WARWICKSHIRE MEANS BUSINESS

Welcome

Welcome from Cllr Kam Kaur

Hello and welcome to the February edition of Warwickshire Means Business.

In this edition we feature the Warwickshire Skills Hub.  We reflect on what the Skills Hub has achieved in its first two years of existence (and that is plenty!) but also consider the present and the future. Fay Winterburn and her team at the Skills Hub are currently involved in a wide range of projects to connect employers, careers leaders and young people and there are always more initiatives coming down the track.

Skills is a subject very close to my own heart and I am very excited about the Future Careers Conference that we are organising in conjunction with the Coventry & Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership. Please do have a read about it and get involved with that any other of our projects which could help you. Our wonderful county's economy has stood up well to the challenges of the pandemic and that was achieved by people and organisations working together. Let's continue to do that as we move forward.

Here at WCC we are totally committed to supporting businesses in every way we can. Jobs and skills are at the heart of our recently renewed Council Plan. To help us deliver that support, we are very lucky to have our exceptional Economy & Skills team and in this edition of WMB we hear from some of it's newer members. We offer a warm welcome to Hardeep Sandhu who has joined us to oversee the roll out of the £90million Business Investment Pillar of the Warwickshire Recovery Investment Fund. We also hear from Jon Stead and Hayley Lineker who reflect on their first year in the team: a year in which that team has supported hundreds of Warwickshire businesses in various ways.

Please also have a read in this edition about a new Workplace Wellbeing forum  launched by ourselves and Coventry City Council to help businesses offer health and wellbeing support to their employees. We also reveal a series of webinars that we will hold in conjunction with Warwick and Stratford District Council aimed to help small and medium-sized business achieve net zero emissions.  Collaboration is a great thing!

Please do get involved and benefit from any of our projects or programmes which are appropriate to you. Kam

Featured News

Jobs and skills at heart of new Council Plan

"The new Council Plan is about Warwickshire stepping forward. Stepping forward to meet challenges, stepping forward to embrace opportunity and stepping forward to deliver our ambition for Warwickshire."

For Warwickshire to have "a thriving economy and places with the right jobs, skills and infrastructure" for the future is at the heart of Warwickshire County Council's new Council Plan. 

Councillors have agreed a new Plan that will direct the work of the Council over the next five years. It sets out three priority areas focused on developing a thriving economy; ensuring people can live safely, healthily, and happily; and creating a county with a sustainable future. This third, new, priority reflects the importance of taking concerted action on climate change.

The Council's three strategic priorities are: 

We want Warwickshire to have a thriving economy and places with the right jobs, skills and infrastructure. 

We want to be a County where people can live their best lives; where communities and individuals are supported to live safely, healthily, happily and independently. 

We want to be a County with a sustainable future which means adopting to and mitigating climate change and meeting net zero commitments. 

The plan sets out how the Council will step forward to meet future challenges and opportunities, recognising that a combination of financial pressures and increasing demand for services will require new ways of doing things. It also outlines the Council's commitment to continuing to deliver and improve its key services while also looking to develop more digital solutions, improve value for money and find new and better ways to do things. 

As a county, Warwickshire performs strongly across the board, but there are longstanding disparities to address. The new Council Plan embeds long-term work to address these differences and spread aspiration and opportunity across all communities. 

Leader of Warwickshire County Council, Cllr Izzi Seccombe said: “The new Council Plan is about Warwickshire stepping forward. Stepping forward to meet challenges, stepping forward to embrace opportunity and stepping forward to deliver our ambition for Warwickshire.

“The Plan has at its core a commitment to empowering communities. Throughout the pandemic we have seen how people have supported one another. We want to maintain and build on that momentum and ensure we invest in our social and community infrastructure.”

Jon gets stuck in to help implement WCC's "proactive" appoach to the recovery

A year ago, Jon Stead joined Warwickshire County Council's Business & Economy team as business growth & support programme manager. He arrived just in time for the team's busiest year ever as they offered support to the business community in the wake of Covid. Here, Jon reflects upon a stretching but 'fantastic' year.

Making the leap from a City Council to a County Council was already a daunting (albeit exciting) prospect...but having to do so during a pandemic added some further nervous feelings!

Coming into the role I had some ideas of what it was going to be like. However, because of the pandemic and its effect on the economy, those expectations were always going to be somewhat removed from the ‘normal’ day to day.

Upon starting my role, I took control of managing the Warwickshire County Council economic recovery programme Survive, Sustain & Grow. This was eye-opening as it was designed to support businesses, some of which found themselves in their worst financial situations.

To manage such a programme was a great introduction to the team. The way the programme was designed really emphasised Warwickshire’s proactive recovery approach to the pandemic, which was part of my initial decision to apply for the job.

Fast forward a few months and not only has SSG been successfully delivered but I now also manage a range of access to finance & support programmes including:

Having only had to manage a singular European programme in my previous role, I had to quickly adapt to manage multiple strands which was an initial shock to the system but quickly felt natural. It’s certainly kept me busy and enhanced the skills I had built in my previous roles.

Being part of such a busy team has also allowed me to be part of other projects such as the grant recovery programme Adapt & Diversify. This was a big programme delivered to short timescales that pulled in resources from a number of different teams. It was really nice to see such a variety of teams and staff getting involved to ensure that the application process could run as smoothly as possible. It was because of the great multi-team effort that this grant programme won a WCC Star Award (Exceptional Team).

The past two years have been the furthest possible from “normal” for everyone and joining WCC during a pandemic put me in a situation I’ve not had to be in before, in that I didn’t realise it at the time, but it would be months until I managed to meet my new team in a face-to-face environment. It must be said though that the whole Business & Economy team has been very welcoming and supportive from day one. It didn’t take long to feel like I’d been part of the team for a lifetime.

After an exceptionally busy first year with many successful achievements for myself and the team, I’m certainly looking forward to my second year (and hopefully many more). There are some exciting programmes in the pipeline that I’ll be managing as well as continuing to manage the current access to finance programmes.

Overall it’s been fantastic and I would recommend working within this team to everyone!

Hayley is proud to be part of such a "welcoming and supportive team"

A year ago, Hayley Lineker joined Warwickshire County Council's Economy & Skills team as Contract and Project Monitoring Officer. In the wake of Covid, her first year in the role has been like no other, but the team has worked tirelessly to support the county's business and Hayley is "proud to be a part of a team who came together in unprecedented times to deliver projects to such a high standard."

January marked one year since I joined Warwickshire County Council - for me it has been a year of hard work, high reward and being surrounded by a welcoming and supportive team which has made an incredibly busy year a most enjoyable experience.

Who can forget that this team is 'Award-winning' after achieving the Exceptional Team Award at the Star Awards in December for their work on the Adapt & Diversify Grants Programme?! I am proud to be a part of a team who came together in unprecedented times to deliver projects to such a high standard. I’d like to especially thank Gill Dale for the support and encouragement she has provided to me over the past year, helping me develop further into my role.

A major piece of work I have been involved in this past year, was the application to extend the CW Business – Start, Grow and Scale Programme. We secured an additional £1m of expenditure which will bring in £500,000 of ERDF income and an additional £165,000 of external match funding, taking the £3.6m project through to June 2023.

This was an extremely rewarding piece of work, allowing our programme to continue providing support to an additional 279 businesses in Coventry and Warwickshire for a further 18 months. Included in this extension application was the funding for the new Tourism and Leisure strand, designed to support the recovery and future growth of the Tourism & Leisure sector which was one of the worst affected by the pandemic.

This programme is set to engage with 300 businesses and provide support to 100 businesses in the sector. The programme has now reached a massive milestone of just over £1m claimed from the European Regional Development Fund which is a testament to the quality of work produced throughout the WCC Programme Team and delivery partners.

That work requires a lot of concentration and a relentless demand for accuracy. Intricacies for the ERDF are crucial when it comes to the level of checking and attention to detail...every piece of output and transaction evidence must adhere to the ERDF guidance. To help ensure that we continue to meet these demands, and get support out to businesses as swiftly as possible, throughout the last year I have taken a lead on training new staff and delivery teams on the ERDF requirements. This will mean that each claim we submit to the Department for Levelling up, Housing and Communities, and the reports that we submit to Programme Boards and stakeholders, is accurate.

I am looking forward to continuing working with this fantastic team on all the exciting opportunities and challenges that are yet to come. My colleagues in E&S, beavering away behind the scenes to ensure that businesses receive the support they need, really are unsung heroes.

Fair Chance Employer programme is off to a flying start

"Inclusive recruitment is something we hope all employers will consider and we are more than happy to take them on that journey through the Fair Chance Employment programme.”

A programme for businesses wanting to become an inclusive employer and recruit in an inclusive way has got off to a flying start.

The Fair Chance Employer programme, launched by the Warwickshire Skills Hub in November 2021, has been busy running a series of extensive support package for businesses and those looking for work.

The programme is proving to be popular as it deploys its team of Inclusive specialists to shape support packages for all employers wanting to sign up as a Fair Chance Employer.

The latest online employer event was held on February 17th and saw over 30 employers join the call out to Warwickshire businesses to get involved. Heart of England, The Co-operative Group and NSL Services were among many who are keen to support and explore how the programme will meet many of their skills gaps and support their organisations to demonstrate and celebrate inclusive recruitment.

Chloe Millage the Careers and Employability Programme Manager for The Warwickshire Skills Hub said: “The Fair Chance Employer programme really is a unique programme and one which is moving at speed to incorporate different supportive strands in response to everyone’s needs.

"Inclusive recruitment is something we hope all employers will consider and we are more than happy to take them on that journey through the Fair Chance Employment programme.”

The programme offer employers:

*   A dedicated Skills Advisor to carve barrier breaking and inclusive roles

*   Advice on Salary Support and Incentive Schemes

*   Unique jobs board

*   Funded recruitment films

The programme offer those looking for work:

*  Employability support

*  Job and interview coaching

*  WCC training support package

*  Travel support

If you would like to explore how the Fair Chance Employment programme can help your business, then please contact the team at skillshub@warwickshire.gov.uk

Launch of forum to support healthy workplaces in Coventry and Warwickshire

"The varied programme will include a thought-provoking session on resilience and mental wellbeing, and how experiences from elite football can link to a business context, from a high-profile League Managers Association football manager. " 

A new Workplace Wellbeing forum that aims to help local businesses improve the health and wellbeing support they offer to their employees has been launched by Warwickshire County Council and Coventry City Council. 

 

The Forum is offered as part of the Coventry and Warwickshire Wellbeing for Life programme which aims to encourage people to take a more proactive approach to looking after their own wellbeing and to raise the profile of local prevention opportunities.

Most people spend a lot of time at work, and as the global health pandemic has forced employee wellbeing into focus for many organisations, it is more important than ever that we work with local employers to help them create a positive culture where people’s health and wellbeing is nurtured. 

 

The Workplace Wellbeing Forum will help to do this by providing a place for local employers to network and access resources that will support them to develop improved wellbeing practices. We recognise there are many challenges different organisations will face when trying to implement changes to health and wellbeing policies, so the Forum will also provide an opportunity to share best practice, as well as challenges, hopefully finding ways to overcome these. 

 

Promoting employee wellbeing will not only benefit individuals; positive staff wellbeing can also bring benefits for the organisation. It can be a foundation to employee engagement and organisational performance, help prevent stress and create positive working environments where individuals and organisations can flourish. 

 

To launch the Forum, representatives of local businesses are invited to attend a free event on Tuesday 29 March 2022, 1pm to 4.30pm at Coventry Rugby Club. The varied programme will include a thought-provoking session on resilience and mental wellbeing, and how experiences from elite football can link to a business context, from a high-profile League Managers Association football manager.  

 

Other guest speakers will provide ideas for ways to develop the wellbeing offer for employees and there will be an opportunity to pick up more information and talk to local health and wellbeing service providers. Attendees will also be able to enjoy a complimentary buffet lunch. 

 

For more information about the event, guest speakers and to book your place please visit the Eventbrite page: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/coventry-warwickshire-workplace-wellbeing-forum-registration-256726063567 

 

For any queries please contact josouthan@warwickshire.gov.uk  

 

More information about the Coventry and Warwickshire Wellbeing for Life programme can be found at www.wellbeing4life.co.uk/ 

Day nursery harnesses WCC apprenticeship schemes to upskill its team

"The application process for the Levy Share was good and straightforward and the scheme really helped us to upskill our team and support our training needs."

A day nursery in Nuneaton has upskilled its team after benefiting from two associated schemes delivered by Warwickshire Skills Hub.

Jack In The Box, in Manor Court Road, accessed funds from Warwickshire County Council's Apprenticeship Levy share scheme to help cover the training costs for talented young nursery practitioner Victoria Gray.

The nursery also applied for the council's Apprenticeship Progression Incentive which is designed to help businesses progress apprentices on to a second qualification. This ensured that Victoria could continue working and add to her qualifications by working towards her Level 3 Early Years Educator Apprenticeship.

By combining the Levy funds and Progression Incentive, Jack in the Box nursery benefited from a fully funded Level 3 Early Years Apprenticeship plus a £1,000 incentive payment to support any costs incurred by the nursery.

It all amounted to invaluable training support at a time when the Early Years sector is facing the many challenges imposed by the pandemic.

Jack in the Box assistant manager Clare Jephcote said: "The application process for the Levy Share was good and straightforward and the scheme really helped us to upskill our team and support our training needs.

"I would definitely recommend the Levy scheme to other businesses."

The training was delivered at the nursery by Realise Training and their Head of Early Years and Education, Karen Derbyshire said: “Apprenticeships provide an opportunity for learners to gain valuable skills, earn a living and carve out a career. Nowadays, more than ever, organisations are utilising the power of apprenticeships to support their recruitment needs and to grow talent from within.

“The Apprenticeship Levy transfer service has provided businesses with the chance to benefit from funds that weren’t previously available to them. Thanks to Warwickshire County Council supporting local employers in this way, it has allowed Victoria the opportunity to build a brilliant new career path in Early Years.

"I wish Victoria and the team at Jack In The Box every success.”

Heather Docksey, Business Skills Support Advisor at Warwickshire Skills Hub, said: “By combining these two funding initiatives, Jack In The Box has shown how easy it can be to support and develop their apprentices, increase staffing levels and maintain their high standards.

"I would encourage all businesses across the county to find out more about our programmes and see how they would benefit them."

More information can be found here or by calling 02476 796461.

Adventure Sports on track for growth after £44,000 grant

"This has transformed the karting operation and we couldn’t have done it without this funding because it would have been too much of a risk during Covid."

An outdoor activity centre in Warwickshire is zooming into the fast lane after receiving funding to upgrade its facilities – including a Formula 1-standard karting track surface.

Adventure Sports, which marks its 32nd anniversary this summer, offers activities including paintballing, quad biking, archery and karting at its 100-acre site in Wedgnock Lane, Warwick.

The business wanted to improve its karting track after changing its business model from focusing on corporate bookings to encouraging more of the general public to come along.

Steve Richardson, the founder of Adventure Sports, contacted the Coventry and Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership (CWLEP) Growth Hub, who put him in touch with the Coventry & Warwickshire Reinvestment Trust (CWRT).

They recommended the business should apply to the Duplex Investment Fund, which is a combined grant and loan initiative jointly managed by CWLEP, CWRT, Warwickshire County Council and Coventry City Council.

The project is being funded by £3.9 million of grants from the Government’s Local Growth Fund and the Growing Places Fund, distributed and managed by CWLEP. Warwickshire County Council and Coventry City Council have both invested a further £2 million in the scheme managed by CWRT.

Adventure Sports received £44,000 from the fund to re-surface and extend its karting track so that it can now run an additional four karts, taking the maximum to 12 karts at any one time. New warning lights have also been added to the hi-tech track which is managed by Mr Karting, which was previously based in Leamington.

Steve Richardson, co-director of Adventure Sports with Matt Hill, said the new track will be fully open by the spring.

He said: “We have been running karting here a long time but the surface had started to crack and was uncomfortable for drivers, so we needed to tarmac it. I found out about the Duplex Investment Fund from Martin Nwangwa at the Growth Hub and he arranged for me to speak to CWRT.

“We have also invested around £15,000 in other materials and labour and we have expanded the track’s size by 50 per cent. Previously, our bambino sessions were for children aged eight or above, but we can now include younger children aged six or above. The track itself is the same compound as that used at Silverstone, so everyone will be racing on the same surface as F1 drivers racing in the British Grand Prix! It has made a huge difference.

“I’m very grateful to CWRT for all their help. This has transformed the karting operation and we couldn’t have done it without this funding because it would have been too much of a risk during Covid.”

Sheridan Sulskis, Executive Director at CWRT, said: “The Duplex Investment Fund is making a real difference to businesses in Coventry and Warwickshire. We are here to guide businesses through the process that combines a loan and a grant in one easy deal.

“Accessing this fund not only helps to give businesses the financial flexibility they need to invest in new projects, but it also helps them to fund existing projects or even diversify, without having to put pressure on their cash flow. Adventure Sports is a perfect example of how they’ve been able to use this investment to improve their facilities which will be felt by the business for years to come.”

Cllr Kam Kaur, Portfolio Holder for Economy and Place at Warwickshire County Council and CWLEP board director, said: “This award is further evidence of Warwickshire County Council’s commitment to boosting the local economy, especially by supporting small and medium businesses in this way. It's great to see local businesses like Adventure Sports benefit from our grant support.

"The Duplex Investment Fund is just one of the many ways that we are creating a vibrant economy in Warwickshire, supporting local businesses with the finance not just to survive, but to grow and secure a sustainable future."

A job opportunity to deploy your people skills to benefit the community...

"Ensuring that parking restrictions are enforced correctly is important to the community in itself, but there is much more to the role than that. There's an awful lot of community-based assistance."

A recruitment campaign is underway to add more than a dozen people to Warwickshire County Council's Civil Enforcement Officer (CEO) team dedicated to keeping traffic flowing and town centres accessible.

NSL, the parking enforcement contractor for the county council, is searching for 13 recruits - 12 CEOs and a supervisor - to join their team across the county.

With roles to be filled in Stratford-upon-Avon and Leamington Spa in particular, the vacancies present career opportunities which far exceed the handing out of enforcement notices.

These days, the job has evolved a million miles from the cliched, predatory 'traffic warden' so beloved of bad sitcoms.

In 2022, the role requires considerable people skills and a passion for helping the community. The perfect CEO enforces parking regulations with strength and diligence, but is also an ambassador for the council and the town in which they work.

Yvette Widdowfield, Client Account Manager at NSL explained that CEOs offer valuable support to their communities in many ways.

"These days the role is very much service-driven and community-driven," said Yvette. "CEOs patrol out on the streets ensuring that traffic is flowing and there is a turnover of parking spaces. In essence, the role is to help businesses, residents and visitors get where they want to go as quickly as possible and park where is most convenient in the time they have to do it.

"Our aim at NSL is to make sure we offer the best service we can to Warwickshire County Council while prioritising  the vitality of the high streets. Ensuring that parking restrictions are enforced correctly is important to the community in itself, but there is much more to the role than that. There's an awful lot of community-based assistance in terms of giving directions and sharing local knowledge, whether that's directions to local tourist attractions or advice on where the shops and cafes are."

After a initial chat on the phone and a successful interview, prospective recruits will undertake a four-day training course before heading out on to the streets to shadow an experienced officer.

For people with adroit communication skills, the job is ideal, says NSL Operation Support Manager, Tom Ferris.

"If you are good with people, then any situation you encounter will be very easily dealt with," he said. "You meet people from all walks of life and if you are an easy going person who can communicate well then the rest comes naturally.

"I started off as a CEO and the best thing about it was that you are your own boss. You are given a beat and it's up to you how you manage that beat. There is no pressure. You don't have anybody breathing down your neck. We don't have targets so there is no pressure to issue tickets. We don't get commission because we work on behalf of a local authority.

"It is a job with career potential. There will be additional roles and progression available to new members of staff."

The recruitment project has been supported by Warwickshire Skills Hub who promoted the campaign to their network of employability groups and highlighted the opportunities by making a Future Careers film showcasing the jobs and pathways to progression that NSL offers.

The Hub also introduced the business to the Department of Work and Pensions who  created and shaped  a Sector Work Academy Programme (SWAP) to support people into learning more about the opportunities and what the job will entail, with a guaranteed interview with NSL at the end.

More information about the application process can be found in this video.

"The role particularly suits anybody who likes fitness and walking," added Yvette. "One member of our team said the other day, 'Effectively, I just walk 18 miles a day and do my job in the way.'

"The CEO role has a lot of freedom. They work the required hours but, within that, very much manage themselves once they're out there. They know what areas are prone to congestion or people ignoring restrictions, so focus on those areas. We concentrate on areas where there is high non-compliance and where we can try to educate the members of the public and say 'this is what this sign means if you don't understand it,' so it's very much educational."

Penso is reborn and looking to recruit after benefiting from local business support

"The Growth Hub, and Ian Flynn from Invest in Coventry & Warwickshire, helped us in a number of ways because they had a deep understanding of our business and knowledge of the local commercial space available."

A well-known engineering name in the region has been re-born after a £4.2 million investment and is looking to expand.

Penso Group, based in Woodhams Road off Siskin Drive, Baginton, went into liquidation in May 2021 due to a combination of Covid-19, the fall in demand for the production of new aeroplanes and taxis, and a global shortage of semi-conductors it needed to produce lightweight pods for the home delivery sector.

Directors Jevon Thurston-Thorpe and Dave Roche contacted the Coventry and Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership (CWLEP) Growth Hub as part of their plans to establish a new business in the wake of the liquidation of the previous group of companies.

The expert team at the CWLEP Growth Hub helped Penso Consultancy Ltd, Penso Composite and Penso Manufacturing secure a 29,000 sq ft Technical Centre in Westwood Way, Westwood Heath, and targeted Covid-19 support from the Business Support Team at Coventry City Council which assisted the new company to get off the ground.

The three businesses have also received £4.2 million investment from the McDermott Group and currently employ a total of 45 people with Darren McDermott taking office as chairman of the Group, and Iain Muir as commercial director.

Jevon Thurston-Thorpe, a director at Penso Consulting Ltd, said orders were beginning to flow in and the Growth Hub is helping them in their search for a new manufacturing facility in the Coventry and Warwickshire area.

He said: “It was really difficult when Penso Consulting went into liquidation because we had built up so much expertise and relationships. The Growth Hub, and Ian Flynn from Invest in Coventry & Warwickshire, helped us in a number of ways because they had a deep understanding of our business and knowledge of the local commercial space available.

“We have secured a new facility at Westwood Way which is an ideal fit for our Consultancy business, where we focus on design, analysis and prototype build. We are also really hoping to grow our Low and Zero emission purpose-built taxi production together with launching a range of ‘Penso Bespoke’ products that will leverage our unique skills.

“We expect to see significant growth in the business in the next 12 months and hope to employ around 100 plus staff across the three businesses by the end of next year. The McDermott Group has brought in new capabilities that we didn’t have in the past, as well as the huge investment, and our mission is to grow Penso to exceed the size of business we were previously.”

Ian Flynn, Sector Specialist at Invest Coventry & Warwickshire, said: "It is great to see Jevon and Dave and their experienced team back with the Penso brand, and together now with the investment and support of McDermott Group. We are looking now to find further commercial property to accommodate ongoing growth in the Penso business."

Justine Chadwick, account manager at the CWLEP Growth Hub, said there is a great skills base locally in the automotive sector for Penso to tap into.

“Coventry and Warwickshire has a global reputation for its expertise in the automotive sector whether that is in skills or manufacturing which is playing a part in Penso’s plans for the future. It is great the Growth Hub has played a part in finding a big enough space to incorporate all the different elements of the new Penso business and our specialists are now on the hunt for a new base in the area to help the business realise its growth potential.

“We are also making sure they are aware of all the networking opportunities that are available which is key to strengthening all aspects of the business.”

Young talent pipeline available to employers from Coventry University

Employers in Warwickshire looking to recruit talented young people have another option to explore with a scheme offered by Coventry University.

The Talent Team at the university is offering employers, SMEs and charities the opportunity to connect with them to access work-ready students and graduates from their business school and other faculties/course areas.

Their services are free of charge and offer support to employers in a range of ways. These include: active talent-matching for niche vacancies; CV sifting to aid pre-selection; free brand awareness activities; campus attraction through the university's curriculum/employability modules; general support with selection processes.

Among schemes available are: 

*  Year-long placement/sandwich placement opportunities for students studying business and finance degrees. Hosting a full time intern in a role for nine-to-12 months from the summer of 2022-2023 with a view to offering the intern a graduate role when they finish studies in summer 2024.

*  Project internships for masters level students studying business and finance courses. Hosting a masters student on a consultancy project internship/business need area for eight-to-12 weeks from May 2022.

*  Fully funded internships (over the summer of 2022) for graduates who have finished studies from June 2022 - four-to-eight-week internships to support a business need over the summer with a view to seeking permanent staffing in the longer term.

*  Graduate opportunities and permanent staffing solutions (from May 2022). Hiring graduates to support early talent roles and creating a talent pipeline of fresh ideas and perspectives for the company.

For more information, please contact Sufyan Choudhury at ac6016@coventry.ac.uk

Katie's passion is shining at Eliot Park

"It's really nice when you see a small business use one of the rooms and come away really satisfied."

Katie Mackiewicz's passion for helping people has a new outlet now that she is responsible for managing the conference and meeting rooms at Warwickshire County Council's business centres.

Katie has worked for the County Council for five years, initially as a Development Support Officer before  becoming a Customer Service Executive and then the Customer Service Executive Team Leader at Eliot Park Innovation Centre.

Her lead role is to manage the conference and meeting rooms at Eliot Park. As the business world starts to move on from Covid, Katie's brief is to look after clients who hire the meeting and conference rooms following their £250,000 refurbishment.

"I really enjoy the role," Katie said. "I make sure the rooms offer the best possible value to businesses, take bookings, manage the catering and am just around to ensure that customers have everything they need.

"The rooms used to be very basic but they have been hugely improved. They were refurbished early in 2020 but then Covid hit, so they could not be for months.

"Now it's great to see them fully up and running, open Monday to Friday from 8.30am to 5pm. We have rooms of different styles and sizes, including two boardrooms and two large rooms ideal for training.

"My role is a very rewarding one. It's really nice when you see a small business use one of the rooms and come away really satisfied."

Named after famous stately homes of Warwickshire, the professional and contemporary rooms have been carefully designed around requirements of both businesses and their clients.

‘With six meeting and conference rooms of varying styles and capacities we are certain we can find the perfect package for any business," said Katie. "All of our packages include free onsite parking,  access to an LG TV screen with plug and go technology, super-fast WIFI and high quality catering and refreshments."

Katie has always enjoyed deploying her energies in a constructive way, an attribute which came to the fore during the pandemic. She assisted with an appeal to ensure some of the county’s most vulnerable young people had sufficient resources to support home learning.

As schools faced closure, the Coventry and Warwickshire Careers Hubs, quickly joined by the County Council, appealed for businesses to donate unused stationery which could then be handed to pupils in need of support. The council, through Katie, created a temporary point at their Business Centre in Nuneaton (Eliot Park Innovation Centre) which allowed a drop-off location for businesses to leave donations.

"It was lovely to play a small part in what was a wonderful effort by the business community to help children," said Katie. "Now I am really enjoying making every effort to ensure that businesses using our rooms at Eliot Park get everything they need."

For more information on conference facilities at Eliot Park, please visit https://www.eliotparkconferencing.com/

 

PFTP growth assisted by CW Business Support programme

"We were particularly grateful when we were applying for the grant because we were guided through the process every step of the way."

A new purpose-built training centre for the automotive industry is already reaping benefits for a Warwickshire business.

Profit From Training Partnership (PFTP) has moved from two separate units into their new home in Slingsby Close at the Attleborough Fields Industrial Estate, Nuneaton, to bring all their services under one roof.

The business, which celebrated its 25th anniversary last year, provides training courses for people in the automotive sector. Their client base includes Michelin, Continental, Protyre Ltd, Rybrook and Inchcape dealerships as well as small and medium sized businesses locally and beyond.

Husband and wife owners, Alison and David Higginson contacted the Coventry and Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership Growth Hub for support and advice. The Growth Hub and Coventry City Council worked with them to apply for a £10,000 grant from the Coventry and Warwickshire Business Support Programme which is part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund.

The grant has helped towards buying £40,000 worth of MOT testing equipment, training room and office equipment, a training vehicle and a compressor.

Alison, a director at PFTP, said the business's previous base at the Warwickshire County Council-run Centenary Business Centre was excellent but they needed extra space to be able to expand their offering to include a wider range of mechanical courses, as well as the MOT tester training.

 “We have not moved very far because we wanted to stay in this area since our customers know where we are, there is a good choice of hotels for our customers, and it has great links to the nearby motorway networks," said Alison.

“Previously, we had one ramp and one classroom and now we have two ramps and two training rooms with upstairs offices. As well as being a training centre we also have a live MOT bay so candidates attending our training courses are learning from people who are running a live MOT testing station.

“The move and the improvements have meant we are attracting more customers – we have even had two guys travelling from the Isle of Skye to do our Motorcycle MOT tester training!

“The Growth Hub has been really supportive because it took us over 12 months to sort out the new premises due to Covid. It was Gary from the Growth Hub who suggested that we become an MOT testing station alongside the training. Their support to smaller businesses is really important and we were particularly grateful when we were applying for the grant because we were guided through the process every step of the way.

"We were sorry to leave The Centenary Business Centre. The staff who run it are so helpful and friendly and there is such a great community feel there, which we enjoyed for 20 years. The support they provided has helped us to grow and move to our new home, the best decision we have ever made.”

Gary Thyeson, Account Manager at the CWLEP Growth Hub, said the amount of business which PFTP can now accommodate has increased following their move.

“PFTP has attracted well-known companies such as BMW and Mercedes to train with them, so having this new training centre of excellence will grow the company’s presence in Coventry and Warwickshire as well as further afield,” he said. “They are already attracting new clients and it will reduce their overheads and enable the business to operate more effectively under one roof. Here’s to the next 25 years!”

Business support gets Tree-V up and running

“Tree-V is a great example of the sort of enterprising start-up that the CW Business: Start, Grow and Scale programme is designed to support."

A newly launched Nuneaton business is set to help motorists across the UK become more environmentally-friendly.

Tree-V has been created by Tom and Gemma Worthington and Amanda Bourne and is designed to help drivers of petrol and diesel vehicles better understand the amount of carbon they produce, using a special calculator.

Then, with the help of a forestry partner, the company supports motorists in balancing their emissions through tree-planting in the UK or forest maintenance around the world.

The company was supported by the start-up team at the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce after the founders had worked with the Chamber on other business ventures.

The help from the Chamber was part of the CW Business: Start, Grow and Scale programme which is part funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), Warwickshire County Council and all five District and Borough Councils.

Chamber business coach Rita Booth supported the firm in identifying the different markets it could tailor its services towards, supported its marketing and branding, as well as helping to structure the business and its processes.

Tom said: “Before Tree-V, as a family of car enthusiasts, we struggled to balance the desire for classics and consciousness for the environment during the search for our first classic car.

“We discovered there wasn’t a service in place that could allow us to calculate our classic car’s carbon output and offset that specifically, without the need to calculate the carbon from every aspect of our lives in order to get started. Following this experience, Tree-V was formed.

“We’ve had great support from Rita at the Chamber. We knew we had a viable business idea but needed help in turning that into a reality and the one-to-one help we have been given has been invaluable in getting us to this stage.

“We have worked with the Chamber on another business and would urge anyone who is looking to establish a business to seek their support.”

Tree-V helps environmentally conscious drivers, who are currently unable to transition to an electric vehicle, balance out their carbon emissions until they can move to a greener alternative.

The business offers a number of solutions that allow drivers to display their green credentials, with packages for everyday and classic vehicles.

Rita Booth, Business Coach at the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce said: “After working with the family on their previous business venture, we were pleased to once again support them, this time turning Tree-V from concept into reality.

“Our start-up support scheme is there for those people with a great idea for a business but who need advice, guidance and support to take it to the next stage. We are also a sounding board on what may work and what may not to help individuals make more informed decisions at the early stage of their business.

“It’s an exciting time to be a new business in Coventry and Warwickshire and we’re looking forward to seeing Tree-V’s progress in the coming weeks, months and years.”

Warwickshire County Council Portfolio Holder for Economy & Place, Cllr Kam Kaur, said: “Tree-V is a great example of the sort of enterprising start-up that the CW Business: Start, Grow and Scale programme is designed to support.

“I am delighted that the programme has proved so beneficial to Tom, Gemma and Amanda and helped them transform a good idea into a new business full of potential.”

The Chamber has a range of support for start-up businesses, whether you want to make your business idea a reality, or require advice on how to build your new businesses. For more information, please visit https://www.cw-chamber.co.uk/business-support/business-start-up/

Recycled laptop got David connected

Coventry and Warwickshire Co-operative Development Agency are working in partnership with Warwickshire County Council to run a recycled computers scheme.

Recycled computers can make a huge difference to people's live, as was the case with David, a 53-year-old man with a visual impairment.

David applied to join the ‘It’s About time’ project to learn how to create a podcast. He had no computer at home, however so, without support from the Warwickshire County Council Recycled Computers project, he would have not been able to take part in the learning.

Thanks to support from staff at Coventry & Warwickshire Co-operative Development Agency, he was able to set up an email account and access Zoom for meetings and to call friends.

David said: “The laptop helped me a lot. The whole process with the podcasting project has been great, all the staff have been supportive and have been lovely. Being visually impaired, creating and listening to podcasts is a good way for me to use and enjoy the internet.”

David said that having access to a computer means that he is able to communicate with others, access CW Mind online for support with his mental health needs and continue with his Adult Education courses.

If you are an individual or a company with a laptop to donate, please contact info@cwcda.co.uk or call 02476 633911. Donated computers are wiped of data, upgraded and recycled to those in need. Collection of laptops can be arranged.

If you are a practitioner or professional that is working with a vulnerable client that would benefit from a donation of a recycled computer, then please complete a referral form.

Webinars will advise on how to achieve Net Zero emissions

"These webinars, used elsewhere in the region, are already ensuring that businesses are making these changes and taking advantage of the short-term quick-wins that are available."

Small to medium-sized businesses across Warwickshire are being supported by Warwickshire County Council and Warwick and Stratford District Councils to achieve Net Zero emissions as part of a new and free webinar series.

A series of webinars will be delivered by Sustainability West Midlands covering various aspects of sustainability and achieving Net Zero carbon emissions by 2050.

The webinars follow feedback from businesses across the region that despite the frequency with which sustainability is being discussed there is still lack of clarity around how businesses should respond to it.

The UK Government has set a target to reach Net Zero carbon emissions by 2050. It has also enshrined this in law, so the target will have to be met, and Warwickshire businesses will have to be part of this solution. In addition to this the County Council, Warwick District Council and Stratford District Council have set more ambitious targets they want to work fowards to achieve Net Zero by 2030.

There has never been a better time than right now for businesses across the county to start thinking about sustainability.

The planned webinar sessions will cover the following topics:

  • What does net zero mean for your SME? - 15th March
  • Funding support and opportunities for your SME - 29th March
  • Reduce your waste, increase profitability - 5th April
  • Greener transport  - 26th April
  • Energy saving in your small business - 10th May
  • Engaging your employees and customers - 24th May

Businesses in Warwickshire who would like to book on to these webinars can visit: https://www.sustainabilitywestmidlands.org.uk/news/fuelling-sustainability-in-your-business/

Cllr Heather Timms, Portfolio Holder for Environment, Climate and Culture, said: “2050 may seem like it is a long way off, but rapid changes are required to achieve Net Zero and many customers will be demanding actions now from the businesses that they trade with.  

“These webinars, used elsewhere in the region, are already ensuring that businesses are making these changes and taking advantage of the short-term quick-wins that are available.

“Net Zero and sustainability are being hailed as the next industrial revolution, so I would advise all businesses to sign up to this webinar series today and to begin their journey to Net Zero, sustainability and a brighter future for all.”

Nathaniel Weaver, Project Officer at Sustainability West Midlands, said: “99.9% of the UK business population are SME’s and are therefore the engine of the UK economy. As with any engine it is essential to use the right fuel. Attend this course find out how to fuel your business for sustainable growth.”

SME businesses in Warwickshire can sign-up to this totally free webinar series today, by visiting: https://www.sustainabilitywestmidlands.org.uk/news/fuelling-sustainability-in-your-business/

Special Feature

The Warwickshire Skills Hub celebrates two years of success

"Our approach to collaborative working ensures that our service and support continuously evolve and, most importantly, remain relevant and reflective of local needs."

Warwickshire Skills Hub hit the ground running when it was created early in 2020.

Two years on, it is still full steam ahead on its mission to create a well-skilled population that meets the evolving needs of the county's businesses, education providers and communities.

The Warwickshire Skills Hub is the home of Warwickshire County Council's Employability and Skills team headed by Lead Commissioner for Employability and Skills, Fay Winterburn.

Fay’s team consists of talented Careers, Skills and Projects Officers who are thriving in roles where creativity is key and every team member plays their own important part in the development and delivery of the Skills Hub work.

It's objective upon its launch was to create a dedicated and collaborative space to “Innovate, Shape and Create” a wide variety of skills services and programmes with other county teams and skills partners.

“I’m incredibly proud of the team's achievements since our launch in 2020,” said Fay. "The growth in our team and the significant increase in our offer of support is quite often in partnership with organisations such as the Department for Work and Pensions, The Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce, the Federation of Small Businesses and many more.

"Our approach to collaborative working ensures that our service and support continuously evolve and, most importantly, remain relevant and reflective of local needs."

The evidence so far shows that the team's work has proved highly effective and is playing a significant role in helping employers find and cultivate the skills they need at a complex and challenging time due to the pandemic. The Skills Hub attracts plenty of interaction from businesses, partners and education who all share a passion to make Warwickshire the best it can be.

In its first two years, Warwickshire Skills Hub has:

*  engaged with 600 businesses to provide support in gaining the skills needed to thrive in Warwickshire

*  created 268 apprenticeships across a wide variety of sectors

*  funded £600,000 of apprenticeships

*  safeguarded 115 jobs through re-skilling staff

*   supported 8,925 Warwickshire students with careers or further education activity

*   created 30 Careers Films created to showcase Warwickshire employers

Based at the county council's Eliot Park Innovation Centre in Nuneaton, the Skills Hub continues to power a wide range of projects including:

Fully Funded Business Skills Reviews

Fully Funded Fair Chance Employer Programme

Warwickshire Apprenticeship funding and support

Funded Future Careers Filming

Warwickshire County Council leader Cllr Izzi Seccombe said: "Warwickshire Skills Hub is a real success story. It was created to deliver the maximum support for businesses and education-providers from our excellent Skills team and that is exactly what it has done and continues to do.

"The energy, creativity and sheer hard work of Fay and her team to promote opportunities for our young people is truly inspiring. More than ever, after the last two years, the creation and maintaining of a skilled workforce is vital to a strong Warwickshire economy, so it is fantastic that we have such a great team on the case."

Guest column

Future Careers Conference will bring businesses and careers advisors together

Warwickshire County Council's Skills Hub works constantly with businesses and education-providers to maintain a strong flow of skilled young people into the workplaces of Warwickshire. New initiatives are always coming down the track and here WCC Portfolio Holder for Economy & Place, Cllr Kam Kaur, reveals another – a Future Careers Conference to bring businesses and careers advisors together.

Skills is a subject which has always been very close to my heart. We owe it to our youngsters to give them all the career opportunities they need and deserve.

There is a lot of great stuff going on from ourselves and our partners. Warwickshire Skills Hub does fantastic work - Fay Winterburn and her team do so much and one of the great things about them is their creativity. There are always new ideas and projects on the way and one that really excites me at the moment is a Future Careers Conference due to launch in spring.

The Future Careers Conference is part of a series of activities planned this year around a theme of “educating our educators.” Warwickshire is home to such great innovation, from Esports and battery technology to the increasing demand for green skills.

Whilst we celebrate all these wonderful new jobs in our economy, we feel it is also important to recognise innovation and the changes to careers in other industries too such as Hospitality, Manufacturing and Healthcare. These industries too have integrated all different forms of technology and we should also play a part in telling the stories of progressive technology and the changes to the careers and employment opportunities which enable such progression.

The Warwickshire economy is fast evolving and that’s brilliant to see - now is absolutely the right time to ask businesses to come forward and share their vision of innovation and the skills they will need in the future.

We believe it is important to create the right opportunities to bring education colleagues and the world of business together to share such insightful visions and help shape Warwickshire’s careers provision and play a leading role in ensuring it reflects the future needs of the economy.

The Future Careers Conference will feature key speakers from industry and colleagues from Further Education settings. We really want this event to be interactive and meaningful with significant opportunities for education to also communicate what they need from industry to ensure their careers activity contains future skills needs.

A lot is happening around Skills from ourselves and our partners and other stakeholders in the region. I am delighted that we are organising the Future Careers Conference in conjunction with Coventry & Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership whose chairman Sarah Windrum feels as strongly about promoting Skills as we do. Sarah has amazing contacts and is keen to work with our Warwickshire Skills Hub team to call out to business leaders to ensure all industries have the opportunity to use this valuable platform to showcase their future careers vision. The collaboration of Sarah and the Warwickshire Skills Hub team, I’m sure, will be one with broad industry and education interaction. I for one am looking forward to seeing this work take shape.

The Future Careers Conference is the first in a series of activities and our aim is to then create a number of Future Career Leader tours days. These will see careers leaders participating in employer tours and activities - what better way to gain such first-hand experiences from industry and different working environments? We hope such visits will provide careers leaders with valuable content for their pupil sessions with takeaway resources such as careers films and information packs to support such delivery.

The Warwickshire Skills Hub hosts regular careers leader meetings and we know what a difficult time it has been for education-providers through Covid, with staff shortages and restrictions. We want to continue to give them all the support we can and we truly appreciate their engagement and commitment to future work such as this. We are also really pleased to confirm the return of our Autumn Skills Conference, which will be full of celebration and the launchpad for our careers activity for 2023.

I am very excited about the Future Careers Conference and, more broadly, very proud of the support that Warwickshire County Council is offering to businesses and the local economy post-Covid. No other county is offering support on the scale of our £140m Warwickshire Recovery Investment Fund - that is so exciting as our great county looks to move on from the pandemic.

If you are a business or education provider wanting to get involved with the Future Careers Conference then please visiti https://skillshub.warwickshire.gov.uk/ or contact the Warwickshire Skills Hub team at skillshub@warwickshire.gov.uk

Events

Events

Date

Event

Host

Timings

Venue

Link

28.2.2022

Marketing and Digital Activity Health Check - Various Dates
Get a free review of your business' marketing activity. Advice for improvements and recommendations to help implement changes.

CW Growth Hub

Drop-in

Online

Weblink here

1.3.2022

Chamber Networking at Coventry Building Society Arena After months of lockdown and online events, your Chamber of Commerce is bringing you our next face to face networking opportunity, delivered in partnership with Coventry Building Society Arena. We are delighted to show our support for the tourism, hospitality & events sector and lead the way with delivering face-to-face opportunities for our members in the safest way possible.

Coventry & Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce

14:00 - 16:00

Coventry Building Society Area

Weblink here

2.3.2022

Midlands Health Sector - The Investment opportunities

Birmingham Health Innovation Campus

11:00 - 12:00

Online

Weblink here

2.3.2022

FPC2021 - Future Powertrain Conference 2022 - 2nd-3rd March
FPC2022 is a two day UK event created to bring together industry and academic experts within the powertrain development field.

LMG Events

8.30-18:00

National Motorcycle Museum

Weblink here

2.3.2022

Surface Wolrd Live 2022 - 2nd-3rd March The UK's only event dedicated to surface treatment, coatings and product finishing. See the latest technology and products on the market, discuss business with new and existing suppliers and get advice from industry experts.

Hill Media Ltd

2 days

NEC

Weblink here

3.2.2022

Are You Investment Ready? - A Programme for Startups
This practical series of webinars will explore the options startups have in raising funding in the form of loans, grants and investment

CUE Business Solutions

12:00 - 14:00

Online

Weblink here

4.3.2022

What Career? & What University Live 2022 - 4th-5th March The essential event for 15-19 year olds considering their options after leaving school or college. Meet many of the UK's top universities and employers to find out about apprenticeships and higher education opportunities.

Venture Marketing Group

2 days

NEC

Weblink here

7.3.2022

Creating the right impression on Zoom (online, before and during a pitch) How to create the best impression, before, after and during your virtual meetings to maximise your time and help to drive relationships and nurture sales opportunities.

Business Ready

09:30 - 11:00

Online

Weblink here

8.3.2022

Low Carbon Agriculture 2022 - 8-9 March
A Midlands Engine-led event following on from COP26 in Glasgow. This will showcase the Midlands as a dynamic location for green growth and showcase regional expertise in areas like clean energy and sustainable transport.

Low Carbon Agriculture

2 days

NAEC, Stoneleigh

Weblink here

15.3.2022

MIPIM 2022 - 15th-18th March
Meet the most influential players of the international real estate industry in 4 days.

Reed Midem

4 days

Palais des Festivals, Cannes

Weblink here

16.3.2022

Medical Technology UK 2022 - 16th - 17th March
The exhibition and learning space for medical device engineers.

Medical Technology UK

2 days

CBS Arena, Coventry

Weblink here

21.3.2022

Maximise your Social Media Strategy - Reach Audiences & Generate Results - There are many different Social Media platforms out there from Facebook to YouTube, and establishing which ones are best for your business is key to gaining the best engagement.

Business Ready

09:30 - 12:30

Online

Weblink here

28.3.2022

Business Bootcamp and Networking
The Federation of Small Businesses Bootcamp and Networking, sponsored by Coombe Abbey, is returning to Coventry this January. It will be hosted by FSB Members Sandra Garlick MBE, founder of the Woman Who Inspires Network, and Dave Sharpe, International MC and BBC Broadcaster.

FSB

07:30-15:00

Coombe Abbey

Weblink here

05.4.2022

Clean Growth: Accelerate your journey to net zero - Launch

CUS Business Solutions

12:00 - 15:00

Engineering & Computing Building, Coventry University

Weblink here

6.6.2023

World Congress on Railway Research (WCRR) - 6th-10th June
RSSB and University of Birmingham will host, on behalf of the UK, the 13th World Congress on Railway Research (WCRR)

RSSB and University of Birmingham

5 days

ICC

Weblink here

29.6.2023

Vehicle Electrification Expo 2021 - 29-30th June
Vehicle Electrification Expo enables automotive manufacturers to look at the latest powertrain solutions to improve vehicle efficiency. Sister event to Battery Cells & Systems Expo.

Event Partners

All Day

NEC

Weblink here

Weblink

Our Future Moves - City of Culture 2021
The interactive and ambitious exhibition tells the stories of the objects on display provided by local businesses,  envisioning how the future will look and exploring how pioneering developments in transport and technology could affect the environment and the way we live.

Culture Coventry

Online

Online

Weblink here

News in Brief

Latest news-in-brief from the region...

£8m plan to convert M&S in Leamington Spa into office space for growing tech sector

An £8 million plan to convert an empty M&S unit in a prominent Leamington Spa shopping centre into prime office space could see up to 400 jobs created in the town centre. The owners of the Royal Priors Shopping Centre in Leamington are aiming to convert the former Marks and Spencer’s store into 30,000 sq ft of office space and would add an additional office floor and a new roof terrace. https://www.businessinnovationmag.co.uk/8-million-plan-to-convert-former-ms-in-leamington-into-office-space-could-create-400-jobs/

Swedish electric car maker to more than bouble local R&D team

Polestar, the Swedish electric performance car maker, which has a major research and development in the Coventry & Warwickshire area, is to grow to up to 800 in total, in a major boost for UK FDI investment, and UK automotive. https://www.ft.com/content/64d965ec-85ec-4f23-90e0-d30c16a8680c

Business confidence has surged in West Midlands, according to Lloyds Bank

Business confidence in the West Midlands rose nine points during January to 39 per cent, according to the latest Business Barometer from Lloyds Bank. Companies in the West Midlands reported higher confidence in their own business prospects month-on-month, up 11 points to 38 per cent. https://www.businessinnovationmag.co.uk/business-confidence-has-surged-in-the-west-midlands-says-lloyds-bank/

Indian EV manufacturer Ola Electric to build £100M Design and Engineering Centre in Coventry

Indian electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer Ola Electric is to invest £100m in a new global hub for automotive design and engineering in Coventry to support its ambition to “build the future of mobility”. https://www.businessinnovationmag.co.uk/indian-ev-manufacturer-ola-electric-to-build-100m-design-and-engineering-centre-in-coventry/

Can you help these two not-for-profit social enterprises find temporary homes?

Two new social enterprises are looking for commercial space to occupy at no or low rent for initiatives designed to regenerate local areas. Net Zero Stratford and Arts Rising Collective (ARC) are not-for-profit Community Interest Companies searching for Meanwhile Leases (the temporary occupation of empty commercial property by non-commercial occupiers). Anyone who could help them with premises is asked to contact Andrew Wynne at a.wynne@cwcda.co.uk

Former Jaguar Land Rover chief becomes chairman of motorcycle brand

Former Jaguar Land Rover CEO, Ralf Speth has been announced as the new chairman for TVS Motor Company. TVS Motor is a major Indian manufacturer of motorcycles, and recently opened a new factory for the ‘reborn’ Norton brand. Ralf Speth began his career at BMW and completed his PhD at the University of Warwick. https://www.thebusinessdesk.com/westmidlands/news/2060074-former-jlr-chief-becomes-chairman-of-motorcycle-brand

Tech ecommerce firm set to move to 120,000 sqft HQ

Tech e-commerce firm Box is set to move to a new 119,000 sqft headquarters at St Modwen Park, on the Dordon/Tamworth border at J10 of the M42. The firm says it has outgrown its current office and warehousing space in Minworth and will move into the new premises in the coming months. https://www.thebusinessdesk.com/westmidlands/news/2060358-tech-ecommerce-firm-set-to-move-to-120000-sq-ft-hq

New green skills training centre heading to region

Coventry is going be home to a new £1.8m electric vehicle and retrofit training facility to help the region gear up for a greener future. Launched as part of Coventry College’s ‘Charge Up Your Future’ campaign, it will provide businesses with the skills and knowledge to capitalise on industry opportunities and achieve the Government’s net-zero targets, and students with practical experience under the bonnets of electric vehicles. https://www.cwlep.com/news/new-%C2%A318m-green-skills-training-centre-heading-coventry

MTC Helps computer manufacturer to boost capacity

An award-winning computer manufacturer has seen a 30 per cent increase in capacity and a 53 per cent boost in sales with the help of experts from the Manufacturing Technology Centre. Desktop PC and gaming platform manufacturer Chillblast went to the MTC for help in increasing capacity to meet demand for its products. https://www.businessinnovationmag.co.uk/coventrys-mtc-helps-computer-manufacturer-boost-capacity-by-30-per-cent/

£8m Plan to convert M&S in Leamington Spa into office space for growing tech sector

An £8 million plan to convert an empty M&S unit in a prominent Leamington Spa shopping centre into prime office space could see up to 400 jobs created in the town centre. The owners of the Royal Priors Shopping Centre in Leamington are aiming to convert the former Marks and Spencer’s store into 30,000 sq ft of office space and would add an additional office floor and a new roof terrace. https://www.businessinnovationmag.co.uk/8-million-plan-to-convert-former-ms-in-leamington-into-office-space-could-create-400-jobs/

Creative freelance community is forming across Coventry and Warwick

A new initiative is being launched to provide support to creative freelancers across Coventry and Warwickshire. The pilot scheme aims to connect the freelance community from television producers to game developers following the impact of the pandemic. https://www.thebusinessdesk.com/westmidlands/news/2059577-creative-freelance-community-is-forming-across-coventry-and-warwick

New MD at the MTC’s Advanced Manufacturing Training Centre

David Grailey, one of the UK’s leading figures in vocational and technical learning, has been appointed as managing director of the Advanced Manufacturing Training Centre. He will lead the centre, based on the Manufacturing Technology Centre campus at Ansty, near Coventry – as it continues to fortify the UK’s manufacturing sector with the next generation of future-proofed engineers and technicians. https://www.businessinnovationmag.co.uk/new-md-at-coventrys-advanced-manufacturing-centre/

Agents join with CoStar to provide Insights into strong local commercial property market

Commercial real estate agency Bromwich Hardy recently launched a new report into the state of the property sector across the Midlands – with a message that ‘doom-merchants’ are wrong to write off the strength of the office market. Bromwich Hardy founding partner Tom Bromwich says the report gave reasons for optimism despite the impact of the pandemic across the region. https://www.bromwichhardy.com/News/Bromwich-Hardy-Barometer-2022

Creative Cities convention coming to our region in 2022

People Profile

Hardeep is excited by the opportunity to make an impact in her new role

"I love making a difference, supporting businesses to put their ideas and visions into reality and having that real impact."

Hardeep Sandhu has arrived at Warwickshire County Council armed with loads of knowledge and experience of supporting businesses but hungry to "get out of my comfort zone and rise to a new challenge."

So it is a perfect fit that Hardeep has joined the council's Economy & Skills team on a hefty mission: To help deliver one of the biggest and most significant financial support packages ever drawn up by the council.

The £140million Warwickshire Recovery Investment Fund was launched last summer to stimulate the county's economy, post-Covid. It will support businesses, create jobs and bring investment into the county. As Delivery Lead: Business Investment Growth, Hardeep will oversee the roll out of the Business Investment Pillar of the WRIF during 2022 and beyond.

She is well-qualified for the role, steeped in relevant experience, much of it local after spending the last seven years with Coventry & Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce. That was a job that she really enjoyed, managing two very large contracts on behalf of Coventry City Council and Warwickshire County Council, but it was time for an exciting new challenge...and the WRIF offers exactly that.

"I've always really enjoyed working in economic development," Hardeep said. "I love making a difference, supporting businesses to put their ideas and visions into reality and having that real impact.

"That has always been close to my heart and I've been lucky enough that the jobs I have had enabled me to do that. I was Enterprise Manager at the Chamber for seven years, managing their Start-up Programme, and worked in Inward Investment for the Midlands region before that so I have that breadth of experience.

"I joined Warwickshire because I was looking for a new challenge. I am ready to specialise in a new field and keen to build on my experience, utilise my links and learn. The WRIF is a really exciting project and felt as if it was written for me because I feel I have such a lot to bring to the role."

The WRIF comprises three main strands of support: Business Investment Growth (debt finance to medium and larger businesses); Property and Infrastructure (investment in commercial sites and premises) and the Local Communities and Enterprise loans programme.

The £90million B.I.G strand is the biggest element of the WRIF with the potential to bring major impetus to the local economy.

"The fact that the WRIF is new to Warwickshire makes it very exciting," said Hardeep. "As it is new, we will approach it carefully with a team of staff there to advise. I am really fortunate that I have Joanna Smith and Sim Lee, two very experienced staff members supporting me. Sometimes, when looking for support, businesses come in and say they need x, y and z whereas often they need to think in more detail. I will encourage our Growth Advisors to analyse, break down business plans from scratch and do a business assessment and ask 'is that what they really need?'

" It could be they don't need to speak to us but to another partner, so we will connect them with other partners and stakeholders that we work with like other local authorities, the Coventry and Warwickshire Reinvestment Trust, the universities, the Science Park, the Chamber and the Growth Hub as well as the recently appointed fund manager for the smaller LCE loans programme and fund advisor for the property fund.. Helping the economy revive after Covid has to be a collaborative effort and it is great that in this region so many stakeholders work together."

Hardeep has joined an Economy & Skills team which has itself risen to the challenges of the pandemic, burning many an hour of midnight oil to expedite the swift issue of loans and grants to businesses and to put in place and deliver a wide range of other support.. She aims to build on that excellent work by adding a new perspective where necessary on the Small Capital Grants issued to businesses.

"I am really keen to put my mark on the job and shape it and make the WRIF the most effective it can be for the businesses of Warwickshire," she said. "Having come from outside the council I can bring a different perspective, so hopefully can bring a slightly different dimension.

"As I am new to the job it will be largely strategic at first, and there is lots and lots of learning to do, but I love dealing directly with businesses so I will be getting my hands dirty as soon as I can. I am keen to get in front of investors, not just businesses. We are really keen for the WRIF to encompass the widest possible breadth of businesses and we have already generated a lot of interest already shown from quite a lot of sectors so that is very encouraging."

The Business Investment and Growth Fund is now open to expressions of interest. If you would like to express interest please visit here

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