A quest to find the most successful and inspirational local businesswomen will launch next week.

The hunt is on for nominations for the 2017 East Midlands Chamber Enterprising Women Awards.

And the ‘little black dress’ dinner that will start the hunt for outstanding women in business in the region will also mark 20 years of the annual celebration.

Chamber President Jean Mountain launched the Enterprising Women Awards in 1997 to recognise the achievements of women in business, particularly those juggling careers and home life.

The ‘little black dress’ dinner will be held at The Priest House Hotel, Castle Donington on 12 October and will be hosted by the co-chairs of Enterprising Women, Jean Mountain and Eileen Richards.

The awards will be presented at Colwick Hall Hotel, Nottingham, at a men-invited black-tie, little-black-dress dinner on the evening of Friday 3 March next year to coincide with International Women’s Day.

There are six awards to be won this year: Inspirational Woman of the Year, Outstanding Contribution to Business, Enterprising New Businesswoman of the Year, Enterprising Women Team of the Year, Enterprising Woman in the Community and Rising Star.

Entries have to be in by Friday 6 January 2017. Entry is by nomination, but can be self-nominated.

A host of organisations are supporting the awards, including headline sponsor Cambridge and Counties Bank, Qdos, The Money Shop, Derby College, Leicester Tigers and Leicester Racecourse.

Jean Mountain, President of East Midlands Chamber, said:-

“There are some very talented and hard-working businesswomen in Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire and Leicestershire who make an important contribution to the local economy. All too often, their contribution does not get the recognition it deserves.

“By highlighting their contribution and telling their stories, hopefully we can inspire other women to pursue their business dream, which is why I would urge as many people as possible to send in nominations for this year’s awards.”

Chamber membership is a requirement for nomination. For a nomination application pack email ew@emc-dnl.co.uk or call the Chamber’s events team on 0333 320 0333 and select ‘option 2’ when prompted.

Chesterfield based drinks brand developer Global Brands recently revealed a new look and feel to the Corky’s brand by releasing sleeved bottles. The new sleeve covers the entire body of the bottle, using vibrant eye catching colours that stand out and make a real impact when displayed on the back bar. The entire range is coated with the metallic new look, which also features a partition through the label allowing consumers to see the sparkly liquid and bring the glitter to life.

Corky’s Schnapps are a range of 15% ABV schnapps driven by innovation, quality and range. The collection of 5 flavours includes; Sour Apple, Sour Cherry, and the glitter collection which includes Blueberry, Mango and Raspberry Glitter, and are the only glitter schnapps available on the market. Designed to be enjoyed as a single shot or incorporated into a fruity cocktail, the Corky’s flavours are diverse and packed full of flavour.

Created to stand out on the bar, the new sleeve will be slowly released into trade subject to forthcoming sales, with the newly fashioned 70cl SKUS beginning to sell to trade in October. The new visual identity will be supported alongside a point of sale kit. The kit consists of posters, screen media, bar runners and back bar displays to further showcase the new look and feel of Corky’s.

Corky’s has had an incredibly exciting year in 2016 and has been involved with a number of exciting events including sponsoring Manchester Fashion Week as well as law solicitors BMD’s Law, Beauty and Fashion Awards. Corky’s Schnapps will also be the proud sponsors of Liverpool fashion week in October. Over the last month, Corky’s has also been showcasing its beautiful glitter feature by hosting a number of glitter events around the UK in Wakefield, Skipton and Doncaster. Party-goers had the chance to enjoy glitter makeover areas, glitter-cannons, sparkle dancers and amazing disco balls.

The flavoured schnapps has also teamed up with leading girl gang of creatives “The Confetti Crowd”, for a cocktail making collaboration on social media which has been filled with sparkles and received a great interaction rate.

The new visual identity will be heavily supported through trade press, national sampling campaigns and customer activity. Corky’s has highly engaging activity plans running alongside a big growth strategy for social media.

Despite the uncertainties that business has faced since the vote to the leave the EU and the subsequent changes in the Government, the economy in the East Midlands has remained robust.

Domestic sales have held up and – despite a dip in the months immediately following the referendum – overseas orders have grown, particularly for manufacturers looking to benefit from favourable exchange rates and keen to be on the front foot for any opportunities arising from negotiations to leave the EU.

However, uncertainties remain for both immediate and long-term operating conditions, according to the results of East Midlands Chamber’s Q3 Quarterly economic Survey (QES) – the first real acid-test of the impact of the vote to leave the EU.

In the immediate future, the survey revealed, businesses have concerns over stability in exchange rates, interest and inflation and the difficulties these create for planning and investment.

While many were encouraged by the moves taken by the Bank of England over the summer to shore-up confidence, there were concerns that the levers held by the bank have now been pulled and there is little scope for further activity.

In the longer-term, there is still little clarity over what the main features of a successful UK economy outside of the EU will be.

Not only is there still a complete lack of time-scale, there has been very little communication from Government in areas such as the types of trade deals the UK will negotiate and what leaving the EU will mean for businesses that employ staff from EU countries or follow processes and regulations set or informed by EU directives.

Government Ministers have, to date, put this lack of information down to supporting their negotiating positions with EU counterparts. However, businesses said they felt that, while they may not be able to get all of the answers, more could be done to demonstrate a road map and direction of travel.

Chris Hobson, Director of Policy at East Midlands Chamber, said:-

“It must also be stressed that defining a vision for a successful UK economy outside of the EU is about much more than Brexit negotiations. There are also domestic policies and measures that can be introduced now to demonstrate the type of economy business wants to create.

“In the forthcoming Autumn Statement, the Chancellor has an opportunity to demonstrate a commitment to providing the right conditions at home for businesses to thrive.

“Business requires first class road and rail infrastructure to move goods and people. It needs reliable, fast broadband to operate and to promote activity across global markets. They need policy that will support firms that want to invest or grow overseas.

“Businesses want their employees to have housing at affordable prices close to their places of work. And they need policy that supports an environment conducive to day-to-day operations – this includes realistic regulations, fair and transparent business rates and, importantly, an education system that prepares and equips young people to succeed.

“The broad sectoral spread, presence of world-leading businesses, their supply chains and support infrastructure in terms of universities and other partners, makes the East Midlands the ideal location for the development of, and proving ground for, Government policy.

“Businesses in the East Midlands stand ready to support the shaping of that vision, the development of the right policy and its implementation on the ground.

“A snapshot survey carried out in the month immediately after the exit vote suggested that confidence in the region was still high. But the Q3 QES data proves that there is still considerable concern among businesses about Britain’s economy post-Brexit, with some firms putting investment in training and machinery on hold for the time being.

“There is also a continuation in the underlying trend of firms finding it difficult to recruit skilled staff. Half our members employ workers from the EU and have concerns about the status of those workers post-Brexit. This is something the Government should address without delay.

“Although the State of the Economy Index has shown a second successive drop, it is important to note from this quarter’s data that all the measures still indicate growth in the economy, albeit it at a slower rate than since Q3 2013 and reaffirm other reports published since the referendum that have said we should avoid the recession predicted by some before the vote.”

Chesterfield Champion Recon Electrical Ltd have once again been recognised as one of the ‘UK’s Best Electrical Wholesalers” in the ‘2016 Construction & Engineering awards’.

The Sheepbridge based, local independent electrical wholesaler, beat off competition from national and international chains to win this prestigious award. Judging was carried out by a team of 8 highly experienced industry professionals, and the decision making process handled by the Construction & Engineering awards dedicated in-house judging panel.

This is another addition to the portfolio of awards already under this champions belt. In the last three years, Recon Electrical Ltd have secured six trophies from the “Electrical Wholesaler Awards”, “Electrical Industry Awards” and the “Build and Construction Awards” as well as two Highly Commended awards for being the best in the UK.

Russ Gratton, Director of Recon Electrical Ltd, said:-

“This award has topped off another brilliant year for the business. The awards pay tribute to the hard work and effort every member of our team put in to ensure first class customer service to our ever growing customer base.

“For us it’s all about customer service and ensuring we employ the right staff with the right mindset, aimed at serving our customers needs in full. ”

Chesterfield Champions, The UK Asbestos Training Association (UKATA), has announced it will sponsor this year’s ‘Volunteer of the Year’ award at the Chesterfield Volunteer Centre Awards, which take place at The Pomegranate Theatre in Chesterfield on Wednesday 19 October from 7.30pm.

The 2015 Awards attracted an audience of over 350 people and with the event now into its fourth year, UKATA has decided to renew its sponsorship to help the Volunteer Centre recognise the hard work carried out by volunteers across the Chesterfield and North Derbyshire region. UKATA was the proud sponsor of last year’s Award and having presented the certificates last year, UKATA General Manager Craig Evans was keen to support the Award once more in 2016.

Craig Evans, General Manager of UKATA, said:-

“UKATA is delighted to once again lend our support to the Volunteer Centre Awards.

“It was a pleasure to take part last year and meet some of those people doing amazing work in our region. Although there can only be one winner, all of the nominees have done something selfless and truly remarkable and to be able to help recognise that is something UKATA is proud to do.”

Last year’s Volunteer of the Year award was won by Chesterfield Carnival’s Maria Davison, with Cecilia Peck from the Chesterfield and North Derbyshire Credit Union and Andrea Jenner from Ashgate Hospicecare as runners up.

Craig added:-

“It was a really rewarding experience to meet the winners and others shortlisted last year.

“This is one of those events where everyone is a winner and all those shortlisted an inspiration. A number of UKATA staff were inspired to take up charitable activities on the back of it. Sasha and I undertook a charity skydive, and whilst this isn’t anywhere near as demanding as the work carried out by some of the volunteers at the awards, it shows just what an impact inspirational people can have on your life.

“The Volunteer Centre really do provide an invaluable resource to the area in recognising the efforts of volunteers and UKATA is proud to be supporting the 2016 event. I’m already looking forward to presenting the award to this year’s deserving winner at what I am sure will be another memorable event.”

As a not-for-profit organisation, UKATA are keen to do everything they can to support the Volunteer Centre, a volunteering development agency working independently to support organisations from the voluntary, community and public sectors; including offering free training as part of the ongoing UKATA Train safe, Work Safe Keep Safe campaign.

Greater clarity is needed to help businesses understand Government changes to apprenticeship funding, latest research has shown.

In April 2017 the Government will introduce its Apprenticeship Levy, which means firms with payroll over £3m will have to pay 0.5% of the value above £3m into an apprenticeship fund.

As soon as an employer has funds in its levy account it will be able to select a provider and an apprenticeship programme and commit to the apprenticeship.

Firms with payroll below the £3m threshold will have to register with the fund and will be required to co-invest in the training cost. It is proposed that these employers contribute ten per cent of the cost, with Government paying the balance.

There will be additional financial support for small employers (fewer than 50 employees) who train 16-18 year olds and for those where the apprentice is a 19-24 year old care leaver or is 19-24 years old and has a local authority education, health and care plan.

Firms will be able to offset the levy against Corporation Tax but will not be able to offset it against contributions to sector training bodies.

But a survey of 1,600 businesses nationally in August found that 39% had no idea how the Apprenticeship Levy would work or hadn’t heard of it.

The survey also showed that about 30% of medium-sized companies – those employing 50-249 staff – will have to pay the levy but only 26% thought they would be able to recover all of their levy payment or more.

Over half of the respondents (51%) said they had no idea how the reforms would work. The results suggest that the Government has so far failed to adequately communicate the apprenticeship funding policy.

In the East Midlands, according to the East Midlands Chamber’s Quarterly Economic Survey for the third quarter of 2106, 31.4% of firms said they currently employ apprentices and 16.7% said they planned to.

But 36% said they didn’t know what the impact of the changes to apprenticeship funding next April would be, while 21% said they felt the changes would increase employment of apprentices.

Data from the East Midlands was fed into the British Chambers of Commerce survey.

Diane Simpson, Deputy Chief Executive at East Midlands Chamber, said:-

“Firms value apprenticeships as way of developing skills and increasing productivity. However, with just six months to go until the levy is introduced, our research shows the Government needs to step up its communication to business to ensure that businesses understand how they could benefit from the reforms.

“If it just feels like just another tax then then the policy will have failed. Devolved administrations also need to provide a guarantee that the money raised is ring-fenced and kept for training.

“And Government should allow businesses to use the levy funding to support other high-quality workplace training. Treating apprenticeships as just a numbers game will benefit neither businesses nor apprentices.”