Organisations across Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire can now apply for grants of up to £16,000 to improve their digital capabilities.

A grant scheme has been set up through the D2N2 Digital Growth Programme, which aims to help enterprises with growth aspirations to maximise their use of existing technology or explore and introduce new and emerging ICT products.

Grants of between £2,000 and £16,000 are available to organisations registered to take part in the scheme. The grants are for 40% of the total cost up to the £16,000 maximum and must be match-funded by the applicant organisation for the balance.

The overall aim will be to encourage and improve competitiveness and productivity.

The grant scheme is being delivered by a partnership including East Midlands Chamber, Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire County Councils and Nottingham City Council.

Diane Simpson, Deputy Chief Executive at East Midlands Chamber, who is also the Chamber’s lead on the project, said:-

“Knowing the true value of digital technology and understanding what is right for your enterprise can be a daunting challenge, making it all too easy to miss out on opportunities for improvement.

“The programme we’re delivering will help organisations across Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire to explore new ICT products and introduce them in their workplaces to help make them more competitive and more productive.”

Adrian Smith, Nottinghamshire County Council’s Corporate Director – Place, said:-

“There is a growing and rapid need for UK businesses to make sure they are digitally aware and capable so that they will be best-placed to capitalise on the global opportunities awaiting them in a post-Brexit economy.

“This programme provides all the expertise available, providing real foundations for future growth. We would encourage businesses to make the most of this great opportunity to stay ahead of the game.”

The grant scheme forms part of the D2N2 Digital Growth Programme, which will see up to £7.25m of funding invested into the local economy by 2019.

The two-year programme will deliver 360 action-planning workshops, an annual digital conference, dedicated digital business advice, workforce development skills advice and a £1.8m technology grant scheme managed by the local authorities.

At least 2,380 businesses will be engaged with, resulting in 852 businesses receiving intensive support, the creation of 69 new businesses and 639 businesses introducing new digital products or processes.

The programme is being funded by the Chamber, Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire County Councils, Nottingham and Derby City Councils, Ruschcliffe Borough Council, Nottingham’s Creative Quarter Company, D2N2 and the European Regional Development Fund.

Any business interested in finding out more about the D2N2 Digital Growth Programme grants, which are subject to eligibility criteria, should, in the first instance, visit and register at www.ebusinessclub.biz/technology-grants.

Cathelco is supplying marine growth prevention systems (MGPS) for the RSS Sir David Attenborough, a state-of-the-art polar research vessel commissioned by Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) which is being built by Cammell Laird and will be operated by the British Antarctic Survey (BAS).

The 128m vessel, which comes into service in 2019, will transform how ship-borne science is conducted in the Polar Regions. The commissioning of the RSS Sir David Attenborough is part of a major Government polar infrastructure investment programme designed to keep Britain at the forefront of world-leading research in Antarctica and the Arctic.

This state-of-the-art ‘floating laboratory’ will support teams of up to 60 scientists who will carry out research into key issues such a climate change and future sea level rises. Designed with an ice-strengthened capability, the ship can remain at sea for 60 days without re-supply.

The Cathelco marine growth prevention equipment will protect seawater pipework serving the main engines and auxiliary systems against ‘bio-fouling blockages’ caused by barnacles, mussels and other organisms.

The ‘biofouling community’ – consisting of tiny species like squirts, hard shell worms and sponges – affects many industries including underwater construction, desalination plants, ships hulls and pipework. Removing these organisms (a process called anti-fouling) is estimated to cost billions of dollars a year globally.

The marine growth prevention equipment consists of two electrolysis tanks, each containing a pair of copper and aluminium anodes which dose the water passing through four seachests. In operation, the copper anodes produce ions which create an environment where barnacle and mussel larvae do not settle or breed, but pass directly to discharge. At the same time, ions from the aluminium anode create an anti-corrosive layer to protect the internal surfaces of pipes.

The concentrations of copper required to achieve this are extremely small – less than 2 parts per billion – resulting in a system which is environmentally benign.

Without proper bio-fouling protection, there is a risk that pipework serving engine cooling systems can become partially or completely blocked over a period of time, resulting in the need for manual cleaning or premature pipework renewal.

Justin Salisbury, Managing Director of Cathelco, comments:-

“The RSS Sir David Attenborough is an innovative vessel which demonstrates the UK’s capability in ship design and construction. We are delighted to have an association with the ship through the supply of our MGPS equipment which is the most widely used of its type in the world. One of the reasons for its popularity is that it does not involve the use of chemicals, an important factor for all vessels from an environmental perspective, but particularly for those entering Polar Regions.”

Cathelco are world leaders in the manufacturer of MGPS systems which are installed on vessels of all types ranging from oil tankers and naval vessels to cruise ships and ferries with a record of more than 50,000 installations worldwide.

The High Sheriff of Derbyshire, Annie Hall, will formally open the new office of East Midlands Chamber at lunchtime on Friday this week.

Along with up to 60 regional dignitaries, business leaders and Chamber board members, Mrs Hall will be given a tour of the offices, on Millennium Way, off Dunston Road, after unveiling a plaque commemorating the event.

East Midlands Chamber moved from Canal Wharf to the renamed Commerce House, formerly St Andrews House, on 24 February.

Chamber Chief Executive Scott Knowles said: “The Chamber needed premises in Chesterfield that were modern, fit-for-purpose, that met the requirements of members for a quality facility in North Derbyshire and which reflect the Chamber’s position as the leading business representation organisation in the Midlands.

“Commerce House, which was fitted out for us by one of our patrons, Blueprint Interiors, gives us an office of which we can be proud and we’re delighted Mrs Hall has agreed to officially open it.”

The building is also home to Destination Chesterfield and their team.

The Chamber, which occupies the ground and first floor of the building is looking for a tenant to occupy over 3,000sq ft of available space on the third floor at Commerce House.   Enquiries to Wilkins Hammond Commercial, 01246 555511 or email jrw@wilkins-hammond.com or visit www.wilkins-hammond.com.

Chesterfield law firm BRM Solicitors are offering a free will writing service in support of Derbyshire-based charity, Helen’s Trust’ as part of their 15^th Year Anniversary celebrations.

During April, BRM will waive their fees for writing wills, and instead encourage clients to make a donation to Helen’s Trust.

Suggested donations are £75 for a single will and £150 for a joint will.

The charity was established in 2001, and named after Helen Louise Lyon from Froggatt who sadly passed away with cancer, but due to a unique set of circumstances was able to achieve her wish of dying at home. She passionately believed that others should have that choice, and the charity was founded shortly after her funeral by members of her family and her doctor, Louise Jordan.

Helen’s Trust has a history of supporting people with terminal illness, deemed to be within their final 6 months of life, enabling them to achieve their wish of remaining at home at the end of their illness. The charity helps up to 150 people every year, providing care, equipment and support and will consider requests for anything that will make the difference in enabling someone to stay in their own home.

Founding Trustee and Chair of Helen’s Trust Board of Trustees, Dr Louise Jordan says: “It is amazing to think how fast things change in just 15 years. When the charity was set up, the great passion and determination to enable those who were terminally ill to stay in their own home was seen as ambitious.

“Now much publicity and research has been undertaken to support our vision. Yet sadly far too many people still are unable to stay in their own home, and often for the want of some imagination or flexibility or rapid response all of which Helen’s Trust prides itself on providing.

Helen’s Trust Fundraising and Business Manager Zoe Woodward says “One great thing about supporting a local charity is that you know your efforts are impacting on the people who live around you. It is fantastic that BRM Solicitors are able to offer their support to us and encourage people to undertake the important task of making a will, whilst helping others in their community.”

Every pound raised can make a difference. £75 can fund 5 hours of care in the home. £150 will pay for a whole night of a carer sitting at home with someone with terminal illness, ensuring their family is able to rest, safe in the knowledge their loved one is in safe hands.

To book you appointment please visit https://www.brmlaw.co.uk/helenstrust, or telephone 01246 555111.