A round-up of latest news-in-brief from the region...
Coventry & Warwickshire FirstPro Awards – Nominations Open!
Nominations for the Coventry & Warwickshire FirstPro Awards are open. Have you got a success story to share? There are three new categories this year so do enter and share your successes before the 14th February deadline. https://mailchi.mp/4bdb9574cbd2/firstpro2020islaunched
Employees take over at Vectric
The founder has stepped down as the Alcester software firm Vectric becomes employee-owned. https://www.thebusinessdesk.com/westmidlands/news/2036826-founder-steps-down-as-software-firm-becomes-employee-owned
Digital agency Miromedia seeks expansion in Leamington move
Digital marketing agency Miromedia has relocated its office to Leamington Spa in a move it says will create a number of jobs, as it seeks to access the local ‘hotbed of digital talent’ in the town. https://www.thebusinessdesk.com/westmidlands/news/2037019-digital-marketing-agency-to-create-jobs-in-relocation
Telent 'going underground'
Warwick technology company Telent has won a major contract to support Transport for London across 270 sites in the capital. https://www.businessinnovationmag.co.uk/business-people-across-the-region-recognised-in-new-years-honours-list/
Autocar makes case for UK ‘Gigafactory’
Within a year, most car producers and battery manufacturers will make their decisions about where in Europe the next generation of gigafactories will be built. Without urgent action, the UK is in danger of losing out in the race,” the Faraday Institute, a government-funded battery action group, wrote in a recent report.
With a strong auto powertrain supply chain and local talent, and the UK Battery Industrialisation Centre (UKBIC) opening in April this year, Coventry & Warwickshire is well placed to land one of these new factories. https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/industry/analysis-why-uk-needs-battery-gigafactory-and-fast?fbclid=IwAR2xtev3AkJEstfqFAjNR_fcvlp_2E7e5XB9vY4nRjviHYrGZD-znibXm24
Aston Martin Lagonda in talks with new partners
Canadian billionaire Lawrence Stroll, owner of Racing Point F1 team, is moving into pole position to take a stake in Aston Martin Lagonda. Chinese auto maker Geely, who already own local company London Electric Vehicle Company (LEVC) was also considering taking a stake in the Gaydon based company. https://europe.autonews.com/automakers/canadian-billionaire-front-runner-aston-martin-stake-after-chinese-interest-cools-report
Alcester’s Severn Lamb wins Southend light rail contract
Severn Lamb, a leader in the manufacture and supply of leisure, resort and amusement transport, has secured the contract to construct a new train for the iconic Southend-on-Sea pier in the UK. https://blooloop.com/news/severn-lamb-southend-pier-train/
Atherstone outlet celebrates profitable Christmas
Atherstone-based Aldi UK sold 55 million mince pies over a Christmas which saw British shoppers spend record amounts at the German discount grocery chain. UK sales in the four weeks to December 24 topped £1 billion for the first time in the retailer’s history, marking a 7.9 per cent rise on the same period in 2018. https://www.retailgazette.co.uk/blog/2020/01/aldi-books-record-breaking-christmas-sales/
Support for Warwickshire retailers
Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce will be delivering free digital support to help independent retailers across the county increase trade, as part of the Warwickshire Towns Network Programme. https://www.cwlep.com/news/free-support-programme-independent-retailers-warwickshire-starts-month
New business centre and library to Transform Nuneaton
Warwickshire County Council has ratified the Cabinet decision to invest nearly £19.5 million of its Capital Investment Fund to continue the Transforming Nuneaton programme and build a new library, café and business centre in the town. https://www.businessinnovationmag.co.uk/19-5-million-investment-to-transform-nuneaton/
Building better opportunities for all
The Building Better Opportunities programme has celebrated getting 370 Coventry & Warwickshire people back into employment by securing a £7m extension. https://www.midlandsbusinessnews.co.uk/building-better-opportunities-secures-7m-extension-as-it-celebrates-getting-370-coventry-warwickshire-people-back-into-employment/
Local business leaders recognised in New Year Honours List
Land Rover design chief Gerry McGovern OBE was among those recognised locally in the New Year Honours List. https://www.businessinnovationmag