Fast-growing and ambitious businesses are being offered a helping hand to step up to the next level.

The D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) – the private sector-led partnership promoting economic and jobs growth across Derby, Derbyshire, Nottingham and Nottinghamshire – is offering financial assistance and coaching to firms keen to ‘scale up’.

According to Sherry Coutu, CBE, in the Scale-Up Report, it is estimated that growth of just one per cent in the number of UK companies scaling up could create 238,000 new jobs and add £38bn to the UK’s GVA (Gross Value Added, a measure of the value of goods and services an area produces versus its consumption of resources) within three years.

Firms qualifying for D2N2 Growth Hub ScaleUp, marketed by the LEP’s D2N2 Growth Hub, will be small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) which have achieved some or all of the following criteria or be able to demonstrate their ambition and potential to do so in the foreseeable future:

• employ ten or more people at the start of the qualifying period
• have a turnover of between £1m and £15m a year;
• have consistent annual growth of at least 20% for the past three years.

The D2N2 Growth Hub – which works closely with SMEs in the LEP area to help them grow – has identified almost 200 companies across Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire which could qualify for support under the ScaleUp Service. It is being delivered in partnership with Nottingham Trent University’s Nottingham Business School, the Professional Coaching Alliance, the Centre for Management & Business Development and East Midlands Chamber.

Businesses meeting the eligibility criteria will initially receive a free comprehensive review of their scale up challenges to explore the specific issues related to rapid business growth and develop a bespoke action plan.

Those selected to take part will receive high-quality coaching to help address identified priority areas and leadership and management development, access to workshops focusing on identifying potential markets, advice on sales and marketing and access to finance and bespoke support through an executive peer-to-peer network.

SMEs will be able to reclaim, through a grant scheme, a proportion of the cost of the business support package to help them reach the next level of growth.

Lindsay Allen, D2N2 Senior Programme Manager (Sector Development) and lead officer for the D2N2 Growth Hub, said:-

“D2N2’s Growth Hub works with start-ups and SMEs at all levels, but we identified a need for extra assistance for those companies already doing well but with high ambitions.

“Through the ScaleUp Service we and our delivery partners will be providing expert guidance and assistance to get these companies to the next level of growth.”

Scott Knowles, Chief Executive at East Midlands Chamber, added:-

“It’s all too easy for firms to grow quickly and then plateau because they don’t know how to take the next step or don’t have the time or resources to do it. The D2N2 Growth Hub ScaleUp Service is all about helping SMEs take that next step.

“And the beauty of the programme is that it completes a virtuous circle where Government, through D2N2, encourages and assists firms to take that next step which, it is proven, then creates more jobs and more wealth which boosts the economy.”

Julie Holland, Head of Executive Education and Corporate Relations, College of Business Law & Social Sciences and Nottingham Trent University’s Business School is equally enthusiastic about the project. She said:-

“Fast growth can be just as challenging to businesses as lack of opportunity.

“Having the chance to work with some of the region’s fastest growing firms, to support their long-term sustainability, will help us to support managers now and in the future with their scale-up challenges and will provide career opportunities for our talented graduates.”

Mike Epton, Managing Director at CMBD, said:-

“We have been helping businesses in the D2N2 area realise their growth ambitions for nearly 15 years and, with our partners, intend to deliver a truly integrated programme of support to meet the specific needs of individual businesses as well as creating a community of growth for D2N2 focused around our Growth Hub.”

John Collins, Coaching Director at PCA, added:-

“Our coaches have achieved some fantastic results with high-growth businesses over the past 12 years and we are excited to be involved in delivering the new Growth Hub ScaleUp Service with our partners.

“This represents a really new approach, building an integrated and seamless ecosystem of support to assist the growth aspirations of successful, established businesses in D2N2; helping them through the challenges of scaling up their performance, profitability and employment.”

Firms wanting to find out more information about the scheme should click here.

Whittam Cox Architects are delighted to announce that Architectural Technology student Dan Black has been shortlisted for the Student Award for Excellence at this year’s Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologists (CIAT) Awards.

Dan, who is currently studying Architectural Technology at Sheffield Hallam University, has been acknowledged for his dissertation report on Sharrow Nursery and Community Centre and the integration of renewables, efficiency and high performance materials. The aim of the report was to investigate the combination of high performance materials and sustainable methods of construction.

Andrew Dabbs, Design Director at Whittam Cox, said:-

“Dan has become an invaluable part of our team here at Whittam Cox Architects. He wholeheartedly deserves this recognition, I as well as the rest of the practice wishes him the best of luck for the final.”

Student Dan added:-

“It is a real honour to have been nominated for this industry accolade. To be recognised as one of CIAT’s top contenders for the Excellence awards is an incredible achievement and to be in the final three is something I am incredibly proud of”.

Over the last 44 years, Whittam Cox has relocated its head office to Chesterfield and established regional hubs in Leeds and London as well as now receiving recognition as one of the UK’s Top 40 architectural practices who strive to deliver outstanding professional services to the nation’s property and construction sector.

Cathelco have signed a contract to supply equipment for the first three vessels in a new generation of warships which will have a major role across the full spectrum of the Royal Navy’s operations.

The Type 26 Frigates will be installed with two types of Cathelco systems, one protecting the underwater hull surface against corrosion and the other designed to prevent blockages in engine seawater cooling system pipework caused by bio-fouling.

Justin Salisbury, Managing Director of Cathelco, said:-

“As a British company, we are delighted to be supplying equipment for the Type 26 warships, particularly as we supplied and upgraded systems on their predecessors.”

A key role of the Type 26 warships will be to protect the new Queen Elizabeth Class aircraft carriers from hostile submarines. Cathelco have also supplied hull corrosion protection and marine growth prevention systems for these vessels.

Cathelco and its subsidiary Corrintec Marine have had a long association with Royal Naval frigates having supplied Impressed Current Cathodic Protection (ICCP) systems for all the current Type 23 Frigates.

Cathelco are world leaders in these systems and have equipment on a large number of the Royal Navy’s surface craft and submarines. They also have a record of supplying equipment to over 40 navies worldwide during a period of more than 50 years.

The UK Asbestos Training Association (UKATA) is announcing the start of its annual Train Safe, Work Safe, Keep Safe Campaign designed to keep small businesses and sole traders safe from the UK’s biggest workplace killer – asbestos.

Now in its third year, The Train Safe Campaign, will run from 1 September to 31 October, with free asbestos awareness training for those who need it most.

The nationwide campaign which sees UKATA members pledge hours of free asbestos awareness training has proved a real success in helping one man bands, DIY enthusiasts and others have access to training they may be unable to afford or not even realise exists.

The training will be on offer throughout the country. There are three of UKATA’s members are offering free Asbestos Awareness courses locally – to find a course near you click here.

Craig Evans, General Manager at UKATA, said:-

“The Train Safe, Work Safe, Keep Safe initiative has so much value in reaching out to those small businesses who might otherwise never receive the training they need to recognise asbestos.

“I want to thank our members again for their support and generosity in offering their services free of charge for those most in need of it.”

Around 20 tradesmen still die every week as a result of past exposure to asbestos. Damage caused to the lungs by asbestos can lay dormant for up to 60 years, with diseases like mesothelioma responsible for the death toll amongst small traders that includes eight joiners, six electricians and four plumbers.

Craig added:-

“Those like small traders in the front line of asbestos exposure need support and the Train Safe campaign is designed to do that, by removing cost as an excuse for people not having the necessary training.

“I would like to thank all our members taking part and helping tackle the issues surrounding the lack of asbestos awareness training in this country in a practical way.”

In a bid to drive clean-air initiatives, the Government announced in July that the sale of new diesel and petrol cars will be banned in the UK from 2040.

It also set aside £255m to help local authorities develop policies to improve air quality in towns and cities, which could include the banning during peak hours of diesel-powered cars and vans from some centres within the next two years and the introduction of punitive daytime ‘toxin taxes’ to discourage their use.

A similarly-timed but apparently contradictory announcement, however, stopped electrification of the Midland Main Line and promised new diesel-powered trains for routes through Derby, Nottingham and Leicester for the foreseeable future. Derby and Nottingham are thought to be leading the ‘toxin tax’ charge.

East Midlands Chamber reacted to the announcement by calling on Government to create a proper, fully-costed, cohesive 50-year energy strategy to ensure the UK remains at the forefront of green technology.

And it is now asking businesses in the East Midlands to take part in research which, through lobbying activities, could help shape a national energy strategy.

Chris Hobson, the Chamber’s Director of Policy, said:-

“Energy costs, security and availability perennially rank among the top concerns of our members. We have been saying for some time that the UK needs a proper, costed, 50-year energy strategy and now we are inviting regional firms to take part in our Quarterly Economic Survey so that we can collate information to help drive this initiative.

“The East Midlands has the potential to lead the world in the field of the new technologies that will be needed to deliver the Government’s clean air pledges. The Government has to make sure the businesses that will drive the technology get all the support they need.”

The Chamber’s Quarterly Economic Survey for quarter three of 2017 is currently live and is asking firms across the region how much of their turnover is currently generated by supplying low carbon goods or services and to what extent firms have invested this year to reduce their carbon footprint.

The results will feed into future work carried out by the Chamber to encourage Government to invest in a 50-year energy strategy.

To take part in the survey, visit http://bit.ly/2fYTN9c.

Chamber strategic partner bmi regional is offering two return flights from Birmingham to Nuremburg as a draw prize for completing the Q3 QES. The winners will be advised on 14 September and the tickets will be valid until 31 March.

For the third successive year, BRM Solicitors has joined forces with Macmillan Cancer Support to exclusively offer a free will writing service during September and October to support Macmillan in Chesterfield.

Including Gift Aid donations, the Chesterfield law firm has so far raised over £30,000 for the Macmillan appeal to help build the NGS Macmillan Unit Appeal, at Chesterfield Royal Hospital. With the centre now open, the firm is continuing its support by getting behind Macmillan’s ongoing work in the region to provide better cancer care.

Over the two months, BRM Solicitors will waive its fees, and instead will encourage clients to make a voluntary donation of £75 per single will and £150 per double will to the Chesterfield Royal Macmillan Cancer Centre.

Over the next few years, Macmillan will be investing a significant amount of money to fund new projects and health professionals at Chesterfield Royal Hospital and elsewhere in Derbyshire. For example,  funding the Welfare Rights Service at the new NGS Macmillan Unit.

Rob Woodhead, Head of Wills and Probate at BRM Solicitors, says:-

“We are very proud that BRM and its clients were able to make a significant contribution in funding the construction of the new centre. Now that the doors are open, we hope that our partnership with Macmillan can help to improve the services and support available to local people affected by cancer.”

Due to the overwhelming success of the partnership between the two Champion organisations, the firm has committed to run the free wills service alongside Macmillan Cancer Support in September and October, for the next two years.

Rob Turner, Local Fundraising Manager at Macmillan, says:-

“For every person who takes part in this scheme, your donations will automatically be restricted to fund the Macmillan Services based at Chesterfield Royal Hospital, or on Macmillan grants to people living with cancer in the Chesterfield area.”

World-leading creative and innovative projects which can tap into a new £15million cultural regeneration fund are being called for by the Sheffield City Region (SCR).

The SCR’S business arm, the Local Enterprise Partnership, today put out a ‘call’ for proposals to access the Northern Cultural Regeneration Fund and help build a lasting regional legacy from the Great Exhibition of the North next year.

The fund will make grants of up to £4 million for major cultural and tech projects to be included in next year’s exhibition, helping pave the way for future investment in the Northern Powerhouse.

The Great Exhibition, in Newcastle from next June to September, is set to be the biggest event in England in 2018. It will showcase world-class art, culture, design and innovation from the North.

It will demonstrate to the world how the North of England’s great art and culture, design and innovation has shaped our lives and is building the economy of tomorrow.

The Local Enterprise Partnership has been asked by the Government to co-ordinate proposals locally.

Sir Nigel Knowles, Chair of the Local Enterprise Partnership said:-

“This fund can make a huge contribution to the cultural and creative offer of the City Region.

“We’re a region blessed with outstanding creative and cultural talent and are quite rightly recognised for the contribution this sector makes to the economy and our communities.

“But we’re also a city region that doesn’t have some of the iconic physical cultural and creative assets that other parts of the country boast – which means the talent and the opportunity that abounds here don’t always play as central a role as they could do.

“This fund can help us develop some of those assets. We’re entirely open to ideas from across the city region – and the LEP Board looks forward to considering the proposals that come forward”.

Jake Berry, Northern Powerhouse Minister, said:-

“The North is a cultural powerhouse, as well an economic one, and this £15 million fund will give a boost to the region’s vibrant culture and tech sectors.”

Chesterfield Champions, Handelsbanken Chesterfield, has appointed a new Individual Banking Manager in response to increasing demand for its local relationship banking services.

Samantha Halifax has joined the fast-growing relationship bank and will be involved in developing existing customer relationships as well as welcoming new customers to Handelsbanken’s bespoke approach to local banking.

A strong focus on long-term relationships and high levels of personal service has seen the bank rated top for customer satisfaction eight years running in an independent survey of British banks’ personal and business customers. Branches are responsible for making all day-to-day banking decisions based solely on their customers’ requirements, free from product and lending targets or bonus incentives.

Samantha commented:-

“What attracted me to Handelsbanken was its strong culture and high sense of customer value. Our customers appreciate a long-term banking relationship, where decisions are made locally in the branch and where they are always made to feel valued. We constantly strive to satisfy customers with high levels of service and sensible, bespoke solutions.”

The branch, established in 2012 and located on Spire Walk Business Park, has developed a reputation for traditional banking, financial strength and high standards within the local business and professional services community.

Phil Walker, Branch Manager at Handelsbanken Chesterfield, added:-

“I am very pleased to welcome Sam to our team. It is great to be able to give this opportunity to someone who has always lived in Chesterfield and therefore knows the town so well, as our customers value local, personal relationships.

“Her appointment means that we can continue to meet the growing needs of both existing and new customers in our area, whilst maintaining the high levels of service for which we are renowned.”

Originally from Sweden, Handelsbanken now has over 800 branches in more than 20 countries and was named the world’s fourth safest commercial bank, by Global Finance magazine.