East Midlands Accelerator

Here’s the latest update on support available from the East Midlands Accelerator:

East Midlands Chamber (Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire) is leading a collaborative partnership of our region’s universities and business support agencies, to deliver business support in a number of areas, including: investing in net zero business practices; digital and e-commerce solutions; wage subsidies; and helping start-ups launch a new business or product, or existing businesses to grow or recover after Covid.

This programme of support is delivered as the East Midlands Accelerator project. This project is part-funded by the UK Government through the UK Community Renewal Fund, and runs until 30 September 2022.

Upcoming programme of Events

• Carbon reduction training – one-hour introductory session
  Monday, 5 September (pm) (online)
• Carbon literacy training – two 3.5 sessions (with a focus on fashion)

12 and 19 September (am) (online)
(Carbon Literacy certification available.)

Marketing Mastery Bootcamps

• 20 September, Nottingham Belfry, Nottingham
• 22 September, Newark Showground
• 27 September, Mercure Leicester
• 29 September, Chatsworth House, Bakewell

More in-depth Support

Businesses can also take advantage of longer-term training, one-to-one advice, mentoring and business diagnostics, as well as graduate and postgraduate placements.

Peer networks

SME directors and senior managers are being invited to join East Midlands Chamber’s new peer-to-peer networking programme.

The programme gives directors and senior managers the opportunity to share common business challenges and objectives. Regular sessions take place over a period of several months, and are facilitated by experts in the field and supported by specialist guest speakers.

Qualifying businesses must have operated for at least one year; employ at least three people; record a turnover exceeding £100,000; and have an aspiration to improve, and the potential to either scale up or export (or be exporting already).

Upcoming meetings of the geographically and sector-based networks are all listed at: https://www.emc-dnl.co.uk/peernetworks

The next meetings are taking place as follows:

• Generation Next (with Mark Goldby): 1 September.
• High Growth (with Steve Hobbs): 12 September.
• High Growth (with Stuart Ross): 14 September.
• Women in Business (with Dawn Edwards): 20 September.

East Midlands Manufacturing Network

The East Midlands Manufacturing Network is led by East Midlands Chamber. It unites local manufacturing companies, enabling its members to harness the cross-industry, business, engineering and manufacturing knowledge necessary to evolve and expand. Members are provided with opportunities to share their experiences with other industry professionals and obtain unique insights into new technologies, resources and information.

The network – which is exclusive to manufacturers – is designed for business owners, directors and senior leaders who take a strategic overall responsibility to grow their business.

It is being delivered through a series of local forums in the Derbyshire Dales and High Peak, Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, North Nottinghamshire and Leicestershire. Regardless of where their business is based, delegates may choose the network most convenient for them to attend.

Upcoming meeting dates:

• Leicestershire: 13 September, Space Park Leicester
• Derbyshire Dales and High Peak: 16 September, Derbyshire Dome, Buxton
• North Nottinghamshire: 20 September, NTU University Centre, Vision West Nottinghamshire College, Mansfield

Further information is available at: https://www.emc-dnl.co.uk/emmn

Free access to the Zellar sustainability platform

To help businesses on their journey to reducing their carbon footprint, East Midlands Chamber is investing in a total of 400 one-year Zellar sustainability platform licences (worth up to £600 each).

The platform helps businesses calculate and manage their carbon footprint, measure their performance, and create a decarbonisation plan.

Zellar is hosting dedicated online drop-in sessions for this project every Wednesday at 2pm, showing how best to use the platform to achieve sustainability goals.

Sign up for your plan at: https://welcome.zellar.com/east-midlands/.

Sustainability Audits

SME Sustainability Audits are delivered by trained students from the University of Leicester, De Montfort University and Loughborough University.

By participating, your business can receive a useful assessment of its business practices in areas such as energy, water, waste, procurement, travel, community and biodiversity.

You will be provided with a report on your social impact, allowing you to recognise next steps and potential savings.

Benefits:

• Get an insight into the strengths of your business practices and obtain recommendations on areas for improvements and cost savings.
• Bring in new innovative systems and processes to help increase profit, demonstrate your commitment to the UN Sustainable Development Goals, and strengthen your funding applications.
• Develop your pathway towards environmental management accreditation such as ISO 14001, Carbon Saver Standard, Food for Life and Green Tourism; all of which help to secure contracts and aid procurement processes.
• Showcase your environmental credentials to your customers.

The audit takes up to two hours and takes place physically at your premises.

Participants will be awarded a certificate as well as guidance on any further support services as required.

Register your interest in support (subject to funding) at: zerocarbon@dmu.ac.uk.

Further Information

East Midlands Accelerator (overview): https://www.emc-dnl.co.uk/ema.

Net Zero Accelerator: https://www.emc-dnl.co.uk/nza.

This project is part-funded by the UK Government through the UK Community Renewal Fund