east midlands chamber

Young professionals in the East Midlands urged to have their say in survey that aims to retain region’s emerging talent

Young professionals in the East Midlands have been invited to take part in a survey as part of a project to enhance their development opportunities.

East Midlands Chamber’s Generation Next network has launched the study to gain a deeper understanding of what young people want to achieve and what support they require to realise aspirations.

The survey results will help it to improve the network, which supports 18 to 35-year-olds working in the region to develop their skills, access mentoring opportunities, broaden their networks and have their achievements recognised through an annual awards programme.

With only about a third of graduates from the region’s six universities remaining in the East Midlands after completing their studies, this will also support Generation Next’s wider mission to retain more young talent in Derbyshire, Leicestershire and Nottinghamshire.

East Midlands Chamber director of resources and Generation Next lead Lucy Robinson said: “Graduate retention is one of the major issues holding back our economy from realising its tremendous potential as having a young, skilled workforce can attract businesses to invest here, which creates the jobs and wealth that allows our communities to prosper.

“The insights we will gather from this survey will be crucial in helping the Chamber and employers across our region to address the needs and values of our young workforce, so we can together create opportunities to help them build their futures in the East Midlands.”

The network, which is backed by a governance board of “champions” within its age group, aims to achieve this by creating better business and learning opportunities tailored to the needs of young workers through its skills-based and social events, mentoring scheme and document library.

The survey will also assist by amplifying their voice across the East Midlands Chamber network of more than 4,000 members, giving regional employers an insight into the driving forces behind young people’s early career choices so they can create a better environment for them to live and work.

Findings will be outlined at Generation Next’s inaugural conference in October, which is funded by its newest partner, ITS Technology Group.

Daniel Nikolla, chair of the Generation Next board and marketing manager at Hardy Signs, added: “Launching the survey is one of my key objectives for my term as chair. We want to be the voice of the next generation of business and amplify their messages to the wider business community, and the results from the survey will help us do just that.”

To fill in the Generation Next young professionals’ survey, visit bit.ly/GenNextsurvey

Commerce House

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Latest employment figures show ‘great resilience’ of East Midlands businesses

Figures show that unemployment in our region has dropped for the second consecutive month, despite the overall UK unemployment rate rising by 0.2%.

The East Midlands’ unemployment rate has reduced to 3.3% for the period between March and May 2023, new figures by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) show.

It fell by one-tenth of a percentage point from the previous reporting period to April, moving in an opposite trajectory to the UK unemployment rate, which rose from 3.8% to 4%.

The region’s economic inactivity rate – which measures the number of working-age people who have dropped out of the labour market for reasons such as retirement, caring duties, long-term ill health or studying – dropped by three-tenths of a percentage point to 21.2%, the lowest level in a year.

East Midlands Chamber chief executive Scott Knowles said: “Despite some mild concerns earlier in the year that the unemployment rate was rising, it appears to have stabilised around historically very low levels, which reflects the great resilience of the East Midlands business community amid some very tough challenges.

“Rising economic inactivity has been one of the greatest concerns over the past year as it led to a dwindling labour market, which has restricted capacity – and therefore the ability to grow, raise productivity and bring prices down.

“While this rate remains significantly above pre-Covid levels, it’s pleasing to see this has now come down by just under 1.5% in the past nine months, giving firms more room to manoeuvre.

“Our own research backs this up but also illustrates persistent challenges, with our Quarterly Economic Survey showing seven in 10 businesses that attempted to recruit between April and June experienced problems in filling roles, compared to eight in 10 at the end of 2022.”

Nationally, regular pay grew by 7.3% during this period, a record annual increase despite lagging behind inflation, which stands at 8.7%.

Scott added: “While recruitment problems may be easing slightly, the record rise in wages suggests firms are still facing major cost pressures as the labour market tightness has forced employers to pay more for people at a time when they are being hit by inflation and surging interest rates.

“This is perhaps why future recruitment prospects are less optimistic, with a net 6% decline in East Midlands businesses adding to their headcount for the next three months. The proportion of firms intending to invest in training also declined by 3%, with business confidence fragile.

“What we desperately need is a dedicated Government policy that supports companies to invest in their people, whether that be in upskilling their existing workforce or reskilling prospective employees to fill skills gaps.

“In our Business Manifesto for Growth, we have set out a list of policies we believe will make the required difference, including introducing flexible incentives for businesses that invest in staff training and bringing forward the introduction of the Lifelong Loan Entitlement to support retraining and the retainment of an older workforce.

“We must also tailor policies to recognise the diversity of people who are out of work and avoid a one-size-fits-all solution. We would also like to see Government work with businesses to offer support, and share best practice, on what a flexible and inclusive workplace looks like as this is another vital ingredient in enticing people back to work.”

East Midlands Chamber supports the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 200 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

East Midlands Chamber - Chesterfield office

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Research finds inclusive workplaces can help East Midlands businesses fill vacancies amid skills shortages

A growing number of East Midlands firms are creating inclusive workplace policies, new research has found – as they identified a range of business-critical benefits including higher productivity and lower staff turnover rates.

A study from East Midlands Chamber in partnership with emh group found the proportion of firms in Derbyshire, Leicestershire and Nottinghamshire with a specific equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI)-related policy increased from 48% in 2022 to 54% this year. There was also a 3% drop to 37% of firms saying they had no such policy.

Some 56% of respondents said EDI formed part of strategic discussions at leadership or board level, with 15% believing this was to “a great extent” – although the same proportion said there was no focus on EDI at all – in figures similar to 12 months ago.

The biggest benefit attributed to having an engaged approach to EDI was its ability to create an inclusive working environment, which was cited by 65% of respondents.

Other popular reasons included the role it plays in supporting diversity of thought in decision-making (58%), staff recruitment and retention (52%), and better representing customers and clients (44%).

An average score of five out of 10 was given to the importance of EDI engagement to the success of an organisation. This was down from 5.6 a year earlier, while it also falls behind corporate social responsibility, which was awarded a score of 5.7 in a separate survey.

East Midlands Chamber director of policy and insight Chris Hobson chaired a roundtable with business leaders at the East Midlands People and Skills Summit recently to discuss the findings and recommendations for future business support tools.

He said: “EDI is about having a focus to create an inclusive workplace environment in which people feel they ‘belong’, in order to bring their best selves to work and support a business to realise its growth ambitions.

“Our research shows that while EDI has slipped slightly down the agenda – perhaps due to the persistent pressures on firms caused by a cost-of-doing-business crisis that has occupied leaders’ minds over the past 18 months – it remains an important consideration for many businesses in the East Midlands.

“Those engaged cite benefits such as supporting innovation, staff recruitment and retention, and better representing customers – all business-critical issues at a time when firms are looking for new ways to improve productivity and plug persistent skills gaps, with our research also showing 73% of firms that try to recruit will struggle to fill roles.

“While there are still barriers to adoption, including a lack of understanding among leadership teams and a fear about getting it wrong, we know that providing businesses with the support they need to implement inclusive policies can lead to greater adoption – and ultimately support business success.”

The research was carried out within East Midlands Chamber’s Quarterly Economic Survey – which gathers intelligence on how businesses are faring in areas such as sales, cashflow and recruitment – for Q1 2023, with 320 responses. Other key findings included:

  • There was a relatively even split in EDI policy adoption between services-based businesses (55%) and manufacturers (52%) – with a significant growth in engagement among manufacturers after 43% had a policy a year earlier
  • EDI adoption reduces the further down we descend in the business size spectrum – from 90% of large firms having a dedicated policy, this reduces to 68% of medium businesses, 57% of small companies and 37% of microbusinesses
  • Barriers to having an effective EDI policy included it not being viewed as a priority (cited by 42% of respondents), concerns about getting it wrong and causing inadvertent upset (30%), the time it takes to develop a policy (28%), ensuring buy-in from staff (24%), a lack of understanding among the leadership team (22%) and a perception it isn’t needed in their workplace (22%).

The research will be used to create a series of recommendations for further business support and policy activity around how Government can collaborate with employer representative bodies to advocate for EDI and support further engagement.

This was the second instalment of EDI research as part of a strategic partnership between East Midlands Chamber and emh group, an affordable housing, care and support provider based in Leicestershire.

Chan Kataria OBE, chief executive of emh group, added: “I’m encouraged that the second year of our strategic partnership research has seen a positive shift in some areas of engagement among members of the business community.

“This demonstrates a strong commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion, as well as acknowledgement of its contribution to business success.

“A key aspect of this research was to explore the barriers to engagement on EDI. The results strongly indicate an appetite for support, and increased engagement on the broader spectrum of EDI.

“The findings also provide a platform to explore opportunities to share good practice and collaborate for better business outcomes.

“EDI is at the heart of what we at emh do, and I look forward to our continued work with the Chamber and its members to help deliver the actions that will make a real difference.

“I’m proud that the diversity of our communities is one of the biggest unique selling points of the East Midlands, and a key factor in its economic success.”

East Midlands Chamber - Chesterfield office

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Chesterfield businesswomen included in shortlist for 2023 Enterprising Women Awards

Female talent from Chesterfield’s business community has been recognised in the shortlist for East Midlands Chamber’s 2023 Enterprising Women Awards.

Finalists across 10 categories were announced for the 2023 awards, in association with headline sponsor Michael Smith Switchgear, at a summer networking and barbecue event, held at Stapleford Park Hotel and Spa yesterday (8 June).

Chesterfield companies to be recognised amongst the finalists include GBS Apprenticeships, CMP Legal, and Rose Cottage Doggy Day Care.

They will go on to take part in a judging panel on 11 July, comprising members of the Enterprising Women team, Chamber board of directors and category sponsors to get their chance to pitch before winners are decided.

Winners will be announced at Enterprising Women’s flagship gala dinner, which will take place on 6 October at Winstanley House, in Leicester.

Longstanding categories are up for grabs, such as Small Business of the Year, Female Employee of the Year, Apprentice of the Year, and the headline award Business Woman of the Year, as well as the refreshed She Who Innovates Award for those working in STEM-related industries.

Categories introduced last year to mark the network’s 25th anniversary will also return to the programme, including the Rising Star Award and Lifetime Achievement Award – which doesn’t have a shortlist and will instead be given as a surprise to an unsuspecting winner.

Enterprising Women co-chair Jean Mountain said: “We’ve received another cohort of outstanding applications from women working across the region, and the shortlist features some truly inspiring achievements and stories.

“It’s fantastic to see women in business across a wide range of sectors and backgrounds recognised through the programme, as well as those across different parts of their career journey – from those just starting out in apprenticeship roles to highly successful business leaders representing everything that is great about our region.”

Fellow co-chair Eileen Perry MBE DL added: “Shortlisting the finalists has been a massive challenge for our category sponsors from the high calibre of entries, and we’re really looking forward to the judging panel to hear more about their work.

“Women in business across the East Midlands are doing fantastic and inspiring work, and we are delighted to be able to recognise their achievements through the Enterprising Women Awards each year.”

The Enterprising Women Awards 2023, which will be hosted by ITV weather presenter Emma Jesson, features a three-course meal as well as entertainment throughout the evening.

Enterprising Women Awards 2023 shortlist

Apprentice of the Year (Sponsored by Futures Housing Group)

  • Alice Lees – Rolls-Royce
  • Courtney Brindley – Express Recruitment
  • Florence Comasky – EMA Training
  • Lucy Coope – trentbarton
  • Lucy Hilton – Cosy Direct
  • Sophie Shapcott – Smith Partnership

 

Social Commitment Award (Sponsored by She Inspires Global)

  • Cosy Direct
  • Guildford Europe
  • Rosie May Foundation
  • Rotheras Solicitors
  • Spenbeck

 

Female Employee of the Year (Sponsored by Nelsons)

  • Asiya Parekh – Leicester Hospitals Charity
  • Brogan Lees-Collier – Forsyth Barnes
  • Cherryl Holland – trentbarton
  • Emily Brailsford – Rural Action Derbyshire
  • Sarah Budgie – Regency Source

 

Rising Star (Sponsored by Amanda Daly – The Turnaround CEO)

  • Chloe Heard – MHA MacIntyre Hudson LLP
  • Coral Guard – GBS Apprenticeships
  • Katie McLoughlin – Soft Touch Arts
  • Ruby Birks – Purpose Media
  • Scarlett Tinsley – ER Recruitment

 

Female Entrepreneur of the Year (Sponsored by Fraser Stretton Property Group)

  • Julie Adams – Auditel
  • Julie Clark – Savage Lighting
  • Sally Faulkner – Bond Street Distillery
  • Sarah Withers – Withers Gin
  • Therese Lord – Construct3D

 

Team of the Year (Sponsored by Breedon Consulting)

  • Flame UK
  • Generation Next ambassadors
  • PPL PRS collections team
  • PPL PRS marketing team
  • Rotheras Solicitors

 

She Who Innovates (Sponsored by Pick Everard)

  • ChangeXtra – Claire Mann
  • Construct3D – Therese Lord, Jacob Lord, Jason Lord
  • e-bate – Leanne Bonner-Cook and team
  • Purpose Media – Ruby Birks
  • RimPro-Tec Wheelbands – Deborah Chester

 

Small Business of the Year (Sponsored by Unique Window Systems)

  • Blueprint Interiors
  • CMP Legal
  • Design Studio Architects
  • Katapult
  • S&D Roofing

 

Business Woman of the Year (Sponsored by Michael Smith Switchgear)

  • Becky Valentine and Victoria Green – Spenbeck
  • Dawn Brown – Rose Cottage Doggy Daycare
  • Emma Allen – Acute Business Advisory
  • Jaz Kaur – Fraser Stretton Property Group
  • Sandy Prime – S&D Roofing

 

Lifetime Achievement of the Year (Sponsored by Paradigm Wills & Legal Services)

*No finalists for this category – winner will be announced at gala dinner

East Midlands Chamber, GBS Apprenticeships, CMP Legal, and Rose Cottage Doggy Day Care support the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 200 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

Enterprising Women Awards 2022 winners

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Chambers of commerce unite to support refugees into jobs and help businesses to plug skills gaps

Refugees from countries including Ukraine and Syria are being supported into work across Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire and Staffordshire by a partnership between two chambers of commerce.

East Midlands Chamber and Staffordshire Chamber of Commerce are working together to develop refugees’ skills, employability and social integration, with the aim of enhancing confidence among individuals who have fled war, violence or persecution to take on jobs here – and in turn help businesses to fill vacancies.

East Midlands Chamber’s employment services team has supported more than 150 individuals with personalised training courses, CV and job application writing, interview preparation, housing and financial assistance, and  introductions to employers.

Paul Needham, head of employment services at East Midlands Chamber, which represents Derbyshire, Leicestershire and Nottinghamshire, said: “Given the extremely tight labour market we are experiencing right now – our research shows that while six in 10 East Midlands businesses attempted to recruit in the first three months of 2023, almost three-quarters (73%) of those struggled to fill roles – we have been engaging businesses about the benefits of adopting inclusive recruitment policies to open up vacancies to a wider pool of people, including refugees.

“We now want to replicate this work in Derbyshire in partnership with Staffordshire Chamber, which has had great success within its own area, to provide further job opportunities that will enable refugees to integrate into our society and contribute to the communities they now call home.”

Positive Pathways project manager Julie Priestnall said: “Refugees are often skilled and capable individuals who hold qualifications and practical experience across various areas of work, as well as a willingness to learn, which means they can provide a significant contribution to businesses with a little bit of support.

“The impact of Positive Pathways has been enormous – not just on the individuals who have needed our support to give them the confidence to take on jobs but also to the local economy, which has benefitted from their skills to plug gaps in the labour market. Global events mean this type of support is needed now more than ever.”

Individuals and businesses can find out more by contacting East Midlands Chamber’s employment services team at employment.services@emc-dnl.co.uk

Commerce House

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Chesterfield businesses urged to enter King’s Awards for Enterprise 2024

Firms in Chesterfield and North Derbyshire have been urged to seek the royal seal of approval for their achievements by entering the UK’s most prestigious business awards.

East Midlands Chamber is encouraging companies to enter the King’s Awards for Enterprise 2024, which opened for entries over the coronation weekend.

They will recognise organisations for their achievements across innovation, international development, sustainable development and promoting opportunity through social mobility.

East Midlands Chamber chief executive Scott Knowles said: “Our region is full of fantastic companies that are breaking new ground in their sectors, delivering goods and services across the world, and demonstrating how business can be a force for good – which is why we are so keen to talk about the East Midlands being a Centre of Trading Excellence.

“Now, it’s time to start spreading the word about just how great we are on a global stage and we would encourage businesses to shout about their achievements far and wide.

“The King’s coronation was a tremendous occasion that brought the best of our country together, so what better time to use this as an opportunity to showcase the best of our region’s business community by entering the King’s Awards for Enterprise.

“It was exciting to see eight companies with links to our region – including six Chamber members – recognised in the 2023 awards but it would be great to grow this number in 2024 and really put the East Midlands on the map.”

The King’s Awards for Enterprise 2024 are free to enter and the deadline is midday on 12 September 2023. Applicants can enter multiple categories via an online process.

Shortlisted organisations will be notified in October and winners notified in March 2024, with unsuccessful organisations receiving feedback on their applications around the same time.

The list of winners is officially announced in the London Gazette on 6 May 2024 and representatives will be invited to attend a royal reception next summer.

Awards recipients are permitted to fly the King’s Awards for Enterprise flag at their main office and use the emblem in marketing materials for five years.

They will also receive an official certificate known as a grant of appointment and a commemorative crystal trophy.

For more information about eligibility criteria and to apply for the King’s Awards for Enterprise 2024, visit www.gov.uk/kings-awards-for-enterprise.

A webinar for Chesterfield businesses will be taking place on Wednesday, 21st June with award writing expert, Lucinda White from Pure Awards – who will cover the entry process, what to consider when entering the awards, and how to make practical in-roads into preparing the content.

Find out more and book your place at the event here.

Growth Sculpture Horns bridge Roundabout

 

 

 

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Innovative scheme helps almost 9,000 people in our region to find work or training

A programme set up to help tackle long-term unemployment across Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire has supported 8,908 people, thanks to a collaboration between local authorities, businesses and other key agencies.

The D2N2 Building Better Opportunities (BBO) scheme, which comprises three distinctive projects promoting social inclusion, has helped 1,102 of these individuals to progress into employment, assisted 864 into long-term education or training, and enabled 492 people to independently search for jobs.

Funded by the European Social Fund and National Lottery Community Fund, BBO has been led by a consortium of voluntary and community organisations across the country.

In the D2N2 region, four stakeholder managers were employed or seconded to East Midlands Chamber and hosted within the four upper-tier councils, with a remit to co-ordinate the £31m programme across the wider employment and skills landscape.

The Chamber has also played a central role in connecting individuals with employers, and promoting an inclusive recruitment agenda among businesses that have skills gaps.

East Midlands Chamber’s head of employment services Paul Needham said: “It’s fantastic to be able to reflect on the tremendous work of the BBO programme in Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire, where the lives of many people have been transformed because of the support it has offered them.

“Our stakeholder managers have been remarkable additions to the employment and skills landscape in Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire over the past five years, generating new person-centric ideas and influencing system change in how we tackle the issue of long-term unemployment.

“At the Chamber, we have been keen to promote the inclusive recruitment agenda among the business community. With our members telling us about the skills shortages that are consistently holding them back from growing, expanding the labour pool to encompass people from a wide range of backgrounds can bear fruit by filling vacancies with employees who have received support to address barriers to work and turn their lives around.”

The three employment and skills projects are:

  • Opportunity and Change: A £9.8m support programme led by Framework for people with multiple and complex needs, such as homelessness, substance abuse, at risk of offending, mental ill health and domestic abuse victims
  • Towards Work: Led by Groundwork Greater Nottingham, the £14.6m scheme provides a personalised service to help people overcome barriers to work and take their first steps towards employment
  • Money Sorted in D2N2: Led by St Ann’s Advice Centre, the £6m project helps people experiencing financial difficulties to feel more in control of their finances.

Examples of the methods used to support people into work and training have ranged from funding for buying computer equipment in order to study for qualifications through to paying for dental treatment to address poor oral health that had been a personal barrier to work for someone lacking in confidence. Projects have also helped people who are homeless or ex-offenders into work.

In addition, the BBO programme has helped participants to wipe out more than £10m in debt and, on average, grew participants’ weekly disposable income from £18.62 to £92.17 over a six-month period through personal finance education.

Paul added: “These projects have provided us with many learnings, which we will take forward in our other workstreams within the Chamber’s employment support programmes, in which we work in collaboration with Government and work agencies to give people a helping hand into sustainable work and training.”

For more information about the Chamber’s employment and recruitment services work, visit www.emc-dnl.co.uk/services/recruitment-services.

To find out more about the Building Better Opportunities programme achievements, visit bbo-d2n2.org.uk

East Midlands Chamber supports the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 200 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

 

Paul Needham

Paul Needham, East Midlands Chamber (Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire)

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Resilient businesses to be celebrated at this year’s East Midlands Chamber Business Awards

The resilience of the East Midlands business community during a tough trading environment will be celebrated at a trio of upcoming awards ceremonies later this year – and firms are invited to put themselves forward for recognition.

Entries are now open for the East Midlands Chamber Business Awards 2023, which includes three gala dinner celebrations in Derbyshire, Leicestershire and Nottinghamshire.

Businesses, charities and individuals from each county will be recognised across 14 categories, ranging from Outstanding Growth and Excellence in International Trade through to Environmental Impact and an Education and Business Partnership Award.

Headline partner Mazars will also select a Business of the Year winner for each county.

East Midlands Chamber chief executive Scott Knowles said: “With the cost-of-doing-business crisis following hot on the heels of the pandemic and Brexit, the past few years have been as tough a trading environment as many of us can recall.

“Despite this, we’ve seen tremendous resilience on display among our region’s business community, which has found new ways to grow, innovate and collaborate.

“We are once again hugely excited about celebrating these achievements in our Business Awards, which are always one of the most highly-anticipated events in the Chamber calendar – thanks to the sponsors that help to make it happen.”

The deadline for the East Midlands Chamber Business Awards 2023 is Monday 17 July.

Finalists will be announced at a president’s summer celebration on Thursday 24 August and they will then have a chance to state their case at virtual judging panels taking place on the week commencing 11 September.

A gala dinner to celebrate the Chamber’s Derbyshire Business Awards will take place on Friday, 17th November 2023.

To enter the East Midlands Chamber Business Awards 2023 or to find out about sponsorship opportunities, visit www.emc-dnl.co.uk/services/business-awards

East Midlands Chamber Business Awards 2023 categories

  • Business Improvement through Technology
  • Community Impact Award
  • Outstanding Growth Award
  • Environmental Impact Award
  • Commitment to People Development Award
  • Apprentice of the Year
  • Entrepreneur of the Year
  • Education and Business Partnership Award
  • Excellence in Customer Service
  • Excellence in International Trade
  • Small Business of the Year
  • Excellence in Innovation
  • Excellence in Collaboration
  • Business of the Year

Derbyshire Business Awards winners

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Signs of growth and confidence among businesses for year ahead, finds East Midlands Chamber study

After suffering a series of knocks over the past three years, East Midlands businesses are finally optimistic about what 2023 could bring, according to new research into the state of the region’s economy.

Uncertainty has been replaced with confidence, there has been a turnaround in sales and companies are now expecting to employ more people once again, East Midlands Chamber’s latest study illustrates.

Economic indicators covered by the business representation group’s Quarterly Economic Survey (QES), which is delivered in partnership with the University of Leicester School of Business, have been largely negative since the end of 2021, but they are all now heading in the right direction during the first quarter of 2023.

East Midlands Chamber director of policy and insight Chris Hobson said: “Following an uncertain end to 2022, these latest findings demonstrate how businesses are beginning 2023 by displaying signs of growth and an increasing confidence for the year ahead.

“Sales and advanced orders are steadily growing, cashflow is improving – although there are still significantly more businesses reporting a decline in cashflow (35%) as opposed to an increase (22%) – and price pressures continue their gradual drop-off.

“The relative certainty in the policy environment, at least compared to the constant flip-flopping that came before, is now leading to a significant upturn in business confidence and, therefore, investment intentions, which are crucial if we are to steer the economy back on track and achieve consistent growth.

“While the region’s unemployment rate has been at historically low levels in recent times, our research had shown a decline in employers recruiting – mainly due to an extremely tight labour market driven by escalating numbers of economically inactive people since the dawn of the pandemic combined with longstanding skills shortages.

“So it’s pleasing to see a positive swing, with a 7% increase in the proportion of businesses recruiting in the past three months and a 14% improvement in those expecting to add to their workforce before the summer, as this generates jobs and prosperity locally.

“While all this paints a far healthier picture than at the end of 2022, caution is required as many of these indicators are still down from where we were a year ago.

“We are moving slowly in the right direction but Government support is still required to ‘get the basics right’ by knocking down the everyday barriers to doing business, and then backing our firms to grow the economy by focusing on the ‘four Is’ – investment, innovation, infrastructure and international trade – all of which is laid out in our Business Manifesto for Growth.”

East Midlands Chamber QES Q1 2023 data

Key findings from the Quarterly Economic Survey Q1 2023 for the East Midlands*, which was completed by 347 organisations between 13 February and 9 March, included:

  • UK sales grew by a net 1% between Q4 2022 and Q1 2023, with UK advanced orders up by 15%. Overseas sales and advanced orders were both up by 6% quarter on quarter
  • A net 12% of businesses added to their headcount in the first three months of 2023, marking a 7% increase compared to the previous quarter, while a net 30% of firms expect to recruit new staff in the next three months – a 14% increase
  • Recruitment problems persist but are dropping off gradually – six in 10 (59%) businesses attempted to recruit in Q1 2023 and, of those, 73% faced problems filling roles, but this was down from 81% in Q4 2022
  • A net 52% of businesses expect they will be forced to raise prices as they grapple with rising costs for people, energy, raw materials and fuel – although this is down from 57% in the previous quarter
  • While a net 13% of firms reported a decrease in cashflow, there was a 4% positive swing
  • Investment intentions are now trending upwards, with a 12% increase quarter on quarter in the net proportion of firms saying they will invest in training and a 6% rise for investing in plant and machinery
  • Business confidence is now in positive territory, with a net 39% optimistic about growing turnover over the coming year – a 15% rise compared to last quarter – and a net 8% (up by 11%) expecting to improve profitability.

Professor Mohamed Shaban, associate dean for business and civic engagement at the University of Leicester School of Business, said: “The survey results are yet another testament to the resilience of businesses in the East Midlands.

“Despite the challenges in the past few years, businesses have successfully navigated their way through the uncertain domestic and global economic environment.

“Businesses have endured credit tightening, an inflationary environment, supply chain disruptions and skilled labour shortages, which have collectively hindered the possibilities for growth.

“New initiatives are required to support businesses to invest in technologies that help them achieve higher levels of automation, nudge them towards net zero goals and empower them to invest in upskilling employees.”

Commerce House

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East Midlands Manufacturing Network reaches 150 members a year after launch

A business network which brings together manufacturers across our region is celebrating success, achieving a membership of more than 150 businesses within its first year.

The East Midlands Manufacturing Network was set up by East Midlands Chamber in March 2022 in recognition of the importance of the manufacturing industry to the wealth and prosperity of the East Midlands.

The network was an initiative that formed part of the UK Community Renewal Fund-backed East Midlands Accelerator project run by the Chamber, although the business representation group always had the intention of continuing its support for the long term.

The Chamber recognised that very often, the challenges manufacturers face can be tackled via collaboration with others and engagement with the right people, through the right channels.

With its connections to Government, local authorities, landowners, the region’s other support agencies and universities, it is well placed to help manufacturers navigate a multitude of issues ranging from planning control to lack of expertise.

East Midlands Chamber deputy chief executive Diane Beresford said: “It’s a challenging time for manufacturers. More than any other sector, they’ve been hit by the meteoric rise in energy costs and raw materials, against a backdrop of recruitment issues.

“The reason the membership continues to grow is because the network offers very real and valuable support, and a safe space to share the concerns of running a manufacturing business at the present time. We’ve already seen several interesting collaborations that have sprung from the network.

“One area which we’re particularly keen to develop is the concept of technology forums. We know that digital technology is an important growth enabler for manufacturers.

“In the spirit of collaborative learning, we’d like to develop a roadshow where network members can host such forums to showcase how they have embraced technology. Sharing best practice and lessons learned in this way is undoubtedly of huge benefit to those members at an earlier stage of the same journey.”

Network meetings are held every six weeks in Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire, North Nottinghamshire and Leicestershire.

Topics to be covered are varied, and set by the membership in that area. They might include an update from Make UK, information on the adoption of Made Smarter in the East Midlands, an outline of Digital Upscaler technology support from the Chamber, or an announcement on the latest tailored manufacturing support on offer from the universities.

All meetings begin at 7.30am and end no later than 10am. Agendas for each meeting are added in advance to the https://www.emc-dnl.co.uk/services/east-midlands-manufacturing-network/ page of the Chamber’s website.

East Midlands Chamber supports the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 200 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

East Midlands Manufacturing Network

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Development, Home, Made in Chesterfield, UncategorisedTagged in , , , ,

Nominations now open for East Midlands Chamber Enterprising Women Awards 2023

Entries are now open for the East Midlands Chamber’s Enterprising Women Awards 2023, with the network set to recognise another cohort of female leaders.

Women in business across the Chamber’s membership base in Derbyshire, Leicestershire and Nottinghamshire can apply for the 10 category awards – which cater for a range of careers from apprentices and employees, to entrepreneurs and long-standing achievement.

The Enterprising Women Awards, held in association with headline partner Michael Smith Switchgear, were launched yesterday (Thursday 9 March) at an International Women’s Day conference at the Nottingham Belfry, which was attended by more than 80 delegates.

Enterprising Women is led by co-chairs Jean Mountain and Eileen Perry MBE DL. Through its networking opportunities and inspirational events, it creates an environment for women in business to connect and grow their knowledge, and equips them with the tools to succeed.

Jean, who co-founded the network in 1997, said: “The Enterprising Women Awards are a fantastic showcase of the strength of female talent we have here in the East Midlands, and we’re delighted to bring the celebration back this year.”

Eileen added: “We’ve been running our awards programme since 2013, and every year the calibre of talent never fails to impress us. We are looking forward to reading seeing another cohort of what undoubtedly will be fantastic applications this year.”

Enterprising Women Awards 2023 categories

Business Woman of the Year (sponsored by Michael Smith Switchgear)

Female Entrepreneur of the Year (sponsored by Fraser Stretton Property Group)

Social Commitment (sponsored by She Inspires)

Small Business of the Year (sponsored by Unique Window Systems)

Female Employee of the Year (sponsored by Nelsons)

Team of the Year (sponsored by Breedon Consulting)

She Who Innovates (sponsored by Pick Everard)

Apprentice of the Year (sponsored by Futures Housing Group)

Rising Star (sponsored by The Turnaround CEO)

Lifetime Achievement (sponsored by Paradigm Wills)

Other supporters of the awards include music sponsors PPL PRS, and video sponsors AVIT Media.

Entries are now open and the deadline is 27 April, with the awards taking place on 6 October.

Enterprising Women co-chairs

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Development, Home, UncategorisedTagged in , , , , , ,

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