP growth masks rising cost concerns East Midlands Chamber has cautiously welcomed GDP growth of 0.5%, but warned of ‘fragile confidence’ among businesses in the region, with cost hikes such as higher employer National Insurance contributions now in force.

The estimated February figures from the Office for National Statistics are more positive than were expected by economists.

Chamber director of policy and insight Richard Blackmore said: “Businesses need the economy to bounce back so there’s some comfort that can be taken from seeing growth in GDP, but firms are going through a tough time, having to fund additional costs like

34 business network May 2025

greater National Insurance contributions and a higher National Living Wage.

“In normal operating conditions, 0.5% economic growth would be a boost to confidence, but with these cost hikes hitting businesses, these aren’t normal times and we can’t underestimate how challenging things are.

“Corporate taxation is the top concern of businesses in the East Midlands right now, evidenced in our Quarterly Economic Survey.

“Securing a favourable outcome from the US tariffs talks is critical, and all eyes will be on the Government’s comprehensive spending review to ensure the needs of businesses are prioritised.”

Richard Blackmore

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CHAMBER NEWS

Sign up for our skills conference EAST MIDLANDS PEOPLE AND SKILLS CONFERENCE 2025 – 23 JUNE, IN PERSON, WEST PARK TEACHING HUB, LOUGHBOROUGH UNIVERSITY, 9-1:30PM. Through a range of keynote speakers, workshops and panel discussions the 2025 conference will focus on the key areas that will enable economic growth, through targeting skills reform, improved recruitment and retention, and how to develop sustainable interventions that support better business engagement with educators.

It will then explore East Midlands’ business approach to equality, diversity and inclusion, focussing on research undertaken by the Chamber and emh Group, which took place in 2024 following a similar study the year before. It will be exploring the recommendations from the report as to how we support businesses in their EDI journey, creating more inclusive and successful workplaces, businesses and those that support them.

Exhibitor and sponsorship opportunities available for this event, for more detail please email policy@emc-dnl.co.uk Reserve your free place at: https://is.gd/VH7ecF

Gedling applauds funding project A UK Government Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) celebration event hosted by Gedling Borough Council, saw Paul Stuart, Lisa Baggott, and Ryan Hodson joining local businesses and community organisations at the Richard Herrod Centre in Carlton.

The team behind Gedling Accelerator shared the project’s successes, including the successful Gedling Business Advisory Surgeries, the growing Gedling Business Support Network and efforts to assist businesses in accessing available grants.

The cherry on the top was a case study video showing the impact Accelerator has made for Blue Stamp Travel, an organisation that specialises in in work experience abroad and intensive language courses.

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University partnership to support business growth

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ast Midlands Chamber has entered an exclusive strategic partnership agreement with the University of Derby, centred on entrepreneurship and high growth.

The collaboration will see the university, already a long-term strategic partner of the Chamber, work together on areas such as decarbonisation, innovation, joint bidding for public sector business support and development of funded programmes for firms in Derby and Derbyshire.

The university is headline partner of Generation Next – the Chamber-powered network for inspiring and building the confidence and connections of young professionals and future leaders in the 18-35 age group.

Chamber chief executive Scott Knowles said: “Entrepreneurship

‘A platform for the University to work collaboratively in supporting the regional economy’ and high growth go hand in hand, and as a region known for innovation, making and producing, it makes sense to turbocharge those strengths.

“Having been a strategic partner of the Chamber for some time, and as headline partner of Generation Next, I’m delighted to expand on this productive relationship. The University of Derby is well established for its leading research, its approach to decarbonisation and for being an advocate of business growth.

“I’m certain this new chapter of

our collaboration will bring even greater benefit to Derby, Derbyshire and the wider East Midlands.”

University of Derby associate provost of industry engagement Matt Snowden said: “We are proud to have a longstanding relationship with the Chamber and this new partnership is set to strengthen this even further.

“This relationship is incredibly valuable to the university, as it provides us with opportunities to connect with Chamber businesses and create avenues to employability for students through placements and internships.

“It also provides a platform for the university to work collaboratively in supporting the regional economy by exchanging skills, fostering innovation and providing essential business support.”

Increase your digital awareness HOW DIGITAL CAN GROW YOUR BUSINESS: DERBYSHIRE DIGITAL AWARENESS CONFERENCE – 9 MAY, REACH CONFERENCE CENTRE, DERBY, 09.30AM-4PM. On the day, we will bring together a range of industry professionals, policy makers and thought leaders to provide delegates with information and practical take aways to support business growth and improved productivity, through improving digital awareness and engagement.

There will be a focus on practical solutions, providing education on connectivity, new tools, technology and training to improve productivity and your business offer. In the morning, we will hear a range of keynotes, setting the scene and in the afternoon delegates will be able to choose from a range of practical workshops.

Details confirmed so far: Keynotes: • Overview of the Derbyshire County Council Digital Connectivity Strategy 2024-2030 • Harnessing technology for growth: harnessing AI for the UK economy – Microsoft • Digital and Digital Connectivity benefits and opportunities full fibre – Openreach • The Importance of Cyber Resilience in the new digital marketplace – The East Midlands Cyber Resilience Centre • AI for Industrial Systems – University of Derby

Workshops: • Digital supply chain innovations and opportunities – SME Future of Supply Chain Mini Lab • Common mistakes with SEO – Department of Business and Trade • Becoming a Data-Driven Organisation: The key role of Data Integrity – University of Derby • Smart Farming – Nottingham Trent University • AI in HR – what can you actually use it for? – Breedon Consulting • Accessible Marketing: Reaching More People, More Effectively – Tania Gerard Digital UK • Digital Inclusion – Derbyshire County Council • Digital Supply Chain and Demystifying Blockchain Technology – University of Derby For details and to reserve your free place, visit: https://is.gd/b1MZMe

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CHAMBER NEWS

Recruitment firm supports young professionals

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xpress Recruitment have been announced as a partner of the Chamber’s Generation Next network.

The collaboration enables the business to share insight with the vast talent that makes up the Generation Next membership, speaking at or hosting events, participating in panel discussions and generally taking on a more prominent role in developing the region’s young professionals.

Established in 1987, Express Recruitment is a family business, filling permanent and temporary staffing posts for over 1,100 active clients across the East Midlands.

Generation Next manager Kate Nemeth said: “It’s fantastic to see Express Recruitment’s commitment

‘Generation Next helps young people build confidence and develop skills that employers value’ to supporting young professionals within their own business and I’m delighted to welcome them as partners of Generation Next.

“Having worked closely with so many East Midlands businesses, understanding both the skills firms need and the applicants being considered for roles makes this partnership ideally suited to Generation Next, whose members are at an important part of their career journey.

Lesley Young and Daniel Skermer

Conference will take you out of your comfort zone The 9th annual PA Forum Learning and Development Conference will take place at The Windmill Hotel, Coventry, from 9-5pm on Friday 11 July.

The conference is an opportunity to hear from experts and thought leaders from inside and outside of the profession and spend a day out of the office networking with peers, colleagues and new connections.

This year, the conference will have the theme of helping attendees take small steps outside their comfort zones, challenging their mindset, motivating and empowering them to have a go at something new. Tickets are available at: www.PA-Forum.co.uk The PA Forum has also launched a new, free venue-finding service at: https://form.jotform.com/240913999399074 Alternatively email: VenueFinding@PA-Forum.co.uk For further information about the work PA Forum do across the Midlands, and details of partnership packages available, email PA Forum founder Daniel Skermer at Daniel@pa-forum.co.uk or Chamber executive support manager Lesley Young at Lesley.Young@emc-dnl.co.uk.

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Julia Glancy of Express Recruitment

“I look forward to Express Recruitment taking to the stage at Generation Next events, engaging with the most promising young people in the East Midlands.”

Express Recruitment interim HR operations manager Julia Glancy said: “Being based in the East Midlands, we’re surrounded by forward-thinking businesses and a strong pool of talented candidates.

“The region boasts excellent universities, colleges and training opportunities, alongside people with industrial, creative and entrepreneurial experience.

“Generation Next helps young people build confidence and develop skills that employers value and I’m excited to contribute by working together and sharing our insights.”

Accelerator project extended for 12 months Accelerator support is set to continue in Derbyshire, Leicester and Nottingham over the coming year.

When the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) came to an end in March, the Government opted to extend support for a further 12 months.

It means that the Accelerator project, delivered by the Chamber on behalf of its local authority partners, can continue until March 2026 in Derbyshire (including Derby), Leicester and Nottingham.

The original Accelerator project was launched in Autumn 2023 and ran across Derby, Derbyshire (excluding Bolsover), Leicester and Nottinghamshire.

It helped businesses start, sustain and grow through training and support, and has made a tangible difference to the resilience of participating businesses. Thanks to its backing, 143 new businesses have been created; 598 jobs have been created and 505 safeguarded; and a significant number of businesses have been able to introduce new products, technologies and processes, engage in new markets, and increase their R&D activity and exports.

The extended project presents an opportunity to reach new businesses as well as businesses that have previously been

Hathersage in Derbyshire

supported which are taking the next steps in their plans.

Accelerator offers expert business adviser support, action planning workshops, sustainability events, growth vouchers to fund new technology and new processes, decarbonisation support and, where available, access to grant funding. In Leicester and Nottingham, there will be a specific focus on digital and green transformation.

Topics for the next series of workshops and webinars will be launched shortly. Businesses wishing to register their interest in the new project can do so by emailing info@d2n2growthhub.co.uk.

The Accelerator project is funded

by UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

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CHAMBER NETWORKS

CHAMBER NETWORKS BUILDING CONNECTIONS WITH YOUR PEERS AND BUSINESS LEADERS

2025 Awards finalists unveiled L-R: 2024 Awards host Kirsty Shelts, Preethi Kang and Customer Service Award winner Hayley Cousins

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oung talent from across the East Midlands are taking centre stage as the finalists for the 2025 Generation Next Awards are announced.

The awards are delivered by East Midlands Chamber in partnership with headline sponsor the University of Derby. They are a highlight in the network’s calendar, recognising professionals aged 18– 35 for their innovation, ambition and impact.

This year’s line-up includes 12 categories, from Innovation and Technology to Entrepreneur of the Year – with the addition of a brandnew Excellence in Sales and Marketing Award, spotlighting an individual who has made a significant impact due to their approach to sales or marketing.

‘Our finalists should be extremely proud of their achievement in reaching this stage’ The winners will be revealed at the Generation Next Awards Ceremony on 3 July. Stay tuned to our socials for the venue announcement coming soon!

Generation Next manager Kate Nemeth said: “The standard of Awards applications received this year has been truly outstanding, making the task of shortlisting incredibly difficult for our sponsors.

Each entry demonstrated remarkable talent, dedication, and innovation.

“Our finalists should be extremely proud of their achievement in reaching this stage, and we’re excited to showcase their incredible applications to the judging panel on 21 May.” For ticket details and the venue announcement keep checking: https://generationnextemc.co.uk/ about/ 40 business network May 2025

Stuart Dawkins at the 2024 Awards

Guests at last year’s Generation Next Awards

Lucy Robinson enjoys the street food in 2024

OUR 2025 GENERATION NEXT FINALISTS Apprentice of the Year – sponsored by Derby College Group • Aine Wales – Pinewood Properties • Alfie Quinn – Cavendish Nuclear • Austin Cartledge – Loughborough University • Brandon White – Silver X Group • Chloe Waring – Hardy Signs • Kiann-Simara Ashanti – Ideagen • Leah Barratt – TDP • Lewis Benfield – SPS Technologies • Lewis Griffiths-Cunningham – Druck • Ruby Miles – Ideagen

• • • •

Communicator of the Year • Robyn Burke – Futures Housing Group • Ruby Miles – Ideagen

Excellence in Professional Services Award – sponsored

by Express Recruitment • Albert Har – Mattioli Woods • Cat Mitchell – True Talent • Harry Georgiou – Ideagen • Kayleigh Heath – Ideagen • Sunita Aythen – Ideagen • Thomas Brown – Select Car Leasing East Midlands

Community Impact Champion • Ayodeji Kingsley – T.A.K Ltd • Emma Morris – Headway Derby • Fraser Annis – Anniseeds Ltd • Mollie Cox – Derby College Group • Sadé Paul-Henry – Women Who Can (CIO) • Safiyyah Esat – Soft Touch Arts • Shivani Soni-Namballa – Step Up Rehab Physiotherapy and Wellness Clinic Creators and Makers Award • Anushka Gupta – CME Leicester Ltd • Ayodeji Kingsley – T.A.K Ltd • Giselle Kandekore – DMU Made, De Montfort University • Grace Turpin – Dales Fabrications Limited • Ismael Na Onsa – DMU Made, De Montfort University • Marco Coltro – Bloc Digital Ltd • Matthew Finchen – Lancaster Armoury Limited • Samira Boumecid – DMU Made, De Montfort University Excellence in Customer Experience Award – sponsored by trentbarton • Jack Marshall – Select Car Leasing East Midlands • Katie Cooper – Dronfield Heritage Trust • Kristian Brace – KJB Tool Hire Limited • Simran Purewal – INishative & Co • Yash Parmar – Microtech Emerging Talent Award – Sponsored by West Nottinghamshire College • Aliasgar Hassanali – Turner and Townsend • Balraj Singh – Pentaxia Ltd • Catherine Rix – Roadgas Limited • Harry Bickerton – Tuner and Townsend • Leah Barratt – TDP • Leah Wattam – Pentaxia Ltd

Rex Robinson – Ideagen Sunita Aythen – Ideagen Tamara Stasinska – Bloc Digital Walter Nkiwane – Turner and Townsend

Entrepreneur of the Year • Cat Mitchell – True Talent • Darshan Nandha – Microtech • Dillon Downie – Acerlinx • Jack Taylor – ReRender • Sam Penhaul – Sustainable Extricko • Tristan Sidhu – 1ofakindclothing

Excellence in Sales or Marketing • Karl Leeming – Paragon Products (UK) Ltd • Sean Wilson – Bloc Digital Ltd Future Leader Award – sponsored by the University of Derby • Blu Hardy – Hardy Signs • Charli Ashcroft – Headway Derby • Charlie Jordan – Futures Housing Group • Connie Austin – EGO Technology Ltd • Jade Lewin-Patel – Structural Adhesives Ltd • Kayleigh Heath – Ideagen • Sarah Deaves – Turner & Townsend • Shivani Soni-Namballa – Step Up Rehab • Simran Purewal – INishative & Co • Yasmin Castle – Ideagen Innovator of the Year Award – sponsored by Hardy Signs • Amar Suemul – Ideagen • Chris Marsden – Pentaxia • Jade Lewin-Patel – Structural Adhesives Ltd • Joao Bravo – KreatiViz • Marco Coltro – Bloc Digital Ltd Talent Development Award – sponsored by Futures Housing Group • Chloe Lindley – LJM Solutions Ltd • De Montfort University • Ellie-Louise Newton – Ideagen • Longbow Venues • Yasmin Castle – Ideagen

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CHAMBER NETWORKS

Photos by Pete Martin Photography

Best just keep getting better!

Guests at the 2024 Enterprising Women Awards

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he entry deadline for the 2025 Enterprising Women Awards drew to a close just as this month’s Business Network magazine went to press – and early evidence suggests the quality of the finalists is as good as, if not better than, past years.

The finalists’ announcement will be made in the coming weeks ahead of the judging process this summer.

The awards are set to take place this September – ticket details, along with the list of finalists, will be posted online at: www.emcdnl.co.uk/services/enterprisingwomen

‘Every year, we’re blown away by the amazing women who are nominated across our categories’ Enterprising Women co-chairs Eileen Perry MBE DL and Jean Mountain said they were eagerly anticipating a busy few months for the Chamber-run network.

They said: “It’s that exciting time of year again for us at Enterprising Women. As co-chairs, we are gearing up for one of the most anticipated moments in our calendar – the announcement of our 2025 Enterprising Women Awards finalists.

“Every year, we’re blown away by the amazing women who are nominated across our categories – and this year’s nominations have been truly outstanding.

“The passion, innovation and resilience shown by women across the East Midlands never fails to impress us, and reading through

the entries has been nothing short of inspiring.

“We’ve seen applications from women leading exciting new startups, running thriving businesses, and making a difference in their communities – and we’re reminded again why these awards are so important. They shine a light on the talent and drive that often goes unnoticed and give us all a chance to celebrate the achievements of women doing brilliant things every single day.

“Now, the tough job begins – and we don’t envy our amazing sponsors, who have the challenge of picking the finalists from such a high-calibre group.

“We’re incredibly grateful to all our sponsors for their support and for taking the time to be part of the judging process.

“Thank you to everyone who nominated, supported or shared the awards so far – we look forward to finding out who this year’s finalists are at the announcement this summer! Keep your eyes peeled for further details.”

Eileen added: “It’s impossible not to feel inspired reading the nominations. These women aren’t just succeeding in their own right – they’re lifting others up along the way. That’s what Enterprising Women is all about.”

And Jean Mountain added: “I feel incredibly proud to be part of something that celebrates women in this way. These awards are a celebration of the dedication, courage and spirit that keeps our business community thriving.”

The 2024 Female Employee of the Year Charlotte Barker

Scarlett Canavan

L-R: Presenter Emma Jesson with Eileen Perry MBE DL, Jaz Kaur and Jean Mountain

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CHAMBER NETWORKS

Making the most of membership East Midlands Manufacturing Network is made up of six groups covering Derby, Derbyshire, Leicester, Leicestershire, Nottingham and Nottinghamshire, each of which meets every eight weeks.

The Chamber-managed network has hundreds of members ranging from big multi-nationals to SMEs keen to share their experience, hear about best practice and build new business contacts and potential orders.

This month we hear from two of the member businesses about what they do and how they have benefited.

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ickleover-based Devtank was founded in 2014 by cousins Tim Telford and Joe Burmeister who drew from their extensive industrial experience in sectors such as aerospace and nuclear build a business to drive manufacturing efficiency for its clients.

It employs a team of 11 and continues to grow as a leader in monitoring and test technology in two key areas.

Its OpenSmartMonitor is an award-winning smart monitoring device capable of tracking energy, temperature, humidity, air quality, sound, light, vibration and dust.

They can integrate with smart meters, allowing businesses to monitor consumption and carbon emissions in real-time.

The data is displayed on customised dashboards, helping businesses pinpoint waste, inefficiencies and problem areas.

Identifying these “pinch points” often leads to straightforward, impactful solutions such as energy reduction, water leak detection, or equipment relocation.

Its HILTOP test and measurement platform is for PCBs and products such as EV chargers. The opensource approach ensures Cameron Browne and Tim Telford of Devtank at the 2025 Manufacturing and Trade Conference

compatibility with clients’ existing equipment while avoiding vendor lock-in, giving businesses flexibility and control over their own systems.

A key challenge for Devtank has been overcoming the perception that energy and efficiency improvements require big investments or big overhauls. The team try to demonstrate that even simple changes, informed by data from its monitoring systems, can deliver substantial benefits, such as reducing energy consumption, identifying hidden inefficiencies and improving productivity.

‘By designing our products with opensource principles, we empower users with freedom and flexibility’ Many businesses, particularly SMEs with older facilities, remain unaware of how accessible and impactful such technologies can be.

Devtank has actively engaged with East Midlands Manufacturing Network (EMMN), attending forums and meetings to connect with likeminded manufacturers.

Last June, its chief executive Tim

Marketing champion Anthony Hodgson-Yeomans and chief commercial officer Martin Rigley OBE of Dev Tank at the 2024 EMMN Energy Summit

Telford presented at the Derby EMMN meeting, sharing case studies on how OpenSmartMonitor has improved business efficiency through initiatives like the Lighthouse Project.

Through that project, Devtank secured funding from the Made Smarter Smart Manufacturing Data Hub to produce 500 sensors for SMEs. They were offered to businesses for free alongside six months of complimentary dashboard data, helping manufacturers benchmark their performance and identify efficiency opportunities. The anonymous data is also helping to establish industry-wide benchmarks.

Devtank has deployed monitoring solutions with fellow network members, including Luke Evans Bakery, Doorcerts, and Midland Lead.

Devtank has also announced a new partnership as a corporate sponsor for EMMN member AquaBox, a Wirksworth-based charity, that provides life-saving clean water and aid to communities in need around the globe.

Devtank’s OpenSmartMonitor brand is now transitioning to a monthly subscription model, with a portion of profits from each sale donated to AquaBox.

Tim Telford said: “At Devtank, we’re committed to sustainable and ethical manufacturing.

“By designing our products with open-source principles, we empower users with freedom and flexibility while minimizing e-waste.

Supporting Aquabox aligns perfectly with our mission to make the world a better place. Helping people is at the heart of what we do.”

Devtank has leveraged its Chamber membership to help showcase its expertise and achievements, including exhibiting at The Midlands Energy Summit.

Devtank directors and employees have also attended various Chamber events and training workshops, helping to broaden their networks and upskill the team.

As a 2024 Derbyshire Business Awards finalist in two categories for Business Improvement in Technology and Environmental Impact, Devtank has gained additional recognition across the region.

Engagement with Chamber Advisers and the Innovate Edge teams has also led to valuable business introductions, opening doors to new opportunities and collaborations.

UPCOMING EMMN MEETINGS • Derbyshire, 16 May 2025 – away day meeting at TDP and Aquabox in Wirksworth

• Nottinghamshire, 4 June 2025 – NTU Mansfield • Leicester/Leicestershire, 10 June 2025 – DMU Innovation Centre, Leicester • Derby, 24 June 2025 – Away Day Meeting at Pennine Healthcare • Nottingham, 9 July 2025 – University of Nottingham, Jubilee Campus, Nottingham For further information on the meetings or to book a place, visit emmn.co.uk or email emmn@emc-dnl.co.uk

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BUSINESS NETWORK

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TRAINING & EVENTS

TRAINING & EVENTS BOOST YOUR WORKFORCE AND DEVELOP YOUR BUSINESS

East Midlands Chamber deputy chief executive Diane Beresford

Joyann Boyce is the keynote speaker at the AI & Digital Marketing Conference & Expo 2025

NetMonkeys managing director Nick Gall

A chance to rAIse your game

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EDx speaker and award-winning entrepreneur Joyann Boyce has been announced as the keynote speaker for East Midlands Chamber’s AI and Digital Marketing Conference and Expo on 6 June.

Taking place at Nottingham’s East Midlands Conference Centre, the conference is presented in conjunction with Chamber AI partner NetMonkeys – headline sponsor for the event.

Designed for businesses and charities seeking to take advantage of AI opportunities in reaching new audiences, winning and retaining customers and improving sales & marketing productivity, the event is expected to attract 400 business owners from across the region.

It will offer delegates the opportunity to learn about the latest trends, real-life case studies and effective tactics to gain the best advantage for their businesses, and include expert speakers giving informative talks on AI, machine learning, search engines, content creation, robotics and automation.

Keynote speaker Joyann Boyce is the chief executive of AI technology agency InClued.ai and known for TEDx talks on driving change in 44 business network May 2025

marketing. Joyann combines a master’s degree in data science, specialising in bias detection and worked with big brands such as Coca-Cola, Social Point, Adobe, and Nationwide.

‘AI is revolutionising the way in which we all work, and nowhere more so than in digital marketing’ She is particularly passionate about establishing inclusive communication as an industry standard, helping companies align their messaging with their values and connect authentically with diverse audiences.

Chamber deputy chief executive Diane Beresford said: “AI is revolutionising the way in which we all work, and nowhere more so than in digital marketing.

“AI can be put to excellent use in improving SEO, reaching new audiences, improving client experience, creating content and reducing the burden of administrative tasks.

“It is fast becoming a vital component in how businesses maintain their competitive edge. I’m

really looking forward to hearing Joyann’s insights on this.

“The Chamber’s digital conferences are always well-received, in large part because of the way in which our highly knowledgeable speakers bring even the most complex of subjects to life in a highly engaging and easy-to-understand way.

“The event also presents an opportunity for our region’s businesses to network with others, to connect with businesses participating in the expo and to find out about the latest support on offer from the Chamber and leading suppliers in the area.”

NetMonkeys managing director Nick Gall said: "Being a Chamber Strategic Partner means we can truly accelerate our work in offering expert guidance and hands-on support to members who are either starting their AI journey or looking to enhance their current strategies.

“AI really can give the best of competitive edges and we'll be showcasing what's possible in the conference expo area."

To find out more about the East Midlands Chamber AI and Digital Marketing Conference and Expo 2025 visit: https://is.gd/5vHKUX

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TRAINING & EVENTS

Learning the skills to take you and your business to next level As part of the Chamber’s core commercial training offer, we have TWO FLAGSHIP PROGRAMMES that have been designed to take delegates on a journey of learning, giving them the skills to perform and deliver in their roles.

1 - DIRECTOR DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME East Midlands Chamber’s successful Director Development Programme has been running for more than 20 years – helping directors and senior managers develop the skills necessary to grow their business or the department they lead.

Charles Barnascone (pictured), the trainer for the programme, offers his thoughts on its success.

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irectors and managers from ‘all walks of life’ have attended over the years, which really helps the participants learn from each other since they typically have complementary experiences and varied ideas regarding the subjects we discuss.

While it is a director development programme by name, we always have welcomed senior managers from all walks of life either from the public or private sector, and the origins still are that as managers we need to work ‘on’ the business as much if not more than ‘in’ the business.

There is a strong emphasis on the importance of people and the contribution they can make to the future success of the organisation, after all people follow people, and leaders create the right environment for success to happen.

What’s really interesting and satisfying is that when reflecting over the last 20 years there are literally hundreds of organisations which have benefitted from the programme in a variety of ways.

Many of the participants of the DDP have gained from focused

2 - INTERNATIONAL TRADE OPERATIONS AND PROCEDURES (BCC ACCREDITED)

Some of the 2024 ITOPs participants with Julie Whiting (left), Karen Mosley (second left) and David Pearson on the right

and bespoke additional training or support.

Often, we have had one or two directors or senior managers attend the DDP, apparently to ‘try it out’ then on the following DDP, the remaining directors and senior managers attend so that the whole team are communicating the same message through the organisation.

The participants have found this enormously beneficial when creating their plans for the future.

It’s also testament to the strength programme when people join based on recommendations of their colleagues.

The five modules of the programme take the participants on an interesting journey of discovery, perhaps reminding them of ideas they have not yet put into practice, and new perspectives which will help them achieve their objectives.

What is rewarding is that many leaders have come back to us and confirmed that attending the DDP was instrumental to their success.”

The subjects we cover are described in the course outline at https://is.gd/bIRaqH

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he International Trade Operations and Procedures award is an online trade qualification designed to help people and businesses already involved in international trade.

It provides training in the key areas of administration, documentation, freight moving, payment methods and customs as well as other official procedures.

The course for Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire and Chesterfield is jointly run by Fidelitas International Training (Germany) alongside the Chamber – who both also work together to offer it through selected Chambers of Commerce around the UK. Over the last decade-and-ahalf some 1,500 international traders – including exporters, importers, freight movers and those in associated industries – have successfully completed it.

Julie Whiting, the Chamber’s international trade training and services manager, said the course not only helped participants and their companies learn ways of working that could save money in the long-run, but also ensures

they are legally compliant with their exports and imports and helps them improve their dayto-day processes.

She said: “The ITOPS award has always followed four main principles – it is practical, current, relevant and enjoyable.

“It is regularly updated to meet changing challenges and circumstances and also ensures the company stays compliant and is taught, assessed, and verified by experienced professionals who have wideranging and up-to-date experience in the industry.

“It offers two nationally recognised international trade qualifications and is flexible so that it can be delivered in-house as a bespoke programme or as one of the popular “open programmes”, with minimum disruption to the workplace.

“On top of that it is a development programme – with no examination to cram for at the end.”

For further information, email Julie Whiting and Theresa Hewitt at internationaltraining@emcdnl.co.uk or visit: https://is.gd/iaMcLr

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BUSINESS NETWORK

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SUSTAINABLE EAST MIDLANDS

SUSTAINABLE EAST MIDLANDS

www.emc-dnl.co.uk/sustainability

HELPING BUSINESSES TRANSITION TO A SUSTAINABLE AND LOW-CARBON ECONOMY

Sustainability must be seen as an opportunity Pervinder Bhalla (pictured, inset), is the co-owner of the Ibis Budget hotels in Leicester & Derby. Here he outlines how the team has invested in a more sustainable business.

Regulations will make it easier to recycle Kirsty Woodward, head of regional sales from waste management and resource recovery business Enva discusses what the Simpler Recycling regulations mean for businesses.

From 31 March 2025, all workplaces in England with 10 or more employees have had a legal duty to manage waste in accordance with the Government’s new Simpler Recycling regulations.

This change aims to simplify the recycling process and make it more consistent, ensuring that businesses contribute effectively to a more sustainable circular economy. All businesses and non-domestic premises must now separate their waste into categories, including: dry recyclables; food waste; black bin waste. Businesses generating garden waste must arrange for it to be recycled or composted in a way that delivers the best environmental outcome.

An important feature of the regulations is the flexibility given to businesses – they can decide on the size and frequency of their waste collection, tailored to the volume of waste they produce.

These regulations apply to almost every sector that generates waste similar to household waste, including: offices; retailers and wholesalers; hospitality venues such as cafés and restaurants; educational institutions; healthcare premises; charities; places of worship; and penal institutions.

The successful implementation of the regulation hinges on the proper separation of waste. Businesses must ensure that paper and card are separated from other dry recyclables, unless their waste collector such as Enva collects them together. In all cases, dry recyclables, food waste, and black bin waste must remain distinct from each other.

If you’re unsure if these rules apply to your business, the Gov.UK website has guidance at: www.gov.uk/guidance/simplerrecycling-workplace-recycling-in-england

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ur mission was to reduce energy consumption, ensure water conservation and enhance overall operational efficiency.

A review of our energy bills, environmental impact, calculation of our Scope 1 and 2 emissions and customer feedback pointed out areas for improvement. One of the primary challenges we faced was the initial investment in air source heat pumps, solar panels and energy efficient appliances.

We overcame this by securing government grants specifically aimed at businesses transitioning to more sustainable practices, and carefully planning our budget to ensure that the long-term savings outweighed the upfront costs.

‘By highlighting our sustainable practices, we have been able to attract eco-conscious customers’ These grants helped us fund the installation of advanced air source heat pumps and solar panel systems and played a crucial role in reducing the financial burden.

Our business has significantly benefited from implementing eco-friendly solutions to improve energy efficiency, reduce water consumption and enhance guest comfort and security at our hotels.

The hotels now operate in line with sustainable development principles in reducing our carbon footprint and we have also invested

Ibis Budget Hotel Leicester

in eight electric vehicle charging points, water conservation systems, water softener systems, gas condenser boilers and eco-friendly appliances for our laundry and kitchen.

We also installed two 37kW solar panel systems which, on a sunny day in March, generate around 16kW of electricity. This increases to around 24kW in May and June.

By highlighting our sustainable practices, we have been able to attract eco-conscious customers and demonstrate to other businesses that sustainability is not only beneficial for the environment but also a sound business strategy.

My advice to other businesses is to view sustainability as an opportunity, not a burden.

Helping residents to go green too Derby City Council and Derbyshire Dales District Council have collaborated with sustainable engagement programme supplier Jump to launch an e-learning tool to help residents adopt greener habits at home.

Developed with support from Midlands Net Zero Hub and funded by Innovate UK, the new tool will be integrated into the new sustainability engagement programme, Green Rewards.

The Green Rewards programme is a free web and mobile app-based programme available to all residents within the Derby and Derbyshire Dales postcodes. It awards points to people who log their green activities, with monthly prizes for those who earn the most points.

This latest expansion, titled the Green Home Guide, introduces an interactive digital house where people can earn points for clicking through rooms to discover practical sustainability tips – such as insulation guidance and water-saving habits.

In launching Green Rewards, Derby City and Derbyshire Dales join Nottingham City Council, Nottinghamshire County Council, Gedling Borough Council, Broxtowe Borough Council, Rushcliffe District Council and Newark and Sherwood District Council, that have launched sustainable rewards programmes of this kind.

Residents can sign up for the programme at the Derbyshire Green Rewards website.

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BUSINESS NETWORK

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INTERNATIONAL TRADE

INTERNATIONAL TRADE SUPPORT, STRATEGIES AND RESOURCES FOR EXPORTERS AND IMPORTERS

It’s time for exporters to start boxing clever E ast Midlands Chamber is offering support to businesses struggling with the impact of tariffs on their overseas trading.

Concerns remain over what will happen next in UK/US relations, despite suggestions that a new trade deal could be around the corner.

Markets went into meltdown following Donald Trump’s 2 April Liberation Day announcement proposing sweeping tariffs on pretty much every country on earth.

The global economy only recovered after the president back-tracked and said he would instead bring in a 10% universal tariff – with bigger rises for countries such as Vietnam, Sri Lanka and those in the EU paused for 90 days.

At least that was the case as Business Network went to press, though things have been changing weekly, if not daily.

China, meanwhile, still faced huge tariff increases as part of the escalating trade war with the States. (One notable exemption is for smartphones, the biggest Chinese export to America, along with electronic devices and components such as solar cells, semiconductors 50 business network May 2025

and memory cards. The value of Apple shares rose after that announcement.)

At the same time the previous tariffs announced by Trump remain in place and continue to affect exports from Britain – including 25% on car imports to America and 25% on steel and aluminium imports.

‘Ultimately the duties that President Trump is imposing will affect businesses in America as well as elsewhere’ New 25% tariffs on imports from Mexico and Canada to America also remain in place.

East Midlands Chamber, which provides a broad range of services to businesses that import and export goods and services, is in a position to help company’s struggling with the new rules.

As well as regular on-line and in-person training courses, the Chamber’s export office, for instance, provides support for every aspect of export administration, giving businesses peace

of mind that they are compliant when overseas trading rules at home and abroad.

The team can help with commodity codes, Incoterms, origin and trade agreements. The Chamber also works with partners who support export financing and foreign exchange.

Chamber head of international trade Lucy Granger (pictured) said: “Ultimately the duties that President Trump is imposing will affect businesses in America as well as elsewhere, including the UK.

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INTERNATIONAL TRADE

EAST MIDLANDS CHAMBER ADVICE ON WHAT EXPORTERS TO THE USA CAN DO • Checking your Commodity Code is a good place to start, as it is your commodity code that will establish if your goods are subject to any sectoral duties.

• It is also important to remember that these duties are to be paid in the US and are not the responsibility of the UK business – however you must check your contracts with your US customers to ensure that the Incoterm you are using within your contract does not make you liable for paying this duty. As an example, Delivered Duty Paid (DDP), makes it the exporters responsibility to complete all customs paperwork and pay any related duties.

• Origin of goods play a big part in these tariffs, as each country has its own blanket duty rate. Just because the goods are being shipped from the UK, does not automatically ensure that they will only pay the 10% duty.

You need to ensure that you can prove the origin of your goods if challenged.

• You might also want to consider looking at other markets to trade your goods. Utilising Trade Agreements is a good way to explore other market opportunities. The UK joined CPTPP (Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Trade) on 15 December 2025, which is agreement currently between 12 countries, Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, and Vietnam, and allows for duty-free trade in most instances using origin preference.

“It will make their imported goods cost more.

However, that can have a negative impact on UK businesses as it makes their products harder to sell in that market by essentially increasing the cost.

“For exporters, this comes at a critical time, only days after the arrival of new tax burdens, which our members tell us will protract and stifle investment and the creation of new jobs.

“The UK Government needs to continue conversations with the US at pace. They need to make sure they’re getting the best for businesses within the East Midlands and the UK, so that the US is a viable market that we can continue to trade with.

“In the meantime, the Chamber is here to support businesses and help them gain understanding of what these tariffs mean for them. We can help businesses explore other markets and help protect their foreign exchange while we wait to see how things unfold.

“If you have concerns about what this means for your business, I’d encourage you to contact the Chamber and speak to one of the international trade team.

HOW TWO LOCAL BUSINESS REACTED TO TRUMP TARIFFS From its base just outside Chesterfield, freight forwarding business Kranlee Logistics offers export support for clients across the UK, helping them ship anything and everything to the four corners of the world.

Brother and sister Karen Mosley and Lee Wells have taken their business to a £6m turnover – 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.

Lee said they were doing their best to help customers through the recent upheaval.

He said: “With the uncertainty of the current tariffs it’s causing us as a forwarder quite a few headaches to find out what is happening and how it directly affects our clientele.

Cosy Direct’s Pete Ellse at the Ed Spaces Texas US trade show

‘We must acknowledge that instability and volatility are becoming the new norm’ “We receive daily requests to check commodity codes after the 10% UK duty tariff was announced.

“In addition to this, with where we are based, a lot of clients are using steel and aluminum to manufacture their products.

“This is also subject to another 25% duty rate, should this be applicable, which is naturally causing a lot of concern. All this is on top of the established duty rates in the US tariff.

“The media has focused on the 10% UK tariff, but there are more nuances and tariffs in place that need apply to certain products and we have to clarify with our local contacts in the USA. “One of our clients has some goods on the water from China, which when sold was subject to 35% duty, and now due to the tariffs is looking at 104% duty which longterm won’t be feasible without drastic change.

Karen Mosley and Lee Wells of KranLee

“I can foresee the UK to US market naturally slowing down, especially in the short term due to the uncertainty in the markets and the impacts will be significant to business.

“But as with any major event we face there will be opportunities that pop up elsewhere within other markets and trade lanes but that isn’t a quick fix.”

Derbyshire-based Cosy Direct, which designs and sells indoor and outdoor play and nursery equipment, sells hundreds of thousands of pounds worth of products to the USA and Canada.

Chief executive Pete Ellse said they were slowing investment in the States while the situation was unstable.

He said: “We must acknowledge that instability and volatility are becoming the new norm. Strengthening relationships and investing in close partnerships is crucial. After all, a problem shared is a problem halved.

“American companies are grappling with significantly higher costs. In contrast, the UK’s position is relatively strong, making us more competitive globally.

“As of now, it seems that maintaining a resilient and measured approach is beneficial we look like a stable supply environment.

“We should harness our collective energy and tap into that 'backs to the wall' spirit within our teams.

“During Brexit, we demonstrated resilience by doubling our efforts, which led to substantial growth – from £100k to £2m in just five years. “ In its recent results, Next Plc said the introduction of new tariffs in the USA were anticipated to have relatively little impact on overall sales or profits.

It said: “As a group, NEXT has very little business in the USA. However, we and our subsidiaries are making arrangements to trade through a US entity… the volume of goods the group imports to the US from China is negligible.”

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POLITICS

POLITICS ROUNDING UP LOCAL AND NATIONAL AFFAIRS

Artist’s impression of the Nottingham Broad Marsh masterplan

Deputy leader Cllr Helen-Ann Smith (left) joins planting efforts at Stanton Hill

Council investing to boost life in Stanton Hill Ashfield District Council is putting fresh investment into the village of Stanton Hill to improve life for residents and businesses.

The council cabinet has agreed initial proposals to improve accessibility, make the streets cleaner streets and upskill the workforce.

The council has been working with Teversal, Skegby and Stanton Hill Neighbourhood Forum to create a 10-year programme of priorities and interventions for the area.

The plan is centred around five key objectives: community spirit; rebuilding the High Street through investment and business support; tackling issues such as litter, crime, health and housing; improving accessibility and connections for residents, visitors and tourists; empower residents with the skills and aspirations needed for high-quality jobs.

Deputy council leader and ward councillor Helen-Ann Smith, said: “Community is at the heart of this programme. Stanton Hill has a real sense of community and we want to support the people living there as much as we possibly can.

“This has been identified as an area that needs some extra support and it is through working with the Neighbourhood Forum and the residents that this has been made possible.

“We are still in the first stages so watch this space as there is plenty more to come from this project.”

EMCCA backs summit to unlock growth potential The East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA) supported the Momentum Valley Investment for Growth Summit, held at the East Midlands Conference Centre.

The summit brought together key partners for the region, investors, equity funders and grant holders to discuss unlocking growth and opening doors to businesses across the East Midlands.

As a headline partner, EMCCA played an active role in the summit, including a main stage one-to-one interview between mayor of the East Midlands Claire Ward and Kurt Jacobs from Insider Media.

The discussion focused on the mayor’s priorities, the economic vision for the East Midlands and the role of investment in driving growth. During the conversation the mayor shared insights into how EMCCA is raising the profile of the East Midlands on the national stage and ensuring the region’s voice is heard.

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Homes England buys Broad Marsh H

omes England has been revealed as the new owner of the Broad Marsh site, following its sale by Nottingham City Council.

The government housing and regeneration agency has agreed to buy the former shopping centre, land to the west of the Green Heart, a multi-storey car park, Severns House and a former college site.

The next stage of development will include demolition and enabling works, with private sector developers then set to be invited to deliver the plans for around 1,000 homes and up to 215,000 sq ft of shops, office and community spaces. Around 2,000 full-time jobs are expected to be created.

‘This is really positive news for Nottingham and marks the start of a major redevelopment for this key part of our city’ Council leader Councillor Neghat Khan said: “It’s great to finally reveal the name of the buyer for such an important site. I have confidence in Homes England and the work they have already delivered across the country.

“This is really positive news for Nottingham and marks the start of a major redevelopment for this key part of our city.

“We know that people have wanted to see progress here for a long time and we understand that it has been a frustration for some that this hasn’t happened.”

Broad Marsh is Nottingham’s foremost regeneration project and is being helped by investment from the East Midlands Combined County Authority.

Work so far has included establishing a new Nottingham College hub, the new Central Library, Broad Marsh bus station, car park and the completion of the Green Heart public realm.

Mayor of the East Midlands Claire Ward said: “Homes England’s purchase of Broad Marsh is an investment into the future of Nottingham – a future that the people of Nottingham have been asking for and the city council has been pushing for, which can now be realised.”

Law firm Geldards provided legal advice to Nottingham City Council on the sale of the buildings and land to Homes England and retention of the City of Caves by the council.

Leading on the advice was commercial property partner Hélène Maillet-Vioud, supported by real estate specialist Caroline Findlay and public sector partner Neil Walker.

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POLITICS

Proud to tell the world our story Derby City Council leader and East Midlands Combined County Authority deputy mayor Councillor Nadine Peatfield reflects on her recent trips to China and France.

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he last few weeks have given me so many reasons to be proud of our region but my recent trips to the MIPIM Real Estate Summit and China have really brought this home for me.

I’ve been reminded of just how much Derby has to offer not only to the rest of the UK but internationally. We’re seeing record rates of investment into our city by key players who also recognise the potential of our relatively small but very mighty city.

MIPIM, the world’s leading real estate event, gave Team Derby the opportunity to spend time with potential investors, not only telling them all about Derby’s incredible regeneration story, but taking time to listen to what they have to say.

The event was the perfect opportunity to launch Derby’s ‘City Centre First for Offices’ prospectus, showcasing office opportunities and supporting a drive to get more people into our city centre and supporting the local economy. A big thanks once again to Marketing Derby for coordinating Derby’s part in the event.

We’re passionate about collaboration and partnership so it’s important to learn what our potential investors think.

The message was loud and clear from investors and developers alike: stability and confidence are key.

This has been crucial in attracting the big investors and names we see here now and those in the pipeline. Finally, we are a city on the up.

While in China, I had the opportunity to spend time with trade leaders discussing potential investments into our region and strengthening partnerships that will unlock new opportunities for our economic growth.

The week-long visit had a packed agenda, and we six mayors and deputy mayors worked really

Nadine Peatfield during a government trade mission to China

‘I’m confident that by forging deeper ties with China, we can revitalise the UK’s economic foundations’ hard to promote our regions and the UK as a prime place to invest.

The trip was a significant step forwards in the UK's efforts to secure its position as a global leader in trade, technology, and innovation – setting the stage for a new era of international collaboration.

I’m confident that by forging deeper ties with China, we can revitalise the UK’s economic foundations by boosting trade, creating new jobs and securing investment opportunities that will ensure long-term prosperity. It was a fantastic opportunity and I’m very excited to see the impact that these two trips will have on our city over the coming months and years.

Of course, I can’t talk about the last few weeks without mentioning our wonderful new city centre venue. It was thrilling to attend the Vaillant Live opening event and see the venue alive with people having a fantastic time. Thinking back to what the site looked like the first time I visited in

June 2023 – the transformation that has taken place is staggering and I’m so proud of all we’ve achieved. The excitement really was palpable on opening day and the feedback that we’ve received has been overwhelmingly positive.

This is yet another example of international players, such as ASM Global and Vaillant, choosing to invest into Derby. With their headquarters in Belper and manufacturing site at Indurent Park Derby, Vaillant have already invested heavily in Derbyshire, and I’m pleased to see this continue into the Becketwell development.

Looking ahead, I’m incredibly excited for the Market Hall re-opening next month and cannot wait for everyone to see all the hard work that has been poured into revitalising one of our beloved buildings. We made our intention to transform our city centre into a vibrant heart very clear when we came into power almost two years ago and it’s fantastic to see this start to come to life.

Confidence in Derby as a vibrant, pioneering city and centre for manufacturing excellence is sky-high right now. Backed by support from partners locally and across the globe, we’re creating a vibrant city centre with culture at its heart and I’m proud to be a part of the journey.

Blockbuster plans for Long Eaton cinema A derelict cinema in Long Eaton town centre is being demolished to make way for new homes and commercial units.

The old Galaxy picture house in Derby Road closed more than a decade ago. The council succeeded in buying the prominent eyesore after helping secure almost £25m of Government regeneration funding for Town Deal projects in Long Eaton.

The former Stage One nightclub next door will also be levelled as part of plans which will see 16 flats and four town houses built, along with three business units. There will be 28 parking spaces, accessed from Oxford Street at the rear of the development.

Demolition is expected to take around four months and the council has partnered with developer MyPad and affordable housing association Tuntum for the construction, which is expected to be completed in August.

Richard Ledger, chairman of the Long Eaton Town Deal Board, said: "After considerable effort to secure these properties, we're thrilled to see demolition begin.

"This is the first step in transforming Galaxy Row into a vibrant hub of homes and businesses, and we’re committed to keeping the community informed every step of the way. We eagerly anticipate the positive impact this redevelopment will have on Long Eaton.”

The derelict cinema in Long Eaton will soon be demolished

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CHAMBER FEATURE NEWS

HOTELS, CONFERENCES & EVENTS

FEATURES TURNING THE SPOTLIGHT ON ISSUES AND SECTORS THAT MATTER TO BUSINESS

Planning a corporate event

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orporate events are key to business. They are an excellent way to communicate and reinforce your brand’s values, from business objectives to market positioning. But get them wrong and your delegates will not be impressed – worse, they might leave your brand with an irreversible impression.

Event planning in itself is challenging, so where do you start when you have to plan a business event?

THE RIGHT LOCATION The venue for your event should be easily accessible with (free) parking, disabled access and be close to the motorway. Not only will this be more convenient for your delegates to travel to a central location, they will arrive on time, un-flustered and focused and ready for the day ahead. Additionally easy access can attract a wider audience and help reduce no-shows.

expected. For example, a small business meeting will benefit from an intimate room that provide focus and a peaceful environment, while a bigger team away-day should have access to a larger function room, one which provides enough seating as well as table space.

The best corporate events are the ones that get your delegates moving. Choose a venue with rolling parkland – the greenery, fresh air and space will really help to spark creativity whether you use the land for team building games or simply lunch outside.

INSPIRING SURROUNDINGS Hold your corporate event in an awe-inspiring venue.

Traditional and centuries old decor is certain to charm your delegates while providing luxury and history. Grand decor is a sure-fire way to create the vibrancy and dynamism a corporate event requires.

MAKE A CONNECTION

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

A venue should have a strong mobile signal, complimentary wi-fi access and the latest audio-visual equipment. A business event will be greatly enhanced with visuals such as PowerPoint presentations and short films/video clips.

Visuals will keep your delegates stimulated, ensuring they don’t get bored, or worse, nod off!

Mobile connectivity means delegates won’t feel cut-off from comforts such as their inbox, social media platforms and the ability to keep an eye on the office whatever the time of day.

Whether it’s breakfast, lunch or just refreshments, your delegates should be kept fed and watered to keep energy levels up. Choose a professional caterer that can adapt a menu to dietary requirements, timings and themes.

ACRES OF SPACE Your event should be tailored to the amount of delegates 54 business network May 2025

RUNNING LIKE CLOCKWORK Take the stress out of planning and running your corporate event by hiring an events co-ordinator. They will work closely with you to create a day or evening, tailored to your exact needs and ensure business goals are fulfilled.

A co-ordinator will also ensure that timings are met by working behind the scenes so you can focus on the business in hand.

‘Whether it’s breakfast, lunch or just refreshments, your delegates should be kept fed and watered to keep energy levels up’

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HOTELS, CONFERENCES & EVENTS

FEATURE

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FOCUS THIS MONTH’S BUSINESS NETWORK LOOKS AT THE WAY TECHNOLOGY IS SHAPING THE WORLD AROUND US

SOCIAL MEDIA HAS GOTTEN COMPLICATED - BUT IT’S STILL USEFUL

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rom a standing start two decades ago, social media has been transformed from a liberating tool bringing friends, family and colleagues together to becoming the perfect marketplace for news, services and products, into becoming a growing mouthpiece for fake news, AI-generated clickbait, online radicalisation and cyber bullying.

Pretty much no form of media has been through such a rapid change in such a short space of time.

People who once relied on Twitter to find out what was going on in their town or village, share their thoughts on the night’s Champion’s League match or the new Taylor Swift single, are turning off in droves following its new direction under the X brand. The platform’s verification procedures, for instance, are a shadow or what they were.

Mark Zuckerberg’s Meta, meanwhile, has dropped fact-checking on Facebook, Instagram and Threads – in the States at least – so posts, videos and images will no longer be verified.

Instead, community notes, generated by other users, will be used to try and point out lies and

Caroline Spence, senior lecturer in marketing and programme leader for BA (Hons) advertising & marketing communications at DMU

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inaccuracies. It’s difficult to gauge how that will succeed considering the vast scale of posts that need potential debunking every minute of every day.

It’s no coincidence that this is happening at a time when Trump’s White House is attacking the traditional press and relying more and more on social media – Trump has a reported nine million-plus followers on his Truth Social platform – to spread its partisan message.

But it’s not all bad news. Social media remains a great marketing tool, with the potential to promote brands, services and products in a way that can be infinitely customised to the end user.

TV and radio never had that ability.

The full implications of social media are only just becoming apparent

‘Organisations need to be more aware of reputation management on social media, as platforms and content become more charged and politicised’ And there are checks and balances.

While the UK Government has been accused of “gutting” a potential bill to stop children “doom scrolling” and bringing in a “digital age of consent”, Australia announced last year that it was banning children under-16 from using social media. UK libel and contempt laws also apply, as does the 1998 Malicious Communications Act. Alternatives to the “mainstream” social media have also grown – including BlueSky, created by former head of Twitter Jack Dorsey, which has tried to sell itself as a “liberal” home for people leaving X. The number of new Bluesky users was reported to have spiked following Trump's success in the US elections last November, but how it will fare in the face of the established channels is anyone’s guess.

At the same time, Zuckerberg’s Threads was reported to have reached 320 million monthly active users by the turn of this year.

Caroline Spence is senior lecturer in marketing and programme lead for the BA advertising and marketing communications course at De

Social media remains a great marketing tool

Montfort University. She teaches social media and influencer marketing to final year undergraduates and spent years working with big brands at Leicester digital agency Anicca Digital.

She said although social media was becoming ever-more complicated, it still had many benefits.

She said: “For businesses who want to maximise audience reach, brand engagement and sales, social media marketing remains a huge opportunity.

“The increasing monetisation of all social media platforms coupled with increasingly sophisticated and segmented audience targeting, means that social media marketing is

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TECHNOLOGY

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HIT NETFLIX SHOW SHOT ON LOCALLY-MADE LENSES

Matthew Lewis filming Stephen Graham on the set of Adolescence (Credit Ben Blackall and Netflix)

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a cost-effective and smart way of growing your business. For example, video ads on LinkedIn offer value for money, advanced targeting and quality leads from the only B2B social media platform.

“However, organisations need to be more aware of reputation management on social media, as platforms and content become more charged and politicised. Many brands have left X, for example, following a change in ownership and content management standards.

“As a user and for wider society, the full implications of social media are only now becoming apparent.

“The user experience has declined as platforms prioritise sponsored content over organic – meaning that people’s feeds are flooded with advertising, plus the proliferation of bots and content “farms” mean that fake news and spam are overtaking credible content.

“This has had numerous social and political implications, including potential harm to young people, increased radicalisation amongst certain groups and the use of social media as a political tool to influence referenda and elections.

“This is forcing governments all over the world to start legislating controls on social media. For example, Australia has become the first state to introduce an age restriction on social media access, and here in the UK, the Online Safety Bill makes tech companies responsible for identifying and removing harmful content.”

etflix’s four-part crime drama Adolescence has topped the streaming service’s most-watched charts worldwide – and made headlines around the world for the way it depicted a teenage murder fuelled by social media and toxic masculinity.

Just like Boiling Point – which Leicestershire actor Stephen Graham also starred in – each episode is filmed in one continuous and unflinching shot, resulting in a story that grips from start to finish.

The series has taken the world by storm with this unique filming technique, with many viewers questioning whether each episode truly was one shot.

Cinematographer Matthew Lewis filmed each episode using the compact DJI Ronin 4D camera, paired with a Cooke SP3 32mm lens – made by Oscar-winning, Leicesterheadquartered cinema lens maker Cooke.

Cooke lenses have been used in the movie business for more than a century thanks to their quality and the distinctive “Cooke Look” which they create on film. In recent years, they have been used to film The Last of Us, The Batman and the Wes Anderson movie Asteroid City. In 2013 the business won the science and technology Oscar for the pivotal role it has played in creating some of the biggest movies of all time.

Adolescence marks the second “one-shot” project that cinematographer Matthew Lewis and director Phillip Barantini have worked together on, following the big success of Boiling Point.

Philip Barantini and Matthew Lewis on the set of Adolescence (Credit Ben Blackall and Netflix)

Speaking to the Cooke team on cookeoptics.com, Matthew said: “Phil and I have worked together as a creative duo since he acted in my graduate film at university in 2017.

“When he wanted to try his hand at directing, thankfully he reached out and we began making short films together. Each project led to another and here we are.

“Storyboarding a one-shot is often quite tricky. Only so much information can be portrayed in a traditional storyboard and so much of the important information is how the camera is moving through 3D space and where off-screen elements are moving in relation to it.

‘Sometimes, when the camera can’t move, the focus can say so much’ “For this reason, I tended to create “movement plans” splitting the piece into sections using shot designer and animating all the moves with keyframes. Everything from the layout of each set build and the order of vehicle convoys, down to the placement of a net curtain or the angle of a mirror had to be spot on.”

When it came to camera and lens choice, he said he tested out several options but finally opted for the DJI Ronin 4D cinema camera paired with a Cooke SP3 lens. He said he loved the characteristics associated with Cooke, having used its Anamorphic lenses on previous jobs.

“Cooke Anamorphics felt like a beautiful balance between usability and that anamorphic twirl, while making sure to gently and flatteringly capture faces and skin tones.

“I hadn’t heard of the SP3s until after our first wave of camera tests… the second I saw some footage and the specs, I knew I would fall in love.”

The lightweight nature of the SP3s meant that he could use a variable ND filter, essential for shooting under the blue skies of West Yorkshire and to add depth of field, a vital focus technique in storytelling.

He said: “Without such light lenses, it would have changed the feel of the show entirely…

Sometimes, when the camera can’t move, the focus can say so much.

“So, without the weight saving… we would have lost that ability almost entirely.”

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HISTORIC BUSINESS LOOKS TO THE FUTURE Richard Freeman (pictured) is the co-founder and managing director of Coalville-based Zeeko, a global leader in ultraprecision polishing technology. Here, he explains the story behind cutting-edge machines that produce high-precision optics for NASA and the space industry.

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eeko, which has its 25th anniversary on 10 May, manufactures very complex seven-axis optical polishing machines for freeform surface application as well as some optical metrology solutions.

The company also develops processes for the fabrication of these high precision optics and has research facilities in Japan and in Space Park Leicester. The machines are exported around the world where they are used by specialist optics companies often with very well-known names such as Zeiss.

The mirrors and lenses that are polished on our machines are used in industries including astronomy, space, the manufacturer of silicon chips and many consumer products including the moulds used to form the camera lenses for mobile phones and other consumer products.

The business has grown steadily and now has annual sales of over £10m.

The processes we have developed include shape adaptive grinding – SAG for short – which is a novel ductile grinding process that creates a “highly polished” finished surface for engineered products such as turbine blades, valve bodies, hydraulic components, hip joints, knee joints and precision moulds and dies for the injection process. A good example is the moulds for sports sunglasses.

We recently began splitting that business from the optical business and will launch a separate company called SAG-Tek Ltd – both businesses are located within 500 metres of one another in Coalville.

The Zeeko business – which was co-founded with director of research Prof David Walker – has very few competitors but those that do exist come from Germany and from the United States.

We occupy a niche position in the market and find that while that market is small, once the business relationship is established, it tends to be dedicated and loyal. By contrast the SAG-Tek business has no competitors with its technology – all of the competition is from manual “hand polishing”. In these days of skills shortages, we believe this is a very good place to be.

High accuracy, high precision polishing is a

A Zeeko RPC polisher

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complex and difficult process and one of the big opportunities always for our businesses to attract new clients and new business is by solving issues that our customers can’t solve on their own.

Neither optics polishing nor general engineering polishing at the high precision level is an automated process yet. Automating each of these target processes is the “Holy Grail” of our industry.

‘Our machines today look very similar to the machines we designed 25 years ago, but on the inside the software has advanced’ Zeeko supplies the United States, Europe, Japan, South Korea and China – but we expect that every industrialised country will need SAG-Tek tools if not its machines. Unlike Zeeko that will include the UK market where we are already signing up customers.

The most exciting applications that Zeeko has been involved were the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter NASA satellite and the iconic astronaut pictures that resulted and then the European Extremely Large Telescope (E-ELT) with is 1,000 high precision segments. One of our future NASA projects will dwarf that requiring 60,000, rather smaller, mirrors.

As I look back, the things I am most proud of would be first of all establishing a £10m turnover business; secondly creating two businesses and providing jobs for 60-70 young talented engineers; and thirdly creating a name that has

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DEVELOPING THE RIGHT SKILLS FOR TOMORROW Dr Mustabsar Awais (pictured) is a senior lecturer in financial economics at the University of Derby.

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A Zeeko IRP 1200 machine that has just been installed at the Taiwan Space Agency for polishing telescope optics that will be mounted on future Formosat satellite missions

become synonymous with complex high precision optics fabrication.

Every business in Britain was in some way or another affected by Brexit. Skills shortages, supply chain issues, increased regulation, even travel issues. We saw disruption and additional paperwork in some of the most unexpected places and – for us at least – no benefits whatsoever. But our markets in the United States and the Far East are both more significant and I think it has had little impact on the sales we can achieve. If you want a Zeeko machine, Brexit probably makes little difference.

We now have Liberation Day to contend with and it would be naive to believe that we will not be affected at all. My suspicion is that our German competitors will be looking elsewhere for markets and we will find life more competitive in other territories. My other concern is for our supply chain. Because all supply chains are now global, we will again be affected by supply chain issues that could make it seem like “Pandemic 2”.

How has technology changed during the 25 years of Zeeko? Well, our machines today look very similar to the machines we designed 25 years ago, but on the inside the software has advanced. The sensors, the mechanics and the control systems are all unrecognisable from those early machines and the quality of the polish remains at the leading edge.

We invest approximately 20% of our annual turnover in research and development. Right now, we are working on next generation optics that we know our customers will need in the future. It’s fun being driven so hard and so fast and it gives each one of us a daily challenge.

One of the biggest difficulties we all face in our industry today is a significant skills shortage.

We lost a significant number of valuable team members to Brexit and the pandemic hastened the introduction of a different attitude to work.

Since then, it’s been hard to find and recruit the skills we need. We have tried to respond by making Zeeko an attractive place to work, but despite our best efforts this remains a topic high on our daily agenda.

Late last year Zeeko opened a research lab in Space Park Leicester where we are proud to occupy SpaceLab 1. That presence is already opening doors for us and enabling us to collaborate with other companies in the space sector. The research conducted there is into “high laser damage threshold” optics – required in the fusion process than many hope will provide us with emission-free energy in the second half of this century.

The tip of a Zeeko polishing tool

here are approximately 51,000 tech businesses operating nationwide, covering fintech, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, telecommunications and software development.

The UK’s technology sector remains one of the strongest pillars of the national economy, driving innovation, employment and investment.

London continues to be the epicentre of tech growth, attracting international investment and fostering the development of some of the world’s most promising startups. In addition to major regional hubs such as Manchester, Cambridge, Edinburgh and Bristol, Derby in particular has benefited from flagship government-backed projects to spur innovation and job creation, such as SmartParc Derby, a £300m high-tech food manufacturing campus in Spondon.

Overall, the technology sector currently employs more than 1.7 million people, making it one of the largest sources of skilled jobs in the UK. In economic terms, technology contributes roughly 6.4% to the country’s GDP and remains resilient.

Several high-growth areas fuel the industry’s expansion. Artificial intelligence (AI) and data science are at the forefront.

The UK Government has identified AI as a national priority, investing in research and infrastructure to maintain a competitive edge.

Startups focusing on machine learning, ethical AI and AI governance are particularly wellpositioned for future success.

Cloud computing and software engineering remain key drivers of job creation. Another major growth area is green technology, where AI and digital solutions are being integrated into sustainability efforts. Innovations in smart energy grids, electric vehicle technology, and climate tech solutions are creating new career opportunities, particularly as the UK pushes towards its net-zero emissions targets.

At the University of Derby, we have launched a first-of-its-kind two-year degree to equip students with the skills needed for a career in international business and AI, developed in partnership with global industry giant Rolls-Royce.

The programme has been created in response to demand from industry leaders and aims to fast-track students – equipping them with the skills required for work both today and the future. In addition, career changers from fields such as finance, retail, and healthcare are also transitioning into tech roles, supported by training programmes aimed at bridging the skills gap.

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INNOVATIVE SPIRIT IS ALIVE Dr Nik Kotecha OBE is an internationally renowned businessman, scientist, influencer and serial entrepreneur. He founded and led Loughborough medicines developer and manufacturer Morningside Pharmaceuticals, and is founder and chairman of investment company RandalSun Capital. His global business portfolio includes investments from start-ups to patient capital, with interests in health, life sciences and high innovation, IP rich businesses.

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t was a week of incredible conversations, networking and partnerships at this spring’s Leicestershire Innovation Festival 2025. The networking and learning opportunities the festival provided were key – because innovation isn’t always easily understood, and sometimes it’s not easy to think of how to implement innovation.

And it isn’t a coincidental thing either, you don’t usually innovate in your business in an ongoing way, just by accident – but it is also true that for many businesses that I’ve worked with and spoken to, they are innovating, but often wouldn’t describe it like that, so they don’t always get all the advantages that an innovating business can bring.

So, what is it? Well, it’s still an oftenmisunderstood term, I find. The ‘shorthand’ people use is that it’s “new stuff, new ideas, new inventions, academic concepts…”.

Stanford defines it in a way I like – “An innovation, by definition, is the process of

developing or renewing a technique or product to create or improve value. From innovative entrepreneurs to established businesses, there are many different types of innovations that people and businesses can leverage.”

‘Innovation was really underlined during the week, as I helped to launch and took part in the Leicestershire Innovation Festival’ Let’s unpack that. This definition of innovation starts with renewing a technique or product.

Whatever your business, you use techniques, perhaps you provide services or products for your customers. Or all of the above. So, you’ll know, innovation is for you. In fact, you’re

probably continually innovating but for some, you may not have seen it in that way.

The definition also touches on creating or improving value. This is where we have huge scope to drive up productivity, and build our business balance sheets by creating added value within our companies.

Innovative businesses often continually review and renew techniques, refining delivery, improving services and outputs, whilst building core business value, with pace.

Academic practices which spin-out of hypotheses and conceptual notions are also innovative, but the reason I like the Stanford definition of innovation is that it recognises that it doesn’t stop at the idea – academic or otherwise.

In fact, innovation, within this definition, is tugging at something I believe strongly. And this is that innovation is less about a new or remodelled “thing” – and much more about an organisational culture which continually strives

ROBOTICS FIRM REACHES NEW MILESTONE

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tkinsRéalis and Sellafield have successfully trialled a robot that can be remotely operated robot from a different location – an industry-first that demonstrates the potential of virtual access to nuclear sites.

For the last two years the global engineering, design and project management organisation – which has offices in Nottingham – deployed a four-legged robotic ‘dog’ on the site, working alongside employees to inspect areas, capture data and carry out tasks in hazardous areas.

This trial successfully established high security networks and tested the ability to operate robotics such as “Spot” on site.

Pete Allport, head of remote technology at Sellafield, operated Spot from AtkinsRéalis’ immersive room in nearby Whitehaven, livestreaming footage from a non-critical area on the site.

Richard Brook, technology solutions lead for decommissioning at AtkinsRéalis, said: “Sellafield Ltd has pioneered the adoption of technology across its operations, and this latest milestone is another step forward for the role of robotics in decommissioning.

“Virtual site access is already being used in the delivery of major infrastructure programmes: this trial is a big step towards unlocking its benefits for nuclear licensed sites without compromising safety or security.”

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A robotic dog used by AtkinsRealis

nuclear waste. Their use can boost workplace safety – keeping humans out of high-risk areas and identifying potential hazards – and

automate processes to free up the human workforce to focus time on high priority, highlyskilled activities.

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IN OUR REGION for more, for better, for added value – and for meeting an emerging or anticipated customer need.

That notion of innovation was really underlined during the week, as I helped to launch and took part in the Leicestershire Innovation Festival. It was inspiring to hear from so many people delivering truly remarkable offerings within their businesses – and learning about the tremendous appetite for growth there is in our city and county businesses, driving our economy, for delivering even more.

I was pleased to see the festival agenda including many topics which have been central in my own business journey over time, from exporting for growth to securing capital for novel initiatives. Great too, to see clear platforms given within the festival to manufacturing and to life sciences. Across the Midlands, these elements are central economic capabilities.

I use those words deliberately, because our central location underpins our region as a manufacturing hub, within the ability to reach about 90% of the UK population from the Midlands within four hours.

And our capabilities reflect the ecosystem of life sciences within our region; linked strengths in med tech, pharmaceuticals, clinical trials and the foundations brought by our great universities and medical schools.

There are many more aspects to our Leicester

and Leicestershire economy, of course. From textiles, to green tech, to finance and professional services, retail, hospitality and tourism. And far more besides.

We’re a business community in Leicestershire which doesn’t stand still. We’re responding continually to need. We evolve in the face of consumer and business demand – and we innovate. Not just in ideas – and we have plenty of those. We innovate in our practices, our processes, our people and our products. In doing so, we are directly supporting business growth, improving productivity, attracting and retaining talent and strengthening our balance sheets.

Dr Nik Kotecha OBE DL at the 2025 Leicester Innovation Festival launch

FUNDING TO EXPLORE THE FINAL FRONTIER

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he University of Leicester has received a £10m investment to establish the Leverhulme Centre for Humanity and Space – to explore how the final frontier is reshaping our lives.

The centre will help increase the understanding of how humans engage with and experience space through a series of research projects over a 10-year period.

Centre director Professor Andrew Futter said: “The centre’s work will examine what our future in space looks like and humanity’s evolving relationship with the cosmos.

“With nearly 10,000 satellites orbiting our planet, many aspects of our lives are entwined with space technology.

“But the challenges ahead are profound – creating new societies, laws and systems that govern human existence beyond Earth.

“Our mission is to engage the arts, humanities and social sciences to address the pressing existential questions about our presence in space. From science fiction and video games to geopolitical rivalries and the growing role of private stakeholders, space exploration and its possibilities are woven into the fabric of our culture, influencing everything from global competition to the future of life on Earth.”

Space scientist and Chancellor of the University of Leicester Dame Maggie AderinPocock DBE said: “For all space exploration, an Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences perspective is essential. We need to ensure

Space park Leicester

that and the quest for knowledge is not just a scientific endeavour but a profound human experience, enriching cultural narratives and societal values.

“For over 60 years, the University of Leicester has been a pioneer of discovery and challenge-led space research. Our city is a beacon of diversity, making it the natural home

for research centre that transcends boundaries and ensuring that the research done helps all of humanity.”

The centre will be based at the university-led £100m Space Park Leicester, which operates alongside partners such as the Leicester-based UK Space Agency and the National Space Centre. It will create 42 new research positions.

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FEATURE

GROWING YOUR BUSINESS

It’s time to make most of podcasting

By Rob Dawes (pictured), creative director, Briight

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es, podcasts build authority. Yes, they help you connect with your audience. But more than that, they make marketing easier. And in B2B, where meaningful, high-quality content is still surprisingly rare, that’s a huge win.

Because when done right, a single podcast episode doesn’t just sit on Spotify gathering digital dust. It becomes the engine that powers your entire content strategy.

One conversation. Endless possibilities.

PODCASTS ARE WHERE AUTHORITY MEETS AUTHENTICITY Blogs show what you know. Social posts share your tone.

Podcasts do both.

They give your audience access to the people behind the business, letting people into how they think, how they talk, and what they care about.

That mix of insight and personality builds a kind of trust that traditional content just can’t touch.

And the ripple effect is massive. A single podcast recording can become: • Short-form videos for LinkedIn, TikTok, Insta Reels and Shorts • A full YouTube upload (with lasting SEO value) • Blog posts or newsletters • Quote graphics and carousels • Email content, internal comms, even onboarding material You haven’t just made a podcast, you’ve created a highquality, high-trust content machine.

LET’S BE HONEST, QUALITY MATTERS You might have heard someone say “just start recording!”.

And sure, you can. But if you’re representing a professional brand in a competitive space, you need to do it well.

Audio quality, lighting, visuals, editing – these things matter. They show care. They reflect who you are. Because whether you’re building awareness or winning trust, perception is everything.

And here’s what many B2B brands miss when they go audio only: YouTube is now the number one place people consume podcasts.

So if you’re not filming, you’re falling behind.

Visual-first podcasts don’t just boost discoverability – they bring your brand to life. Set design, camera framing, tone of voice… it all adds up to something memorable.

THE AUDIENCE IS ALREADY THERE. AND READY TO ACT Still wondering whether anyone will listen?

Some 54% of podcast listeners say they’re more likely to consider doing business with a company they hear on a podcast.

That’s not just engagement, it’s influence. And in a world full of noise, a podcast gives you something rare – attention.

And let’s not forget where your audience is hanging out.

LinkedIn is doubling down on video, with native tools and higher algorithm reach. Meanwhile, TikTok is exploding in the business services space, with savvy professionals using it to simplify ideas, show behind-the-scenes culture, and drive real leads.

So, if your podcast isn’t visual, versatile, and ready to be sliced into short-form clips, it’s a huge missed opportunity for direct revenue and long-term growth.

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THE ELF TEST If you’re looking for a framework to judge whether a new marketing idea is worth your time, try the ELF test: Easy.

Lucrative. Fun. Podcasting ticks all three: • Easy to get started, especially with support and structure • Lucrative in terms of long-term visibility, trust, and the sheer volume of content it creates • Fun, because real conversations, laughter, and storytelling bring your brand to life in a way that pitch decks never can.

We’ve seen it time and again – teams walk away from recording sessions energised, with fresh ideas and renewed pride in what they do.

So, what’s stopping you? Maybe it’s the myth that it’s complicated. Or the belief that no one will care, which is nonsense, we’ve created a podcast for a company that designs bottles for the alcohol industry and that has a devoted listener base.

The truth is, if you’ve got something valuable to say, a podcast gives you the space to say it. Clearly, consistently, and creatively.

And more than that, it can anchor your wider marketing strategy. From campaign messaging to thought leadership to brand positioning, your podcast becomes the throughline that pulls everything together, episode by episode.

Make it visual. Make it valuable. And above all, make it good.

‘If you’ve got something valuable to say, a podcast gives you the space to say it’

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GROWING YOUR BUSINESS

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GROWING YOUR BUSINESS

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GROWING YOUR BUSINESS

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GROWING YOUR BUSINESS

Boost your online sales In a world where you can order almost anything straight to your door with just a few taps of your phone, getting your ecommerce shop right is more important than ever.

There’s lots of competition out there, so what can you do to maximise your visibility, target new customers and boost your online business? Business Network is here to help.

TELL YOUR STORY It’s important to build a brand that customers will know and trust, as credibility will lead to higher sales. A welldesigned ecommerce shop doesn’t have to cost the earth, but it still needs to look clean, streamlined and inviting to the customer. Make sure it includes an About Us page, where you can clearly set out your values and your mission statement. A Testimonials page is also great way to demonstrate your customer service and trustworthiness, but keep in mind the need to have a clear brand identity across all pages of the site. This includes a unified colour scheme, logos and fonts.

GET ON SOCIAL MEDIA In this day and age, you can’t run an ecommerce shop without social media. You should be using platforms such as Instagram, Facebook and TikTok to not only showcase your latest products and offers, but spread your brand awareness. People are more likely to buy from you if you seem engaging, honest and trustworthy, so make sure your online content includes videos and blog posts as well as images. You can also use your social media platforms to run competitions and giveaways and share your latest news and updates.

GET ON MOBILE If your online shop isn’t fully optimised for mobile, then you’re going to miss out on a lot of customers. You need to make sure your website has a mobile-friendly version that is just as easy to navigate and as fully functional as it would be on a desktop browser. You may also want to look into developing an app, which would make the shopping process even simpler for your customers. An app rewards system can help you retain existing customers, too.

MAKE IT EASIER Customers will abandon their online shopping baskets if your website is too difficult to use or too slow to load. You can save customers’ time (and simultaneously improve your 68 business network May 2025

conversion rates) when they’re checking out by making it easier for them to search for their address by simply using their postcode. Additionally, give customers an option to save their details will make it much faster for them to checkout the next time they visit your shop.

BUILD RELATIONSHIPS WITH EXISTING CUSTOMERS… If you want to make sure your customers keep coming back, don’t let communication drop off after they make a purchase. Email and direct marketing are great ways to turn a one-time customer into a repeat, especially if you offer a special discount on future purchases to those who sign up to your mailing list. You can use email as a way to share exclusive sneak peaks at new products or offer early access to sales – just make sure you’re not bombarding customers with daily emails!

…AND USE SEO TO TARGET NEW ONES You can grow your customer base by raising the profile of your ecommerce shop through search engine optimisation (SEO). This will make your shop rank higher on Google, making it easier for your customer to find. Use keyword research tools to find out which phrases your target audience is searching for, then optimise the content on your website (focus on product descriptions and meta descriptions) to incorporate the key words and phrases your customers use when they search online for your products.

REGULARLY TEST YOUR SITE Your ecommerce shop is clean, user-friendly and optimal on mobile devices. You might think the hard work stops there, but it will need regular testing in order to ensure you’re maximising sales. A/B testing compares the performance of two versions of content to see which one appeals more to visitors. This way, you can find out what messaging/content, layout and pricing options work best at securing sales.

‘It’s important to build a brand that customers will know and trust, as credibility will lead to higher sales’

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DIGITAL & TECHNOLOGY

DIGITAL & TECHNOLOGY THE CUTTING-EDGE SECTOR THAT IMPACTS THE FUTURE OF BUSINESS

TV star is schooled at ed tech conference D

erby TV personality Baasit Siddiqui backed an IT firm’s biggest yet ‘ed tech’ conference, organised to help teachers get to grips with the latest digital advances.

Baasit, who stars with his family in Channel 4’s Gogglebox and is also an educational speaker, said he “absolutely loved” the MEET conference put on by Derby-based L.E.A.D. IT Services.

Founded by director Lee Jepson, L.E.A.D. IT Services provides tech support to around 200 schools and academy trusts across the country, including around two-out-of-three schools in Derby itself.

The conference featured speakers plus a chance to see the latest gadgets and gizmos helping put the fun back into the classroom and get children excited about their school day.

The day’s first keynote speaker was Dr Fiona Aubrey-Smith, the author of From EdTech to PedTech who was named one of the country’s top five women in education by Education Insights magazine. Dr Aubrey-Smith’s talk shared research showing that children get the best

results when teaching and technology operate in sync, rather than either element being sidelined.

Another speaker was Jenny Parkinson-Mills, foundation director of digitally enabled learning at Warwick Independent Schools Foundation, who spoke about the need for teachers and students to use tools such as AI effectively and for schools to ensure young people are educated in its safe use.

Baasit Siddiqui said: “I always take any opportunity I can to learn from educators.

“I think with regards to AI, I've definitely been guilty of being swept away by its potential and how exciting it is, but what this event really brought out for me, especially that AI discussion, was the safeguarding element and how to use AI initiatives in a really cautious and strategic way.

“For Lee Jepson and the L.E.A.D. IT team to give that space to learn from each other was absolutely brilliant, but it was also painting a real picture of the challenges that are out there in schools as well – but it didn't feel all doom and gloom, it just felt really solution-focused.”

Baasit Siddiqui supporting L.E.A.D. IT Services

How to build the right foundation to support AI Cass Vranjkovic (pictured), lead technology specialist at IT support group and Chamber strategic partner NetMonkeys, considers how AI avatars could boost your business.

It’s genuinely exciting continuing the conversation about Artificial Intelligence (AI) with so many businesses here in our Chamber community. Since my last column, I’ve had numerous chats across the region and a pattern is emerging.

There’s a real enthusiasm for what AI could achieve, from boosting efficiency to uncovering new market insights.

But often, there’s a pause, a slight hesitation, when we drill down into the data needed to actually power these ambitions.

This recurring scenario – the gap between the AI destination and the practical starting point – reminds me of preparing to buy a house.

You wouldn’t seriously start viewing properties or planning renovations before you’d diligently 70 business network May 2025

saved up that crucial deposit, would you?

You need the foundation in place first. In the world of AI, your business data is that deposit.

Without it being sound, accessible and reliable, the dream of leveraging AI remains just that – a dream.

What I’m often hearing is that the current ‘data deposit’ might struggle under the weight of that future success. Information fragmented across different systems, reliance on manual processes, delays in reporting – these aren’t just minor daily inefficiencies; they represent potential fractures in the foundation needed to scale effectively.

Imagine your business successfully doubling its orders or expanding its services – can your current systems seamlessly handle

that increased volume and complexity without creating chaos or hindering customer service? The operational backbone needs to be built for the successful business you will be.

Naturally, the conversation then often shifts to, “so, how do we build that foundation?” Business leaders are recognising that streamlining core processes and consolidating information into a single, reliable source isn’t just about efficiency today; it’s essential groundwork for tomorrow.

This is prompting more exploration of modern, integrated business management platforms – the kinds of systems designed specifically to unify operations, ensure data integrity and create that vital single source of truth.

These systems provide the scalability, the unified operational view and the reliable, real-time data essential to support that significant expansion, ensuring agility and control as the business evolves.

So, while the potential of AI remains a powerful motivator for many local firms – and rightly so – the most practical insight emerging from our ongoing discussions is the need to first look inward. Honestly assessing the health of your ‘data deposit’ and taking steps to solidify it seems to be the essential first move.

It’s the necessary preparation before you can confidently pursue those exciting AI goals everyone is talking about. How ready is your data foundation to support your 2030 vision?

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DIGITAL & TECHNOLOGY

CREST accreditation for cyber security firm Cyber security and compliance solutions provider KIT365 has been awarded CREST accreditation, reinforcing its commitment to delivering high standards in cyber-security.

CREST is a globally recognised accreditation body that sets stringent standards for cyber-security practices and to achieve membership, KIT365 had to demonstrate rigorous compliance with industry best practices, exceptional technical expertise and adherence to strict security protocols.

Founder and director Rob Kneller said: “Our CREST accreditation is a major milestone for KIT365 and a testament to the expertise, dedication and integrity of our team. This accreditation provides our clients with the confidence that we operate at the highest level of cyber-security excellence.”

Reformed IT Team

Local IT firm named on FT 1,000 list Nottingham-based IT company Reformed IT has been featured in the 2025 FT 1,000 list of Europe’s fastest-growing companies.

The IT firm was included after strong growth which saw its revenue grow from £456,000 in 2020 to £1,384,000 in 2023, with its workforce almost doubling from six employees to eleven during the same period.

It was born out of a vision to redefine the IT services landscape by delivering IT services that “genuinely empower businesses while relentlessly protecting against cyber-security threats”.

The FT 1,000 list was published this spring. Reformed IT’s inclusion not only underscores its contributions to the local economy but also its impact on the European market.

Rob Kneller and James Nichols of KIT365

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LEGAL

BUSINESS SUPPORT THE LATEST NEWS AND UPDATES FROM OUR KEY INDUSTRY SECTORS

Passionate lawyer wins Unsung Hero award

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Ranjit Kaur is a paralegal in Geldards’ family team

anjit Kaur, an experienced paralegal in Geldards’ family team, won the Unsung Hero award at the 2025 Women & Diversity in Law Awards.

The Geldards family team was also shortlisted in two other categories, with Aysha Chouhdary up for DE&I (diversity, equity and inclusion) champion of the year and its Sharia Law Service up for race equality or faith initiative of the year (Sharia Law Service).

The awards recognise exceptional achievements by women actively encouraging diversity and inclusion in the legal profession.

Ranjit, who is based in the firm’s Derby offices, has spent the past two decades working in family law, starting her career as a legal secretary before taking on the role of paralegal.

She coordinates mediation sessions for clients seeking a harmonious resolution to family disputes without resorting to costly courtroom proceedings.

She is passionate about supporting clients in the Indian community. Her understanding of Punjabi, Hindi and Urdu help to overcome barriers for clients who trust her to deal with sensitive matters. She is also a busy working mum and grandmother, and is studying for her chartered legal executive qualification through CILEX which she expects to complete this year.

Fiona Apthorpe, head of family law at Geldards, said: “Ranjit plays an essential role in our dedicated Family team and this award is thoroughly well-deserved. She is always looking for ways to improve the service we provide to our clients and her enthusiasm for progressing the diversity agenda within the firm is impressive.”

Ranjit said: “I’m incredibly grateful to my amazing children, colleagues, mentors and clients who have trusted me to help them move forward. Thank you to the Women and Diversity in Law Awards for this recognition, and to everyone who has supported me along the way.”

Kickstarting careers The 2025 cohort for Browne Jacobson’s REACH (Race, Equality and Cultural Heritage) mentoring programme

Thirteen aspiring black lawyers have been offered the opportunity to kickstart their careers after signing up to a pioneering mentoring programme run by Browne Jacobson.

The Nottingham-based law firm has launched the 2025 cohort of its award-winning REACH (Race, Equality and Cultural Heritage) mentoring programme. Since 2022, the scheme has supported 44 individuals, with 14 of those going on to secure employment within the business.

It was set up to address the disproportionate underrepresentation of black lawyers working in UK law firms, which stands at just 3%, by growing, nurturing and creating a sustainable 72 business network May 2025

pipeline of future talent. Each of this year’s 13 students, aged 16 and over, will enrol on a six-month programme in which they are paired with a mentor from Browne Jacobson or Bupa, one of its partners.

Mentors will share their skills, knowledge and insights to help them gain an understanding of what it is like to work in the legal profession.

The programme also includes a week’s work experience placement in one of Browne Jacobson’s offices.

Bridget Tatham, partner at Browne Jacobson and REACH programme sponsor, said: “This programme is not just about kickstarting careers, it's about ensuring black lawyers thrive at all levels of our firm and beyond.”

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BUSINESS NETWORK

ABIROSAE DIGITAL EVOLUTION: NAVIGATING THE SHIFT FROM PERSONAL CONNECTION TO EMPIRE BUILDING In today’s digital landscape, the internet is indispensable for fostering connections, unleashing creativity, and conducting commerce. It’s transforming the way we communicate and establish businesses.

My journey started in 2011 as a teenager using social media to express myself and combat feelings of isolation. This led to a shift from personal connections to finding a professional calling.

By 2016, a dedicated approach to my YouTube channel resulted in gaining 30,000 subscribers in just four months, prompting me to reevaluate what truly brings fulfillment.

After some reflection, I’m relaunching my projects, now equipped with valuable insights from my experiences.

Understanding the psychology behind digital engagement is essential for transitioning from content creation to strategic entrepreneurship. Genuine, relatable content resonates with audiences, and mastering the algorithms of platforms can significantly boost your online visibility.

Achieving digital success involves blending technical skills with a broader purpose.

The concept of ikigai, a Japanese philosophy of finding one's purpose, has profoundly influenced my approach, helping me integrate my passions for family, fitness, and creativity with my professional ambitions.

As the digital environment evolves, the core importance of human connection remains unchanged. By employing authentic storytelling and strategic thinking, we aim to create not just content, but lasting digital legacies that make a real impact.

Develop your digital identity by leveraging your unique experiences andgenuine voice.

The platforms may change, but the power of true connection endures.

T: 07897 678374 E: maelmedulan97@gmail.com. Search: @abirosae on Social Media May 2025 business network

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FINANCE

Record deal for Leicester bank Cambridge and Counties completed a multi-millionpound financing deal for a property developer in less than seven days – a new record for the Leicester-based bank.

The deal will allow the longterm client to refinance existing debt – set against an established, historic hotel in Doncaster – and expand its portfolio with the purchase of a luxury wedding and conference venue, also in Doncaster.

The bank said the deal underscored its “bespoke, client-first lending model and ability to fast track funds under certain circumstances”.

Senior manager Marco Brice said: "We executed this funding facility in record time for the bank, a great testament to the excellent relationship we have with our client, to our team and our dedicated focus on active customer solutions.”

Karali Group expands with fast-food chain

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KF Smith Cooper has helped family-owned restaurant franchise business Karali Group acquire Japanese fast-food chain Marugame Udon.

Karali operates franchises in the hospitality, fast-food and casual dining sectors, including Burger King, Taco Bell and Crosstown Doughnuts restaurants across the UK and the US. It will lead the expansion of the Marugame Udon brand in the UK and Ireland and move it to a fully-franchised model. Marugame Udon currently has eight restaurants in London and one in Reading.

PKF Smith Cooper’s transaction advisory services team provided financial due diligence services and wider advisory support. It has helped with a number of deals in the franchise sector over the past few years.

Transaction services director Thomas Sinden said: “The acquisition of Marugame Udon, which has already started to build a strong and reputable brand in the UK, will be a great addition to the Karali portfolio. Working with the Karali Group as they continue to grow their business has been an extremely rewarding experience, and we look forward to continuing our relationship with the management team, and of course closely watching the growth of the Marugame Udon brand in the UK and Ireland.”

The transactions advisory services team operates across all of the firm’s offices. Karali Group was also advised by Iain Bowler, Rob Chidley, Lucy Bradban, Christian Davison and Sam Salter-Galbraith of Freeths.

Pic: PKF Smith Cooper transaction services director Thomas Sinden

Insurance broker in charity partnership Nottingham chartered insurance broker Russell Scanlan has made Trent Bridge Community Trust its charity of the year.

It comes after its parent company Acrisure signed a three-year sponsorship deal with the cricket ground and sponsorship of the new Acrisure stand – formerly known as the Fox Road stand.

Russell Scanlan has operated in Nottingham for 144 years and is an individual corporate sponsor of Trent Bridge. Its new offices are just a stone’s throw from the ground.

The charity of the year initiative is now in its 13th year, and is part of its commitment to giving back to the local community. Last year the team raised more than £4,000 for Nottinghamshirebased-charity Spectrum WASP. Fundraising this year will include a 10K run and zip wire event, as well a bake sale, clothing drives and an annual quiz at Trent Bridge on November 21.

Joanne Marriot, who sits on the Russell Scanlan board and heads up the team’s charity work, said: “We believe it’s incredibly important to champion local charity initiatives and so are delighted to be working so closely with Trent Bridge Community Trust this year.

“Working so closely with the cricket ground feels timely given our recent office move out the city centre and into West Bridgford. We have some exciting fundraising events planned for 2025 and are incredibly excited to start supporting the great work the Trust does.”

Trent Bridge Community Trust is the charitable arm of Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club, and has invested more than £2m into community projects since 2008.

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Members of the Trent Bridge Community Trust with Mike Dickinson, managing director of Russell Scanlan (centre)

Trust’s head of community and development Mandy Wright said: “We are delighted to have been chosen to be Russell Scanlan’s charity partner in 2025.

“As a long-standing partner of Trent Bridge,

their support this year is greatly appreciated and is an opportunity to come together in support of our shared community outcomes.

“We look forward to working closely with the team at Russell Scanlan throughout the year.”

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SKILLS

Tackling the maths teacher shortage The University of Nottingham has launched a new degree apprenticeship to help tackle a national shortage of secondary maths teachers.

The university is one of eight teacher training providers across England chosen to be part of Government pilot, providing a new paid route into secondary school maths teaching.

The four-year programme opens an alternative career route for school-leavers and those looking to upskill, offering both a degree in maths and education and Qualified Teacher Status.

Stefanie Sullivan is deputy head of the university’s School of Education and chair of the Universities Council for the Education of Teachers.

She said: “This is the path to teaching, reimagined. We are so excited to launch this new apprenticeship – being chosen as one of the institutions to deliver this training as part of the Government’s pilot scheme is a testament to both our strong track record in teacher training and the quality of the degree apprenticeships that we offer.”

Charting a path to a greener future Hundreds of secondary school pupils from across Derby joined a two-day science event which focused on climate action, sustainability and jobs of the future.

The Year 9 students took part in workshops on the crucial role of trees and woodlands, the environmental impact of mesoplastics and climate anxiety at the University of Derby’s Science in the City showcase.

The event also featured a green careers exhibition with representatives from organisations including Derbyshire Wildlife Trust, Twycross Zoo, and Rolls-Royce.

Krisha Bainham, the university’s head of widening participation, said: “We all need to work together on climate action to become more sustainable, protect biodiversity and wildlife habitat, land degradation and ocean pollution.

“Science in the City aimed to raise awareness of the innovative work being done at the University Derby, inspire scientists of the future and support local schools to address their own climate action plans.”

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Bold cyber step for students More than 100 students and 32 speakers and exhibitors gathered at the Derby College Group Roundhouse for a Step Into Cyber event – dedicated to raising awareness of careers in cyber security.

The event included expert speakers, discussions and interactive exhibitions, giving attendees insight into the industry and how to apply their studies to future careers within it.

Businesses and organisations taking part included Practical Infosec, the University of Nottingham, Barclays, the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology, UK Cyber Security Council, the Chartered Institute of Information Security, Queen Mary University of London, The PC Security Channel, Derbyshire Constabulary and the National Football League.

The college group said the number of cybersecurity professionals in the UK had more than doubled –from 28,500 at the end of 2021 to 65,000 in March 2024, making it the fastest-growing IT occupation.

Steven Furnell, professor of Cyber Security at the University of Nottingham, who organised the event, said there was an urgent need for more cybersecurity experts.

He said: “Through our events, we inspire post-16 students in the East Midlands region to explore diverse career opportunities, from technical roles like security operations and penetration testing to understanding cybersecurity's business context."

Hundreds of Derby College students also had the chance to engage with transport professionals at an Insight Into Engineering & Rail event.

Employers that took part included East Midlands Railway, Vaillant UK, Alstom, Encompass Engineering, Risktec Solutions, Loram, Fraser Nash, Rolls-Royce, The Rail Forum, Young Rail Professionals (YRP), and the Great British Railways Transition Team.

The college group supports around 14,000 students and works with 2,000 employers.

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PROPERTY

Airfield Business park gets expansion Work is well underway on an extension to the Airfield Business Park in Market Harborough.

The industrial park, which opened in 2019, is owned by Leicestershire County Council and currently has 11 tenants.

The newest phase, being constructed by Britcon, will see 10 new units and a Costa Coffee drivethru unit built, with room for a second drive-thru to be added.

Councillor Lee Breckon, county council cabinet member for resources said: “As a council, we are proud to be able to support local businesses to expand where we’re able to.

“Once completed the expansion of Airfield Business Park will boost the local economy and help to keep businesses in the county.”

Britcon managing director Nick Shepherd said: “Thank you to the project team and all stakeholders for the progress made to date.

“This is another significant investment for the region and our delivery strategy has focused on job creation and local supplier use to support economic growth.

“We have created two new fulltime jobs to date and placed over £4m of orders with regional subcontractors to deliver high impact social value outcomes.”

Businesses currently on Airfield range from a publisher, pre-loved clothing reseller and a camper van conversions company.

Tenants on the expansion will include fine foods manufacturer and distributor Bramble Foods, which already employs more than 150 people in Market Harborough, and needs bigger premises.

Another deal at Stud Brook Business Park C lowes Developments has let a 30,000 sq ft unit at Stud Brook Business Park, in Castle Donington, to Bucher Municipal – a specialist in municipal vehicles such as street cleaners and snow ploughs.

The new tenant, which is opening more UK bases, has taken a 10-year lease on the new-build which has been designed to meet their exact requirements.

‘Stud Brook Business Park with its efficient connections make it an ideal location’

UK after-sales manager Terry Flannery said: “The expansion in the range of Bucher Municipal products offered to the UK market demands larger and more flexible service centres. Stud Brook Business Park with its efficient connections make it an ideal location.

The deal was put together by Tim Gilbertson, a director of FHP Property Consultants who said: “Due to us being able to agree terms early with Bucher Municipal, our clients were able to create a bespoke build for them on this fabulous site meeting all their requirements and exacting criteria.”

A Bucher Municipal sweeper

Young creatives to get their own space Leicester-based arts and education charity Pedestrian has launched a fundraising campaign to build a hub for young creatives in the city.

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As part of the “Our Big Build” project, the charity is appealing for businesses to come forward and help it raise £50,000 towards the

overall costs. A spokesman said the charity had run out of space to support as many young people as it wanted but the cost of expanding was being hampered by the rising cost of construction materials.

He said: “Since the pandemic, the cost of building materials has doubled or trebled. PreCovid a door would cost £200, now the cost is £500. Our new space needs 16 doors, so can you or your business do something special and donate £500 to open doors for a new generation of children and young in the city?”

The purpose-built space will allow young people to explore their creativity through music, visual arts, digital media, drama and more, offering educational and outreach sessions, mentorship programmes and career development opportunities.

Chief executive Hema Badger-Mistry said: “We’ve seen firsthand how access to the arts and creativity can transform lives. This campaign is about literally opening doors for a generation of young people to thrive and build a brighter future for themselves and our city.”

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MOTORING

A reliable runaround that plugs the gap Journalist Nick Jones tests the small compact runabout from Suzuki.

I

t seems everyone these days is either opting for an electric vehicle or an SUV, but in my book – and if you’re looking for something different – there’s still a raft of small compact run-arounds that can be had for not a lot of money.

Take this, the Suzuki Swift 1.2 mild hybrid Ultra which aims to plug the gap in the market left by the popular Ford Fiesta and the like.

The demise of the Fiesta left more than a quarter-of-a-million buyers each year looking for an alternative – indeed, there was no less demand just less choice.

The last Swift I tested had a fourcylinder engine, this one has a threecylinder engine with a small electric motor, giving not only a cleaner, more economical drive but making it (pardon the pun) swifter also.

The design hasn’t really changed, but instead it has had some subtle tweaks that bring it into the modern car age. The front has a 80 business network May 2025

blacked-out grille now, and Lshaped advanced LED headlights, while at the back the tailgate has been sculptured with a wide bumper and discreet rear hatch and boot side spoilers.

Along with a new interior – the highlight being the centre console now angled towards the driver – there’s a whole new array of equipment you can specify for your Swift, to make it to your liking.

There are two trim levels to choose from, for instance, called Motion and Ultra – the latter adding a few welcome additions to the spec sheet such as automatic air conditioning.

There’s also a CVT automatic version and the impressive Allgrip four-wheel-drive system available on the Ultra version.

It’s a great drive too – the extra electric boost assists the petrol engine when moving off and during acceleration and the whole process is seamless. The price tag is most welcome also.

‘The design hasn’t really changed, but instead it has had some subtle tweaks that bring it into the modern car age’

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MOTORING

FACTFILE MODEL Suzuki Swift 1.2 Hybrid Ultra

PRICE OTR From £19,899

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May 2025 business network

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3. Biz Network May 2025 57-84.qxp_Chamberlink 29/04/2025 12:40 Page 82

COMMENT

THE LAST WORD Chamber president Dawn Whitemore considers how East Midlands businesses can adapt to make the most of new technologies.

T

echnology has become an indispensable force in today’s business, transforming operations through automation, streamlining processes along with collecting, storing and using data to inform decisionmaking and strategic direction.

It has transformed the way we communicate with staff, customers and supply chains leading to enhanced services and strategy, enabling faster advancement with innovation, and providing global reach as a norm.

Alongside the many benefits, technology also presents a number of challenges for businesses that need to be managed, such as cyber security, digital disruption, the continuous need for high levels of investment and skill shortages.

‘What is needed from Government is a different approach to supporting our business communities that supports ALL businesses no matter their size or turnover’ The questions that need to be asked, is what more we can do together to enable and support businesses within our region to optimise the technological advancements that we already possess within the business community and our universities? How do we work smarter while safeguarding competitive advantage, intellectual property and ethical concerns to the benefit of all?

Regionally we already have many projects that formulate strong learning and support for businesses working in close partnership with universities and businesses, which are impactful but not always sustainable.

There is no shortage of support, but I would argue that these have a number of inherent weaknesses – funding is often short-term, limiting outcome requirements, plus there are so many potential opportunities for support that the complexity of locating and securing the right support and then having to provide significant 82 business network May 2025

Technology brings many benefits but can also present a number of challenges

monitoring compliance can be counterproductive and deter businesses from pursuing the opportunities.

Areas where support is available include: • The UK’s only inland freeport which provides businesses with significant incentives, including tax reliefs on business rates, stamp duty, employer national insurance contributions, enhanced structures and building allowance, and enhanced capital allowances.

• Our Investment Zones which are cultivating growth in advanced manufacturing and clean energy along with sustainable construction and the advanced rail sector.

• Made Smarter East Midlands program which helps micro, small and medium-sized manufacturing enterprises adopt digital technologies to enhance productivity and competitiveness.

• Numerous regional grants and support schemes which include the Green Entrepreneurs programme plus Grants for Growth • Training and apprenticeship funds

Despite all that, we as a region continue to fall behind when it comes to the level of overall investment being secured, so how do release more funds? What is needed from Government is a different approach to supporting our business communities that supports all businesses no matter their size or turnover.

We need a 10-to-15-year plan for continuous sustainable investment that is constructed through a portfolio of mechanisms linking the myriad of support that is already in place.

This undoubtedly should include financial incentives such as tax breaks and credits for particular business activities such as innovation, skill development, capital investment that brings wider employment and social benefits.

We need grants for start-ups, low interest or guaranteed loans for SMEs to support scaling up or for those higher risk sectors that we need.

Just as importantly we need to see regulatory incentives, we need to remove the unnecessary burden of bureaucracy, stream line licencing and permitting, faster and more predictable processes that are essential.

This in my view is the fundamental issue, we (the Government) over-complicate every element, setting systems that disable rather than enable, removing/or abdicating decision making from those nearest to the information.

I appreciate we need to ensure accountability and we need to ensure value for public funds but let’s be honest public funds are wasted every day on over bureaucratic processes that burdens the very businesses we have the responsibility to support.

Just think what could be achieved if we applied the same lean approach to every activity in Government that Toyota apply – removing all waste, doing things right once, making decisions at the earliest point.

How amazing would our Government services be, how much more investment could be released to support our businesses to apply and optimise the technological advancements that are being innovated at an ever-increasing pace.

Talk to us here at the Chamber and together let our region lead the way in influencing smarter ways of working.

3. Biz Network May 2025 57-84.qxp_Chamberlink 29/04/2025 12:40 Page 83

3. Biz Network May 2025 57-84.qxp_Chamberlink 29/04/2025 12:40 Page 84