August 2007
21/08/2007 - £5m Investment Challenge Unveils Shortlist
Connect Midlands - funded by East Midlands Development Agency (emda) - has announced 20 companies in the East Midlands have been shortlisted for the £5 million Investment Challenge, sponsored by BT Business, which offers up to £5m in equity funding for high-growth and technology businesses. The shortlisted companies are: Allerayde UK Ltd from Newark; Black and White International Ltd from Nottingham; CellAura Technologies Ltd from Nottingham; G-Partners Ltd from Nottingham; Mature Accountants Ltd from Nottingham; Osmosis Integration Ltd from Blidworth; Pacemaker UK Ltd from Nottingham; Siltech Ltd from Nottingham; Sinion Ltd t/a Offers4profits from Nottingham; Sutton Media Ltd from Nottingham; Trees Project Ltd from Nottinghan; Venture Gaming Ltd from Lincoln; Ocean Navitas from Lincoln; SynchroPulse Ltd from Lincoln; Gaia Active Ltd from Market Harborough; TTE Systems from Leicester; UK Optical Plastics Ltd from Leicester; Green Energy Options Ltd from Daventry; Axon Automotive from Wellingborough; SAKS Electronics from Derby. The Connect Midlands £5 million Investment Challege is backed by Catapult Venture Managers, East Midlands Early Growth Fund (managed by E-Synergy) and supported by the East Midlands Development Agency (emda) and GINEM. Mick McLoughlin, BT's Regional Director for the East Midlands said: "The quality of companies coming through this year's challenge has been exceptionally high, and BT Business is delighted to be involved in this initiative, helping start-up businesses to grow and prosper. It's particularly hard for small companiesto establish themselves in today's business climate, which makes it all the better to see bodies like Connect Midlands offering such excellent opportunities." Each shortlisted business entered the Challenge by completing the online assessment tool, 'The Gauntlet', developed by Doug Richard, formerly of Dragon's Den. Acting like a virtual investor, The Gauntlet seeks the crucial informationthat investors need and ensure that the business is investment ready. Following the entry deadline, experts and industry professionals reviewed each entry and have put together a shortlist of just 20 businesses. Those shortlisted businesses will now be invited to pitch to a panel of real investors, before theu are whittled down to the final ten on 19th September. An awards evening will take place on 10th October at Kilworth House, Leicestershire, when the lucky winners will be revealed. Jonathan Lowe, Head of Business Investment at emda and one of the Challenge judges commented: "SEcuring financial backing is vital in helping innovative companies maximise their growth potential, and a strong and prosperous regional economy relies on such activity. We're pleased to support this initiative and look forward to hearing from the short-listed companies as they pitch their business ideas." Now in its second year, the £5m Investment Challenge is operated by Connect Midlands, the not-for-profit network for investors, high growth and technology businesses inthe region. In its inaugural year, up to £1m of equity funding was available to the region's businesses, but due to its success the pot was increased to £5m for this year's challenge. Isabell Majewsky, director of Connect Midlands said: "We were overwhelmed by the diversity of businesses developing in the Midlands and by the standard of applicant to this years Challenge. It was a very tough decision to select only 20 shortlisted businesses, but now the judges have an even harder choice to select just ten finalists." More inforamtion can be found about the Connect Midlands £5 million Investment Challenge can be found at: www.connectchallenge.org
13/08/2007 - RDA Helps Boost East Midlands Economy
East Midlands Development Agency (emda) has once again exceeded its expectations, with new figures published by BERR showing that their performance has helped boost economic development in the East Midlands. For the 2006/07 financial year, figures just released show emda has: Created 9,803 new jobs in the region, and helped 5,786 people to get a job; Created or attracted 2,382 new businesses to the region; helped 21,022 businesses to improve their performance, and assited 487 bsuinesses to encgage in new collaborations with the UK knowledge database; Attracted £135m of private sector investment to regenerate deprived areas, 81% of it from the private sector; Regenerated 117 hectares of brownfield land; and helped 17,710 people in their skills development, including 474 through the 'Skills for Life' strategy and 1,508 supported to achieve a level 2 qualification or its equivalent. Announcing the latest results, the Minister of State for Competitiveness, Stephen Timms said: "This is another excellent result for emda, which has once again achieved its core targets and improved the overall economic outlook for the region. Working with its partners, it is making a real difference and I am pleased that nationally, as a network, the RDAs have met or exceeded all their targets. RDAs play an essential part in improving growth and development, increasing employment opportunities, promoting and assisting re-development of brownfield sites, and working with local partners to regenerate their communities. Regional Development Agencies have welcomed the strengthening of their role in driving forward sustainable economic growth, unveiled last week in te Sub-National Review of Economic Development. RDAs will lead the development of a new, single integrated regional strategy, working closely with local authorities and other partners, which will bring together Regional Economic Strategies and Regional Spatial Strategies. These new figures show that emda is well positioned to meet this challenge and continue its important work in helping the East Midlands reach its full potential." Jeff Moore, Chief Executive of emda, added: "I am absolutely delighted that emda is continuing to make a significant contribution to the strength of the East Midlands. The emda Board and the whole staff team have worked hard and shown real commitment over the past year. But all our achievments have only been made possible by the enormous support of our partners across the region. emda has had a number of notable successes during the past year and we continue to attract national and international attention for our groundbreaking work. Our 'New Business, New Life' campaign, which has been running since 2002 to promote and foster an enterprise culture in the region, has been successful with figures for 2006 showing an increase in entrepreneurial activity in the East Midlands, bucking the national trend. To support these new businesses and our established companies, an enormous amount of work has been carried out to strengthen the new regional Buisness Link arrangement. This will create the right climate in which our region's firms can grow and prosper. emda continues to be a catalyst for change with our invesment in regeneration through Blueprint, our innovative partnership with the private sector. Over the past year, Blueprint has acquired six sites around the region as part of a sustainable development programme. This includes 12 acres of land to extend Nottinghams Science and Technology Park. Last year emda was named as one of two top performing RDAs in the country following an extensive assessment by the National Audit Office which is a huge vote of confidence in our commitment to build strong partnerships to achieve the aims of the Regional Economic Strategy. With the help and support of our many partners we are making great strides in support of our ambitions for the region, and we look forward to continuing to work with them over the coming years to ensure that the East Midlands is a truly flourishing region."
13/08/2007 - 68 Million Euro fund for East Midlands
68 Million Euro UK LIFE+ Programme Launched in the East Midlands. East Midlands Development Agency (emda) recently hosted the UK launch of the new EU LIFE+ funding programme which is aimed at addressing environmental and nature conservation projects. The launch event was organised by emda, East Midlands European Office, the East Midlands Regional Assembly adn the Joint Nature Conservation Committee with support from Defra and the European Commission. The European Union LIFE+ porgramme aims to provide match-funding support for environmental projects addressing nature conservation and environmental policy. The programme will provide funding for a seven year period until 2013 and will be managed directly by the European Commission. The UK will be allocated 68 million Euros from the overall 2.143 billion Euro LIFE+ budget. Registered organisations within the European Union will be encouraged to bid for a slice of the funding. They include: Local authorities; Other public bodies; Private commercial organisations; Private non-commercial organisations, including Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs). The European Commission will organise annual calls for proposals, the first of which will be launched on 15 September with a deadline of 30 November 2007. Speaking at the launch event, emda's Strategy and European Programmes Director, Emma Corbett, said: "The East Midlands has worked hard to ensure that European funding opportunities help to deliver regional and local actions where theu count most, across both targeted geographical areas and amongst recipient groups. Anticipating and adapting to the challenges facing our environmental infrastructure makes good business sense, and we see the LIFE+ programme as a critical component in achieving sustainable economic growth that neither diminishes our well-being nor limits our potential growth in the future, helping contribute to making the East Midlands a flourishing region." For more information, please visit the official EUROPA LIFE+ information pages at: http://ec.europa.eu/environment/life/funding/lifeplus.htm .Defra will be responsible for sending all project proposals to the Commission. Prospective applicants can send through queries by email to the following address: life.env@defra.gsi.giv.uk
08/08/2007 - Corby Train Station Application In
A major step towards delivering the new passenger rail service for Corby was taken this week when North Northants Development Company (NNDC) and English Partnerships, the national regeneration agency, submitted a detailed planning application for the town's new train station to Corby Borough Council. The application has been made just six weeks after the announcement by the Department for Transport on 22 June 2007 that Corby was to be included in the new East Midlands rail franchise, confirming the intention of NNDC, English Partnerships and Network Rail to move ahead quickly with plans for an opening of the new station in December 2008. The application details how the new station will look, means of access by foot, cycle, and car, and how the site layout will provide parking for around 140 cars and facilities for other forms of transport including a taxi rank and bus interchange. To give local residents and businesses a further opportunity to examine plans for the new station, NNDC will be hosting a 3 week exhibition at their offices at 1 Exchange Court, Cottingham Road, Corby from Monday 6th August to Friday 24th August 2007. Members of NNDC and English Partnerships staff will be in hand to answer questions where possible and feedback forms will be available for visitors to the exhibition to submit their comments. The planning application can be viewed at the office of Corby Borough Council, or via its website at www.corby.gov.uk Bob Lane, Chief Executive of North Northants Development Company said: "Corby ha waited far too long for the return of the train, so we are determined that no more time wasted in getting the service up and running. The development of the transport interchange will have a major impact on lives of people living and working in Corby and we will continue to work closely with English Partnerships to ensure a first-class scheme is delivered on time." Richard Harrington, Area Director for English Partnerships said, “English Partnerships is excited about the challenge of providing a railway station and transport interchange of the highest quality and innovative design. The station will be delivered within a tight time frame to ensure maximum benefit to the town. The station will have dramatic positive influence over the regeneration of Corby, bringing with it numerous social and economic benefits.”
03/08/2007 - Silverstone Plans are Go!
It has been announced that the owners of Silverstone have given the all clear for £25m to be spent on the Northamptonshire circuit. This means the Formula 1 British Grand Prix is likely to remain at Silverstone beyond 2009, which is when the current contract to host the event expires. The members of the British Racing Drivers Club (BRDC), who own Silverstone, met at an extraordinary general meeting on Tuesday 31st July to discuss the future of the circuit. The result of the meeting was 80% of them agreeing to the plans. The concept includes new grandstands, pit and paddock facilities, a science park, manufacturers' test centre, hotel and conference resource, as well as a small amount of residential development, although it's unclear yet as to where they will be. There was an outside bid from two businessmen - Bill Archer, the founder of the Focus and Wickes chains of DIY stores, and entrepreneur Micke Rockall, who along wth other business ventures, runs Whittlebury Hall Hotel in the county. They said they had "immediate funds" available to develop the circuit and wanted to work with the BRDC rather than any talk of takeovers or leases. However, the BRDC repeatedly said that the circuit was not for sale, and that was just one of a number of offers made and most got the same reply. The BRDC have long been quoted as saying that they can afford to develop Silverstone by itself, without the help of the government or anyone else. It's thought the new plan will be financed by selling off some land, and they have received government backing, although planning permission still needs to be given. It is hoped that will happen in the Autumn. BRDC President and former F1 World Champion Damon Hill says: "It's a great result for British Motorsport. The BRDC's masterplan is not only important to Silverstone and its continued hosting of the Grand Prix, but also the development of the sport in this country." Hill continued: "We can only continue to develop exciting young stars like Lewis Hamilton if we have the best facilities at which to nurture such talent. Havinf won the British Grand Prix myself I know how special it is for a driver to win their home race. So we would very much like for that opportunity to be there for future generations." Source: BBC Northamptonshire
03/08/2007 - Contact Centre Leaders Event - September 2007
Contact Centre managers will meet at a business seminar hosted by The University of Northampton in September, a networking event for the industry. The University's new management qualification for contact centre team leaders and managers, the Certificate in Management Studies, has already attracted several local companies who have reported a positive impact on their operations as far as efficiency and customer care is concerned. Staff from the world-leading beauty products company Avon and Northamptonshire County Council have been among the students working towards the Certificate in Management Studies specifically tailored for the Contact Centre industry. The second group of students now in training will complete their qualifications in July and a third will finish in September. A new programme will start in November when the university hopes some more companies will come on board. "When we launched the programme, everyone who attended the launch said how beneficial it had been to get together with other Contact Centre personnel and talk about the unique nature of their industry. So we decided to provide a forum for this in the industry to network with each other in response to this need", said Tracey Forskitt, Business Development Executive for Northampton Business School and Sunley Management Centre. The event will be held at Sunley Management Centre at the University of Northampton, Park Campus, on Wednesday 12th September from 10.30am until 1pm and costs £4.95, including a buffet lunch. Organisers are encouraging people working in the industry at all levels to comae along, as it is anticipated that these networking events will include a wide range of staff. Company staff who are unable to attend the event can sign up to recive a cutting edge report that will be of interest to anyone in the industry - An exploration of managerial issues in call centres, or Call Centres: Battery farming or free range? The University of Northampton is the only institution in the region to provide a course on Contact Centre management. Senior coordinator of Avon's sales leadership support team, Annette Marchant, gained a real management edge as a result of her attendance on the programme. "From a personal perspective, I found I could quickly relate to certain area of the course because of my personal experiences but I also became absorbed in the other modules," said Annette. "I found that I genuinely enjoed the idea of developing my own skills so that I could work to help Avon reach their strategic goals where previously I had not been involved. Now, I can work with our agent teams much more effectively. They learn from me because I am able to share corporate goals and objectives in a language they understand. Being able to speak persuasively and to communicate at different levels is helping me to become a better manager within the Contact Centre." Avon soon saw a number of important initiatives originating from the Contact Centre. Annette believes that she became better equipped to develop structured projects and gained confidence and business acumen to communicate those ideas effectively to senior management. More information on the networking event for the Contact Centre industry is available from Sam Evans on 01604 719531 or email samantha.evans@northampton.ac.uk
01/08/2007 - Young Chamber Launches in County
Northamptonshire Chamber of Commerce are pleased to announce a partnership with Caroline Chisholm School that will see the launch of an exciting new initiative in Northamptonshire - Young Chamber - that gives young people aged 11-19 a greater understanding of, and invovlement with, the world of business and enterprise. Caroline Chisholm has been selected as one of only 51 schools in the country to take part in a pilot phase of this major new national initiative. Young Chamber created a structure and framework that puts students in the driving seat and along with support from their teachers and local Chamber, ensures they have a voice to say how they feel on issues that affect their local economic environment. They are also actively involved in setting up a Young Chamber in their school to help link student's interests with the world of work. Young Chamber, supported by then Chancellor Gordon Brown in this year's budget report, builds on existing programmes and networks available for students and employers to work and learn from each other, by partnering schools with local business via their local Chambers of Commerce membership and associated business networks. It creates a new focus for relationships between schools, Chambers and local brokers such as Education Business Partnerships by enabling the local Chamber of Commerce to collaborate eith other providers, and act as the link between the schools and local business community to coordinate and facilitate a wide range of enterprise activities for students. These might include undertaking research relevant to both students and local business, problem-solving challenges set by the business community, mentoring, interview skills and business simulations. Adrian Mateo, Head of Commercial Services at Northamptonshire Chamber of Commerce commented: "Skills such as decision making, working in teams and self confidence are critical for success in the workplace andlife in general. This initiative will provide young people with a tremendous opportunity for self-development ina realistic and innovative environment. The Chamber recognises the vital role theat businesses have to play in supporting students to making a successful transition from education to the world of work, after all young pepole are our future! We are delighted to be working in partnership with Caroline Chisholm and hope that local businesses will also become more involved with Young Chamber providing their support and expertise." Assistant Principal and Young Chamber Coordinator in Caroline Chisholm School, Neil Cowdy, added: "We encourage young people to think for themselves, to work in teams, to support each other;s ideas and to communicate effectively with each other and with adults. The Young Chamber initiative reinforces the ethos of our school and provides a welcome boost to support the development of fresh and positive ideas and activities." Young Chamber is part of the government's enterprise education strategy which encourages greater enterprise capability among young people in education and requires them 'to be creative and innovative, to take risks andmanage them, and to do so with determination and drive.' Young Chamber is delivered by the Specialist Schools and Academies Trust in association with the British Chambers of Commerce and in collaboration with the National EBP Network, and funded by the Department for Education and Skills. For more information on Young Chamber, contact: Adrian Mateo, Northamptonshire Chamber of Commerce - adrian.mateo@northants-chamber.co.uk 01604 490404, or Neil Cowdy, Caroline Chisholm School - ncowdy@ccs.northants.sch.uk, 01604 669210.