Business Network Dec Jan 2026

THE FIRST WORD

Something that has been a constant within Chamber circles during 2025 has been the highly successful awards that we are involved in. From Enterprising Women to Generation Next, and having Chamber members included in the national British Chambers of Commerce Awards, they continue to be a way of celebrating and recognising the hard work and talent that goes into making the region’s economy the powerhouse that it is.

This edition of Business Network looks at the stories behind the annual Chamber Awards –which are now being judged ahead of the three county ceremonies in the spring – and behind the King’s Awards for Enterprise, which heaped praise on Chamber members earlier this year.

One of those award-winning businesses is Abacus Flooring Solutions. Its founder Nick Megson tells his story in our Big Interview pages – and how after years of working for other people he took the plunge to go it alone. The result has been strong year-on-year growth, a string of awards and the development of a unique new resin flooring system made using recycled materials. Along the way he has worked with the likes of Wembley Stadium, Manchester City and Leicestershire County Cricket Club.

‘Celebrating and recognising the hard work and talent that goes into making the region’s economy the powerhouse that it is’

The Focus pages this month look back at other businesses that are proud to have received Chamber and King’s Awards – including GeoPura, Upbeat Clean, Structural Adhesives and Michael Smith Switchgear, among others.

Elsewhere we report on news that the long-mooted plans to turn Nottingham War Rooms into business space have finally been given the green-light, and show how scientists at the University of Leicester are sending a crew of worms to the International Space Station to see how they cope - hopefully it will make sense when you read it.

There are also strong trading updates from some of the Chamber’s big members, an interview with incoming Chamber president Dr Cham Kang and a report on the Chamber’s new Framework for Growth – our policy wishlist for the coming months and years.

Tickets for the Derbyshire, Leicestershire and Nottinghamshire Business Awards at available at: www.emc-dnl.co.uk/services/business-awards

Look forward to seeing you there and, in the meantime, Happy Christmas.

Tom Pegden, Editor, Business Network

Editor Tom Pegden

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E: tom.pegden@emc-dnl.co.uk

Contributor Tim Smith

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DECEMBER 2025/JANUARY 2026

MEMBER NEWS

4 Green light for Cold War Bunker conversion

APPOINTMENTS

22 Board member leading education charity

THE BIG INTERVIEW

25 Nick Megson, founder and managing director of Abacus Flooring Solutions

STRATEGIC PARTNERS AND PATRONS

30 Workers sing praises of music to beat stress

CHAMBER NEWS

32 New president to promote power of strong communities

CHAMBER NETWORKS

38 EMMN meeting considers industry challenges

TRAINING & EVENTS

42 Chamber to host three festive events

SUSTAINABLE EAST MIDLANDS

44 Zoo's conservation centre is taking shape

INTERNATIONAL TRADE

46 Alphageek opens new office in Dubai

POLITICS

48 Mayor seeks stronger devolution powers

FEATURES

50 MADE IN THE EAST MIDLANDS

Manufacturing a strong 2026

52 The hidden waste costing manufacturers up to half their day

54 FOCUS

A round-up of regional success stories and the importance of recognition as the Chamber’s Business Awards approach

60 HEALTH IN THE WORKPLACE

Energy awareness in the modern workplace

62 Building a culture of health and care

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

64 EXECUTIVE SEARCH & RECRUITMENT What is executive search?

DIGITAL & TECHNOLOGY

66 Choo Choo’s easier way to travel by train

BUSINESS SUPPORT

68 LEGAL

Howes Percival welcomes legal apprentices

70 FINANCE

How money can impact mental health

72 SKILLS

Made in Chesterfield showcases career paths

74 PROPERTY

Mayor unlocks funding to build new homes

76 MOTORING

Nick Jones tests the re-born Renault 4

THE LAST WORD

78 Dawn Whitemore on delivering the skills the region’s businesses needs to thrive

COVER PHOTO

Nottinghamshire LordLieutenant Professor Veronica Pickering (left) with Andrew Cunningham, MD of King's Award winner

GeoPura (inset Mike Kapur and Nick Megson)

MEMBER NEWS

THE LATEST NEWS FROM OUR CHAMBER MEMBERS

Knights

CEO David Beech

Law firm expects continued growth

Knights is anticipating a surge in turnover as it continues to scale up, adding new teams across the UK.

The national law firm said it was expecting a 30% increase in revenues for the six months to 31 October 2025, to £103.2m. It expects pre-tax profits to be up 12% for the six months –compared to the previous half year – growing to £16.4m.

Management said that was broadly in line with internal forecasts as the group absorbed the cost of expenses such as higher national insurance contributions and as it continued to invest in AI and technology.

The business said net debt was expected to be £75.2m, up from £64.8m six months earlier, after £15m was put into acquisitions and £3.5m went into capital expenditure.

In the past few months, the business said it has added teams in the West Midlands, the Thames Valley and the South East – as well as a smaller team in Cardiff –through acquisitions which were “performing in line with expectations and integrating well”.

It said 46 senior fee earners had joined in recent months or were due to start shortly, and “churn” remained low.

Chief executive David Beech said: “We have continued to scale up the business and have successfully integrated recent acquisitions while retaining our strong financial discipline across the business reflected in our strong cash generation.”

Work starts as Cold War Bunker conversion plans get green light

Work is set to start turning a former Cold War nuclear bunker into workspaces and conferencing rooms, a recording studio, charity base and community health and leisure facilities, after planning permission was granted.

Property developer Langcroft has gained permission to transform the derelict Nottingham War Rooms, off Chalfont Drive in the city, and build 104 new homes on land surrounding it, in partnership with emh Group.

The total investment is thought to be around £34m.

The bunker was built in the 1950s and extended in the 60s to be home to 400 people in the

event of nuclear war. It was one of 17 regional war rooms across England and Scotland which would have been a base for government.

Worms wriggle their way into space station

A crew of tiny worms will head up to the International Space Station in 2026 to help scientists understand the effects of extended space travel on the body.

Scientists and engineers at Space Park Leicester, the University of Leicester’s £100m science and innovation park, have designed and built a miniature space lab – or Petri Pod – that will allow scientists

on earth to study biological organisms in space.

As the race to colonise the moon and planets hots up, one of the challenges to overcome will be the harmful effects on the body. Microgravity, for instance, can lead to bone and muscle loss, fluid shift and sight problems, while exposure to radiation could cause genetic damage and increased cancer risk.

The site later housed a BBC emergency broadcasting facility, and was used for storage following its decommissioning in 1969. Langcroft has been drawing up the plans since it was appointed through a Homes England tender process in 2022, with the bunker and homes designs drawn up by Nottingham-based CPMG Architects.

Significant internal features within the War Rooms will be kept including an original Lamson Tube room – which would have used vacuum tubes to send messages around the complex – plant rooms and the original kitchen. The old BBC recording studio will be restored.

Craig Cameron, land and

The International Space Station

The Fluorescent Deep Space Petri-Pod (FDSPP) has been developed by the Space Park Leicester team with scientific lead Tim Etheridge at the University of Exeter. There will be 12 pods in total, while a more advanced

MAIN PICTURE: Work can start transforming the old bunker

INSET OPPOSITE LEFT: Craig Cameron of Langcroft Group

INSET OPPOSITE RIGHT: The vacuum tube messaging system will be kept

INSET BELOW: Original features will stay

partnerships lead at Langcroft, said: “This is an exceptionally proud moment for everyone involved. Delivering 104 affordable homes while bringing the historic War Rooms back to life is exactly the kind of development we believe in – one that blends heritage with community benefit.”

The fortress-like structure will be modernised with new entrances and a re-designed roof – as well as a re-imagined focus on natural lighting.

Sara Harraway, director and interior design lead at CPMG, said it imbued “modern... modern design, inspired by its beautifully brutal architectural canvas, to create sustainable and tangible community facilities.”

version with “life support” for bigger and more complex organisms or extended missions is planned for the future.

The system is now in the USA and will be launched on a cargo flight to the ISS in April, 2026. Its first passengers – tiny celegans nematode worms – will start their space adventure inside the ISS before being deployed outside on an experimental platform to expose them to the vacuum and radiation of space. Their health will be monitored throughout before they are brought home on a future cargo flight.

New trains will keep EMR on track to deliver better service

The first trains in East Midlands Railway’s (EMR’s) new £400m Aurora fleet will enter service this month on the Midland Main Line across the East Midlands and South Yorkshire.

The Hitachi Rail fleet will have more seats than existing services, spacious interiors, better air conditioning, free wi-fi, plug sockets

for every passenger and better customer information screens. There will also be a 46% increase in the total number of seats available.

The 33 trains will be bi-mode –running off electricity on the southern length of the track and diesel where electrification has not been completed in the north.

EMR managing director Will

Rogers said: “The introduction of our first Aurora train this December marks the start of a new era for Intercity travel across the East Midlands and South Yorkshire.

“Our Auroras have been designed with our customers at their heart – with more seats, greater comfort, better connectivity and a smoother, quieter ride.”

Firm counts on revenue boost

Management at accountancy firm MHA expect revenues to have risen 13% to £121.3m over the last six months, with pre-tax profits up 8.8% to £18.5m.

They said the business experienced strong growth across all service lines during the period, including its audit, tax and advisory services.

Activity was particularly strong in financial services, manufacturing, professional services and engineering and technology, each recording “significant” double-digit revenue growth.

Chief executive Rakesh Shaunak said: “We delivered a strong trading performance in the first half of FY 2026 with positive results for a business that continues to grow organically and by way of acquisition, a model that has underpinned our success to date and that we expect will support our future expansion.

“As always, I am truly indebted to the endeavours of an exceptional staff and partners, without whom our success would not be possible.

“Adoption of AI and automation continue to increase across the firm. More of our people are now using automation in personal and corporation tax, and our pilots of tools such as ChatGPT Enterprise and Microsoft Co-Pilot are expanding into day-to-day workflows.

“We continue to take a measured, cost-effective approach, ensuring technologies meet our standards for maturity, security and regulatory compliance.”

MHA chief executive Rakesh Shaunak

One of EMR’s new Aurora trains

Games maker continues its winning streak

Games Workshop, the maker of the Warhammer series, says it is expecting turnover and profits to grow even higher this year.

The Nottingham-based business, which has become a global brand, anticipates sales it anticipates sales of no less than £310m in the six months ended 30 November 2025, up from £269.4m a year before.

It said it believes pre-tax profits will be more than £135m, compared to £126.8m the year before. However, it reported that it expected money from licensing would be £16m or above, down from £30.1m.

The board of the fantasy games business, which is based in Lenton,

Nottingham, declared a dividend of £1 per share in late November, taking dividends declared so far in 2025/26 to £3.25 per share –compared to £1.85 in 2024/25.

Games Workshop had revenues of £565 in the full year to 1 June, 2025, up £70.3m on what had already been a record year, with pre-tax profits up £59.8m at £262.8m.

Back then chief executive Kevin Rountree said: “Despite our recent successes we will never take our hobbyists’ support for granted.

“I wish to thank all of them together with our staff, trade accounts and broader stakeholders for their ongoing support. Exciting times.”

Rolls-Royce dives into deal with Aussie state

Rolls-Royce is building on the success of its Nuclear Skills Academy in Derby, after striking a deal with the State of Victoria, in Australia.

A memorandum of understanding has been drawn up which will see the engineering giant help develop the Australian region’s defence industry skills and its supply chain and R&D capabilities, in support of the AUKUS submarine programme.

AUKUS will see Rolls-Royce Submarines provide the nuclear reactor plants to power new attack subs as part of a tri-lateral agreement between Australia, the UK and US.

It is the only private company in the world capable of managing reactor design, manufacturing and decommissioning.

The Nuclear Skills Academy sees up to 200 apprentices enrolled on apprenticeships each year, creating a pipeline of nuclear talent at the start of their careers to support the UK Royal Navy.

The agreement will also look at establishing Rolls-Royce University Technology Centres and affiliated research clusters, in collaboration with Victorian universities.

Similar agreements were signed with the Western and South Australian governments in September as Australia prepares for its first conventionally armed nuclear-powered submarines.

University rewarded for meeting student needs

The University of Derby celebrated a triple success at the 2025 Global Student Living Awards (which cover the UK and Ireland), after winning three accolades.

It won the best university housing category for the fourth year in a row, retained the award for best environmental management for the third year running, and, for the first time, won the best value for money award.

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

Steve Ward, head of student living at the university, said: “To be recognised by students as having the highest level of satisfaction across all elements of our service provision is an incredible achievement.”

An artist’s impression of a AUKUS attack submarine

The team from the University of Derby celebrate triple success at the 2025 Global Student Living Awards

Blood Bowl, part of Games Workshop’s Warhammer series

Charity in call for festive help

Rebuild East Midlands – which provides long-term support to adult survivors of modern slavery – is asking Chamber members to register for its Festive Fuddle fundraising event.

It's a chance to celebrate the festive season with colleagues while raising funds to support survivors of exploitation.

A Festive Fuddle fundraising pack will be sent to everyone who registers to host an event to help make it a success. Money raised will help survivors of modern slavery regain control of their lives.

Rebuild estimates that there are more than 1,000 people in Derby and Derbyshire who are trapped in situations where their freedom has been taken away, through forced labour, sexual or criminal exploitation, domestic servitude and other forms of modern slavery.

Register for a fundraising pack at: www.rebuildeastmidlands.org /festive-fuddle-2025

The

Estate intent on making most of new event space

Wonderland Venues has launched The Fableyard, a new event space set within the historic Whatton Estate, near Loughborough.

This opening marks another milestone in what management said has been a standout year, following the launch of its new corporate website, wonderlandvenues.co.uk, and the introduction of three new venues across the UK.

The Fableyard has seen an underused courtyard turned into a

‘We really wanted to expand our offering to the corporate market’

curated, year-round events destination, with a stretch tent nestled within the estate’s historic architecture – offering a blend of heritage and contemporary design. It will operate as a corporate hub for conferences, away days and brand showcases.

At the double to help children

Derbyshire Children’s Holiday Centre is taking part in The Big Give Christmas Challenge, giving businesses the chance to create twice the impact for Derbyshire children in need.

The charity, which has been providing holidays for disadvantaged children for more than a century, recently said it was reopening its Skegness property, after reaching a fundraising target of £150,000.

It had not been able to run trips in 2025 due to rising costs.

Management at the centre, which provides seaside holidays for disadvantaged children, have now said that every donation made between noon on 2 December and noon on 9 December, will be doubled – so £20 becomes £40 and £100 becomes £200.

The aim is to raise £15,000 in online donations, which will then be matched to make £30,000 –enough to help fund the essentials that make its children’s holidays possible.

Any money up to £15,000 will be matched by champion funder the Friends of the Reed Foundation, through the Big Give initiative,

Linzi Burnell, co-founder and corporate director of Wonderland Venues, said: “We really wanted to expand our offering to the corporate market, creating a new and engaging space where teams can come together. The Fableyard brings something truly different, somewhere that feels special the moment you arrive.”

The Fableyard joins the group’s new London venue Motel Studios in Shoreditch, and its new Sperry tent in the Walled Garden of Helperby, North Yorkshire.

Santa returns to cathedral quarter

Supporters

which is linked to the NVCO (National Council for Voluntary Organisations).

Charity figures suggest one in three Derby children live in poverty, while 20,000 across Derbyshire are growing up in deprived households.

Its Skegness holiday centre gives every child that visits a bed of their own, a clean, warm room, proper

meals and the attention of kind adults during a five-day break from what are often difficult circumstances at home. Donations are needed to help fund heating, laundry, staffing and care support.

To donate visit: is.gd/I3EojW

Santa has returned to the Cathedral Quarter Grotto in Derby Market Hall this Christmas. The visit has been sponsored by the Cathedral Quarter Business Improvement District (BID). Brad Worley, manager for the Cathedral Quarter BID, said: “We are so happy to be able to welcome Father Christmas to the Derby Market Hall this year.

“After it opened to the public in May, we knew it would be wonderful to set up our Grotto within the Grade IIlisted building. You are in for a real treat this Christmas and we can’t wait for families to come and visit.”

Fableyard is set within the Whatton Estate

of Derbyshire Children’s Holiday Centre celebrate raising enough funds to re-open in 2026

Rehabilitation centre receives its first patients

The country’s first NHS National Rehabilitation Centre (NRC) is opening its doors to the first patients.

The 70-bed centre, part of the Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, will help patients who have experienced life-changing illness or injury.

It has been built on the Stanford Hall Rehabilitation Estate, near Loughborough, which is also home to the Defence Medical Rehabilitation Centre – which cares for wounded, injured and sick Armed Forces personnel. Key facilities such as a hydrotherapy suite will be shared across the two sites, all set in tranquil parkland surroundings.

‘We have huge ambitions for the NRC and believe it will help transform specialist rehabilitation’

With support from 26 universities, including the University of Leicester, it will focus on three main areas: specialist rehabilitation; research and innovation; and training and education. It means hundreds of academics will be able to work with – and learn from –each other, in order to co-ordinate

an overall approach to rehabilitation research.

The centre will help up to 750 NHS patients with particularly complex needs each year, to try and give them back a normal, independent life.

Dr Seth O’Neill, research director of the School of Healthcare at the University of Leicester, said: “We’re very excited to work with the NRC to benefit patients across the country by providing excellent research, innovation and education for the complex rehabilitation needs of the NRC’s patients.”

Miriam Duffy, Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust director for the NRC, said it was the trust’s fourth site and had been almost 10 years in the making.

She said: “To see it finally open is a testament to the hard work and dedication of so many people.

“We have huge ambitions for the NRC and believe it will help transform specialist rehabilitation as we currently know it, not only in the way that the rehabilitation is provided, but also through groundbreaking research and training.

“At its core, the NRC is about transforming outcomes for people who have suffered potentially lifechanging injury, trauma or illness –and making sure that they can regain a quality of life equivalent to or as close as possible to their life prior to injury or illness.”

Photographer snaps up stake in creative business

A Derby photographer and videographer who has worked with global icons across film and photography, has joined forces with home grown creative media business Goldbox Productions.

Ashur Stanley, the founder of A S Studios, has bought a stake in the Derby-based creative media company and become one of its directors.

It is hoped the partnership will strengthen Goldbox Productions’ position within the region’s creative industry.

Ashur’s portfolio of clients ranges from Bananarama and Sugababes to Jess Glynne, Faithless, Simple Minds and Alison Moyet as well as businesses such as East Midlands Railway, Jet2, Alton Towers and trentbarton buses.

He said: “I’m excited to help shape Goldbox’s future and build on its current success in delivering standout projects across a range of media. We are also excited about a strategic partnership with University of Derby too.”

Goldbox Productions was launched during the pandemic by four friends who met studying at the University of Derby. Today it is run by James Heaney and Joshua Spaticchia, who have been joined by Ashur.

Clines include McDonald’s, Arla, Experian, the NHS and The University of Nottingham.

Ashur said: “Derby and the wider Midlands have a vibrant and growing creative scene.

“The continued growth of A S Studios combined with the creative talents of Josh and James of Goldbox builds a media powerhouse collaboration.”

Directors James and Joshua said: “Ash brings a wealth of experience and creative expertise, along with a genuine passion for producing impactful video content.

“His reputation for delivering high-quality commercial work perfectly complements Goldbox’s specialism in cinematic storytelling, making this an incredibly exciting step forward for the company.

“Both Goldbox and Ash have built strong reputations as trusted names in the video production industry. Now, by joining forces, we’re combining two networks, two creative visions, and a shared drive to deliver the very best results for our clients.

“We’re confident that Ash’s presence will strengthen our team, enhance what we’re able to offer, and open new opportunities for growth and innovation as we continue building something truly special together.”

Ashur Stanley has taken a stake in the Derby creative media company Goldbox Productions

Stanford Hall Rehabilitation Estate near Loughborough

Tyron Runflat launches safety solution for defence vehicles

Leicestershire’s Tyron Runflat has launched what the team says is the world’s lightest rubber runflat band for defence vehicles.

The business has made it its mission to provide potentially life-saving safety solutions to ensure the defence sector remains ahead of the curve when it comes to keeping vehicles moving in challenging situations.

The team said the lightweight system was the first of its kind, providing an eco-friendly alternative to traditional, heavier runflat systems.

‘We’re always looking at where we can ease the pain points’

The Loughboroughheadquartered business is also launching a new defence wheel which hides the runflat bolts on the outside of the wheel – so that they can be hidden from enemy eyes in warzones.

It is described as the “most subtle system to date”.

Company director Peter Simson said: “We’re always looking at where we can ease the pain points for our customers, which is why we’ve focused on the weight and eco-friendly properties of our latest innovations.

“Offering a light singlepiece runflat solution means the vehicle can have better handling and a lower unsprung weight, allowing the vehicle to react quickly to road imperfections, maintaining better tyre contact.”

Recruitment specialists will go even hire via acquisition

Nottingham construction sector recruitment firm

Approach Personnel has acquired fellow local business Recruit Works for an undisclosed fee.

Recruit Works, founded in 2017, specialises in supplying construction professionals, skilled trades and labour to clients throughout the UK.

Approach Personnel focuses on recruitment in housing, civil engineering, groundworks, fit-out and interiors and manufacturing.

The deal represents a significant acquisition for the business, which generates turnover of more than

‘It is exciting to be part of their ambitious plans for Approach Personnel’

£25m – Recruit Works has historically turned over £3-£5m a year.

Approach Personnel managing director Alan Spalding said: “This strategic acquisition is part of our ambitious growth plans and strengthens our market position with their expertise and extensive networks in the precast concrete and heavy plant sectors.

“Recruit Works will continue to lead their specialisms from our Nottingham office – and we’re thrilled to welcome them into the family.”

Recruit Works managing director Philip Allcock said: “I have known their directors for many years, and it was an easy decision to join the group.

“It is exciting to be part of their ambitious plans for Approach Personnel, and the support functions that will be available to Recruit Works moving forward will help us offer our clients and candidates an ever-increasing level of service.”

Rebrand part of Air IT evolution

IT service provider Air IT Group has unveiled a new customerfocussed strategy and platform as part of a wider brand refresh.

The rebrand marks the next phase of Air IT Group’s evolution and brings together all aspects of business technology under one roof – with automation and cyber security as the foundation for SME resilience and competitiveness.

Chief executive Barney Taylor said: “We’ve made significant investments in building true inhouse expertise across automation, AI and cyber security.

“Our new brand reflects our evolution as an organisation –building a single intelligent technology stack that gives SMEs the platform they need to grow.”

After a period of rapid expansion through organic growth and acquisitions, the group has consolidated its expertise across cyber security, cloud, connectivity, business intelligence and IT support into a unified offering.

Chief technology officer Lee Johnson said: “Technology is

L-R:

developing faster than ever, and many businesses risk being left behind as a result.

“Technology should simplify, not complicate, the way businesses work, by creating smarter and more secure systems that take away the everyday friction of IT and deliver better customer experiences.

“That’s why we are focused on improving service delivery and ensuring that our clients remain at the heart of everything we do.

“The SME sector’s ability to adopt and integrate new technology, including AI and automation, is critical to future productivity and competitiveness in the UK.”

Tyron Runflat director Peter Simson

Charlotte Lewis, Leanne Kavvadia and Paul Nichol of Air IT

The team from Approach Personnel and Recruit Works

Human-led service, powered by technology

As finalists in the East Midlands Chamber Awards for Customer Service, we’re proud of the recognition – not for the trophy, but because it reflects what matters most: how our clients feel when they use their technology every day. Better-IT was founded to challenge the idea that IT support should simply “keep the lights on”. Businesses deserve more – a partner that improves efficiency, strengthens security, and keeps people productive. For our clients, that means IT that quietly does its job. We prevent issues before they disrupt

your day and provide clear, friendly support when they do. Behind that experience is a team of highly trained specialists who know each client’s systems, people and priorities inside out. With low staff turnover, you see the same faces again and again – building trust, understanding, and faster answers. Our technicians have live access to system information and service history, so most issues are resolved on the first contact. Your team spends less time chasing tickets and more time doing the work that matters.

We don’t see ourselves as an external supplier. We become part of your business –understanding your goals, anticipating challenges, and shaping technology around how you work, not the other way around.

Technology alone isn’t the hero of this story. It’s only as effective as the people who use it. While others use automation to remove human contact, we use it to free our people – speeding up response times and improving accuracy, so they can focus on you.

As one of the region’s few IT partners holding ISO accreditation (27001 & 9001) and recognised as an official Cyber Essentials Certification Body, we work to audited, measurable standards that give our clients confidence their systems are protected and continually improving.

We’re integrating AI tools that work alongside our technicians, spotting patterns and preventing recurring problems before they spread. The goal isn’t to replace people, but to give them better insight and faster solutions. The result? Less downtime, stronger security, higher productivity and happier teams – powered by smart technology and led by people who genuinely care about your business.

If you want an IT partner who treats your staff like their own colleagues, we’d love to talk. Visit better-it.uk or email hello@better-it.uk

From left: Paul Fletcher, Michael McHugo, Hayley Mollett and Bill Hefford at a management cyber security meeting

Summit’s hope for regeneration

The Chesterfield Investment Summit was used to unveil a £2bn regeneration pipeline that could one day deliver more than 7,800 new jobs, 3,900 homes and £473m in annual added value to the local economy.

The summit brought together investors, developers and civic leaders to explore the transformative opportunities across Chesterfield and Staveley.

‘Our inclusive growth strategy is about unlocking opportunity ’

Central to the discussions was the East Midlands Combined County Authority mayor Claire Ward's growth plan for the region, which aims to create 100,000 jobs, deliver 52,000 homes and boost the regional economy by £4bn over the next decade.

The mayor said Chesterfield and Staveley would be strategic in the plan through the Canal Corridor, which has been identified as a priority area for regeneration and investment.

She said: “Our inclusive growth strategy is about unlocking opportunity across every part of the region, and Chesterfield and Staveley are central to that ambition.

“The Canal Corridor is a priority area for regeneration, and we’re committed to supporting

Chesterfield translates into better jobs, stronger communities and opportunities for everyone.

“The investment summit is a powerful platform to show how our plans are rooted in local need and ambition.”

Delegates learned more about the East Midlands Investment Zone, including incentives available for investors and details of the Staveley Hartington regeneration site.

The summit also spotlighted major developments such as Peak Resort and town centre regeneration in both Chesterfield and Staveley, while investors shared insights into why they are choosing to invest in retail, leisure, community, residential and office opportunities across the borough.

investment that delivers real benefits for communities.”

Chesterfield Borough Council leader Councillor Tricia Gilby added: “We’re not pursuing growth for growth’s sake.

“Our focus is on inclusive growth, ensuring that investment in

Destination Chesterfield chair Andrew Byrne said: “Chesterfield is open for business. We have the sites, the partnerships, and the ambition to deliver transformational change.”

The summit was organised by Destination Chesterfield in partnership with the Devonshire Group and Tawnywood, and supported by the Chamber and We Are Spaces.

Chesterfield Investment Summit speakers, clockwise from top left: Claire Ward, mayor of the East Midlands; Dr Huw Bowen, chief executive of Chesterfield Borough Council and Councillor Tricia Gilby, leader of Chesterfield Borough Council

A new home for Dansies

A fixture of Chatsworth Road since 1946, Dansies is moving forward – slimmed down, sharper, and ready for the future.

Dansies is a familiar name on Chatsworth Road. Known primarily for photocopiers, computers, office stationery, vacuum cleaners and a whole host of repair services, the business has served both local customers and businesses with the same friendly service since it first opened its doors in 1946.

Under the steady management of Paul and Nigel since 1996, Dansies has become one of the longeststanding establishments in the area.

Now, after nearly 30 years at their Chatsworth Road premises, Dansies are moving on. The team admits it’s bittersweet. Parking and access at their current site have long been a challenge, but what really makes leaving difficult is saying goodbye to a location that has been at the heart of their

business for so long.

“We’ve loved being part of the Chatsworth Road community and have built so many great relationships here,” Paul and Nigel said. “It’s sad to be leaving, but we’re also really excited about what’s ahead.”

While Dansies has always welcomed walk-in customers, the business has evolved over the years to become increasingly businessto-business focused. Their new home will reflect this streamlined approach — focusing on the essentials: photocopiers, stationery, and vacuum repairs.

That said, loyal long-time customers are far from forgotten.

“We’re absolutely still here for our regulars,” Nigel explained. “We just ask that people call ahead and book an appointment, so we can make sure we’re available to help.”

SPECIAL OFFER WHEN YOU BUY A NEW COPIER

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We also have a referral scheme, where if the referrer purchases a copier, we can pay you up to £100 LOVE2SHOP Vouchers.

A BRIEF HISTORY

Mr Dansie was previously an engineer in the RAF and set the business up following WWII. In 1946 Mr Dansie started doing typewriter repairs, manufacturing many of the parts himself. It’s suspected he took over the premises from Crappers Haberdashery.

photocopiers at a college in Durham. Nigel came straight from school and specialises in photocopier repairs and maintenance; now a major part of the business representing around 90% of the business’ activity across Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire and surrounding areas.

They moved from parts to selling Olympia typewriters, becoming the main dealer in the area. In 1976, they added stationery supplies and the business was sold to a Sheffield-based family. In 1996 it was sold again, this time to Paul Rice, John Walton, and Nigel Walton, the three present owners (who are all local), and continue to offer an excellent array of services.

‘If

you run a business and are looking for copier services, please give us a call to see how we can help’

Paul started in the business in 1982, John in 1984 and Nigel, John’s son, joined in 1996 when the three of them took over the reins.

Paul has always been in office supplies, previously at Taylor & Brown, Mansfield. John is an exMarine engineer, having worked in the Royal Navy and he took a course in electronics, typewriters and

The three are supported by Jayne Blackwood, Frank Stawarz, Matthew Cooper, Ted Stevens and Michele Deakin.

"We look forward to continuing the great long-term relationships with our customers,” said Paul. “Over the past 30 years we’ve gotten to know each other and build a set of services that works for both. If you run a business and are looking for copier services, please give us a call to see how we can help.”

So, there you have it - moving to start a new chapter in their business, slimmer, more focused and ready to apply themselves to the future needs of their customers.

CONTACT US T: 01246 273 794/235 455 E: sales@dansies.co.uk

Greater challenges for businesses with a social purpose

By Dr Nik Kotecha OBE DL, chairman of RandalSun Capital,

and co-founder of the Randal Foundation, on how social purpose business are helping shape the future of UK entrepreneurship.

When you set out in business, the challenges are immense and all around you. There are so many demands on your time and your energy – and your money.

Your business model, your service offer, or product comes under so much scrutiny.

Making ends meet is really hard sometimes at the start too – and convincing others to invest takes confidence, effort and creativity.

So, multiply this by two perhaps, when you then also have a product that is also delivering on a social purpose.

It’s a special type of entrepreneur that embarks upon the exciting but sometimes gruelling journey of growing a business that also has a social purpose.

‘I don’t know any successful entrepreneurs who don’t have a really strong drive and a powerful work ethic’

There are many qualities of entrepreneurs that stand out to me, like resilience, integrity, creativity and collaboration.

First and foremost, though, I don’t know any successful entrepreneurs (social or otherwise) who don’t have a really strong drive and a powerful work ethic.

And you’ve got to be up for the heavy lifting. It’s your business. If it flies – it’ll be down to you.

When you’re deeply passionate about your business purpose – and I’ve never met a social entrepreneur who isn’t! – that drive almost comes naturally.

It’s inspiring to me that there are so many businesses today making it their mission and their purpose to save lives and significantly improve lives.

Without doubt, entrepreneurs – especially social entrepreneurs –have the power to drive real social change, creating jobs, advancing inclusion and developing innovative solutions to many issues which affect our society today.

By leading with purpose and collaborating with charities, public services and communities, businesses from all sectors and areas can succeed, make profits – but they can also help reduce inequalities and create lasting positive impact.

The digital mirror and why your tech project might be failing

By Cass Vranjkovic (pictured), lead technology specialist at NetMonkeys

I’ve been speaking with business leaders across the region and a common frustration is bubbling up.

We buy the shiny new software, we sign the contracts, and we wait for the revolution. But too often, it doesn’t arrive. The project stalls, the team gets frustrated, and we blame the tools.

But here is the uncomfortable truth I’ve come to realise –technology is just a mirror. It reflects your business exactly as it is. If your processes are chaotic, adding powerful AI just creates chaos at high speed.

‘If

we want these projects to stick, we have to

ring-fence time for learning’

The real barrier to success isn’t the technology itself, it’s a lack of investment in our people and their “literacy” of how the business actually works.

The most significant blocker I see isn’t a lack of budget; it is a lack of bandwidth. We often expect our teams to learn complex new ways of working while they are already drowning in their day-to-day tasks.

It is like asking someone to learn to drive a Formula 1 car while they are sprinting for a bus.

It just doesn’t work. If we want these projects to stick, we have to ring-fence time for learning. It can’t be treated as “homework” or an optional extra – it has to be viewed as a core part of the paid working

week. You have to buy the time before you buy the tool. We also need to look closely at what we reward. If we praise staff for “inputs”, like how many emails they send or how many pages they write, new tools will simply help them generate more “busywork” faster. This leads to professionallooking documents that say absolutely nothing. To fix this, we need to shift our focus to “outputs”, the actual problems solved, and deals closed.

Finally, if you feel you are “behind” on automation compared to competitors, don't panic. In many ways, you have a distinct advantage. You don’t have clunky, ten-year-old systems to unpick or code to rewrite. You can “leapfrog” the competition by starting fresh with today’s modern, user-friendly tools. The takeaway is stop looking for a software saviour to fix a human problem. The technology is just the engine; your people are the drivers. If you invest in their skills and give them the space to learn, the return on investment will look after itself.

Dr Nik Kotecha at the launch of the 2025 Leicester Innovation Festival

Range of client wins for agency

Management at marketing agency Cartwright say they have had an excellent second half of 2025 with significant consumer and hospitality client wins.

The agency – with offices in Nottingham, Birmingham and London – has been enlisted by women’s health and wellness supplement brand Serenova and The 1:1 Diet, a personalised diet plan provider under Cambridge Nutritional Foods.

It has also been appointed by Knitted Home, an ecommerce leader in premium knitting supplies.

On top of that, Cartwright scored the VIP event launch of Nottingham-based Japanese and Asian-inspired fine-dining concept Kinu which celebrated its opening this month, as well as ongoing work on behalf of Bar Gigi, also based in the city.

Cartwright has an almost 40-strong team of PR, digital, social media, brand and marketing experts.

It recently celebrated a series of B2B client wins, including construction consultancy Pulse Consult, net zero energy specialist Consultus Group, food packaging manufacturer GoPak Group, and wireless fire and safety company Ramtech.

Donations will help charity support bereaved children

The Bodie Hodges Foundation has received two donations of £7,500 from the Shoezone Trust and Pukka Pies, to support the 2026 launch of an initiative to help bereaved children in schools.

The funding will enable the Leicestershire charity to fund a 12month bereavement educator role, working with schools to support grieving children and young people.

‘This funding allows us to bring in a dedicated bereavement educator’

The pilot scheme will start at six Leicestershire schools that have experienced the death of a child within their school community –supporting the students and proving training for staff.

The initiative is part of the charity’s #AddieTheElephant campaign, which formed part of Loros Hospice’s #StompRoundLeicester art trail.

Bodie Hodges founder and chief executive Donna Hodges said: “We’re incredibly grateful to the Shoezone Trust and Pukka Pies for recognising the importance of this work.

College set to develop cultural hub in Melton

Loughborough College Group is working with Melton Borough Council on developing a cultural hub at The Stockyard on its Melton Campus.

The council has £2m of Levelling Up Funding to invest in a cultural and events space at The Stockyard, which could protect the future of performing arts education and theatre performances in the town.

College group chief executive Corrie Harris said: “We are delighted to continue delivering our thriving performing arts provision here in Melton Mowbray, where so many talented young performers begin their journey.

“This partnership with Melton Borough Council and the new cultural hub represents an exciting step forward – not only for our performing arts students, but for all our students, who will benefit from new opportunities to engage with

the wider community.”

Borough council leader Councillor Pip Allnatt said: “Having this facility will provide excellent opportunities for young people to access inspiring cultural activities, supporting them to achieve their aspirations and engage with a rich, creative curriculum.

“I want to thank local groups and individuals for their enthusiasm and continuing support to create something of value for the next 50 years.”

The Bodie Hodges Foundation is a Leicestershire based charity that supports families who have been

“With their support, we can begin to ensure that children do not feel alone at school, following the death of their sibling.

“Teachers are the heart of our schools, but they are not equipped to carry the weight of a child's death alongside the daily demands of teaching.

“This funding allows us to bring in a dedicated bereavement educator – someone who can guide and support staff and students

Santa’s Tea Party is returning to Bramley’s

through unimaginable loss, so teachers can focus on what they do best: educating and caring for their pupils.”

Pukka Pies community manager Sally Voss said: “We feel this fantastic initiative will offer young people the vital support and care needed to navigate through their grief after losing a loved one.”

In 2025, the foundation has delivered more than 1,000 one-toone counselling sessions.

Transformed

Bramley’s unwraps festive events

Nottingham Venues has unveiled its Christmas and New Year programme, marking its first festive season since completing a £1m transformation of the Orchard Hotel and Bramley’s Restaurant.

Highlights of the season include festive lunches at Bramley’s and Spokes, a Santa’s Tea Party for families, and a sparkling New Year’s Eve dinner at Bramley’s Restaurant.

The Santa’s Tea Party comes back to Bramley’s on Saturday, 7 December and Saturday, 14 December. Families can enjoy a festive afternoon tea complete with sandwiches, cakes and mince pies, and gifts before Father Christmas makes an appearance. It costs £26 for adults and £16 for children.

bereaved of a child

in Nottingham

Spark collaboration, share ideas, and grow the region’s social impact economy

The SocialFuse Network connects innovators, entrepreneurs, and community organisations across the East Midlands – turning purpose into progress through meaningful partnerships and shared learning.

In today’s economy, success isn’t just about growth – it’s about impact. More and more organisations are recognising that collaboration and shared purpose are key to driving sustainable, inclusive change.

That’s where SocialFuse comes in. Developed by Kakou, the SocialFuse Network is a new hybrid platform – digital and in-person –designed to empower collaboration between social enterprises, charities, creative professionals, and ethical businesses.

SocialFuse bridges the gap between sectors, helping partners connect ideas, talent, and resources to accelerate innovation and strengthen community impact. Members gain access to themed meetups, online discussions, collaboration opportunities, and learning resources that support both growth and purpose.

Whether you’re a business exploring CSR, a creative entrepreneur looking for likeminded partners, or a community group developing a new project, SocialFuse helps you find your people – locally and regionally.

SocialFuse isn’t just about networking – it’s about collaboration in action. Through practical workshops, virtual roundtables, and live networking

events, members share expertise, explore funding opportunities, and co-design solutions to shared challenges.

The network’s approach is inclusive, forward-thinking, and rooted in real-world results. By connecting the private, public, and third sectors, SocialFuse enables people to learn from one another, work together, and amplify their collective impact.

As part of Kakou’s wider mission to design technology and systems for good, SocialFuse is built on a simple idea: that change begins with connection. Every partnership has potential, and every conversation can spark something transformative.

The network is already drawing interest from social enterprises, local authorities, and creative industries across the East Midlands. Members value its blend of digital accessibility and in-person connection – creating a flexible space where ideas can grow, projects can scale, and collaborations can thrive.

SocialFuse isn’t just another business network – it’s a movement. A place where purpose meets opportunity, and collaboration becomes the catalyst for a stronger, fairer, and more sustainable regional economy.

Join the SocialFuse Network and be part of the East Midlands’ movement for purposeful collaboration.

Visit www.socialfuse.org.uk

Law firm boosts Chamber link

Leicester-headquartered law firm Howes Percival has signed a strategic partnership with the Chamber, writes Tim Smith. The collaboration will allow Howes Percival to help shape policy in Chamber discussions with political leaders and to engage with the Chamber’s membership, comprised of more than 4,000 firms, sharing insight at events.

‘We are committed to supporting businesses and creating opportunities across our region’

In November, Best Companies ranked Howes Percival the number one best law firm to work for in the UK and the number one best company to work for in the East Midlands, while the business retained 3-star world class accreditation.

The Best Companies lists celebrate excellence in workplace engagement and is widely acknowledged as the most extensive research into employee engagement in the UK.

Howes Percival was Business of the Year at the 2024 East Midlands

NEW MEMBERS

24 new members joined the Chamber in October:

• Nuclear Energy Components

• Enterprising 4 Change

• Vaillant Live

• Clean Slate

• Cyluki Security

• Grays Electrical Engineering

• Training for Reality

• Hallam

• Leicestershire & Rutland Cricket Foundation

• Broadleaf Midlands Tree Care

• Print Co

• Serendipity Institute for Black Arts and Heritage

• Unbrako Precast

• Work‘n’Diversity CIC

• Cavendish and London Property Group

• Nexus Leaders

• Social Ventures Partnership

C.I.C.

• Cotton Baby

• JBUAS

• GX-Maal Trading

• City Arts

• Nottingham Playhouse

• FYSLA Luxury Chauffeurs Nottingham

Chamber Leicestershire Business Awards, where it also won the Commitment to People Development Award.

In 2025, the firm was the recipient of People and Work Business of the Year for the East Midlands Region at the British Chambers of Commerce Awards.

Chairman Geraint Davies said: “We are thrilled to partner with East Midlands Chamber to champion local businesses and support the growth of our regional economy.

“We are committed to supporting businesses and creating opportunities across our region and working with the Chamber will help us to make a real difference.”

receive People and Work Business of the Year at the British Chambers of Commerce Awards this year, Howes Percival is a firm the county can be proud of.

Chamber chief executive Scott Knowles said: “With recent recognition from Best Companies, named Business of the Year at the Chamber’s Leicestershire Business Awards in 2024 and going on to

“Firmly established in Leicester and having grown at impressive pace over nearly three decades, I’m delighted Howes Percival is to be a strategic partner of the Chamber. I look forward to close collaboration with them.”

...and venue signs on as patron

The Chamber has announced Derby’s new event and conference venue Vaillant Live as a patron.

The partnership enables Vaillant Live to collaborate on events suited to the East Midlands business community, engage and network with Chamber members and contribute to discussions shaping policy for the region.

Opened in April 2025, Vaillant Live is part of the Legends Global portfolio which has multiple venues across the UK.

The city centre site has a 3,500capacity auditorium and a premium hospitality suite called the Live Lounge – which can be adapted to suit wide-ranging needs such as live performance, award ceremonies or conferences.

Since opening, the venue has hosted Marketing Derby’s Property Summit and performances from Faithless and Jess Glynne. Upcoming events include The Seniors British Snooker Open and shows from Russell Howard, Harry Enfield and Ocean Colour Scene.

Faye Nixon, Vaillant Live head of sales, marketing and guest experience, said: “We’re delighted

to be joining East Midlands Chamber as a patron.

“At Vaillant Live, we offer stateof-the-art conference and events facilities designed to inspire collaboration and innovation.

“Through this partnership, we look forward to welcoming Chamber members to make the most of our versatile spaces – from immersive training spaces to largescale event areas – and to explore the opportunities that come with our Live Lounge annual premium membership, helping businesses connect, grow and thrive together.”

Chamber chief executive Scott Knowles said: “I’m delighted to welcome Vaillant Live as a patron and look forward to close collaboration.

“Since opening early in 2025, Vaillant Live has proved extremely popular. Top names have already performed at the site, which is fantastic for Derby’s profile, for tourism and for the economy.

“The scope Vaillant Live brings for businesses in hosting events of any scale is substantial and the flexibility of the venue will be attractive to clients.”

Members of the Howes Percival team at the 2024 Leicestershire Business Awards with Prof Katie Normington (left) and host Emma Jesson (right). Inset: Chairman Geraint Davies

The Vaillant Live venue in Derby

APPOINTMENTS

THE LATEST CAREER UPDATES AS COLLEAGUES MOVE UP OR MOVE ON

LAW SOCIETY NAMES YOUNGEST PRESIDENT

Chimdinma Nwaigwe (pictured) has been inaugurated as president of Leicestershire Law Society, making history as the first Nigerian to hold the position in any UK Law Society.

Chimdinma, who is 33, is the youngest person to lead the society in its 166-year history. Having moved to the UK in 2019, her presidency will centre on championing inclusion, with a particular focus on disability, mental health and suicide prevention within the legal profession.

She said her theme for the year, “No One Left Behind”, was both a mission and a movement, reflecting her belief that a strong professional community is built on compassion and connection.

One of her first initiatives, The Buddy System, will ensure every new society member is paired with a committee member, providing guidance, support and a sense of belonging from day one.

She also plans to strengthen collaborations with De Montfort University, the University of Leicester, and the Leicestershire Junior Lawyers Division.

CHAMBER BOARD MEMBER LEADS EDUCATION CHARITY

Aleading member of the regional business community and non-executive director on the Chamber board is now heading up Leicestershire Education Business Company (LEBC) – a charity that has been supporting future generations for more than 30 years.

Anjuu Trevedi MBE is the new chief executive of the £1m-plus turnover charity, which has a 33-strong staff.

LEBC provides careers advice across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland, and partners with businesses to offer invaluable work experience and careers events to young people and students.

It also manages and brokers the East Midlands STEM Ambassador Programme, which has 3,500 volunteers dedicated to getting young people excited about careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

‘LEBC provides work placements for around 6,000 students each year’

Anjuu said: “LEBC provides work experience placements for around 6,000 students each year thanks to local employers.

“It also organises hundreds of careers advice days and events where employers volunteer their time to share their experiences to help young people get a flavour of work, what their role entails, what working in their business and sector might be like.

“We work with all ages, with our focus being secondary schools and colleges including 16-year-olds. We were set up to connect education with business to enable young people to gain critical careers advice and work experience – to inspire, educate and upskill them so they can make informed choices and transition from education into the world of work.”

She will continue to sit on the Chamber board, with a view to becoming its charity lead, and will still

IAN PLAYS THE LONG GAME AT SHORTS ACCOUNTANTS

Derbyshire and South Yorkshire accountants Shorts has promoted Ian Robinson to the newly-established position of senior audit quality, technical and training lead in its corporate team.

The team has seen significant growth in recent years, adding the new position to enhance technical oversight and training.

Ian will play a pivotal role in shaping the firm’s training strategy, while upholding its commitment to high standards.

Audit and managing partner Andy Irvine said: “Since joining Shorts in 2015, Ian has been a cornerstone of our corporate team.

“He has led many of the firm’s largest audit assignments and acted as a trusted mentor to junior team members. Ian’s strong technical background, experience and work ethic make him the ideal choice for this new position. I am thrilled to congratulate Ian on his new role.”

sit on the board of Leicestershire Business Voice.

Anjuu has held senior management roles at organisations such as Twycross Zoo, De Montfort University, the University of Leicester, and the universities of Brighton and Sussex.

Her experience spans strategic development, stakeholder engagement, innovation and operational management, aligning perfectly with LEBC’s mission.

Anjuu said: “Businesses are the backbone of our education-business partnership, we are indebted to their continuing support, particularly to their inclusive and inspiring support of young people with special educational needs and disabilities.

“Collaboration is key, by bringing together businesses and educational institutions, we can collectively make a meaningful difference to the skills and employment landscape in the region.”

Anjuu Trevedi MBE

Ian Robinson (left) and Andy Irvine of Shorts accountants

TAXING TIMES FOR SARAH AS DAINS EXPANDS TEAM

Accounting and advisory firm Dains has bolstered its national capability with the appointment of Sarah Pemberton as employment taxes director and the promotion of three managers in its corporate finance team.

Based in Nottingham with a national remit, Sarah is a qualified tax professional with more than 18 years of experience.

She began her career in expatriate tax at EY, including secondments to India to train local teams and in-house placements with major UK employers.

She later broadened her expertise into domestic employment taxes, joining Deloitte and more recently Cooper Parry, where she played a pivotal role in building the employment tax team.

IN BRIEF

ALL CHANGE FOR 36 STAFF AT LAW FIRM

She has worked with a diverse client base including Premier League football clubs, Formula 1 teams and big, privately-owned Midland’s businesses.

Dains has also promoted Sophie Rogers, Katy Murrall and James Pridmore to corporate finance assistant managers, following a period of strong deal activity and national recognition for the firm’s corporate finance team.

LAUREN LANDS AIRPORT DIRECTOR ROLE

East Midlands Airport has appointed a new operations director to help grow its passenger and cargo operations.

Lauren Turner (pictured) has taken up the post after working in a variety of roles at the airport since joining as a security officer in 2013.

She said she was relishing the big opportunities – and challenges – the airport’s ambitious growth plans presented.

After completing a diploma in travel and tourism, she said deciding to work at an airport was “the best decision” she ever made, opening up number of job opportunities.

Following her stint with security, she held roles in airfield security, the airport’s control room and as

airfield operations supervisor, at a time when she was the only woman in the team – which is now half men and half women.

SPECIALIST JOINS BUSINESS ADVISORS

PKF Smith Cooper has appointed Lucinda Matkin as its business recovery and restructuring director.

Lucinda joins the firm with over 25 years of experience in the industry, including time at a Big Four firm, and is the founder and owner of Midlands-based LM Insolvency, a specialist recovery and turnaround firm, providing services to both individuals and companies.

She is a fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants and brings extensive insolvency knowledge across all business sizes and sectors to the firm.

The Derby and Nottingham team is headed up by partner Dean Nelson.

Lucinda said: “I’m delighted to be joining PKF Smith Cooper. Having spent over a decade running my own boutique insolvency practice, I'm excited to bring that same personal, empathetic approach to a larger, highly respected firm with extended expertise and resources.”

She went on to become airport duty manager overseeing daily operations, and then took the role of head of airfield operations, leading plans to increase capacity for aircraft stands across all three aprons.

Her new role sees her in charge of a range of functions from airfield operations to fire service and command & control, business resilience and air traffic control –with a total of 189 staff.

A new head of air traffic control is set to begin in the new year.

Lauren said: “We have really clear ambitions which will transform the airport and I’m looking forward to working alongside our new commercial director on those plans and taking our teams on that journey.”

PKF Smith Cooper business recovery and restructuring director Lucinda Matkin

National law firm Shakespeare Martineau has announced 36 promotions across a variety of teams and locations, including 31 in the Midlands.

New legal directors in Birmingham include commercial services lawyer Daniel Kelly, construction solicitor Adam Watson, private client specialist Paul McMaster, real estate finance expert Mohamed Patel, and contentious probate lawyer Tamsin Walker. In Leicester, Amit Patel has been promoted to legal director in the residential conveyancing team.

In response to feedback from staff, the firm has introduced a new senior associate role to bridge the gap between associate and legal director.

A total of 24 people have been promoted into the new position across the firm, including 21 in the Midlands.

In Leicester, commercial property and development specialist Anita Chaudhary and corporate solicitor Charley McEvoy have been promoted. And in Nottingham, promotions include commercial property and development specialist Raj Vaiyata, commercial services lawyer Charlotte Cassells, dispute resolution lawyers Anton Letten and Natalie Thorpe, and private client lawyer Lauren Crowhurst. In addition, land lawyer Ashley Bhandari has been promoted to associate in Leicester.

CONSULTANCY UNVEILS RAFT OF PROMOTIONS

Planning, design and development consultancy Marrons has announced 10 promotions across its planning, urban design and heritage teams.

Planners Jacqueline Jackson, based in Leicester, and David Fovargue, in Stratford-uponAvon, have been promoted to partner, alongside Bristol-based master planner Maria Vierma and Nottingham-based heritage expert Hannah Hamilton-Rutter. In Birmingham, master planners Jared McQueen-Pullen and Natasha Claus have been promoted to associate urban designer and urban designer, respectively.

Within the Stratford-uponAvon planning team, George Smith has become an associate director, while Sarah Twist has been promoted to senior planner and Louis Jones to planner.

Jack Wilkins, based in Leicester, has been promoted to senior planner.

Sarah Pemberton of Dains

Abacus Flooring Solutions managing director

Nick Megson, who recently received a King’s Award, tells Tom Pegden that giving back to the community gives him as much satisfaction as business success.

MEETING THE PEOPLE BEHIND THE REGION’S TOP

BUSINESSES

Nick Megson is incredibly proud of the King’s Award for Innovation, which was presented to his business a few months ago. He said it’s not just recognition of the hard work and passion that has gone into creating a business that works with the likes of Wembley Stadium, Manchester City, JCB and Leicestershire County Cricket Club.

And it’s not simply acknowledgement of the expertise that saw him develop a resin flooring that removes the need for silica sand which has potential health implications – and replaces it with recycled plastic and even granules of recycled metal.

Instead, just as he said when the award was announced, it was given because of

The pleasure of building a business from the ground up

Abacus Flooring Solutions founder and managing director Nick Megson

‘I’ve always been a giver. If you give me a pound, I’d give it away because I get more enjoyment from giving than I do receiving’

the “belief, hard work and dedication of the whole Abacus Flooring team”.

Nick went into the resin flooring business 37 years ago, as a fresh-faced 26-year-old from Yorkshire looking for a vocation in life.

The opportunity came when he spotted an advert in the Daily Telegraph seeking a new starter with a degree – he didn’t have a degree –to join a business making “the biggest waves” in the industry.

He faxed over his CV, as well as a message that the boat he was currently on was on its way to the bottom of the sea and he needed someone to throw him a line.

“Because I was young, I thought I knew everything,” he said.

“I went to the interview in Coventry, and was one of 200 people they were considering. It was on a Wednesday, and they said, “can you come back on Friday?”.

“I said I couldn’t because it had already cost me £20 to get there, and said, “I’ll wait in the car park. I want the job that much.”.

Nick Megson and Sarah Knight at the 2025 Chamber Culture and Communities Event

Nick Megson (centre) with the Chamber’s Kevin Harris and host Emma Jesson at the 2024 Leicestershire Business Awards

“Someone said I didn’t have the qualifications, but there was a man there called Wynford Dore, who banged his hand on the table and said: “If a man will sit in a car park and wait for a job, he’ll put the same amount of effort into working for me. You have the job, sir.”.

“I think that persistent attitude sums up the way I still do business. I love people. I trust people. I do get stabbed in the back three or four times a year by people taking something off me, but I can’t change who I am.

“Even if I tried to change, I couldn’t.”

That job saw Nick working as a sales manager for resin products, covering northern England and Scotland.

He said that, in a sign of what was to come, his first outing saw him cold-call at, what was then, the joint Rolls-Royce and Bentley plant in Pyms Lane, Crewe, pulling up in his little Peugeot 405.

“I was petrified, and found myself sitting on this leather Chesterfield sofa as the two facilities managers came in – who turned out to be two

of the most wonderful gentlemen you could meet. They invited me into their office, and told me they needed to paint the factory floors and explained what they needed.

“I got back in my car and rang my managing director and asked if we could do it. He said, “of course we bloody can.”.

“So, I won an order with Rolls-Royce for £130,000. And when I asked if I could take some photographs for our in-house marketing, the then chief executive Peter Ward said he liked the way I had presented to them so much that he offered to put their professional photographer on the project, and told me we could have Rolls-Royce cars on all our brochures. It was amazing.”

After two years Nick was headhunted by a US manufacturer, again selling resin products, but this time covering the whole of the UK.

After that he joined the team at a contractor, staying there for 16 years, before getting involved in the management buyout of a business in the north-east. Nick began building a network up there and within six months the firm

had signed a five-year deal with Nissan Motors.

But the set-up didn’t agree with him and one day he decided he’d had enough, turning his back on the business and sacrificing his investment, but walking into a job in Whetstone, Leicester, for someone he had met five years previously.

He and wife Amanda ended up buying a newbuild David Wilson home in Coalville.

Even then, it didn’t take long to realise it wasn’t the right company to be part of and –after finding a hypnotherapist who was able to help him past some deep-rooted and deeply personal problems dating back to childhood – he decided to go it alone.

The pair sold everything they owned except their home, and launched Abacus Flooring Solutions. That was during the pandemic, and today they install fresh, shiny and durable resinbased flooring up and down the country, in factories, warehouses, garages, stadia and colleges and other industrial spaces.

Once again it was the first job he went

Nick with members of the team at Abacus Flooring

Abacus Flooring is an official partner of Leicestershire County Cricket Club

to that set the tone for the way in which he would go on to conduct his business.

It was an aerospace company in Bristol and, not wanting to sound desperate, Nick had said he would invoice them after 30 days.

Instead, they insisted on paying half up front.

It meant the difference between sleeping in his van that night and booking into a Travelodge.

Today he has a policy of renting houses on short-term lets for his contractors while they are out on jobs, to give them the comforts of home that they wouldn’t get in hotels.

“Until that first job we had nothing apart from the bit of money I had set aside to pay the mortgage and cover bills.

“I wanted to do £182,000 in my first year, which I planned on the spare bedroom wall –and we did £660,000.

“We were selling the flooring and contracting the work out, using the contacts I had from 30odd years in business.

“There was definitely a bit of imposter syndrome.

“Even today I sit here in the office in Loughborough at 6am and I look at everything around me, but I’m able to say to myself ‘nobody can come in and tell me to do it this way or do it that way’.”

He said that first year turnover of £660,000 turnover brought in £130,000 profit. Year two turnover was £880,000, followed by £1.1m, £1.2m and £1.3m. This year he calculates it will be about £1.5m.

Staff-wise there are a dozen people in the team, plus the contractors they work with.

He said: “I’m not hung up on the figures. It’s more about caring for people.

“We give to between 12 and 15 charities a month – I gave again yesterday to a new charity, and I’ve got a new charity that has come on board that will get our support.

“I’ve always been a giver.

SUPPORTING CHARITY GOES BEYOND DONATING MONEY

One of the groups Abacus supports is homeless charity Falcon Support Services in Loughborough.

For Nick, the partnership is more than a tick-box CSR exercise – but a reflection of the company’s values.

He said: “Supporting Falcon Support Services is a natural extension of what we believe in.

“From sustainable flooring to community care, we’re proud to be making a difference on and off the job site.”

Through Falcon’s business champion scheme, Abacus makes regular monthly donations to help fund Falcon’s frontline work supporting homeless individuals, running supported housing projects and providing outreach services across Leicestershire.

But its support doesn’t stop at financial aid.

The whole Abacus team has been actively exploring ways to contribute more, whether through food collections, donated goods, or raising awareness of Falcon’s vital services.

For them, business growth and social responsibility go hand in hand.

Nick said: “In a time when businesses are increasingly measured by their ethics as much as their output, we are showing how industry leaders can be community leaders, too.

“Our partnership with Falcon is a reminder that purpose and profit aren’t mutually exclusive – and that investing in people builds strong foundations.”

Falcon Support Services has just launched its Christmas campaign which aims to provide three emergency beds for people experiencing homelessness over the festive period. Alongside that, it will be opening its doors to the most vulnerable and isolated members of the community through its Community Support Services – including a Community Christmas Lunch for anyone who will be alone on Christmas Day.

To find out how you can help, visit: www.falconsupportservices.org.uk

‘Winning those awards gives you the recognition of people that

you look up to’

“If you give me a pound, I'd give it away because I get more enjoyment from giving than I do receiving.”

livelihoods depend on it.

Charities helped include the drink and drugs support centre the Carpenters Arms, homeless charity Falcon Centre, child exploitation support group Safe and Sound, the Zinthiya Trust, which works to alleviate poverty and abuse, and the Bodie Hodges Foundation, which helps families grieving the death of a child.

That mentality of giving also underpins, what he calls, his “100-year business plan”, which means the family will always look after the business and, by extension, the people whose

“I know the staff are thinking ‘who puts a 100year business plan together?’, but the only rules for them are to keep being nice and to keep giving.”

Since launch he has developed a new product called Abaplas, which does away with the potentially harmful silica used to bulk up resin floors, replacing it with ground-down, waste plastic.

He said: “I went to this plant one day and I said, ‘what’s all that?’, and it was a byproduct from when they recycled plastic, which nobody wanted.

Some of the company’s specialised flooring

Open Road West Norfolk, an automotive workshop for 13-16 year olds, especially those at risk of exclusion, is one of the organisations to benefit from the expertise of Abacus Flooring Solutions

“So, I had an Aldi carrier bag in the back of my van, which I filled. I spent the next night in the kitchen at home, using wooden spoons to mix resins with the plastic in different amounts.

“When I went down at 4 o’clock the next day it had worked. In fact, it was better than I could have imagined.

“That’s Abaplas, and today we have other products too, even using recycled metal, which I’m using in road repairs. It’s the bulk that goes into the resin to make it thicker or stronger. Everybody who uses it loves it.

“One of our first projects was for JCB and Wembley wanted to be the first football stadium to use it. Now lots of clubs, including Man City and Leicester have got it.

“It’s on Centre Court and Court One at Wimbledon, covering the floor between the grass and the seats. Yorkshire Ambulance Service specified wanting us on every project they had, which is quite something, isn’t it?

“The biggest single surface we’ve done is nearly 200,000 sq ft.”

After all that effort, Nick said the 2025 King’s Award for Enterprise in Innovation – one of the UK’s most prestigious business honours – was the icing on the cake.

It was presented by Leicestershire LordLieutenant Mike Kapur OBE during a celebration at Whatton House, near Loughborough. Guests included Deputy Lord Lieutenant Ian Borley and business leaders including Leanne Bonner-Cooke MBE, Dr Nik Kotecha OBE and Eileen Perry MBE, as well as representatives of clients including Reckitt and Twycross Zoo.

Nick said: “Abaplas is changing the way we do things. The world currently mines silica sand in China and Australia, and we have to ship it over. And silica sand will kill you – the dust can affect innocent people for months after it’s put down.

Abacus uses something that would be filling our landfills, and it’s inert so it’s not going to ever hurt you. I won the King’s Award because of that incredible innovation.”

Along the way, the business has won a handful of East Midlands Chamber Awards, not to mention sustainability awards, Business Masters awards and LeicestershireLive business awards.

Nick said: “Winning those awards gives you the recognition of people that you look up to – it allows me to be in the same room as the region’s top business leaders.

“At the Chamber President’s Celebration at Kelham Hall recently, we were in the same room as these fine people – me and my wife, two

people who came down to Leicestershire eight years ago with nothing.

“I wish I had more years left, I wish I had more hours in a day, because I want to do much more. I love work. I never stop. I never watch a film or a TV programme through to the end because I’m always on LinkedIn researching.

“I owe the Midlands a huge amount, I really do. It’s going to be my resting place – like King Richard III. When I went to Miami to pick up an award, I shouted about the Midlands. I said, if you haven’t been, we’ve got so much going there. I just love it here. I’m 64 now, and I’ve never I’ve never been as happy as I am now.

“And the Chamber’s had a lot to do with that. It’s like an invisible arm of mates around me.”

Nick (left) meets King Charles

Lord-Lieutenant of Leicestershire Mike Kapur OBE presents the King’s Award to Nick Megson

STRATEGIC PARTNERS AND PATRONS

NEWS AND UPDATES FROM EAST MIDLANDS CHAMBER’S LEADING SUPPORTERS

IN BRIEF

CAMPAIGN TO SUPPORT VENUE LAUNCH

Strategic marketing agency

Purpose Media is celebrating a successful campaign to help launch Derby’s new entertainment arena Vaillant Live.

The 3,500-capacity city centre venue opened earlier this year and is now delivering concerts, shows and sporting events, as well as hosting major conferences.

The management team brought in South Normantonbased Purpose to create a buzz around the opening, drive visitors to its website, encourage sign-ups for its email marketing and generate ticket sales.

The core message that ‘Nothing happens in Derby … everything happens in Derby’ was designed to playfully challenge perceptions and get people talking.

Paid social campaigns targeted key audiences on Facebook and Instagram, while outdoors marketing, including bus signs and digital billboards, extended the campaign’s reach across the city. Selected postcodes were also targeted through direct mail.

FOXES NAME INTERIM MD DURING TRANSITION

Leicester City Football Club has appointed Kamonthip Netthanomsak to the position of interim managing director to help with the club’s leadership during a period of “executive transition”.

Khun Kamonthip will provide strategic support to owner and club chairman Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha, who has stepped in as interim chief executive until a permanent CEO is appointed. She will have a particular focus on the Championship club’s commercial and operational fields.

The club said: “A highly regarded business strategist and specialist in supply chain innovation, operational efficiency and customer service in consumer goods and retail sectors, Khun Kamonthip was recently recruited to King Power from CP AXTRA.”

Workers sing praises of music to beat stress

Leicester-based music

licensing company PPL PRS has formed a choir of warehouse workers to raise awareness of mental health challenges affecting the sector –and to show how music can help.

The choir – named The PalletTones – is made up of 14 employees from shower brand Mira Showers who recently sang at its Worcester warehouse for a live performance and recording, led by conductor Gina Baker from Music In Offices.

‘Music can have a very positive effect on mental health

at work’

Their original tune – entitled A Day In My Life – was penned by songwriter Dr Madeline Castrey.

Its emotive lyrics are based on first-hand experiences of hardship from hundreds of warehouse workers across the UK, with the process supported by music therapist for PPL PRS, Marianne Rizkallah.

PPL PRS research suggests more than half of warehouse workers say their job has negatively affected

their mental health – rising to 60% in 25-35-year-olds.

Marianne Rizkallah said: “Music can have a very positive effect on mental health at work – from reducing stress, to boosting productivity and evoking happiness.

“Music can also connect teams –whether that’s singing together or simply bonding with a colleague because you love the same artist. I saw this first-hand when facilitating a music therapy inspired session for The Pallet-Tones, then during their moving performance of A Day In My Life.

“Life in a warehouse can be repetitive, but music is an incredible motivator. Long hours can feel more manageable if you’re working to a good beat.

“Employees given the freedom to choose genres or playlists they love might be even more appreciative.”

PPL PRS is a joint venture between PPL and PRS for Music, the UK’s two music licensing societies, which has simplified the legal playing of music by introducing one licence, TheMusicLicence.

Affordable housing for Grantham

Representatives of emh, MyPad and Homes England met recently to celebrate the completion of a new, affordable housing scheme in Grantham.

Scholars Place, a mix of shared ownership homes and social rent homes, was built on unused land which was formerly home to St Wulfram’s Secondary School.

It has 40 homes, with a mix of one-bedroom maisonettes, and two-to-four bed family homes.

The first families are now moving onto the site, which was delivered by emh through a partnership

with Homes England, and development partners MyPad.

Charley Gibbons, group chief executive of emh, said:

“We believe that high-quality homes built in the right places enable communities to thrive and grow. We are proud of having strong partnerships that help us to deliver our place-shaping ambitions for Grantham.”

Many of the homes benefit from solar panels, EV charging points, and all are built to meet a minimum standard of EPC B.

Gina Baker with the choir of warehouse workers known as The Pallet-Tones

How a Rolls-Royce small modular reactor might look

Anglesey is first nuke site

Anglesey has been chosen as the site of the UK’s first three small modular nuclear reactors, which are being designed – subject to final contract – by Derby’s Rolls-Royce SMR.

The site, at Wylfa on the Welsh island's north coast, is set to get thousands of new jobs and billions of pounds in investment over the next decade after it was picked for the mini-nuclear power plants being built by publicly-owned Great British Energy-Nuclear.

Wylfa has a strong nuclear heritage dating back to the 1960s, and the project is expected to support up to 3,000 good jobs at

‘We will deliver nuclear power very differently’

peak construction – underpinned by billions of pounds of infrastructure investment into the mid-2030s.

Small modular reactors are smaller and quicker to build than some traditional nuclear power stations, but could deliver power for the equivalent of around three million homes.

The UK already has a deal with Czechia to cooperate on civil nuclear power. Rolls-Royce SMR and Czechia’s largest public

company, CEZ, agreed last year to partner on SMRs, with CEZ acquiring a 20% stake.

Chris Cholerton, chief executive of Rolls-Royce SMR, said the new announcement marked the first step in a “100-year commitment to clean energy, innovation and community partnership at Wylfa”.

He said: “We will deliver nuclear power very differently by utilising modularisation and a high level of factory build, therefore minimising the impact on local people from infrastructure delivery.

“We are excited to be working with the local community to create jobs and growth.”

Princess Royal visits Vaillant Group

Vaillant Group UK hosted a visit by Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal at its recently opened Derby factory.

Located close to its Belper headquarters, the factory produces the company’s uniSTOR hot water cylinder models, developed to meet the needs of UK consumers for low carbon, low temperature heating, as well as traditional boiler systems.

HRH was welcomed by Henrik Hansen, managing director of Vaillant Group UK and Ireland, and plant director Joe Dunn along with representatives of the senior leadership team.

She had a guided tour of the purpose-built 130,000 sq ft facility and a presentation of how the cylinders are built. She also met apprentices being trained in areas such as welding and engineering.

The Princess Royal during her visit to Vaillant Group

Rachel Biddles and Chloe Sproston of Blueprint Interiors

Buyout boost for Blueprint Interiors

Turnover is reported to have grown 50% in the year since the management buyout of Ashby-based workplace consultancy and commercial interior design firm Blueprint Interiors.

The business was bought by operations director Rachel Biddles and creative director Chloe Sproston in 2024, who had both been with the firm for over 20 years.

Since then, the business has invested in its team and technology and continued to invest in its office, WorkLife, which doubles as a showroom for clients on what can be achieved in productivity and culture-led workplace design.

The year also included its biggest multi-million-pound project to date.

The team said they had benefitted from businesses investing in new ways of working and efficiency, particularly in the education, healthcare, retail, leisure and the office sectors.

Henrik Hansen said: “It was an honour to welcome Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal to our manufacturing site. She was able to view the innovating manufacturing process we have developed to support the growth of low carbon

home heating systems.

“We are very proud of the contribution we are making to help customers transition to cleaner energy use through our technology and manufacturing excellence based in the East Midlands.”

Blueprint’s investment in its team has seen the appointment of a commercial director to drive forward its growth strategy, and its commitment to young people has seen two apprentices completing their studies and secure full-time work there. In addition, three designers were added to the consultancy team.

CHAMBER NEWS

CONNECTING, CHAMPIONING AND SUPPORTING LOCAL BUSINESSES

New president will promote stronger communities

The next president of East Midlands Chamber said he wants to put our diverse communities at the heart of his agenda for the year.

Dr Cham S Kang replaces former college principal Dawn Whitemore in the role, when she steps down this month following her year in the post.

He said promoting inclusivity and collaboration was now more important than ever considering the growing division evident around the world.

He said: “For my year, the theme is “united communities, stronger together, enabling ambition.

“We are all part of different communities when it comes to our business and personal lives – and it’s about recognising those communities and celebrating them by coming together, supporting each other and working together.

“In the spirit of togetherness, we need to ask what we can we do for the different communities that we

are all linked to. We need to ask, “how can I help?”.

“By coming together, we will be stronger together. And by being stronger together we can enable ambition for all of our region.”

‘Over the coming months I want to shout about how great the East Midlands is’

Describing himself as a “geek at heart”, Cham has had a lifelong love of science, research and innovation, studying for a PhD before moving into sales and gaining a masters in marketing and later an MBA.

He also has coaching and leadership qualifications and, with a team of engineers, scientists and technical business leaders, runs Derby-based business growth

consultancy called Qinesis. One thing he is most proud of is the strong team that he has built around him over the years.

Born in Wirksworth, Derbyshire, he was the eldest son of Punjabi immigrants.

He was particularly close to his grandfather and, as the eldest in his generation of the family, was expected to set an example when it came to behaviour, in gaining an education and being professional in life.

He said: “I have followed my grandfather’s philosophy, that it’s not about me but the collective success.

“My hope for my year as president is extremely ambitious and a stretch, which is what I like to naturally pursue as a person. I am very much a glass is half full person and believe anything is possible.”

Cham joined the Chamber board at the end of 2021 because he wanted an opportunity to put something back into the region.

He is a passionate supporter of the East Midlands Manufacturing Network, which plays an important role in supporting the region and UK Plc as a whole.

He said: “The EMMN is a natural vehicle to support manufactures particularly, SMEs.

“Supporting it allows me to do things that I am naturally passionate about. It does not feel like work.

“Since joining the Chamber board, I have been surprised by how much the organisation does, and is involved with, and how much influence it has.

“One of the key messages that I try to share with business owners I meet, is exactly how hard the Chamber is working on their behalf.

“Over the coming months I want to shout about how great the East Midlands is, and urge everyone to be ambitious for the East Midlands. And, to realise this ambition, we should start with becoming united communities.

“I would like to challenge people within the East Midlands to continually review their world views because everything around them is changing so much and so quickly.

“If we are to thrive, then we need to keep our collective finger on the pulse. This is where the Chamber can help. And it starts with the question, “how can I help?”.

L-R: Cham Kang, Dawn Whitemore and Scott Knowles at the Chamber President’s Celebration and Annual Dinner

East Midlands Chamber’s incoming president Dr Cham S Kang

Unlocking region’s growth potential

East Midlands Chamber’s new list of policy asks for Government and political leaders, to unlock growth in the region, has been released.

The Framework for Growth was launched at Leicester City’s King Power Stadium, and covers skills, transport, connectivity, innovation and investment.

Publication followed detailed research and engagement with firms across Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire and Leicestershire, as well as insight from Bank of England forums.

Chamber director of policy and insight Richard Blackmore said: “The East Midlands stands at a pivotal moment right now –significant opportunity is in reach

ASKS INCLUDE:

but needs to be unlocked and the Framework for Growth sets out how to achieve that.

“With a regional economy worth over £75bn and an abundance of

• Skills and workforce development: flexible skills funds for SMEs and microbusinesses; the creation of a “single skills portal” for firms to access apprenticeships; and government-funded training and business support.

• Infrastructure and connectivity: fully delivering improvements to the A46, A50/A500 corridor and complete Midland Mainline electrification; better digital connectivity with universal access to gigabit broadband with 5G.

• Planning system reform: digitising planning processes; increased delegation to planning officers; more resources for local planning authorities.

• Energy and taxation: energy cost relief and efficiency grants for manufacturers and energy-intensive sectors; business rates reform; a long-term “roadmap” for business tax.

strengths across sectors like manufacturing, aerospace, life sciences, space, digital and creative and logistics as well as world class universities and colleges powering innovation and research, the East Midlands must be fully empowered for growth.

‘The specific asks set out in the Framework for Growth are formed from what our members have said they need’

“Despite this huge potential, the region has grappled with significant challenges and factors that hamper growth like poor transport infrastructure, sky-high energy costs, painfully slow planning and lack of skilled candidates to fill roles.

“Our Quarterly Economic Survey has revealed six out of 10 East

Midlands firms have had difficulty finding employees with the required level of skill to fill a vacancy; investment in plant, machinery and training has stalled and corporate taxation is one of the greatest concerns of business.

“Measures like delivering efficiencies in the planning system; reforming business rates; investing in skills, simplifying access to apprenticeships; achieving devolution for Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland; getting electrification of the Midland Mainline fully completed and upgrading the A46 and A50/A500 corridor would contribute to the region being enabled to thrive.

“The specific asks set out in the Framework for Growth are formed from what our members have said they need and the document should be seen by political leaders as the policy levers to unlock investment.”

Visit: tinyurl.com/yfu7a5h9

Free trial to test the power of AI support

Businesses in eligible parts of the region can apply for growth vouchers to trial AI support that could help streamline their operations.

Software specialist Instro has developed a way of offering “chatbased” AI to improve clients’ systems, procedures and resources.

The Instro team said it offers the potential to save time, improve efficiency and help businesses grow.

Instro commercial director Phil Sanders said the business was launched in 2023 and has four directors who worked with the University of Sheffield Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre to develop the software.

The AI can help clients with things such as manuals, technical documents, engineering reports and sales reports.

Phil said: “Manufacturing and engineering businesses could be able to use growth vouchers to part fund

a trial of our generative AI systems. After setting up the software we run trials for the business working with designated users then feedback on the potential impacts it could have on the business in respect to things like time-savings.

“We produce the report at the end of four weeks which shows how we’ve applied the system and how it’s been used over the course of the trial and suggest the benefits that they can get from it.”

Businesses – which could be eligible for growth vouchers worth up to £2,000 depending on which part of the region they are based in – can apply through the Chamber through a dedicated adviser.

Instro will work with the adviser and business to explain what sort of help is on offer and work out if it is the right fit, and that it fits the definition of a “new to firm technology or process” to meet funding eligibility.

Instro co-founders Jonathan Rogers (left) and Phil Sanders

Chamber director of policy and insight Richard Blackmore

The Chamber’s Framework for Growth was launched at an event held at Leicester City’s King Power Stadium

Cementing an agreement to cut emissions

John Egan is the chief executive of Peak Cluster, which operates across Derbyshire and Staffordshire, into the north west.

Forty per cent of the UK’s cement and lime is produced within Derbyshire and Staffordshire, supporting over 2,000 jobs. However, the manufacturing of cement and lime unavoidably emits large amounts of carbon dioxide.

The only viable solution is carbon capture and storage (CCS) and four of the region’s cement and lime producers, who are competitors in their markets, have come together to create a route to decarbonisation – Peak Cluster.

The infrastructure being developed will capture, transport

and store CO₂ emissions. It will be captured in purpose-built facilities at Tarmac and Buxton Lime, both at Tunstead on the outskirts of Buxton; Breedon, whose plant has been located at Hope for almost 100 years; and Holcim’s Cauldon site near Ashbourne.

It will then be transported through an underground pipeline to permanent secure storage at Morecambe Net Zero (MNZ), deep under the seabed in the eastern Irish Sea.

By seizing the opportunity to manufacture world-leading low carbon products in the Peak

Rebrand gives growth hub new lease of life

The D2N2 Growth Hub has become the EMCCA Growth Hub following a rebrand of the website.

The new domain name is growthhub.eastmidlands-cca.gov.uk and it now follows East Midlands Combined County Authority brand’s style.

Though the brand name and look have changed, the Growth Hub’s valuable triage service, which offers information, advice and support to Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire businesses, will continue. It will also continue to be delivered by the Chamber.

Business Peak District (BPD) is a free membership organisation for businesses in the Peak District National Park, High Peak, Staffordshire Moorlands and Derbyshire Dales. Its principal supporter is East Midlands Chamber. To find out more email: members@businesspeakdistrict.com

District, MNZ/Peak Cluster is helping to secure a sustainable future, remain competitive and build resilience.

MNZ/Peak Cluster is projected to safeguard and create 13,000 jobs, add £180m annually into the regional economy and bolster the supply chain.

‘Generations

of skilled workers have quarried limestone’

The region’s cement and lime sector – which has existed since neolithic times – remains the backbone of the Peak District economy. Generations of skilled workers have quarried limestone and processed it into cement to

construct homes, schools, bridges, energy infrastructure and data centres. The lime is required for a huge variety of essential products and helps create fertile soil and clean water.

The region’s industrial heritage, reserves of high-grade limestone and skilled labour provide the opportunity for the continuation of the cement and lime sector in the Peak District. High carbon emissions threaten the sector’s competitiveness unless it transitions to low-carbon operations.

We’re keen to work with Business Peak District to build on the region’s industrial heritage, shaping a sustainable future for our sector and strengthening local businesses, communities, and livelihoods.

Join space race for this year’s Chamber AGM!

Registration is open to attend the Chamber’s Annual General Meeting.

Taking place at The National Space Centre in Leicester on Tuesday, 9 December, it will be hosted by Chamber chair Kevin Harris.

President Dawn Whitemore will reflect on her year in the role and chief executive Scott Knowles will present a business update to members.

Talks are expected from winners of the 2025 King’s Award for Enterprise, the three community foundations supported by the Chamber’s Charitable Fund and recognition will be given to longstanding members.

The AGM will start at 9.30am, following breakfast and networking from 8.30am.

From 11am, attendees will have access to the National Space Centre for the rest of the day and will be eligible for a 10% discount at its shop. Tickets are free and available at hIs.gd/w2rG5I

Accelerator support is driving businesses

Where is your business underperforming? Is it a process, a team member or an entire department? Where are you draining resource that could be spent on more meaningful activities such as strategy, improved decision-making or upskilling?

Support from a business adviser can be an invaluable starting point in offering a fresh pair of eyes to help business owners and senior leaders solve their most pressing challenges. It enables them to take a step back and assess where interventions are needed – whether that be in their business planning, budgeting and forecasting, sales and marketing, HR, technology or any other area critical to their business.

A welcome port of call for many businesses is the Accelerator programme which, under the guidance of a trusted business adviser, is helping to implement tangible improvements to their performance.

REVIEWING FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE

Is your progress meeting your projections? Is there danger on the horizon from increased competition or threats from a change in legislation or tariffs?

A sound understanding of your finances is the key to effective planning and decision-making.

Expert financial advice was needed by fledging business New Mills Market Hall whose aim is to restore the iconic but vacant building in the High Peak town into a unique, welcoming food and drink space.

An Accelerator Growth Voucher has enabled the business to tap into expert financial guidance, providing them with a much better understanding of tax implications, how to better understand risk and protect the four owners. Most importantly, it means the business is set up to run smoothly and sustainably from day one, without needing to restructure later at much greater cost and disruption.

IMPLEMENTING BETTER SYSTEMS

Automating manual tasks or improving on existing digital systems not only saves time but reduces errors and costs.

Year-on-year growth at Derbybased Elite Football Development, trading as EFD Sport & Education, meant quickly outgrowing early processes, including manually compiled school impact reports. Support from a High Growth Accelerator grant has enabled the business to buy software for faster and more consistent school reports.

Chesterfield-based Get Loos, providers of fully serviced portable toilets for events and construction sites, also needed better systems to

match ambitious growth plans. As a young and fast-growing business, accessing finance at good rates has been a challenge, as has keeping up with enquiries and managing customers efficiently.

A business review carried out by senior business adviser Peter Lawrence recommended that cofounder Adam Sinnott join the High Growth Academy for leaders of high-scale businesses.

Its Access to Finance workshop has been particularly valuable in providing a road map to better understand and secure funding. Peter also helped with the application process to secure a High Growth Accelerator grant for a new CRM system and automation tools. That saved of around 15 hours a week in administration time, increased conversions and significantly reduced missed opportunities through customer interactions.

The Derbyshire Accelerator project has also provided a £2,000 Growth Voucher to enable the business to tap into expert consultancy to develop a strategic management process to focus on what really drives growth. It also funded a place for Adam to attend the Chamber’s five-day Director Development programme, which has increased competitiveness, safeguarded jobs and set the business up for sustainable growth.

‘Support from a business adviser can be an invaluable starting point in offering a fresh pair of eyes to help business owners and senior leaders solve their most pressing challenges’

state-of-the-art facility that achieves energy efficiency. This was complemented by help from a specialist consultant who conducted an energy audit and provided tailored recommendations on energy efficient measures in a new building.

BUILDING YOUR SALES PIPELINE

When once reliable sales channels start to see a downturn, it could be time to look at alternatives.

IMPLEMENTING ENERGY EFFICIENCIES

Leicester-based Parker Plant is a world leader in the manufacture and supply of asphalt, crushing, screening, sand and gravel, concrete and material handling equipment. Accelerator has helped the business expand its operations and modernise its processes and become more sustainable.

A Sustainability Action Plan has been created with steps to build a

Highlight Crafts, based in Clay Cross, North East Derbyshire, is predominantly involved in direct retail sales and training through e-commerce and face-to-face for craft related products as well as classes. Trends showing television sales – an important source of revenue for the business – were on the downturn and brought into sharp focus the need to develop online sales.

An Accelerator Growth Voucher has helped the business create a Google Ads and YouTube advertising campaign to generate B2C leads. The added benefit of the advice, from paid digital advertising specialist Liam Lally, was improvements to the business’s website in terms of keywords and search engine optimisation.

Parker Plant is one of the businesses to benefit from Accelerator support

Highlight Crafts was given help to boost sales via social media activity

Chesterfield-based Let Loos benefited from expert consultants

Energy independence is profit protection – solar for smarter businesses

EXPLORING NEW OPPORTUNITIES

Business diagnostics, undertaken by Chamber innovate and growth specialist Neil McCluskey and business adviser David Smith, identified a series of support measures for Glossop-based drinks manufacturer Slõ Drinks. With growth ambitions to target 11 European countries, this involved internationalising the business’s existing website. An Export Accelerator grant has supported the translation of web pages and downloadable documents which has accelerated the business’s export ambitions by at least three months.

DEVELOPING STAFF

Equipping staff with the skills they need to thrive for growth is a key driver of the High Growth Accelerator. Bringing a mentor into the business and learning from peers can be key to staff development. It has certainly been

GET INVOLVED

valuable to Sarah Farkas, the wedding & events manager of Shottle Hall, in Amber Valley.

Accelerator support provided the £750 joining fee for Sarah to join the Help to Grow: Management training programme which has resulted in a fresh perspective and the reassurance that there are others facing similar challenges on how to achieve business growth.

Meanwhile, Bassetlaw-based global events company TransSport.tv benefitted from High Growth Accelerator funding for the training and coaching of new rigger team leaders, thereby protecting its existing contracts and ensuring Trans-Sport.tv’s market share and trajectory domination of televised world pool events remains on track.

A £2,000 commercial training bursary from the Chamber is also supporting two members of the team for the director development and manager development training programmes.

To find out more, please contact the business support line on 0330 053 8639 or complete the registration form at: www.emc-dnl.co.uk/ services/accelerator See the training and events pages for a list of Accelerator courses.

Take control of rising energy costs with tailored solar and battery systems designed to futureproof your business and protect your bottom line.

At Fusion Solar UK, we help UK businesses cut costs, boost energy security and unlock grant funding – because profit starts with energy independence.

The rising cost of electricity is now one of the biggest threats to business profitability. From manufacturers and farms to offices and workshops, companies of all sizes are feeling the pressure. With no price caps on commercial energy, unpredictability is the new normal – but there is a solution.

At Fusion Solar UK, we believe energy independence is no longer optional. It’s the key to stabilising overheads, protecting profit margins and building a more resilient business for the future.

We’re not your typical solar company. As a family-owned business rooted in the heart of the UK, we understand that no two businesses are the same. That’s why we offer bespoke solar PV, battery storage and EV charging solutions, designed to meet the unique energy needs of your operation.

Whether you’re a farm battling rising production costs, a business park owner looking to add longterm value to your property, or a manufacturer concerned about grid reliability, our tailored approach delivers real results.

Solar isn't just about panels on a roof – it’s about taking control. Our expert team handles the process from initial site surveys and system design to installation, aftercare, and ongoing support. We also work with trusted grant specialists and offer commercial finance options, making it easier than ever to make the switch to renewable energy.

The benefits of energy independence speak for themselves:

• Protect your business from rising energy costs: Generate your own clean electricity on-site and reduce reliance on unpredictable energy markets.

• Unlock grant funding: We partner with grant specialists to help you access available funding, often covering a significant portion of your project costs.

• Boost profitability and ROI: Solar systems typically pay for themselves in just a few years, delivering savings for decades to come.

• Enhance business sustainability: Future customers and stakeholders care about your green credentials. Solar demonstrates your commitment to a cleaner future.

• Battery storage maximises efficiency:

Store surplus energy and use it when needed, reducing grid reliance even further.

At Fusion Solar UK, our experienced team works with businesses across sectors including agriculture, manufacturing, property, hospitality, and more. Our recent projects include large-scale rooftop installations, groundmounted systems for farms and integrated solar and battery packages for commercial premises. We know switching to solar is a big decision – but with the right partner, it’s straightforward and hassle-free. From your first consultation to final commissioning, we provide honest advice, transparent pricing and a solution that works for your business.

If you’re ready to reduce costs, take back control, and future-proof your business with solar, now is the time to act. With energy prices climbing and grant schemes available, there’s never been a smarter time to invest in your business energy independence.

Shottle Hall was given advice on how to train its staff

CHAMBER NETWORKS

BUILDING CONNECTIONS WITH YOUR PEERS AND BUSINESS LEADERS

Dozens of members, partners and stakeholders from the East Midlands Manufacturing Network – part of East Midlands Chamber – attended its second regional meeting to address areas such as recruitment, current research and challenges facing the sector.

‘It’s where people find they have something in common, that they could help each other’

Held at Toyota, Derby, the session included a series of talks and presentations, with insights from the Chamber, Make UK, Toyota, West Special Fasteners and Pennine Healthcare.

Delegates also got a chance to tour the Toyota plant.

The East Midlands Manufacturing Network (EMMN) fosters innovation and collaboration across the sector and hosts frequent events.

Chamber deputy chief executive Diane Beresford opened the meeting. Speaking afterwards she said: “We’re proud of the East Midlands Manufacturing Network and my ambition today is to ensure

Meeting seeks ways to tackle our challenges Team work their magic on Merlin

A team from MW Polymers, in Little Eaton, Derby, had the privilege of working with a local enthusiast to help restore a Rolls-Royce Merlin Mk3 engine – believed to be the only fully operational example of its kind remaining.

The Merlin engine, including many that were designed and built in Derby, played a vital role in powering aircraft such as the Spitfire and Lancaster during the Second World War, making this restoration an important piece of local engineering history.

Nicholas Blagdon is business development and marketing executive at MW Polymers, which makes sealants, adhesives, repair systems and coatings. He said: “At MW Polymers, we pride ourselves on developing solutions that solve today’s engineering challenges – but every so often, our work also helps preserve the past for future generations.

the many businesses here share challenges with each other, share opportunities and actually do business together.

“If that’s one thing they do as a result of this regional meeting, that they build a relationship with a new person or a new company, that's the job done.”

EMMN chair Mark Goldby said: “We’ve got over 500 members of the East Midlands Manufacturing Network across Derbyshire,

Nottinghamshire and Leicestershire, and we have localised meetings as well as this larger regional meeting.

“We all become connected, enjoy each other’s company and stories and getting everyone together across the region is where the magic begins. It’s where people find they have something in common, that they could help each other.”

Visit: EMMN.co.uk

“We are proud to have supported the restoration of a truly remarkable piece of aviation history – a Rolls-Royce Merlin Mark III engine, confirmed to have powered a Spitfire in the Battle of Britain.

“According to its restorer, Reg White, this is believed to be the only fully operational survivor of its kind, a unique living link to one of the most defining moments of the 20th century. Reg has dedicated years of expertise and passion to

bringing this iconic engine back to life. We’re honoured to have played a part in ensuring such a historically significant machine can not only be seen, but heard in action once again.

“For us, this project was about more than just materials and performance, it was about “putting something back. By supporting the restoration, we’re helping to safeguard a piece of engineering heritage that tells the story of resilience, ingenuity and sacrifice.”

Guests at the Regional Meeting of the East Midlands Manufacturing Network

MW Polymers staff helped a local enthusiast to restore a Rolls-Royce Merlin Mk3 engine

Mark Goldby addresses the regional meeting

What another incredible year!

Enterprising Women co-chairs Eileen Perry MBE DL and Jean Mountain look back on what has been a busy – and successful – year for the Chamber’s Enterprising Women network.

As 2025 comes to a close, we have been reflecting on what an incredible year it’s been for Enterprising Women –one filled with connection, inspiration and growth.

We began the year in style with our annual conference on International Women’s Day, bringing together female professionals from across the East Midlands and beyond.

The energy in the room, from the panel discussions and keynote speakers to the collaborative workshops, perfectly captured what Enterprising Women is all about – women coming together to connect, succeed and grow.

Once again this year, we’ve enjoyed a varied line-up of events from summer networking and lunches to our awards gala dinner and our relaxed winter social.

Each one has shown the power of community and the importance of creating spaces where women in

‘Being part of Enterprising Women means being part of something bigger’

business can learn from each other, build confidence and form lasting connections.

None of this would have been possible without our amazing sponsors, members and supporters –thank-you for continuing to champion the work we do and for believing in the importance of this network.

We’re fortunate to have the backing of a fantastic events and marketing team at the East Midlands Chamber as well as the wider team too.

As a network, we pride ourselves in supporting local and we've had the pleasure of hosting some really great events at many local venues, we are always grateful to work with and showcase the entrepreneurial

Being part of Enterprising Women means being part of something bigger. It’s a community that celebrates success, shares challenges and lifts each other up.

Whether you’re running your own business, leading within an organisation or just starting out, there’s so much to gain from being connected including inspiration, confidence, friendships and opportunities.

Looking ahead to 2026, there’s plenty to be excited about. We’ll be sharing more stories of our members, hosting exciting events and focusing on our selfdevelopment offering for our members.

As we wrap up 2025, we simply want to say thank you, whether you've joined us at one event or all of them, your support has helped the Enterprising Women network thrive. Here’s to another year of connection, collaboration and celebration.

Wishing you all a Merry Christmas, and a healthy and happy start to 2026.

EILEEN NAMED AS VICE-CHAIR

Eileen Perry has been appointed Chamber vicechair for 2026.

She said: “I’m truly honoured to take on the role of vice-chair for the East Midlands Chamber.

“Having been involved with the Chamber since I started in business, and serving on the board since 2017, I’ve seen firsthand the incredible impact the Chamber has on local businesses.

“I’m excited to work closely with chief executive Scott Knowles, chair Kavin Harris, our fellow board members, and the senior leadership team to continue championing opportunities for businesses across the region.

“The Chamber has always been such an important part of my journey, and I’m looking forward to contributing even more in this role.”

hospitality scene that our region is home to.

Some of the many guests who enjoyed this year’s hugely successful Enterprising Women Awards (Pete Martin Photography)

Eileen Perry (left), Chamber chief executive Scott Knowles and Jean Mountain at this year’s Enterprising Women Conference

Panel discussion at the 2025 Enterprising Women Conference

We’ve built a genuine community

At the start of 2025, Scarlett Canavan took on the role of chair of Generation Next, the Chamber’s network for young professionals aged 18–35.

At the time, she set out a series of goals – to be a strong voice for young professionals, to grow the network and create opportunities for connection, learning and career growth.

Now, as her one-year tenure comes to an end, we invited Scarlett to reflect on the year, its highlights and the lessons learned – and to hear her thoughts as she passes the reins to the next chair Preethi Kang.

Q: Scarlett, your year as chair is coming to a close – how does it feel looking back?

A: Honestly, a little surreal! When I took on the role, I knew it would be busy, but I didn’t expect it to fly by this quickly. Looking back, I feel proud and grateful to have been a part of something so brilliant.

Q: What are you most proud of from your year as chair?

...and

As Scarlett hands over the reins to Preethi Kang, the network is poised for another exciting chapter, continuing to support inspire, and champion young professionals across the East Midlands.

Scarlett’s reflections remind us that the heart of Generation Next is its people, community and the shared drive to make a real difference. That spirit will continue to shine into 2026 and beyond.

Generation Next is seeking young ambassadors to join the network and lead the Chamber’s work with the next generation of business leaders. While the “Board of Champions” drives strategy and shapes its direction, its ambassadors play an equally vital role in bringing the network to life. Ambassadors are the faces of

Q: How would you sum up your leadership style this year?

A: Collaborative. I really believe in teamwork and shared energy, our board of champions, cochairs, ambassadors, and the wider team make the network what it is.

My job has been to amplify that energy, keep things moving, and make sure everyone’s voice is heard.

Q: Any standout moments from the events you’ve run this year?

A: So many! But the conference really stands out, we had some really brilliant speakers this year and they truly captivated the audience. It was great to have a whole morning outside of everyone’s traditional day jobs to invest in selfdevelopment, while making connections along the way.

‘Generation Next isn’t just a year-long role it’s a community that keeps giving, and I’ll always be part of that’

A: There’s so much! But if I had to pick, I’d say seeing our network grow stronger, both in numbers and in collaboration. From our sell-out conference to the awards and socials, it’s been incredible to see members connecting, learning and taking real ownership of their Gen Next experience. We’ve opened up membership so that now all Chamber members in the demographic can be a part of it, which is just amazing.

Q: What’s your favourite part of working with Generation Next?

A: Without a doubt, the people. The members, the board, the ambassadors everyone brings creativity, drive, and their own uniqueness.

It’s rewarding to see ideas come to life and to know that the network is helping young professionals grow in real ways.

Q: What’s your advice to the next chair?

A: Lean on the board, and remember to have fun! Preethi is a natural leader who will continue to support the development of Generation Next. The team will be in extremely safe hands for sure!

Q: How will you continue to support Generation Next after your tenure?

A: I’ll remain on the board, cheering from the sidelines, supporting events and encouraging young professionals to get involved.

Generation Next isn’t just a year-long role it’s a community that keeps giving, and I’ll always be part of that.

It’s been an incredible year for Scarlett and for Generation Next, a year full of energy, growth, and connection.

ambassadors play a crucial part

the network, who help make its events, initiatives and campaigns engaging and inclusive, ensuring members feel welcomed, supported and inspired.

Fraser Annis is director of Anniseeds, which produces a magazine and podcast and hosts charity nights. He is an ambassador for equality, diversity and inclusion for Generation Next. He said: “I love being an ambassador for Generation Next because it offers top-quality professional development and recognises the ambitions of young professionals.

“What we offer members is truly unique from development to social activities and as a young person in business, where navigating next steps can be daunting, our network provides a place of connection.”

Being an ambassador is also an opportunity for personal and professional growth – providing visibility across events, building your profile, developing leadership skills and expand your network.

If you are interested in being a Generation Next ambassador in 2026 get in touch with new chair Preethi Kang or one of the Generation Next Champions. Or visit: generationnextemc.co.uk

Scarlett with Preethi Kang and at this year’s Generation Next Summer Festival & Awards

Some of the Generation Next Ambassadors

Scarlett Canavan has been chair of Generation Next for the past year

TRAINING & EVENTS

BOOST YOUR WORKFORCE AND DEVELOP YOUR BUSINESS

International Trade team offers wide range of support

The Chamber’s International Trade services team offers full support for exporters and importers, including documentation, customs declarations and training.

Whether you are an International Trade veteran or taking your first steps, the team is here to support you on your journey. They have a wide range of services that can improve reliability and save you money, so make sure to take a look at the full list at is.gd/BdPbC9

UPCOMING COURSES:

• 4 December, 9am-12.30pm: Incoterms 2020. Online

• 4 December, 9.30-11am: Selecting Freight Forwarders – Getting It Right from the Start. Online

• 9 December, 9am-12.30pm: Trading with the Island of Ireland. Online

• 9 December, 9am-12.30pm: Dealing with USA Duties and Taxes. Online

• 10 December, 10-11am: US Nexus Sales Tax. Online

• 8 January, 9am-4pm: Export Documentation. Online

• 13 January, 9.30am-3.30pm: Import Procedures. Online

• 13 January, 10-11am: UK-EU New Strategic Partnership Update. Online

• 20 January, 9am-3.30pm: Customs Procedures and Documentation. Online

• 21 January, 9am-12.30pm: Customs Compliance Challenge. Online

• 22 January, 10-11am: Exporting for the Service Sector. Online

• 28 January, 9am-12.30pm: International Trade Operations and Procedures BCC Accredited. Online

• 3 February, 9am-3pm: Rules of Origin –Full Day. Online

Chamber to host three festive events

The Chamber is spreading festive cheer across the region this December with three Christmas events designed to bring businesses together in style.

A “Cheers to the Year” annual Christmas dinner takes place in Leicester on Friday, 5 December hosted at the elegant Grand Hotel.

Guests will indulge in a three-course meal and enjoy enchanting entertainment that perfectly captures the spirit of the season.

‘A well-earned moment to celebrate the successes of the year gone by’

But the celebrations don’t stop there. For the first time, the Chamber is introducing two new festive gatherings:

• The Derbyshire Christmas Networking Lunch –on Tuesday, 2 December at Breadsall Priory Country Club

• A Festive Networking Lunch in Nottingham –on Monday, 8 December at the Motorpoint Arena

Whether you’re raising a glass to a successful year, forging new business connections, or simply soaking up the seasonal atmosphere, these events promise the ideal blend of celebration and networking opportunity.

Chamber chief executive Scott Knowles shared his excitement: “The Chamber Christmas Lunch has always been a highlight of the festive calendar – perfectly placed in early December when business minds are turning to the year ahead, while also taking a well-earned moment

to celebrate the successes of the year gone by.

“Whether you’re looking to spark new collaborations, meet future clients, or simply grow your professional network, the Christmas Lunch offers a relaxed and elegant setting to do just that – with a touch of seasonal magic. And this year we won’t just be in Leicester, but Nottingham and Derby as well.”

Tickets are on sale for all three events and are open to both Chamber members and nonmembers.

Book your place here: is.gd/LGTbEl

For sponsorship opportunities, contact Caroline Lucy at caroline.lucy@emc-dnl.co.uk to find out how your brand can shine this Christmas.

Samuel Beckett Bridge in Dublin

Upcoming Accelerator workshops

BUSINESS SUPPORT

• 10 December: Mastering Graphic Design with Canva and Adobe Express, Nottingham

• 11 December: Paid Social Media Masterclass, Swadlincote

• 18 December: Customer Service Excellence: Getting it Right, Kirby-in-Ashfield

• 13 January: Utilising ChatGPT for your Business, Derby

• 14 January: Mastering Graphic Design with Canva and Adobe Express, Nottingham

• 14 January: Vibe Coding – Using AI Prompts to Improve your Website, Write Code and Build Apps, Leicester

• 15 January: Harnessing AI for Business: Practical Applications and Legal Insights, Derby

• 20 January: Branding, From Bland to Brilliant: Make Your Business Unforgettable, Worksop

• 21 January: Modern SEO, Nottingham

• 22 January: Paid Social Media Masterclass, Dronfield

• 22 January: Practical Guide to Marketing, Buxton

• 28 January: Vibe Coding – Using AI Prompts to Improve your Website, Write Code and Build Apps, Belper

• 29 January: Modern SEO, Derby

• 3 February: Practical Guide to Marketing, Derby

• 4 February: Paid Social Media Masterclass, Derby

• 5 February: Vibe Coding – Using AI Prompts to Improve your Website, Write Code and Build Apps, Clay Cross

• 10 February: Making the Most of Google Analytics, West Bridgford

• 10 February: Getting Started with Business Process Automation, Dronfield

EXPORT

• 10 December: US Nexus Sales Tax

• 13 January: UK-EU New Strategic Partnership Update

HIGH GROWTH PROGRAMME (GROWTH BUILDERS)

• 12 February: Growth Builders: Structure for Scale: Projects, Insights & Future Tech, Enterprise Centre, Derby

• 9 March: Growth Builders: Turning Ideas into Actionable Business Cases, Enterprise Centre, Derby

HELP TO GROW: MANAGEMENT COURSE

• 6 January: University of Derby

Eligibility criteria apply. Book your place at: bit.ly/AcceleratorTrainingEv.

The Accelerator project is funded by UK government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF).

Book your place at Employability and Skills Conference

Places can be reserved for the 2026 Chesterfield and North Derbyshire Employability and Skills Conference – taking place during National Apprenticeship Week.

The event will shine a spotlight on future workforce needs and the role the region’s education and training partners play in developing the talent businesses need.

There will also be a chance to connect with students and recent graduates who are ready to make an impact, and find out about the funding available to upskill workforces.

The event takes place on Thursday, 12 February. at Chesterfield College.

What to expect at the Chesterfield and North Derbyshire Employability and Skills Conference:

• Expert insights: Hear from advisors and industry leaders about the latest developments in employability, skills support and funding

• Meet your future workforce: See first-hand the incredible talent and ambition emerging, ready to meet local labour market demand

• Explore new state-of-the-art facilities: Take a tour of the new Advanced Manufacturing and Life Sciences Centre at Chesterfield College

• Interactive round table sessions: Back by popular demand, these sessions offer direct engagement with experts on workforce development and funding opportunities

• Education-employer collaboration: Strengthen ties with local education providers to help ensure school leavers are work-ready and equipped to thrive in their hometown

Speakers and Agenda (subject to change):

• Breakfast and skills exhibition: 8-8.30am

•Conference: 8.30–10.30am

• Welcome and Celebrating 10 years of developing skills and talent in Chesterfield: Councillor Tricia Gilby, leader of Chesterfield Borough Council and vice chair of the Chesterfield Skills and Employment Partnership

• Building an integrated skills and employment system across the East Midlands: Fliss Miller, director of skills and employment at East Midlands Combined County Authority

• Nurturing future talent: Students from Chesterfield College

• Interactive employer round table: Delegates and students from Chesterfield College

• Diane Beresford: chair of the Skills Partnership Board and deputy chief executive of East Midlands Chamber will close the event

The day will be delivered by the Chesterfield Skills and Employment Partnership in association with Chesterfield Borough Council and Destination Chesterfield and is open to a maximum of two delegates per organisation. For tickets go to is.gd/yKYP5K

SUSTAINABLE EAST MIDLANDS

www.emc-dnl.co.uk/sustainability

HELPING BUSINESSES TRANSITION TO A SUSTAINABLE AND LOW-CARBON ECONOMY

Green skills forum was a Smart move

Energy-efficient heating, cooling and renewable energy specialist Smart Energy Projects took part in a retrofit green skills employer forum hosted by the East Midlands Chamber and Bolsover District Council.

The event brought together councils, colleges, training providers and business leaders to discuss how regional employers can accelerate the move to net zero.

Ashley Towndrow, surveyor and nondomestic energy assessor at Ripley-based Smart Energy Projects, delivered a presentation called ‘The Role of HVAC (heating, cooling and air conditioning) in Retrofit.’

His talk helped Chamber members understand how heating, ventilation and cooling systems, particularly air-to-air source heat pumps, can play a role in achieving sustainability goals while reducing running costs.

‘For many SMEs, air-to-air systems deliver the biggest impact with the least disruption’

Ashley shared practical insights from real projects across the region, explaining that HVAC typically accounts for 30–40% of a commercial building’s energy use. He explained that air-to-air source heating systems now offer one of the most straightforward and scalable routes to lower energy bills and carbon emissions.

He said: “For many SMEs, air-to-air systems deliver the biggest impact with the least disruption.

“They use electricity efficiently, provide both heating and cooling, and can cut total energy consumption dramatically compared with older gas or electric systems.”

The Chesterfield event was part of the Chamber’s Sustainable East Midlands initiative, which is building local capability and green skills in retrofit.

Smart Energy Projects’ participation reflected the firm’s commitment to supporting regional growth and helping East Midlands organisations make practical, affordable progress toward net zero.

Ashley closed his session with a clear message: “Decarbonisation doesn’t have to be complicated. By starting with heating and cooling – where the biggest energy savings lie – businesses can make immediate, measurable progress toward both environmental and financial goals.”

Conservation centre starting to take shape

Construction has reached a key stage on the £25m Global Conservation Centre at Twycross Zoo, with the external frame now complete.

When it opens in 2027, the facility will become a world-first hub for conservation research, education and collaboration, strengthening Twycross’ role protecting endangered species.

The centre has received £18m from the UK Government’s Levelling Up Fund, the biggest single government grant ever awarded to a UK zoo, and is being built by Henry Brothers Construction in partnership with Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council and a number of UK universities.

Twycross chief executive Craig Dunkerley said: “This isn’t just about bricks and mortar, it’s about the bold future we are building for wildlife, and the extraordinary opportunities it will create for scientists, students, and conservationists to work together to protect endangered species.

“The centre embodies our vision to inspire the next generation of wildlife heroes and make a lasting impact on global conservation.”

The centre will feature a 200-seat lecture

theatre, classrooms, wildlife gardens and a science lab overlooking a new Bornean orangutan habitat.

A 24-bedroom residential wing will host visiting experts and students, helping train the next generation of conservation leaders.

‘Unparalleled opportunities to learn, collaborate, and act for conservation’

Dr Rebecca Biddle, chief conservation officer at the zoo, said: “This facility will allow scientists, educators and conservationists from across the globe to work alongside the species we are striving to protect, developing practical solutions for some of the world’s most threatened wildlife.

“By connecting our research and education programmes with the new Indonesian-themed land, including a world-class orangutan habitat, the centre will offer unparalleled opportunities to learn, collaborate and act for conservation.”

The centre has been designed to be sustainable and will create 90 new jobs and generate an estimated £3.9m a year.

Making aviation fuel sustainable

Rolls-Royce is leading a new project to find smarter ways of using sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) – made from renewable sources such as used cooking oil or agricultural waste.

The engine manufacturer is working with British Airways, Imperial College London and Heathrow to look at how SAF can reduce the number of ice crystals in airplane contrails and cut their potential climate impact.

SAF is typically mixed with conventional fossil fuel, and the introduction of the SAF mandate which came into force at the start of the year, will see 10% SAF in UK fuel in 2030 and 22% in 2040.

Dr Rebecca Biddle (centre) with guests at the Global Conservation Centre’s topping out ceremony

INTERNATIONAL TRADE

SUPPORT, STRATEGIES AND RESOURCES FOR EXPORTERS AND IMPORTERS

East Midlands businesses have collected their ITOPS – International Trade Operations and Procedures – qualifications.

Organised by the Chamber in partnership with Fidelitas International Training, the programme brought together representatives from a range of international businesses, who each went on to demonstrate outstanding dedication to developing their expertise in global trade.

Through an intensive and practical learning experience, participants strengthened their knowledge in key areas including export documentation, logistics, trade finance and customs procedures.

The programme’s principle sponsor is Kranlee Logistics, which also puts its staff through the course.

Kranlee director Karen Mosley said: “I really enjoy supporting the ITOPS groups. It’s great to

Latest cohort of ITOPS participants celebrated Record growth for airport

East Midlands Airport has seen an unprecedented period of growth since it launched its cargo development plans in May –with latest figures showing an 11.4% increase in volumes since last year.

Cargo volumes between May and October this year reached almost 240,000 tonnes, which is close to 25,000 tonnes more than during the same six-month period last year.

The airport is in what is traditionally the busiest time of year for its cargo services, with a 63% increase in cargo flight movements expected, driven by Black Friday, Cyber Monday and pre-Christmas demand.

It launched its cargo growth plans in May to meet an anticipated 54% increase in demand over the next two decades – which could see volumes increase from 400,000 tonnes now to

see how much the delegates grow and progress through the invaluable qualification.”

Steve Townsley owns Fidelitas International Training which runs courses for exporters and importers, freight forwarders and workers in international finance. He said: “Anyone who achieves the ITOPS award has shown real commitment, discipline and application when studying for this flagship qualification. As the ITOPS trainers and assessors, we at Fidelitas Training are so pleased that East Midlands Chamber rewards their efforts with these special presentations.

“The ITOPS award specifically equips those who graduate with the practical skills and knowledge that really benefits their company when trading internationally.”

Evie Elliott from Global Brands received the overall award for the highest mark in the group.

583,000 tonnes by 2043.

Four plots close to the runway totalling around 120 acres have been earmarked for cargo development which could support more than 21,000 jobs and generate £4bn of trade.

Since the plans were announced, the airport has welcomed seven new cargo operators to the site – Central Airlines, Atlas Air, Ethiopian Cargo, Saudia Cargo, Etihad Cargo, SF Express and Hong Kong Air Cargo.

Commercial director Adam Andrews said: “This incredible momentum highlights the airport’s growing strategic importance in international logistics. Every new airline means more trade, more jobs, and more opportunity for the Midlands and beyond. These positive moves support our ambitious plans for the largest dedicated air cargo development scheme in the UK.”

Marketing agency Alphageek has opened a new office in Dubai, marking a milestone in the company’s international expansion.

The Derby agency, known for its data-driven performance marketing and campaigns, already works with clients in Australia, Asia and the US.

The Dubai expansion reflects ongoing investment in international markets and its ambition to build a global network.

Art Lindop, a founder member of Alphageek and the firm’s technical director, has been tasked with establishing and growing the agency’s regional presence.

He will manage relationships with existing and new clients throughout the Middle East and North Africa, while leading business development to identify and grow new opportunities and partnerships.

Alphageek’s recent investment in its leadership structure, including the recruitment of a new managing director, means that the company can add to its portfolio of clients, taking on new challenges in new markets, while ensuring service and quality continues.

Art said: “Dubai represents an exciting new chapter for Alphageek. It has the fifth-

ITOPS presentation: Karen Mosley, director at Kranlee Logistics with Sarah Ellwood, Sam Thompson and Evie Elliott

Art Lindop of Alphageek

fastest growing economy and is the hub of the world in terms of tech.

“The region is bursting with creativity and ambition, and we’re thrilled to bring our performance-focused expertise to help brands here accelerate their growth.

“We’ve found that because the economy is expanding at such an astonishing pace, many agencies haven’t adopted the kind of datadriven, results-oriented approach we specialise in – so we’re confident our commercially focused model will be in demand.”

‘I’m confident we’re upholding the same innovation, insight, and accountability that have always driven both our clients’ success and our own’

Art’s relationship with Dubai began some time ago. As a student at Nottingham Trent University, he completed an internship with Lovin Dubai, a media company run by Richard Fitzgerald, who remains one of Art’s business mentors today.

Art has represented Alphageek at GITEX Global, one of the world’s largest technology and innovation conferences, held at the Dubai World Trade Centre.

Dubai expansion for Alphageek with new office

Alphageek managing director Tim Brogan said: “Expanding into Dubai aligns perfectly with our vision of delivering the best digital strategies and a world-class service wherever our clients need us.

“With Art representing Alphageek as technical director, I’m confident we’re upholding the same innovation, insight and accountability that have always driven both our clients’ success and our own.”

Since its founding, Alphageek has established itself as a leading independent agency, helping brands grow through performance marketing, paid media and analytics solutions.

Alphageek plans to use its Dubai base as a strategic hub for further growth across the Middle East and North Africa, supporting both local and global brands seeking to scale through smarter digital performance.

The team is already exploring new partnerships and opportunities, specifically industries where data-led marketing is transforming the way brands connect with audiences.

With its growing international footprint and commitment to measurable results, Alphageek continues to cement its reputation as a trusted global partner for ambitious, high-growth businesses.

Registration open for Chamber conference

The British Chambers of Commerce has opened registration for its Driving International Trade Conference which takes plans at the QEII Centre, in central London, on 26 March 2026.

This flagship event is a forum for UK businesses that want to consider seizing new international opportunities and accelerating growth.

The event will provide:

• Insights from global trade leaders, senior politicians and industry pioneers on the trends shaping Britain’s international future

• A chance to connect with the exporters, investors and policymakers who are driving global growth

• A chance to explore new markets through clinics, showcases and practical workshops.

For details visit: is.gd/fu4vgW

Shipping rules to France have changed

France tightens import rules for UK businesses

The French government has changed the way UK businesses must ship goods to France or through France to the EU.

As of 1 January, UK companies will no longer be able to use limited fiscal representation under the Customs Regime 42 importation option –which currently allows VAT-free imports into France.

Chris Roome, associate director of customs and compliance at Nottingham-based Baxter Freight, said: “This change will affect exporters where the VAT and duty are handled by the seller (DDP incoterm) but are using a French Tax Agents Global VAT number.

“Alternatives include using DAP incoterm, a different route, or using Regime 40 with a French VAT number.

“However, the best option will really depend on the volume, frequency and the destination of the goods you’re moving.

“Businesses moving low value, ad hoc consignments will be most affected as this will put more cost and responsibility on the buyer which could make their goods less attractive and less competitive.”

Regime 42 is not being abolished and limited fiscal representation will still be a choice but only for EU established companies.

These changes will bring France more in line with countries such as Belgium and The Netherlands.

Alphageek has moved into Dubai

POLITICS

ROUNDING UP LOCAL AND NATIONAL AFFAIRS

Students get an in-depth look into UK politics

A-Level politics students from West Nottinghamshire College enjoyed a two-day visit to London, to immerse themselves in the workings of British politics and government, including an unexpected tour inside 10 Downing Street.

The students, accompanied by teachers Brad Slack, Katie Shuttleworth and Emily Hancock, experienced a packed itinerary with first-hand insights into the institutions and individuals shaping the country’s political landscape.

During their visit, students toured the Supreme Court, where they observed the summing up of a live case from the public gallery, and explored the Palace of Westminster, taking in both the House of Commons and the House of Lords.

They watched Prime Minister’s Questions from the public gallery and participated in a mock select committee on media regulation, featuring high-profile guests including Lord Watson, Nathan Sparkes (chief executive of Hacked Off) and Lord Faulks (chair of the Independent Press Standards Organisation).

The group also spoke to Sir Lindsay Hoyle, Speaker of the House of Commons, and Mansfield MP Steve Yemm, who offered

insights into the realities of political life and public service.

An unexpected highlight of the trip was the opportunity to tour the inside of 10 Downing Street.

‘Our students were amazing and represented the college in such a remarkable way’

To complete the trip, the students enjoyed an evening in the West End to watch the hit musical Hamilton, a fitting connection between their classroom learning and the themes of leadership and revolution portrayed on stage.

Politics teacher Emily Hancock said: “Our students were amazing and represented the college in such a remarkable way. They were polite, respectful and asked some really challenging questions.

“Several of the guests we met even commented that they were among the most articulate and impressive students they had ever spoken to. It was fantastic to see our students making the most of every moment.”

The mayor of the East Midlands has asked the Government for more devolution powers, applying for the East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA) to be granted “Established Status”.

The special status can be awarded to devolved authorities which have been led by a mayor for at least 18 months and demonstrate a track record of performance and delivery.

If the application is successful, it would mean EMCCA gets more powers in areas such as transport, employment and housing, as well as the ‘right to request’ further powers for the region.

Established Status would enable the authority to work towards joined-up funding from government, rather than having to keep bidding for separate pots of money. It could also reduce disruption when new

Jane nominated for top role

Leicestershire County Council’s cross-party appointment committee has put forward Jane Moore, current director of children and family services, as the preferred candidate to be the council’s new chief executive.

It follows the announcement by John Sinnott last May, that he was planning to retire.

Final approval was expected to be given at the December 3 full council meeting, as Business Network went to press.

In a statement the council said: “Jane is a valued member of the corporate management

team. Many staff and families will know first-hand her commitment to the people of Leicestershire.

“One of Jane’s key achievements has been successfully leading children’s services to its Outstanding Ofsted rating last year.”

John Sinnott will remain in post until Wednesday, 3 December and, subject to council approval, Jane will start on 4 December.

Council leader Councillor Dan Harrison said: “Jane’s appointment is testament to the hard work and leadership she has already demonstrated at Leicestershire County Council.”

West Nottinghamshire College A-Level politics students in Westminster

Jane Moore

IN BRIEF

COUNCIL FORECASTS BUDGET UNDERSPEND

The leadership of Nottingham City Council have said they continue to demonstrate financial stability, with the authority’s latest budget forecasts projecting a £14.6m underspend for the financial year.

A report to the council’s executive board on 18 November outlined the latest budget position based on the first half of 2025/26.

The council is proposing a “balanced budget” for 2026/2027 that doesn’t use a penny of Exceptional Financial Support (EFS), and the latest figures for 2025/2026 include a significantly reduced need for EFS than first expected. The budget set at the start of the year assumed £20.8m of EFS would be needed, but that has now fallen to £6.2m with potential to be completely eliminated by the end of this financial year.

The council said the 2025/26 budget includes savings of £39.1m, with £26.7m already delivered or on track. A revised capital programme of investment in housing, buildings, roads and other infrastructure has been increased by £29.9m to £297.7m due to new schemes identified.

City council deputy leader and executive member for finance and resources Councillor Ethan Radford said: “It’s clear to anyone looking that the work we have been doing to get our house in order is paying off, thanks to a much tighter grip on our finances.

infrastructure is delivered, as the mayor and local council leaders will have more freedom to join up different types of investment.

Current Established Status authorities will get £30m each to support innovation partnerships.

Claire Ward said: “With more powers and an integrated funding settlement to follow, we will be able to plan for the long-term, drive growth, and ensure opportunities are spread fairly across the region.

“Established Status means more decisions about transport, jobs, skills and investment will

Consultation opens on vision Mayor seeks stronger devolution powers

VINCI UK Developments and Ion Developments, in partnership with Derby City Council, have announced the next stage of public engagement for the redevelopment of Derby’s Market Place.

People are being invited to share their thoughts on the proposals for the wider masterplan, which focuses on the former Assembly Rooms site and its surroundings.

This latest consultation builds on the initial comments that were received earlier in the year on the proposed cultural hub, DerbyMADE.

now be made closer to home, by people who understand our region, leading to a stronger future for the East Midlands.”

EMCCA said the application letter sets out its strong record and ambitious plans for growth, backed by its newly launched East Midlands Growth Plan.

EMCCA’s application for Established Status has backing from all four constituent authorities – Derby City, Derbyshire County, Nottingham City and Nottinghamshire County councils.

A decision is expected next year.

Feedback from both consultations will be used to shape the final planning application for the whole development.

The newly revealed proposals for the site include Grade A office space called DerbyWORKS and a four-star hotel called DerbyHOTEL. The proposed masterplan aims to build on the work happening across Derby to regenerate and revitalise the city centre.

People can learn more about the vision for the site and share their thoughts at: www.marketplaceredevelopment-derby.co.uk

“We’re expecting to use a around quarter of the predicted amount of Exceptional Financial Support for 25/26, and our proposed budget for next year would see us balancing without needing to use any additional support at all.”

EFFICIENCY UNDER REVIEW

The Reform leadership at Leicestershire County Council has launched an efficiency review costing £1.4m to help close what it calls a “£90m budget gap”.

County Hall has brought in external help to carry out a “top-to-bottom” analysis of the authority’s £1.3bn yearly spend. Consultants Newton are starting to gather data to pinpoint savings opportunities. The council said its focus includes:

• Targeted prevention in communities –supporting residents before they reach a crisis point and need formal support from the council

• Managing growing demand for services –focusing on improving outcomes for residents and maximising independence

• Improving how the council awards contracts – ensuring high quality services as close to people’s homes and communities as possible

• Efficient services – reviewing delivery to ensure high quality and efficiency

• Reviewing budget saving plans.

REORGANISING COUNCILS

Councils across the region were preparing their final submissions for local government reorganisation as Business Network went to press.

The Government wants to move away from the two-tier system of councils, which operates in many parts of the country, and replace them with bigger, more efficient unitary authorities.

The plans have caused debate between some councils about the nature of the changes. Final proposals had to be submitted to Government by 28 November.

Claire Ward

FEATURES

TURNING THE SPOTLIGHT ON ISSUES AND SECTORS THAT MATTER TO BUSINESS

Manufacturing a strong 2026

For small manufacturers going into a New Year, now is not the time to be complacent. The current economic crisis is having a serious effect on supply chains, so you’ll want to put a plan in place for not only how you will survive the next 12 months, but thrive. Business Network offers some simple tips to get you started.

STRENGTHEN YOUR FINANCES

Having a clear understanding of your costs is a vital step. Clearly calculate your overheads and review your pricing structure in order to set viable targets for the next 12 months. Check your supply chain and tighten operational efficiency in order to reduce waste, and optimise your inventory so you can better balance having enough stock to meet demand without over-ordering and potentially wasting money.

If old equipment needs replacing, consider finance leases to acquire replacements without a large upfront cost, and make the most of the industry-specific incentives available, such as R&D tax relief. To keep a better eye on your finances, consider investing in smart accounting software, which can seamlessly track costs, analyse overheads and help you make strategic decisions for the future.

GET ORGANISED

Time and money can be saved by getting your manufacturing processes in order. Keep an accurate record of every transaction and always have one eye on your bottom line.

Prioritise your order queue and divide labour sensibly: it’s important to make sure you have enough staff on hand to complete larger orders but conversely, you don’t need staff members sitting around during quieter periods. Are there any processes, such as order processing, that can be streamlined? Is your factory floor untidy, and do staff waste valuable time looking for various components? A clean working space can also boost productivity, leading to a happier workforce.

INVEST IN YOUR STAFF

Good staff are hard to find – and keep. If you want to operate at a higher rate, you’ll need to hire and retain good staff, so consider providing opportunities for your staff members to boost their skillsets.

You should also consider taking on an apprentice – fewer young people are considering a career in manufacturing and engineering, and an apprentice can help fill any skills gaps in your organisation.

T Level industry placements are a new option for employers. Offering technical qualifications for students aged 16-18, they have been designed by employers and offer a 45-day industry placement. It’s a great way to test out future talent and by building a relationship with a local college, you’ll have access to a pipeline of skills.

BOOST CUSTOMER ENGAGEMENT

If you want people to know about your small business, you have to shout about it, especially if you produce a niche or unique product.

Simple steps to boost your customer engagement include investing in a good website (and learning about search engine optimisation, too), putting social media to use and capitalising on video and photography to show off your products in the very best light.

You can also engage with your local business community, through trade fairs, the Chamber of Commerce, and workshops, to meet a ready-made group of potential customers.

USING A CRM

A CRM (customer relationship management) is a software tool that helps companies organise all of their interactions with customers both current and potential.

As well as keeping track of customers and their order history, a CRM can help a manufacturing business steamline the sales process, facilitate better and faster customer service and identify new sales leads.

Did you recently meet a prospective at a networking event? You can use your CRM tool to automatically send a follow-up email.

Want to plan for further growth, save money on purchasing and better manage your supply chain? A CRM system can provide real-time sales forecasts, allowing you to better plan and allocate resources earlier, rather than waiting for an order to be placed.

‘To keep a better eye on your finances, consider investing in smart accounting software, which can seamlessly track costs’

Midland Aerospace Engineering excellence driving global growth

Midland Aerospace, headquartered in Sutton-in-Ashfield, Nottinghamshire, is a leading manufacturer of precision-engineered components and assemblies for the aerospace sector.

As part of the Calder Group – a pan-European engineering organisation – the company serves a global customer base across aerospace, defence, marine, nuclear, and other high-technology markets.

CORE CAPABILITIES

Operating from a modern, purposebuilt facility, Midland Aerospace offers:

• Advanced machining: 5-Axis Mill Turn, 3- and 5-Axis Milling, MultiAxis Turning.

• Fabrication: Complex welded and riveted structures.

• Surface treatments & testing: NADCAP-approved heat treatment, coatings, and nondestructive testing.

• Integrated solutions: In-house programming, verification, and project management.

These capabilities position Midland Aerospace as a trusted partner for OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers, including Airbus, and for global MRO (Maintenance, Repair & Overhaul) networks supporting passenger-tofreight conversions.

STRATEGIC GROWTH

Over the past four years, Midland Aerospace has transformed its business model, focusing on reliability, collaboration, and problem-solving for customers.

This approach has driven:

• Export expansion: Over 75% of sales now come from international markets.

• Investment in technology: £2m invested in new 5-Axis machines.

• Vision 2028: A strategic plan to double staff numbers and achieve £30m turnover within four years.

Managing director Gary Roberts credits this success to improvements across all business areas – engineering, planning, quality, and customer service –combined with a strong team culture.

RECOGNITION AND AWARDS

In May 2025, Midland Aerospace was honoured with the King’s Award for Enterprise in International Trade, one of the UK’s most prestigious business accolades.

This award recognises the company’s outstanding export performance and commitment to ethical, sustainable practices,

including environmental responsibility and cyber security.

“This acknowledgement is a testament to the progress we have made and recognition of a great team who have bought into the long-term vision,” said Gary.

FUTURE OUTLOOK

With a strong foundation, cuttingedge technology, and a clear strategic vision, Midland Aerospace is poised to remain a leader in aerospace manufacturing.

Its commitment to innovation and collaboration ensures it will continue to meet the evolving demands of global aviation.

CONTACT US

T: (0)1773 582 582

E: enquiries@midlandaerospace.com

W: www.midlandaerospace.com

The Lord-Lieutenant of Nottinghamshire, Veronica Pickering MBS HAC, presenting the Kings Award for Enterprise to Gary Roberts, managing director of Midland Aerospace

New 5-Axis machines enhance our machining capabilities

hidden waste costing manufacturers up to half their day

By Dr Paul Rivers (pictured), MD, Guidance Automation

Workflow analysis across UK factories continues to uncover an uncomfortable truth: 30-50% of a production worker’s day is lost to unproductive activity.

Much of that time is spent walking between stations, collecting components or transferring items from one process to the next. For manufacturing managers already under pressure to increase output with the same resources, this hidden waste represents one of the biggest – and least discussed –drains on productivity.

Unlike human workers, robot workers do not take breaks, slow down in the afternoon or become distracted. They can operate consistently across long shifts, including 24 hours a day. Yet despite the potential to reclaim significant productive time, the UK remains near the bottom of the G7 for automation adoption. For a manufacturing region as active as the East Midlands, that gap is increasingly hard to justify.

THE PRICE OF LOST TIME

Small and medium-sized manufacturers often cite cost as the main barrier to automation.

Traditional systems require significant capital investment and long payback periods. In businesses that run on tight margins, managers hesitate to commit large sums to projects that may not deliver quick returns.

But this means many operations continue absorbing the cost of wasted labour time. Skilled workers spend a substantial part of their day undertaking tasks that do not require their expertise: pushing trolleys, collecting parts or completing simple, repetitive movements. The true cost is not just wages spent on low-value activity but the lost output that could have been achieved had those workers stayed at their stations.

A real-world example illustrates the scale of the problem.

In a medical equipment production factory, five welders were frequently drawn away from their stations to collect materials or move finished items. Time studies revealed they were welding for just 10 minutes of every hour. The remaining 50 minutes were spent walking, waiting or handling items.

When a single autonomous vehicle was introduced to take over all material movement, everything changed. Welding time jumped to

‘The welders remained focused on skilled work; the robot handled the routine movement’

30 minutes per hour, tripling output without hiring additional staff. The welders remained focused on skilled work; the robot handled the routine movement. This transformation stemmed from solving a problem hiding in plain sight.

A CYCLE THAT TRAPS PRODUCTIVITY

When workers spend half their day on walking and transport, productivity falls and profits tighten. With less profit available, investment in improvement becomes harder. Many SMEs find themselves stuck in this loop, even as pressures intensify from rising costs, labour shortages and customer demands for shorter lead times.

Flexible approaches to automation, such as leasing, shortterm trials or pay-per-use models, are helping more manufacturers overcome the initial financial barrier. These options allow companies to test solutions in live operations, gather data and understand where automation can return the most value before committing to larger investments.

HUMANS AND ROBOTS WORKING SIDE BY SIDE

A persistent misconception is that automation aims to replace people; in practice, it often allows them to do more of the work they were hired for. Robots excel at material transport and repetitive handling tasks, freeing skilled staff to focus on quality, precision and problemsolving. The outcome is usually better flow, fewer delays and a more productive workforce. This partnership also improves safety and wellbeing. Autonomous vehicles operate at controlled speeds and follow predictable paths, while human workers are spared the physical strain of constant walking and lifting. As manufacturing teams age and recruitment becomes more challenging, creating safer and more engaging roles is increasingly important.

THE EAST MIDLANDS ADVANTAGE

The East Midlands has long been one of the UK’s manufacturing

heartlands, with strengths in precision engineering, aerospace, food production, textiles and logistics. That foundation positions the region well for the next phase of industrial improvement.

Across Leicester, Nottingham and Derby, the infrastructure for manufacturing innovation is strengthening. Universities, technical institutes and training providers are increasingly focused on robotics, automation and human-robot collaboration. These partnerships are helping smaller manufacturers access new technologies and build the skills needed to modernise production.

BUILDING CONFIDENCE AND CAPABILITY

Even when affordability improves, many SMEs lack confidence in where to begin. Pilot projects and small-scale trials are proving effective in overcoming this. They allow teams to see automation in their own environment, understand the impact on flow and output, and adapt processes accordingly. Peer learning also plays a role; seeing neighbouring firms succeed often prompts others to take their first step.

A MINDSET SHIFT

Closing the UK’s automation gap is not simply about adopting technology. It requires manufacturing leaders to rethink how labour time is used and where skilled people add true value. When as much as half of a worker’s day is lost to tasks that do not require human skill, the opportunity for improvement is significant.

Reclaiming that time will be essential if the East Midlands is to strengthen its productivity and competitiveness in the decade ahead. The tools exist. The need is clear. What remains is the decision to act.

FOCUS

As excitement builds ahead of the Chamber’s regional Business Awards in February and March, this month’s Focus reflects on the Chamber’s Awards and the annual King’s Awards for Enterprise –including regional success stories and the wide-ranging benefits that award recognition brings.

CELEBRATING INNOVATIVE FIRMS ACROSS THE REGION

Nick Megson sums it up nicely in this month’s Big Interview when he says winning a major business award allows you to “be in the same room as…top business leaders”.

His Loughborough company, Abacaus Flooring Solutions, was successful enough to win a King’s Award for Innovation in 2025.

And a few months earlier, Nick was named Entrepreneur of the Year at the Leicestershire Business Awards, while Abacus won the Excellence in Innovation category at the same Chamber-run Awards.

This month we’re doubling up in our Focus pages to shine a light on both the King’s and the Chamber Awards.

Judging is now under way for our Business Awards which take place in Derbyshire, Leicestershire and Nottinghamshire next spring.

Tickets for all three ceremonies are available at: www.emc-dnl.co.uk/services/business-awards

Winning a Chamber Award gives each of the entrants a powerful opportunity to showcase their hard work and gain recognition from their peers and within their industry.

It’s widely accepted that they give a strong marketing advantage, acting as an endorsement of a business, building credibility and trust with existing and potential new clients and customers.

It is also a signal of quality, innovation and sound leadership – attributes that can set a business apart from the competition.

It is no surprise then that most winners choose to highlight their achievements in their branding, in media releases, social media and client communications.

Beyond the external benefits, an award also has the advantage of inspiring and motivating staff. The recognition validates their hard work and boosts morale.

The awards night itself is a highlight of the year, an exciting celebration where business teams come together to enjoy the moment. It is also a brilliant networking opportunity, bringing together faces from across industry, potential clients and influencers in an informal setting.

The 2025/26 Leicestershire Business Awards take place at Leicester City Football Club on 26 February, 2026.

The Nottinghamshire Business Awards take place at the Nottingham Belfry on 12 March, 2026.

The Derbyshire Business Awards take place at Derby County Football Club on 26 March 2026.

Meanwhile, the King’s Awards for Enterprise –previously The Queen’s Awards – were renamed in 2023 to reflect King Charles’ desire to continue the legacy of his mother in recognising outstanding UK businesses.

The award programme, established 60 years ago, allows successful businesses to use the esteemed King’s Awards emblem for five years.

More than a dozen East Midlands firms – in specialisms ranging from kids’ play equipment to luggage, renewable energy and aerospace –were recipients of 2025.

They were recognised for outstanding achievement in one of four categories –innovation, international trade, sustainable development and promoting opportunity through social mobility.

Nick Megson of Abacus Flooring with host Emma Jesson at the Leicestershire Business Awards

Each gained an official certificate, known as a Grant of Appointment, and the right to use the award emblem in marketing materials, and they can fly the flag at their head office.

Chamber chief executive Scott Knowles said the winners were “testament to the East Midlands as a centre of trading excellence where businesses can thrive,” with the region leading “on innovation, on overseas trade and sustainable growth”.

THE 2025 EAST MIDLANDS KING’S AWARD FOR ENTERPRISE WINNERS WERE:

NOTTINGHAMSHIRE

• GeoPura – Innovation

• Abacus Lighting – International Trade

• Midland Aerospace – International Trade

• Bridgeway Consulting – Promoting Opportunity Through Social Mobility

DERBYSHIRE

• David Nieper – Sustainable Development

• Upbeat Clean – Promoting Opportunity Through Social Mobility

• Cosy Direct – International Trade

• Heraeus Electro-Nite – Innovation

• Garner Aluminium Extrusions – Innovation

LEICESTERSHIRE

• Abacus Flooring – Innovation

• Structural Adhesives – Innovation

• Michael Smith Switchgear – Sustainable Development

• CabinZero – International Trade

To enter visit: www.gov.uk/kings-awards-for-enterprise

TRAINING PROVIDER IS COMMITTED TO AWARDS

One company that has signed up as a supporter of the 2025/26 Chamber Business Awards is online training provider Peritus Learning.

The firm has backed the Commitment to People Development category – one that is close to its operating principles – at the Nottingham Awards, which take place next spring.

It has also just signed up as a Chamber patron, allowing it to benefit from increased engagement with the region’s business community and giving it an amplified voice in policy discussions between the Chamber and our political leaders.

Established in 2004 and based in Leicester, Peritus Learning provides businesses with access to more than 180 online courses covering everything from leadership and compliance to health & safety, IT, net zero and professional development.

Additions over the coming weeks and months will cover AI and neurodiversity, with courses updated whenever there are changes in legislation or working practices.

Its learning content – often using quirky animations and interactive content to help get messages across – has supported more than 100,000 users across a wide range of industries. The Chamber has been using its services for some time.

‘We’re proud to be a patron of East Midlands Chamber, an organisation that shares our passion for supporting business growth and developing people’

Welcoming the agreements, Chamber chief executive Scott Knowles said: “Peritus Learning adds significant value to the Chamber’s operations, supporting workforce development, compliance and leadership growth.

“Through its online courses and Improve Training platform, Peritus Learning provides engaging, high-quality training that offers a one-stop solution for businesses to meet their regulatory, legislative and skills development needs.

“The Chamber has benefited from Peritus Learning courses for many years and they remain a key part of our internal learning and training toolkit.

“I’m delighted Peritus Learning has become a patron and awards sponsor, strengthening our longstanding collaboration.”

Peritus Learning chief executive Steve Walker said: “We’re proud to be a patron of East Midlands Chamber, an organisation that shares our passion for supporting business growth and developing people.

“At Peritus, our mission is simple: to save the world from per-user pricing when purchasing online learning courses.

“For too long, organisations have been held back by overcomplicated, overpriced learning models.

“We believe access to high-quality staff and management training should be simple, scalable, and affordable for every business, not just those with the largest budgets.

“Through our partnership with the Chamber, we’re making that vision a reality.

“Together, we’ll help members strengthen their workforce capability, build confident leaders, and create meaningful learning cultures across the region.

“The patronage marks a key step in our continued commitment to making great learning available to everyone.”

All the courses are designed, scripted and put together in-house, guided by experts in each specialism.

Steve said the traditional model for online compliance and HR training was provided by big, often US-based outfits, charging tens of thousands of pounds each year for a limited number of courses and in particular charging per user.

He said: “Our idea was to scrap that traditional model and launch a good quality, low cost, unlimited use product. That's where we've really started to disrupt things.

“When we launched, we were just thinking, “let's see what happens?”, but we’ve gone on to take on nearly 200 customers this year –from the likes of Gymshark to JOJO Maman Bebe, EG On The Move, the Big Issue, Barnardo's, parts of the NHS and more locally Showsec, Brush, you name it.

“We're supporting pretty much every kind of sector this year and we are saving thousands of pounds for customers and in a lot of cases providing more courses at the same time.

“For example, one of our local councils has just signed off to use our flagship product, the Unlimited Learning Pack, and by replacing their previous provider we'll probably save them around about £50,000 over the next three years.

“So, not only are we doing some really great stuff, but we’re also giving people more for less.

“It’s unlimited use, it's low cost and they can upload the courses onto their existing

Continued on page 56...

Steve Walker of Peritus

...from page 55

platforms. It’s a really simple model and we provide a quick and efficient service.

“Another customer, which moved to us recently, was paying one of our competitors £16,000 a year for 30 courses for 500 users. They now pay £8,000 a year and they can have unlimited use of 185 courses among all of their 500 staff.

“Not only have they saved half their budget, but they can also now train everybody on an unlimited basis. It’s a nobrainer. If they doubled their workforce tomorrow there is no additional costs, no invoices turning up on their doorstep, no conversations internally about who they can train and who will miss out.

“Peritus is a learning business, so we want people to learn and are fed up with organisations having to ration learning for their people because of overpriced and complicated pricing models when buying online courses.”

Steve said he was delighted to be sponsoring the Nottinghamshire Awards and was looking forward to taking part in the judging.

“I’ve been working in learning and development for 25 years so, from a judging point of view, there's not a lot that I haven’t seen, so hopefully I can add some value. I’ve worked in every aspect of people development, from working for the government where I first started my career, through to apprenticeships, NVQs, high-end senior leadership, then moving into becoming a specialist in learning-tech over the last 10 years.

“I’ve seen it all really, and during the judging I’ll be looking for companies that have a good framework for people development and have built a continuous learning culture for their people.

“I believe that the best organisations see learning and development as an investment, not a cost. Some key things I’ll be looking for – certainly around the management development side of things – will be how they are they developing their managers and their leaders and their top talent.

“Then I’ll be looking at how that aligns with their business strategy, as well as how learning activities have had bottom-line impact of that in training for their people, and how that actually benefits on the business.

“If a business wants to keep good people and attract good people, it has to develop the whole team. If you’re not developing people, that’s the reason people leave. It’s integral to what they expect to see in a modern company.”

AWARDS OFFER PLATFORM FOR FURTHER GROWTH

Winners of the East Midlands Chamber Business Awards always say they gain so much from the recognition. Here, management at three Chamber businesses explain what winning a 2024 award meant to them.

MURPHY AND SON

Murphy and Son won the overall Business of the Year title at the 2024 Nottinghamshire Business Awards – having scooped Small Business of the Year on the same night.

From its Nottingham base it supplies the UK brewery and winemaking industry, also providing consultancy services to companies in the sector.

In recent months it has strengthened its links with the University of Nottingham’s International Centre for Brewing Science, supporting graduates through apprenticeships and fellowships, working on knowledge transfer partnerships and helping with post-graduate placements – even seeing its own lab and technical teams take on University of Nottingham alumni.

Its laboratory and R&D team is based in the brewing science centre, giving them access to the facilities, which will allow them to provide more comprehensive product testing services for customers and expand the company’s lab testing offerings to include a wider range of analysis for wine, cider, spirits as well as brewing.

Last year the team also cut the ribbon on a new 50,000 sq ft warehouse in Chilwell.

Managing director Charles Nicholds said it was a huge accolade to win a Chamber Business Award.

He said: “It’s given us pride – pride for the team, and pride in our recognition within the industry and within the East Midlands.

“It’s good knowing the hard work that the team has put in over the last four or five years is being seen by the wider business community, rather than just the beverage community which we work in.

“I think we’ve been a little bit insular in the past and what this has done is give us a wonderful platform to network with businesses and speak with like-minded business people and share our stories.

“We’re now proud to say we are working closely with the Manufacturing Technology Centre in Coventry which has come directly from winning the awards, so it’s been very exciting times.”

COSY DIRECT

Cosy Direct won the Environment Impact Award at last year’s Derbyshire ceremony, which took place at Pride Park.

Chief executive Peter Ellse said: “Central to us as a company is sustainability, so to be recognised by your peers regionally is a big boost. We use it in our social media, we use it in our press and on emails and things like that. That external recognition is actually something that’s been really good for the team.

“If you think you’ve got a good strength in an area, applying is a good way of testing yourself against your peers to see whether or not you have got that strength – it’s almost a focal point that gets you to improve what you’re doing or to really focus down on that area.”

Cosy was also recognised in 2025 with a King’s Award for Enterprise for excellence in international trade.

The business was founded in 2011 by husbandand-wife team Peter and Amanda Ellse and employs more than 100 people. It promotes a “natural, engaged and active childhood” by supplying sustainable nursery and educational equipment to 38 countries worldwide.

Some of the Peritus team

Staff from Murphy and Son at the 2024 Nottinghamshire Business Awards

AWARDS WINNERS

The team is continually innovating and developing its range with teacher-led research and play in mind.

It also champions nature and real-life childhoods, encouraging children to play and take part in adventurous activities that enable them to learn and develop while having fun.

Over the years the business have come up with thousands of exciting ideas and now has a range of more than 6,000 products, 95% of which are manufactured in the UK and Europe.

Managing director David Hook said: “Our whole team have worked so hard for this award. It is a testament to the quality of our resources, service from our team and to our wonderful customers in the UK and overseas who have supported us through this journey.

“With a brand-new team and offices and staff in the Netherlands, our export group is one of our four stellar growth divisions.

“To be lucky enough win a King’s Award as we approach our 15th year to sit alongside our Queen’s Award for Sustainable Development is simply brilliant and we’re all over the moon.”

Cosy was honoured with the Queen’s Award for Sustainability Development in 2022, recognising its work to promote commercially successful products, services and management that benefit the environment, society and the economy. It is one of very few companies that have two enterprise awards.

Peter Ellse said: “These awards were only possible due to the amazing team at Cosy.

“We believe in investing in our people, providing them with opportunities for growth.

“100% of our team receives personalised

training and every staff member gets three days of volunteering time per year.

“10% of our staff are apprentices, and we work with organisations that provide meaningful programmes that allow young learning-disabled people to move into opportunities in life as active citizens. 7% of our employees are prisoners on day release, and we aim to get this up to 10%.”

CREATIVE62

Leicestershire design agency Creative62 won two categories at the Leicestershire Business Awards last time around – for Community Impact and Customer Service.

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

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

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

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

Founder and managing director Mark Robinson said achieving that award after five years of dedicated effort underscored the

agency’s belief that outstanding service is integral to business success, highlighting the positive impact of having a customer-centric strategy.

At the time, he said: “We can’t do what we do without good customer service, but I think we’ve always taken customer service a bit further.

“It’s going back and saying “so, what have we done? What’s the return for you?”.

“We’ve done that since the day we started, and we instil it in the team as they come through and that’s why we get the big returns we get for our clients.”

Speaking since then, and after the recognition had settled in, he said: “It’s a really good platform for people to be proud of what they do – there are not many things where you can stand in front of so many hundred people and be rewarded like that for a job well done.

“If you have staff, I would say, bring your staff along and get them up on stage because they are the ones that have done it – a business is all about its people. I want my team to be proud of what they’ve done.

“Since we won the awards, and because of the coverage we’ve had, I think we’ve caused a ripple in the environment which we can just build on from year-to-year.”

Tickets for all three ceremonies are available at: www.emc-dnl.co.uk/services/business-awards

Peter Ellse, CEO of Cosy Direct, Chancellor Rachel Reeves and David Hook, managing director of Cosy Direct

One of Creative62’s two awards

HOW CAN YOU SECURE ROYAL RECOGNITION?

Winners of the 2026 King’s Awards will be revealed in May, and applications for the 2027 awards will open in the coming months.

Businesses considering entering can open an account on the Gov.UK website to get notified when applications reopen. Alternatively, they can call the King’s Award helpline during office hours on 020 4551 0081. To be eligible, your business, non-profit or public sector organisation must be based in the UK; have a good HMRC compliance record; be a self-contained enterprise with at least two full-time UK employees or part-time equivalents; and demonstrate strong environmental, social and governance practices. Each category has additional entry criteria.

INTERNATIONAL TRADE

You must have made a minimum of £100,000 in overseas sales in the first year of your entry and show year-on-year growth; prove outstanding growth in overseas earnings; and have at least three years of overseas sales growth or six years of overall growth.

INNOVATION

Your new innovation must have been for sale for two years; must have earned back everything you

have invested in it; and you must show two-to-five years of outstanding success through innovation. Your innovation should be in: invention, design or production of goods; performance of services; marketing and distribution; or after-sale support of goods or services.

‘The King’s Award for Enterprise is the pinnacle – about the highest it gets’

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

You must show two years of “outstanding” commitment to sustainability; prove that you have built sustainability into your vision and strategy; and show the positive impacts of that. Examples can include: developing an innovative product, service or process that has environmental benefits; have made sustainability an essential part of your organisation, supply chain or community.

PROMOTING OPPORTUNITY THROUGH SOCIAL MOBILITY

To apply, you must help people from disadvantaged backgrounds improve their job

skills and their chances of finding work, for at least two years including either: providing work experience or careers advice; mentoring; offering interview and training; ensuring your recruitment process is open to everyone.

You cannot apply if social mobility is the main focus of your organisation.

East Midlands Chamber Chief Executive Scott Knowles said: “The King’s Award for Enterprise is the pinnacle – about the highest it gets in stamping a business as one organisations of all sizes can look up to.”

‘AWARD RAISED OUR PROFILE’

A former student of the University of Derby has urged other businesses and organisations to enter the King’s The King’s Awards for Enterprise, after sharing the transformative impact the prestigious recognition had on him.

RECIPIENTS RECOGNISED AT CELEBRATORY DINNER

Lord-Lieutenant of Derbyshire Elizabeth Fothergill CBE recently hosted a celebratory dinner for the Derbyshire King’s Awards panel at The Pepperpot Restaurant, in Derby.

The dinner brought together representatives of five of 2025 award recipients, all of whom exemplify the strength, resilience and innovation of Derbyshire’s business community – David Nieper, Garner Aluminium Extrusions, Upbeat Clean, Heraeus Electro-nite and Cosy Direct.

The Lord-Lieutenant said each shone a light on the best of British business.

She said: “What we see here in Derbyshire is truly a force for good.

“These companies are not just driving economic growth, they are enriching our communities, investing in people and showing the world the strength of our county’s innovation and enterprise.”

The event was sponsored by Cosy Direct and the Chamber.

Upbeat Clean – whose chief executive is Derby alumnus Andrew Jackson – became the first organisation in Derbyshire to win the Promoting Opportunity through Social Mobility accolade. The category is considered to be the rarest to obtain.

The charity-owned company employs female refugees in the city to provide cleaning services to businesses, giving them a chance to help rebuild their lives, support their families, get training and contribute to society.

‘I’d wholeheartedly encourage others to apply for the King’s Awards’

Andrew studied for a degree at Derby before completing an MBA there through the apprenticeship route in 2022.

He said: “I am incredibly proud of the work achieved by Upbeat Clean.

“Before setting up the organisation, we knew that there was huge potential in working with refugee women.

“We wanted to give them an opportunity to not only work, but to realise their full potential.

“I’d wholeheartedly encourage others to apply for the King’s Awards. For us, it has raised our profile and given us the chance to

share the good work being done by Upbeat Clean on a national scale.”

Marvin Cooke OBE DL, Professor of Enterprise at the University of Derby and chair of the Derbyshire King’s Awards for Enterprise panel, said winning the award can have significant benefits not only for the organisation, but the region too.

He said: “The King’s Awards are widely recognised as the most prestigious business accolades in the UK.

“Upbeat Clean is already reaping the benefits which can include increased global recognition, and potential improvements in commercial activity and international trade.

“Derbyshire is rightly seen as a county of innovation and excellence and these awards are a shining example of the incredible business talent that we have on our doorstep.”

HM LL Elizabeth Fothergill and Peter Ellse DL (file image)

Andrew Jackson, chief executive of Upbeat Clean and a former student at the University of Derby

SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS FOR KING’S AWARD WINNERS

Lord-Lieutenant of Nottinghamshire

Professor Veronica Pickering MBS HAC presented the county’s four 2025 King’s Award for Enterprise winners with their trophies and citations this autumn.

GeoPura, a subsidiary of Geo Green Power, was one of them – recognised in the Innovation category, for its groundbreaking Hydrogen Power Unit (HPU) technology and its contribution to the transition away from fossil fuels.

The award was formally presented during a visit to its HyMarnham Power site, and accepted by chief executive and GeoPura founder Andrew Cunningham on behalf of the company.

The Lord-Lieutenant said: “It’s an honour to present GeoPura with the King’s Award for Innovation.

“The company is not only pioneering clean energy solutions, but doing so here in Nottinghamshire, with a clear commitment to sustainability, local employment, and long-term impact.

“GeoPura is a fantastic example of how UK innovation can help tackle global energy challenges.”

The £50m HyMarnham project in Newark, Nottinghamshire, has already started construction – transforming the old High Marnham coal-fired power station into a clean energy hub for the production, storage and transportation of hydrogen.

The hydrogen will be used by GeoPura to supply its remote power generation units and by JG Pears as part of its waste disposal operations.

‘This recognition reflects years of hard work, belief, and collaboration from the entire GeoPura team’

Hydrogen can be produced from sources such as natural gas, nuclear power, biogas, solar and wind. The site will be powered by 43MW of new solar energy and use 8MW of electrolysers, establishing a long-term supply of low carbon fuel. It can be used to power cars and buses, generate electricity, power industry and heat homes and businesses.

The site will also serve as a hub for testing, development and deployment of GeoPura’s growing fleet of HPUs.

Andrew Cunningham said: “We’re incredibly proud to receive the King’s Award for Innovation.

“This recognition reflects years of hard work, belief, and collaboration from the entire GeoPura team, our partners and our investors.

“What we’re doing at HyMarnham Power, and with our HPUs, proves there is a cleaner, more sustainable way to generate power and it’s available now.

“We’re grateful to the Lord-Lieutenant for joining us to mark this milestone.”

The 2025 Nottinghamshire recipients were: Midland Aerospace for International Trade; Bridgeway Consulting for Promoting Social Mobility; Abacus Lighting for International Trade; GeoPura for Innovation.

Lord-Lieutenant of Nottinghamshire Professor Veronica Pickering MBS HAC (left) with GeoPura managing director Andrew Cunningham

Lord-Lieutenant of Nottinghamshire, Professor Veronica Pickering MBS HAC at Midland Aerospace

Pino De Rosa, managing director of Bridgeway Consulting, with Professor Veronica Pickering MBS HAC

Beyond stress management: Leading with energy awareness in the modern workplace

By Jillian Schofield (pictured), psychotherapist & healer,

Soulistic Shamanism and Psychotherapy

Healthy organisations start with healthy energy. As mental health and performance become inseparable, leaders are learning that true wellbeing goes deeper than policies or resilience workshops. It begins with presence, emotional coherence and the subtle energy we bring into every interaction.

HEALTH IN THE WORKPLACE

In recent years, conversations around workplace wellbeing have evolved dramatically. Once considered a “nice to have,” mental health is now recognised as integral to productivity, innovation and long-term business success. Yet despite progress, many leaders still

focus on surface-level interventions – yoga sessions, mindfulness apps or resilience workshops – without addressing the deeper energetic and emotional dynamics that influence how people feel, think, and perform at work.

At its core, workplace health is about balance. Every organisation functions as a living system –composed of people, relationships and unseen emotional undercurrents that flow through meetings, emails and decisionmaking. When stress accumulates unacknowledged, it begins to affect that system: communication narrows, creativity declines and fatigue spreads quietly through teams. Over time, the human energy that fuels performance becomes depleted.

THE SCIENCE OF STRESS AND ENERGY

From a psychological perspective, stress arises when perceived demands outweigh perceived resources. When sustained, it activates the body’s stress response – flooding the system with cortisol and adrenaline. Physically, this helps us meet shortterm challenges. But in the long run, it reduces cognitive flexibility, weakens immunity, and increases emotional reactivity.

Energy awareness brings an additional layer to this understanding. Every individual carries a subtle field of energy –what might be called presence, vitality or even atmosphere. When someone is calm, grounded and self-aware, that field feels balanced. When they are anxious or overextended, it becomes fragmented. In workplaces, these states are contagious. One stressed leader can shift the tone of an entire meeting; one centred leader can restore coherence.

CREATING ENERGETICALLY HEALTHY WORKPLACES

Ground before you lead: Before entering a meeting or delivering feedback, take 60 seconds to settle your own energy. Breathe deeply into your abdomen, feel your feet on the floor and notice the quality of your presence. This brief pause calms the nervous system and signals safety to others.

Acknowledge the invisible load: Many employees carry unseen emotional strain – balancing work pressures, home responsibilities and internal self-criticism. Encourage open, non-judgmental dialogue. A culture that allows honesty about stress creates space for recovery and problem-solving rather than burnout.

Build rhythm, not just resilience: Resilience is often framed as the ability to keep going, but true wellbeing depends on rhythm: periods of focused action followed by deliberate restoration. Encourage micro-breaks, walking meetings and reflective pauses between tasks. This mirrors natural energetic cycles and sustains performance over time.

Recognise energy drainers and restorers: Every team has activities that uplift (collaboration, creativity, humour) and those that deplete (conflict, constant urgency, lack of clarity). Periodically review where energy is being lost and where it can be replenished. Treat this as seriously as financial budgeting –because energetic depletion eventually impacts the bottom line. Lead with coherence: Coherence arises when thoughts, emotions and actions align with clear values. When leaders embody coherence, communication becomes clearer, decisions fairer and teams feel psychologically safe. This isn’t about perfection; it’s about authenticity and emotional congruence.

THE BUSINESS CASE FOR ENERGY-AWARE LEADERSHIP

An organisation’s health mirrors the collective state of those who lead it. Research consistently links emotional intelligence and psychological safety with higher engagement, creativity and retention. Adding energy awareness amplifies these effects: it reminds leaders that every decision, conversation and boundary has an energetic impact.

A healthy workplace is one where people can exhale – where they feel seen, valued and energised rather than drained. When energy flows well, ideas flow too. The future of workplace wellbeing lies not just in reducing stress, but in cultivating vitality – personally, relationally and organisationally.

True leadership is not only strategic; it is energetic. When we lead from a grounded, balanced place, we give others permission to do the same. In that shared field of calm and clarity, productivity becomes sustainable and success becomes human again.

Holding the line on safety: Building a culture for the next decade of health and care

By Tara Marshall (pictured), founder, These Hands Academy Ltd

The Health and Care System 10-Year Plan

(Department of Health and Social Care 2025)

marks a decisive shift in direction: from hospitals to neighbourhoods, from analogue to digital, and from sickness to prevention. For local authorities and Integrated Care Systems (ICSs), this shift brings both opportunity and risk. The challenge is not simply to deliver more care outside hospital, but to do so safely, consistently and equitably.

With over 30 years of NHS experience These Hands Academy has been working at this interface for some time, helping health and care organisations embed capability, confidence and culture into everyday practice. Its

Connected Care Programme, developed across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland, demonstrates how national ambition can be turned into sustainable local delivery, while holding patient safety as the nonnegotiable foundation of change.

SAFETY AS BEHAVIOUR, NOT PROCEDURE

As the system decentralises, the risk of variation increases. The academy’s approach begins by aligning all staff health and social care alike around a common clinical language through the National Early Warning Score (NEWS2) (Royal College of Physicians 2017). By training care-home teams to identify early signs of deterioration, use validated tools and escalate confidently, safety becomes a shared behaviour rather than a checklist.

This behavioural approach has contributed to 84% of homes noting a reduction in avoidable admissions. It has strengthened trust between care homes, general practice and community teams (These Hands Academy 2024).

BEHAVIOUR CHANGE AT SYSTEM SCALE

Every element of the 10-Year Plan –digitalisation, workforce reform, prevention – depends on people doing things differently. The academy’s model of behavioural competency training pairs technical skills with human-factors science, reflective practice and continuous improvement. This has proven critical in maintaining engagement with remote-monitoring technology, improving workforce retention, and embedding proactive rather than reactive care.

For local government leaders, this represents a practical framework for aligning public health, social care and NHS partners around a single purpose: safe and proactive community care.

BRIDGING POLICY AND PRACTICE

The 10-Year Plan calls for devolved, place-based innovation underpinned by shared national standards. These Hands Academy already delivers this balance. Through the Enhanced Health in Care Homes Framework (NHS England 2023), its programmes have created a unified language for safety across more than 100 care settings in the Midlands. Local authorities have incorporated the same measures into safeguarding

and commissioning, producing one version of the truth, essential for transparency, regulation and equity.

DIGITAL CONFIDENCE, NOT JUST DIGITAL TOOLS

Technology alone does not deliver safer care, confident people do. Through initiatives such as the Whzan Blue Box, the academy has enabled frontline teams to record, interpret and communicate physiological data in real time, using bluetooth-linked devices to calculate NEWS2 scores and share information securely with clinicians. This has created a data-enabled culture of reassurance, where carehome staff can recognise subtle deterioration, communicate with GPs effectively and keep residents in the place of their choice.

PREVENTION THROUGH EMPOWERMENT

Prevention in the community relies on human connection as much as clinical insight. By developing reflective learning communities, the academy helps staff see themselves as agents of prevention, experts in noticing small changes, building relationships with families, and taking ownership of residents’ wellbeing.

When staff feel competent and valued, they engage more deeply, use digital tools purposefully, and contribute to system-wide resilience.

LOOKING AHEAD

As England’s health and care system rebalances towards community, the next decade demands consistency, courage and cultural maturity. These Hands Academy’s work demonstrates that sustainable transformation is not achieved through technology or targets alone, but through trust, behaviour change and shared accountability.

Culture holds the line on safety, policy simply draws it. In shaping safer, smarter and more compassionate systems, the academy exemplifies how local practice can give life to national policy, and how the next 10 years can be both digitally enabled and human at heart.

What is executive search?

Recruiting can be a difficult task, especially if you’re looking for senior management or board level staff. You need the right level of skill and experience, but you might not have access to the top talent you’re looking for – so when it comes to hard-to-fill roles, an executive search consultant might be the answer.

WHAT IS EXECUTIVE SEARCH?

Executive search recruitment is primarily used to find candidates for senior-level jobs, particularly niche or highly specialist roles that may be hard to fill. Executive recruiters usually operate within small sectors and are responsible for sourcing talent within that specific industry. Also known as search and selection – or, more commonly, headhunting – this kind of recruitment takes a proactive approach and doesn’t follow traditional recruitment methods.

WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A RECRUITER AND AN EXECUTIVE SEARCH CONSULTANT?

The end goal for a recruiter and an executive search consultant is the same – they want to fill a role on behalf of an employer, their client. However, there are a number of key differences between the two and the way they operate.

Although they can work across all industries and levels of skill, recruiters commonly focus on entry level and mid-management roles. They will advertise a job on behalf of the client and then draw from the large pool of active job seekers who express interest in the role. Candidates might be registered with multiple recruitment agencies and there may be a lot of competition for each role.

Executive search firms focus only on technical specialists, upper management and executive

roles. A headhunter’s role is to find the very best match to meet a very specific job description –and quite often, this might mean directly approaching a passive candidate who isn’t actively looking for a new role (or someone who is putting the feelers out for new opportunities but hasn’t started applying for roles yet). In a lot of cases, the best candidate for the job is already engaged in a senior position elsewhere (and may even be working for the competition) so it’s the executive search consultant’s job to contact them and discuss whether they would consider a move. In order to identify the very best candidates from a small pool of individuals, they will have excellent contacts and expert knowledge of the sector.

HOW EXECUTIVE SEARCH WORKS

Recruiters operate on a contingent model, and are often in direct competition with other agencies to fill the same position – which means they will only receive a commission if their candidate is placed – and they usually balance many clients and candidates at once.

In contrast, an executive search firm operates on a retained basis; they will charge a retainer fee upfront, and then charge additional fees at regular intervals throughout the search process. While more expensive, this process will allow the headhunter to dedicate time to getting to know the organisation, its values and the specific skills

and experience it needs, allowing them to conduct a more tailored and thorough search. Additionally, they only work on a small number of roles at any given time, which means they can also spend time getting to know candidates in depth, particularly their career goals – a beneficial process when persuading a passive candidate to take on a new role.

Having been granted exclusive rights to work on the placement, an executive search firm will be involved with every step of the process, from approaching candidates and drawing up a shortlist, to making introductions to clients, assisting with negotiations and seeing a candidate placed in a role.

WHEN TO USE AN EXECUTIVE SEARCH FIRM

The choice to use an executive search firm over a traditional recruiter will depend on the role you need to fill. If the position is high profile, niche, or requires hard-to-find skills, you might consider retaining the expert services of a headhunter. While more expensive, engaging an executive search firm could actually save you time and money in the long run.

A headhunter will eliminate such time-wasting risks as shortlisting and interviewing ill-qualified candidates, and reduce the chance of a bad hire. Additionally, by providing you access to the very best candidates in the field, they will help you gain an edge over your competitors.

DIGITAL & TECHNOLOGY

THE CUTTING-EDGE SECTOR THAT IMPACTS THE FUTURE OF BUSINESS

Choo Choo choose an easier way to travel by train

Aformer Loughborough Grammar School student has launched a train ticket app designed to take the stress out of rail travel.

Alfie Willis said that since he launched Choo Choo last August, it has been downloaded more than 1,000 times and seen a number of user-driven improvements rolled out.

The app, which is accredited by National Rail, has been designed to provide passengers with a userfriendly booking experience, including accessing the best fares through split ticketing – without booking fees, intrusive ads or unnecessary notifications.

It can also help identify when travellers can claim delay compensation and calculate how much they’re owed.

Innovation Fest to make return

The eighth Leicestershire Innovation Festival will take place at venues across the city and county next March.

The week-long festival will launch with an event led by the Business Gateway Growth Hub on Monday, 9 March.

The festival is an opportunity to showcase expertise, engage with key stakeholders and drive productivity within the local business community.

The week will feature workshops, seminars and conferences, both online and in person, with a schedule of events to be announced over coming weeks.

The first festival took place in 2018 and is now an annual fixture on the regional business calendar.

It also provides real-time journey updates and instant alerts for delays, disruptions and cancellations.

Alfie, who completed his ALevels in Loughborough before doing business economics at the University of Exeter, was inspired from his frustration with the UK’s complicated train compensation system.

‘I’m

incredibly excited about the future of Choo Choo’

He said: “The journey from Loughborough Grammar School student to founding my own startup has been anything but predictable, but my aversion to the status quo has proven valuable in spotting opportunities where

others accept an inefficient process as part and parcel of life.

“Each lesson, lecture, job and experience couldn’t have prepared me for this venture, but it certainly gave me the confidence to give it a go and Loughborough Grammar School has played a huge part in this.

“Loughborough Schools Foundation (LSF) has also unknowingly played its part in the

app’s development, as many of my LSF friends volunteered to help during our testing period, to debug the app and suggest helpful features that have shaped the platform.

“Looking forward, I’m incredibly excited about the future of Choo Choo and hope to improve its simplicity and raise awareness of the platform for commuters and train travellers.”

TecInterative marks major milestone with brand refresh

Workplace technology specialist

TecInteractive is marking its 20th anniversary with a refreshed brand identity.

Founded in 2005 by Tom Bamford and Richard Vine, the Ashbourne-based company has grown into a technology partner for organisations nationwide.

It specialises in creating tailored workspaces which “enhance collaboration, communication and productivity from the boardroom to the shop floor” – helping clients in areas such as hybrid meetings and engaging presentations. The new brand, including a redesigned logo and refreshed visual identity, represents the company’s intention for the coming years.

Tom Bamford said: “We’re excited to mark our 20th

Tecinteractive co-founder

anniversary with a brand refresh. The new logo reflects our values.”

The business was shortlisted as a

co-founder

finalist in the Chamber’s 2024 Derbyshire Business Awards for Excellence in Collaboration.

Tom Bamford

Tecinteractive

Richard Vine

App creator Alfie Willis

BUSINESS SUPPORT

THE LATEST NEWS AND UPDATES FROM OUR KEY INDUSTRY SECTORS

Geldards partner Simon Davers Geldards assists with acquisition

The Geldards corporate team advised automotive giant Lithia UK on the acquisition of Hatfields Group in a move which strengthens the client’s partnership with Jaguar Land Rover and increases its presence in the north.

Lithia UK has more than 150 dealerships across the UK through the Evans Halshaw and Stratstone brands, and represents more than 25 manufacturers.

The acquisition includes four Land Rover dealerships in Hull, Liverpool, Pickering and Shrewsbury, and also sees Lithia UK add its first OMODA & JAECOO store to its portfolio.

The Geldards advisory team was led by partners Simon Davers and Gemma Wrighton, supported by senior associate Sarah Bailey-Parke and solicitor Charlotte Hajduk.

They also drew on expertise from partner Gemma Wrighton in the commercial property team.

Simon Davers said: “Geldards is proud to enjoy a long-standing relationship with Lithia UK, and we were pleased to advise them on the major acquisition of Hatfields Group.”

Howes Percival’s legal apprentices welcomed

Howes Percival has welcomed its biggest cohort of legal apprentices yet, who have joined the alternative route to becoming a solicitor.

The firm launched its apprenticeship programme in 2022, and its first solicitor apprentices are due to qualify in 2027. The five new apprentices this year takes the number of young people on the programme to 15.

The legal apprenticeship route takes around six-anda-half years, combining on-the-job training with independent study. Apprentices are involved in practical work from the outset while steadily building their legal expertise, making it a potentially debt-free route into law. They take an initial two-year paralegal apprenticeship followed by a four-year solicitor apprenticeship course.

They can finish with a degree in law and legal practice before sitting the Solicitors Qualifying Examination.

The apprentices join seven trainees on the traditional Howes Percival graduate trainee programme.

Howes Percival’s people director Natalie Clarke said: “Since starting the apprenticeship programme, the results have been really positive.

“Our aim is for our apprentices to take all the valuable knowledge they gain from working at Howes Percival day-to-day while developing their legal expertise to eventually become a well-rounded legal professional who is deeply embedded in our firm’s culture and values.

“The scheme also aligns with Howes Percival’s broader commitment to accessibility and social mobility.

“By offering a debt-free route into the legal profession, the firm attracts a wider pool of candidates who can bring fresh perspectives and diverse talents.”

Freeths advises Foresight Group

Freeths has advised listed private equity and real asset manager Foresight Group on a big investment into Montpellier Legal, a rapidly expanding tech-enabled conveyancing law firm.

It is the first investment made by Foresight from its South West Fund, which is dedicated to supporting businesses across the region.

The Freeths team was led by corporate director Lottie Hugo (pictured) who worked alongside banking and finance partner Ben Moylan.

They were helped by corporate managing associate Fiona Woodhead, corporate senior associate Cormac Hayes, banking and finance senior associate Billy Shaw, banking and finance associate Victoria Naylor, corporate associate Ben Treasure, corporate trainee solicitor William Watts, and other specialists across multiple teams.

Lottie said: “This transaction represents a fantastic example of investment driving innovation and growth in the south west and in the legal sector which is currently seeing significant interest from private equity.”

Training the workforce of the future

DCG delivers high-quality academic, vocational and technical education that empowers people to achieve their ambitions, while providing employers across the Midlands and beyond with the talented workforce of tomorrow.

Through a dynamic and responsive curriculum, it predicts and serves the needs of its business and civic communities. Students of all ages and backgrounds are prepared for positive destinations in the next stage of their lives, whether that be further study, the world of work, entrepreneurship or independent living. They leave DCG ready to contribute to society as responsible citizens.

The group’s portfolio of educational programmes and skills solutions is underpinned by thriving partnerships with employers, shaped by comprehensive market intelligence and informed by liaison with key stakeholders such as the D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership.

A truly diverse organisation, the Group is formed of four Colleges – the Roundhouse, the Joseph Wright Centre, Broomfield Hall and the Community College, Ilkeston. Every year it caters for thousands of learners spanning school pupils on pre-16 programmes, post-16 students pursuing academic and technical pathways, apprentices at all levels, higher education students, and adults seeking career progression, upskilling and reskilling.

How money can impact mental health

Red Umbrella is shining a light on the powerful connection between money and mental health – and how organisations can help staff affected by financial stress.

According to research by the Money and Mental Health Policy Institute, 86% of respondents with a mental health problem said their financial situation had made their mental health worse, while 72% said their mental health has negatively affected their finances.

As the cost of living continues to impact millions across the UK, Red

Umbrella, a Nottingham-based specialist in workplace mental health, has partnered with Money First Aid to launch the UK’s first Money First Aid course for mental health first aiders.

Nathan Shearman, director of therapy and training and psychotherapist at Red Umbrella, said: “Financial pressures are one of the biggest risks for poor mental

‘We know that mental health and money problems often go hand in hand, and without

the right tools,

it

can be difficult for people or workplaces to break that cycle’

Scott Stevens joins Mattioli Woods

Leicester-based wealth management, employee benefits and investment specialist Mattioli Woods has appointed Scott Stevens (pictured) as managing director for business development and marketing.

Scott brings more than 30 years’ experience across financial advice and investment management, joining from St James’s Place, where he led transformative marketing, recruitment and digital growth initiatives. He has also held senior roles at Quilter Financial Planning, Quilter Cheviot and BNY Mellon Investment Management.

He will lead the development of Mattioli Woods’ business growth strategy – integrating marketing, business development and client experience to strengthen adviser productivity, deepen client relationships and enhance brand distinction across the group.

Chief executive Ian Mattioli MBE DL Hon LLD said: “Scott’s appointment reflects our continued investment in the quality and capability of our leadership team.

“He brings a proven record of driving growth, innovation, and cultural alignment across large-scale advisory businesses.

“His combination of commercial acumen, creativity, and hands-on leadership will be instrumental as we continue to build a stronger, more connected proposition for our clients and advisers alike.”

health. We know that mental health and money problems often go hand in hand, and without the right tools, it can be difficult for people or workplaces to break that cycle.

“That’s why we’re really excited about our partnership with Money First Aid.”

The course can help first aiders understand how financial pressures

affect wellbeing, recognise when someone is struggling and provide appropriate support or signposting.

The self-taught, online course is designed to be flexible, allowing learners to complete it at their own pace.

It was developed with financial wellbeing specialists, therapists and mental health trainers.

Dains acquisition boosts innovation

Dains Group has acquired GHE, a specialist in accessing grant funding for research and innovation projects.

GHE strengthens the group’s position as a supplier to businesses seeking funding to drive innovation and growth across the UK and Europe. The deal marks the group’s fifth acquisition since securing private equity investment from IK Partners, and its 15th since 2021.

Incorporated in 2002 and based in Burton upon Trent, GHE helps businesses and organisations develop funding strategies, appraise projects, prepare proposals and manage grants to ensure successful outcomes.

It works with businesses in the UK and overseas ranging from SMEs to multinationals.

The acquisition further enhances Dains’ innovation funding and advisory capabilities following the addition of TBAT Innovation in September, expanding its Midlands footprint and deepening its ability

Dains chief executive Richard McNeilly

to support clients through every stage of their innovation journey.

Dains chief executive Richard McNeilly said: “GHE will strengthen our innovation advisory capability and broadens the support we can offer clients as they develop, grow and deliver meaningful change.”

GHE founder and director Richard Hancock said: “Becoming part of the Dains Group is a significant and exciting milestone for GHE and our clients.”

IN BRIEF

LOCAL APPRENTICE HONOURED AT AWARDS

A company that provides building control services in Derbyshire and Staffordshire Moorlands is celebrating following the 2025 Local Authority Building Control (LABC) East Midlands Building Excellence Awards.

Harvey Ellis, a rising star within the DBCP team and LABC Academy, was named LABC Newcomer of the Year in the East Midlands, marking the second consecutive year a DBCP apprentice has won the title.

DBCP also had the honour of seeing four projects in the awards as well as a construction professional that it has supported with building control advice.

Harvey’s win comes after he and fellow apprentice Charlotte Gladwin were shortlisted in the Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire Apprenticeship Awards, where both were commended and where DBCP was named as the SME employer of the year.

MONARCH LAUNCHES TRAINING COURSES

Derby-based security company Monarch Security has started delivering nationally recognised, industry-standard Security Industry Authority training.

Founded in 2020 by Farhaan Bhatti and Phil Wright, the business has grown rapidly, providing a range of services including static guarding, mobile patrols, door supervision, dog units, VIP protection, event stewarding and alarm response.

It is now a Highfield-approved training centre, one of the UK’s leading awarding bodies for security qualifications.

Training is being delivered from Monarch’s Derby training facility, combining Highfield’s nationally recognised courses with the team’s real-world, operational expertise to raise standards within the industry.

Secondary school students across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire have been given a handson introduction to careers in manufacturing, property and construction during this year’s Made in Chesterfield festival.

The festival, organised by Destination Chesterfield and Direct Education Business Partnership (DEBP) in association with Chesterfield College, connected students with employers and educators.

Some 220 young people joined the workplace visits, including Shirebrook Academy students who visited MSE Hiller for a tour of the engineering workshop and laboratory.

‘It’s great that Made in Chesterfield encourages these partnerships and collaborations’

Academy careers adviser Danielle Evans said: “It was a fantastic opportunity to see how sciences are applied in the lab and how different roles from fabrication and welding to mechanical and electrical engineering work together in a successful workplace.

“Students explored career pathways including A levels, T Levels, apprenticeships and work experience.

New EMIoT building is opened Made in Chesterfield showcases career paths

The East Midlands Institute of Technology (EMIoT) has opened its new building in Loughborough.

The institute is a partnership between Loughborough College, Loughborough University, Derby College Group and the University of Derby – bringing together academic expertise and industry collaboration to create a researchled, employer-focused learning environment.

The Loughborough facility was officially opened by LordLieutenant of Leicestershire Mike Kapur OBE and Charnwood mayor Councillor David Northage.

It’s great that Made in Chesterfield encourages these partnerships and collaborations.”

The festival raises awareness of Chesterfield’s strengths in manufacturing, property and construction, with businesses including Penny Hydraulics, MSE Hiller, United Cast Bar, Highlight Crafts, Superior Wellness and Heraeus Electro-nite opening their doors.

Ivan Fomin, Destination Chesterfield board member and managing director of MSE Hiller, said: “Made in Chesterfield is about showing young people that they don’t need to leave the area to build a successful career.”

There are two other EMIoT student sites – at the University of Derby Enterprise Centre and at Derby College’s main Roundhouse campus.

Supported by funding from the Department for Education (DfE), the EMIoT aims to equip students with the skills needed for the UK’s growing clean energy and net zero economies.

It is expected to welcome more than 2,000 learners by the 2027/28 academic year.

Rachel Quinn, executive director of the East Midlands Institute of Technology, said: “Students have

been enjoying our new facility since the start of this academic year, but it was a pleasure to welcome our guests for its official opening.

“This state-of-the-art facility will be used by engineering, digital, manufacturing and our other technical courses students – not just those based at Loughborough College but from across the partnership. Students’ experience of working on the latest technologies, learning the most upto-date skills; will both build their careers, and the skills base our regional and wider economy needs.”

DBCP apprentice Harvey Ellis

Lord Lieutenant of Leicestershire Mike Kapur OBE cuts the ribbon at the East Midlands Institute of Technology building in Loughborough

Students on a workplace visit

Rykneld Homes managing director Niall Clark

Upgrade for housing service

North East Derbyshire District Council’s housing service has been upgraded to a C1 by the Regulator of Social Housing (RSH).

It follows work by Rykneld Homes, the council-owned registered social housing provider which manages more than 7,500 homes for it.

It worked closely with the RSH to make improvements needed to achieve the highest available grading after receiving a C2 grade last summer.

It is one of only a few authorities to have been awarded C1 since the new inspection regime was introduced last year and the first local authority to have been upgraded from C2.

District council leader Councillor Nigel Barker said: “This achievement means our residents are receiving the best possible care and services from both the council and Rykneld Homes, and we remain committed to building on this success for the benefit of our communities.”

Rykneld Homes managing director Niall Clark said: “The whole Rykneld Homes team, led by our recently retired MD Lorraine Shaw, worked incredibly hard to make the recommended improvements to take us to a C1 grading.

“We remain committed to making continuous improvements to our properties and service to ensure all of our tenants live in safe, decent homes and feel heard and supported.”

The result has also been hailed a success for the wider region by East Midlands mayor Claire Ward, who said: “Good quality housing is fundamental to people’s wellbeing. It’s more than four walls and a roof – it is a place of safety, stability, and belonging.”

Mayor unlocks funding to build new homes

Mayor of the East Midlands Claire Ward has secured an additional £19.7m in government funding for more than 750 homes.

This latest round of the Brownfield Housing Fund will help the East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA) transform more under-used sites across Derby, Derbyshire, Nottingham and Nottinghamshire.

Mayor Claire said: “Securing this funding marks another opportunity to transform communities in our region.

‘This is about more than housing –it’s about building a stronger, fairer future for the East Midlands’

“Part of our vision for inclusive growth in the East Midlands is to build 100,000 homes – unlocking new, affordable and modern places for our residents to live.”

Grants will be allocated to schemes that can develop housing on brownfield land.

The previous round of funding – worth £16.8m – saw EMCCA receive 50 expressions of interest, demonstrating the potential for regeneration.

The additional funding will support the ambitions set out in the East Midlands Growth Plan and the Inclusive Growth Commission report. The growth plan sets out a vision to unlock opportunities that benefit everyone –

through better jobs, greener places, and high-quality, affordable homes.

Mayor Claire said: “Already, the Government is supporting our ambition and recognising our ability to deliver.

“These developments will bring brownfield land back into use, deliver high-quality homes, and create jobs for local people.

“This is about more than housing – it’s about building a stronger, fairer future for the East Midlands.”

Lease expert joins the team

Howes Percival has appointed lease specialist Helen Parrott to its growing commercial property team in Leicester.

Helen has more than 20 years’ experience in commercial property working for landlords and tenants on leases of all types of commercial properties. She also works for clients buying and selling commercial buildings.

The commercial property team is one of the biggest outside London, acting for household names including some of the country’s biggest housebuilders, commercial developers, investors, lenders, business owners, charities, landowners, construction firms and public sector organisations.

Nick James, partner and Leicester commercial property team leader, said: “We are delighted to welcome Helen to Howes Percival.

“Helen knows both the local and national markets well and brings a wealth of experience, particularly regarding complex landlord and tenant work and institutional

investment matters. We are a growing team and Helen’s appointment is a direct response to an increase in instructions in this area of work.”

Helen Parrott with Nick James

East Midlands Combined County Authority mayor Claire Ward

Journalist Nick Jones tests a new number that has been re-born to the French manufacturer, the Renault 4.

The recently revised Renault 5 has been a big hit with punters, so here we have another exciting EV loitering in the shadows, the new Renault 4.

Sadly, I do remember the old 4 version, which was never on my radar once I’d passed my test, but here the electric version certainly could change my outlook.

Originally launched way back in the 1960s, the 4 was, I guess, Renault’s version of the iconic Mini and sales were pretty good all-told.

Here, the new model boasts the same boxy, tall outline but has been dressed with new LED lights and neat creases in the flowing bodywork. Not as visually apparent as the 5 truth be said, but imposing none-the-less and it shares most of the 5’s underpinnings. On the inside, one encounters very much

the ‘norm’ nowadays with softtouch materials, plenty of room fore and aft, a centrally-mounted touchscreen, along with suitably nice separate heater control.

I for one took a little time to get used to the column-mounted gear lever but after time all will suffice.

Out on the road, Renault I’m sure have made the 4 a little softer than the 5, something I could concur with – the 5 is more a driver’s car, this one is more a laid-back version that commuters would just love with the comfort factor being top of the list.

Having driven both, comfort and practicality is more to the fore over the 5 (sorry for the pun) and –visiting the showroom to see the 5 – there may well be an alternative lurking in the background that, although it might not be the stylish choice, could well steal sales.

FACTFILE MODEL

Renault 4 E-Tech

PRICE OTR

From £25,495 PERFORMANCE

Top speed: 110 miles per hour

0-60 mph: circa 8 seconds

POWER

150 BHP

RANGE

up to 250 miles – 15-90% charge time around 30 mins

MAIN PICTURE: Renault 4 E-Tech looks at home on the coast

TOP LEFT: The new Renault 4 is a bit smarter than its old name-sake

BELOW LEFT: The Renault offers modern styling

A classic that’s been reimagined

‘The new model boasts the same boxy, tall outline but has been dressed with new LED lights and neat creases in the flowing bodywork’

THE LAST WORD

Chamber president Dawn Whitemore on the importance of

working together to deliver the skills the region’s businesses needs to thrive.

As I reflect on my year as president and my ambition to increase awareness and accessibility around post-16 skills for businesses, it has become evident that continuous changes in education and skills policy have further complicated a marketplace that should be relatively straight-forward – making my ambitions even tougher.

If every individual is equipped to be resilient, problem solving, adaptable, a critical thinker and is self-disciplined then we all succeed, no matter what the starting point is.

So why have successive governments failed to resolve the underlying issues around the education proposition within our country? They continue to move the deckchairs around, tinkering at the edges, rather than actually peeling the layers back and resolving the real issues.

‘The Chamber has been driving hard to raise the voice of business and the important role that post-16 education plays’

This failing not only impacts on our young people – of which we have over one million that are not in education or training (NEETS) – but ripples through every aspect of our lives, as businesses struggle to secure the skilled talent they need and worklessness stops individuals reaching their true potential.

This results in decline, which is where we find ourselves today, with families struggling to cover day-to-day bills, public services failing and borrowing levels on a scale we have never seen before.

Businesses today need the skills system to be supportive and easy to navigate, while they continue to deal with:

• Tax and regulatory changes from the 2024 Autumn Budget, which dampened confidence –and by the time you read this, they will be considering more changes from the 2025 Budget

• Global instability

• Inflation and interest rates creating continued economic uncertainty and cautious financial planning

• AI and automation

• Rising and ever-more sophisticated digital threats

• Investment in eco-friendly operations

• Environmental, social and governance requirements

• Hybrid work models requiring new management and collaboration strategies

• Competition for skilled workers

• More health and wellbeing programs.

The Government is re-shaping the skills system to respond to economic, technological and regional shifts.

There are new institutions and governance changes with Skills England taking on a major role – assuming the functions of the former Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education, and broadening its remit to cover

training, skills gaps and employer-led development.

In September it was announced that responsibility for apprenticeships, adult education, training and careers would move from the Department for Education to the Department of Work and Pensions – while the DfE retains responsibility for under-19s and higher education. Confused? You will be!

A new “Growth and Skills Levy” is planned to replace the apprenticeship levy, with allegedly more flexibility for employers to access a broader range of training beyond apprenticeships.

The sentiment is sound, but implementing a system that is simple for businesses to access requires a total rethink.

The Government has also announced a major investment in training in priority sectors, including £187m in the “TECHfirst “programme, bringing digital and AI skills into classrooms and communities. The failing here is that with all digital development there must be year-on-year investment to keep up with the rate of change needed – so this is not new, but delayed and catch-up investment.

It is welcomed, yes, but there needs to be a sustainable model for continuous investment.

There are so many more proposed changes.

What we need to do is get the basics right, so that every individual is equipped to achieve their potential.

The Chamber has been driving hard to raise the voice of business and the important role that post-16 education plays in skilling and upskilling the current and future workforce.

This includes working with colleges, private training providers and universities – with great partnerships and projects already in place.

We are committed to continuing to work with every business to help you to translate and navigate the complex skills market place.

My request to business is please use us, raise your concerns, needs and frustrations and let’s see if together with our post-16 offering in our region, we can lead the way in making real change for the development of our future workforce.

The Government is re-shaping the skills system