Welcome from Mark Ryder

MV in fast lane thanks to Skills Escalator grant

“All the local business support we have received has been so helpful...the Skills Escalator Grant has been brilliant, just when we needed it.”

A small Warwickshire business is fully punching its weight in the world of Formula One – and planning further growth – thanks to a Skills Escalator grant from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF).

MV Composites counts a number of F1 teams among his customers at its base on the Heathcote Industrial Estate in Leamington Spa. Directors Matt Lainsbury and Will Waterman have deployed their many contacts and long experience in the industry to oversee growth from a workforce of three to 23 in two and a half years.

They are now looking to move to the next level again after receiving a Skills Escalator grant for staff training which has enabled them to start a night shift at the factory.

The Skills Escalator Fund, delivered by Warwickshire Skills Hub, is funded by UKSPF in partnership with the county’s district and borough councils, in the case of MV Composites, Warwick District Council.

The support has put into place the last piece in the production jigsaw at the factory in which the business has invested heavily since moving in last January, said Matt.

“It has worked out so well,” he said. “We needed to start a night shift but legally had to have somebody trained in first aid and a fire warden present on every shift. We have spent a lot on the building itself, so wouldn’t have been able to afford the training ourselves, so the grant was perfect.

“Coventry & Warwickshire Growth Hub recommended the grant and put us in touch with Warwickshire Skills Hub who were fantastic. It has helped us out massively. The factory is now open from 7pm on Sunday to 2pm on Saturday.

“As our customer-base is heavily around F1 the winter is our busiest time, so the timing couldn’t better. It is an industry which needs to plan ahead so we are already planning around 2026.”

MV Composites is a perfect example of a small Warwickshire business, fuelled by skill, dedication and hard work, making an impact on a national and international level. F1 is a highly competitive world and Leamington is the perfect location for their contribution to it.

“We are very happy to be in Leamington,” said Matt. “Staff retention is a massive issue and we compete with the F1 teams for recruitment so we need to create a good working environment. Also, when we welcome F1 teams here we want them to be impressed.

“All the local business support we have received has been so helpful. We have just had an energy audit from Warwickshire Business Energy Advice Service which will hopefully help us cut emissions and costs. The Skills Escalator Grant has been brilliant, just when we needed it.”

Steven Convery, Business Skills Support Officer at Warwickshire Skills Hub, said: "I'm proud to have played a role in securing crucial funding through Warwickshire County Council in partnership with Warwick District Council UKSPF Skills Escalator for MV Composites. This support has enabled them to expand their operations to include a night shift, creating new jobs and boosting the local economy. By assisting businesses like MV Composites in accessing vital resources, we can foster a thriving and innovative business environment within our community. 

“Matt and Will have created an amazing business and worked so hard to get it to the stage they have in such a short space of time, I am so excited to see how the team expands over the coming years."

Councillor Ella Billiald, Portfolio Holder for Arts & Economy at Warwick District Council, said: “The District Council is pleased to be able to nurture and support growing local businesses thanks to the Skills Escalator grant. I’m delighted to see that MV Composites is going from strength to strength, creating local jobs and supporting a growing local economy. I wish them every success and look forward to seeing how their business develops.”

Warwickshire County Council’s Portfolio Holder for Economy, Cllr Martin Watson said: “The Skills Escalator Fund is a great example of collaborative business support from national and local government together. It is lovely to hear how MV Composites have grown with business support and have exciting plans to continue to grow.”

Laura Delahunty, Account Manager at Coventry and Warwickshire Growth Hub, helped MV Composites to access ongoing support as well as providing details of programmes and connections to help with their growth.

Laura said: “This is a great example of partnership working in the region. Through engaging with CW Growth Hub, the business has been able to unlock new opportunities, including projects to help them digitise and automate processes, invest in their team (through training and upskilling) and explore funding opportunities to help their ambitious growth plans in the new year and beyond."

* If you would like to know how Warwickshire Skills Hub can support your business with apprenticeships and upskilling, please email skillshub@warwickshire.gov.uk  and one of our Business Support Advisors will be in touch.

Higher productivity for 278 businesses

“Increasing productivity is a key part of the county council’s commitment to ambitious growth and the new Economic Growth Strategy for Warwickshire.”

More than 250 businesses have already reported improved productivity after engaging and receiving support from Business Growth Warwickshire.

In National Productivity Week (January 27-31), the indicators in Warwickshire are of movement in the right direction, thanks in part to the Business Growth Warwickshire programme, funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and developed and commissioned jointly by Warwickshire County Council and the county’s districts and boroughs.

The programme offers six strands of support for businesses in Warwickshire or residents looking to start a business. Of businesses supported between October 2023 and December 2024, 278 have reported improved productivity. That is out of a total of 354 businesses provided with the intensive supported to date, so 79% of the businesses which have been supported by the programme have already reported improvement.

Warwickshire County Council’s Portfolio Holder for Economy, Cllr Martin Watson, said: “Productivity is a cornerstone of economic stability and growth, and it is very pleasing that 278 businesses have already reported an increase thanks to input from the Business Growth Warwickshire programme.

“The programme has proved a real success and that is a tribute to all the organisations delivering it with such knowledge and expertise on behalf of the county, district and borough councils in Warwickshire.

“Increasing productivity is a key part of the county council’s commitment to ambitious growth and the new Economic Growth Strategy for Warwickshire. We want to support growth that ensures Warwickshire’s economy is ambitious, dynamic and resilient.”

National Productivity Week is a campaign organised by The Productivity Institute, a research body including eight universities, including Warwick, and two research institutes, to raise awareness of, and offer solutions to, addressing the UK’s long-held productivity challenges.  

Businesses supported by the Business Growth Warwickshire Programme include Technoset and Tecman Speciality Materials. There is also a wide range of other case studies on www.warwickshire.gov.uk/ukspf.

The strands of the Business Growth Warwickshire programme are: 

Warwickshire Business Start-up Programme (delivered by Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce); aimed at businesses in their first 24 months of trading and individuals who have ambitions to start a business.  

Warwickshire Business Resilience and Growth Programme (delivered by Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce); aimed at businesses over 24 months old to help improve their resilience and growth potential

Business Ready (delivered by University of Warwick Science Park); engaging with businesses with ambitions for high growth and looking to innovate.

Warwickshire Business Energy Advice Service (WBEAS) (delivered by Coventry City Council); Helping to create a green, growing and sustainable economy across Warwickshire through promoting energy efficiency.

Warwickshire Manufacturing Growth Programme (delivered by Oxford Innovation Advice); directly supporting manufacturing businesses across all sectors to grow by identifying, understanding and removing their barriers to growth

Project Warwickshire (delivered by Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce); a Visitor Economy and Hospitality Support Programme. 

* To find out more about this and other support call CW Growth Hub on 0300 060 3747 or visit www.warwickshire.gov.uk/ukspf.

Rural patisserie is broadening its reach

“Business Growth Warwickshire supports businesses with bespoke guidance and information to help them reach their goals. It is great to see the impact of the support provided to Pinwheel Patisserie."

A patisserie business in Warwickshire is planning for growth in 2025 after receiving support.  

The Pinwheel Patisserie, which is run by pastry chef Keira Roe, has just enjoyed its best year on record selling everything from cakes to quiches to a range of retail and hospitality businesses across the region – from farm shops through to Compton Verney. 

The company, which is based at Chesterton Fields Farm off the Fosse Way and employs six people, has seen a positive rise since tapping into support through the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce. 

Keira, who set up five years ago with her mum and business partner Trixie Roe, received help through the Business Resilience and Growth programme, which forms part of the Business Growth Warwickshire programme. It is delivered by Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce on behalf of Warwickshire County Council and Warwickshire’s five District and Borough Councils. 

She received one-to-one help from business adviser Saffron Medway and it has helped to shape the business’s marketing activities as well as financial planning. It has led to a growth in the Pinwheel Patisserie’s regular client-base to around 25 cafes and outlets across Warwickshire and the wider region as well as an increase in contracts for events. 

The patisserie is now making more than 3,500 products a week, which is also having a positive knock-on effect with the regional economy as it buys around 90 dozen eggs and 100 kg of flour from local suppliers. The team also made well over 1,000 mince pies in the run-up to Christmas. 

Now, Keira is looking ahead to a positive 2025 with plans to stage baking classes at venues that sell her cakes and pastries. She also has an eye on opening a shop to sell direct to the public. Keira said the growth has all been made possible by the support she received. 

She said: “Working with Saffron has made me think differently about the business and has helped us to develop so many new ideas to move forward in a positive way. I received help through the Chamber during Covid and so got back in touch to see if there was any support I could access because I wasn’t sure what to do next. It’s the best phone call I could have made because the support has been invaluable and has really given me the confidence to take the business to the next level. 

“For example, Saffron has encouraged me to set aside time for marketing and to plan what I am doing. I’ve made sure I’ve stuck to this and we are seeing the benefits of that.  Now, we’ve got some really exciting plans for 2025 and we can see a real opportunity for growth.” 

Saffron said Keira had embraced the support and was reaping the rewards for that. 

She said: “It has been great to see the impact the help has had. Keira is an amazing pastry chef and has developed a great team around her and everyone who sees and tastes their products come back wanting more. 

“The support we offered helped the business to focus on areas such as marketing and finance which are crucial when you are looking to grow. Keira took everything on board and has stuck to it, which has led to growth already with the potential for more in the future.” 

Councillor Martin Watson, portfolio holder for Economy at Warwickshire County Council, said: “Business Growth Warwickshire supports businesses with bespoke guidance and information to help them reach their goals. It is great to see the impact of the support provided to Pinwheel Patisserie. Following the one-to-one support Kiera has developed marketing plans allowing her to generate new ideas and business opportunities to create continued business growth.” 

Cllr George Cowcher, Deputy Leader of Stratford on Avon District Council and Portfolio Holder for Economic Development, said: “It is great to see another successful company developing in Stratford District. Their products are excellent, and I have sampled them at Compton Verney!” 

The Business, Resilience and Growth Programme is part funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (via Warwickshire’s five District and Borough Councils) and Warwickshire County Council. To find out more about the programme and your businesses eligibility please go to https://www.cw-chamber.co.uk/business-support/business-resilience-and-growth/  

* Please find out what other support is available to your business by calling Coventry and Warwickshire Growth Hub on 0300 060 3747 or visiting https://www.cwgrowthhub.co.uk

Insights offered into skills needs in the Care and Early Years Sector

The skills required by employers in the Adult Social Care, Primary Healthcare and Early Years sector were outlined and explored during the latest Careers Leaders Industry Insights Day delivered by Warwickshire Careers Hub.

Warwickshire County Council’s Portfolio Holder for Economy, Cllr Martin Watson said: “The Careers Insights Days are a great way of supporting careers leaders from across the county to help their students find the future that is right for them.

Entries open for prestigious Foodie Awards

“Our region is rightly renowned for its range and quality of food and drink and the Coventry and Warwickshire Foodie Awards 2025 offer a welcome opportunity for some of the purveyors of that quality to gain deserved recognition.”

The Coventry and Warwickshire Foodie Awards 2025 have officially launched, once again shining a spotlight on the region’s thriving food, drink and hospitality sectors.

Now a highly anticipated event in the local foodie community the awards celebrate the innovation, dedication, and excellence of businesses that contribute to the area’s vibrant food scene.

Entries are now open for restaurants, cafés, pubs, food producers, and artisan food and drink entrepreneurs looking to showcase their talents and commitment to quality. This year’s categories highlight a broad spectrum of the industry, including Best Restaurant, Best Street Food, Artisan Producer, Sustainability Champion, and Food Hero. Exciting new categories for 2025 include Best Vegan Food, Best Artisan Food & Drink Producer, and individual awards for the Best Burger, Sunday Lunch, Pizza, and Afternoon Tea, ensuring a diverse representation of the region’s culinary talent.

The awards are proudly supported by key industry partners and local sponsors, including Alliance Online, Coventry City Council, Warwickshire County Council, Aubrey Allen, Stratford BID, and Airdeska. Additional sponsorship opportunities remain available for businesses looking to align with this prestigious event.

Entries will be judged by an esteemed panel of food critics, chefs, hospitality experts, and leading food bloggers, ensuring a rigorous and insightful assessment of each participant’s entry.

Jonathan Smith, Founder and Organiser of the Coventry and Warwickshire Foodie Awards, commented: "Coventry and Warwickshire are home to an incredible array of food, drink and hospitality businesses that continue to set new standards of excellence. These awards provide a fantastic platform to celebrate their hard work and passion while encouraging continued growth and innovation in the sector.”

Warwickshire County Council’s Portfolio Holder for Economy, Cllr Martin Watson, said: “Our region is rightly renowned for its range and quality of food and drink and the Coventry and Warwickshire Foodie Awards 2025 offer a welcome opportunity for some of the purveyors of that quality to gain deserved recognition.”

Shortlisted finalists will be invited to a prestigious awards ceremony in May, where winners will be announced in front of industry peers, media, and food enthusiasts. The event promises an evening of networking, culinary delight, and well-deserved recognition.

Entries for the 2025 awards close on 28 March 2025. Food businesses and professionals keen to participate or learn more can visit www.cwfoodieawards.co.uk for full details.

Support for Goodflex benefits employer, employees and the local economy

"The Escalator Fund and overall it has really helped in ways which will benefit us as an employer, our employees and the local economy."

A forward-thinking small business in Warwickshire is targeting further growth following a Skills Escalator grant from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

Goodflex Rubber, a silicone and rubber hose supplier in Alcester, has already grown from 32 employees to 45 since relocating from its original base in Honeybourne three years ago.

With plans for further expansion, diversification and increased exports on the agenda, the company applied for five members of staff to receive training through a grant from The Skills Escalator Fund.

Goodflex managing director Mark Dufty said: “We were made aware of the Skills Escalator Fund by Nina Bale from Coventry & Warwickshire Growth Hub – they are a huge help as our window into business support, keeping us informed about what is available. Nina referred us to Warwickshire Skills Hub and it all flowed from there. It’s been brilliant because our staff have received training tailored in most cases exactly to our business’ needs.

“We decided it was time for a new Enterprise Resource Planning system, so went for the very latest technology which was a massive capital investment but then we realised that to make the most of it we needed to put more training into our staff. The Skills Escalator funding enabled us to do that. It is a brilliant ERP system but the training was essential so that we can tweak it ourselves and cherry-pick exactly the data we need for each job especially to meet the requirements of large OEMs as well as SMEs.

“Other staff received supervisor, finance and first aid training through the Escalator Fund and overall it has really helped in ways which will benefit us as an employer, our employees and the local economy.

“In business, if you stand still, you tend to go backwards, so we need to keep driving the business forward and this has opened up exciting opportunities. We are keen to increase exports and to diversify into other areas including the rail industry.”

The Skills Escalator Fund, delivered by Warwickshire Skills Hub, is funded by UKSPF in partnership with the county’s district and borough councils, in the case of Goodflex Rubber, Stratford District Council.

Warwickshire Skills Hub's Future Skills Advisor, Louise Stolz, said: "It's been great working with Goodflex Rubber and see them utilise the Skills Escalator Fund to their advantage. They identified the training priorities for their business and used it to upskill five members of their staff, enabling their personal growth but also helping them to maximise the benefits to the business. This is exactly what the Skills Escalator Fund was designed for."

Councillor George Cowcher, Deputy Leader, Planning and Economic Development Portfolio Holder at Stratford-on-Avon District Council said: "This is a fantastic example of how the Skills Escalator programme is helping businesses in Stratford-on-Avon District develop,  By investing in their employees, Goodflex Rubber is not only strengthening their own business now but ensuring they are able to continue to develop in the future, contributing to growth and prosperity in our area."

* If you would like to know how Warwickshire Skills Hub can support your business with apprenticeships and upskilling, please email skillshub@warwickshire.gov.uk  and one of our Business Support Advisors will be in touch.’

Survey will help shape future access to finance landscape

Warwickshire County Council has commissioned the independent research company SQW to deliver an important review of the access to finance landscape in Warwickshire.

This research will inform future support to local businesses.

As part of the research, SQW are asking small and medium-sized businesses in Warwickshire to respond to a short, online survey. We are keen to hear your views on:

• Your growth ambitions
• Key barriers to growth for your business
• Your future finance needs
• Views on the current availability of finance for SME businesses in Warwickshire

The survey should only take up to 10 minutes to complete. You can find it here: https://survey.sqw.co.uk/s/Warwickshire-Business-Survey/

The feedback will help Warwickshire County Council to better understand the needs of local businesses, and inform future support.

Warwickshire County Council's Portfolio Holder for Economy, Cllr Martin Watson, said: "Access to finance can be a major barrier to growth for businesses and this is something that Warwickshire County Council is trying hard to address.

"The County Council is a major funder of access to finance programmes for businesses across the county, including our £64 million Warwickshire Investment Fund, so it is vital that our support remains relevant and, as far as possible, tailored to the needs and capabilities of businesses. I would ask all businesses to please complete the survey to help us to continue to help the business community in the best possible way in years to come."

Coventry and Warwick Gigapark could create up to 6,000 jobs 

"This new investment will give a significant boost to local supply chains and the regional economy.  It builds on the region's global reputation for innovation, Research and Development and manufacturing in EV, battery and related vehicle technologies."

Plans for a battery manufacturing and technology hub that will create thousands of new jobs in the West Midlands have taken a significant step forward. 

West Midlands Mayor Richard Parker has announced a £23 million funding package to power up the Coventry and Warwick Gigapark with the installation of a dedicated energy supply capable of supporting large-scale battery production.  

The Gigapark site - part of the region’s flagship Investment Zone - includes Greenpower Park, the UK’s Centre for Electrification and Clean Energy. The major investment by the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) will make this key Investment Zone site development-ready. It will put the region into pole position to secure the major international investment to attract battery manufacturers along with other associated electric vehicle and energy storage supply chain businesses.

Fully developed, the Gigapark could create up to 6,000 jobs in battery manufacturing and in the EV supply chain. The funding will also pay for further infrastructure works and the technical assessments required for a detailed planning application. 

The Mayor said: “The Gigapark is going to make the West Midlands a global hub for cutting-edge battery technology, paving the way for a new era of manufacturing in and around our region. This Investment Zone funding is an exciting first step in making that vision a reality. It will bring in private investment, create thousands of quality jobs, boost the local economy, and help build a greener, more sustainable future." 

The Coventry & Warwick Gigapark is being brought forward through a partnership between Coventry City Council, Warwick District Council and Warwickshire County Council.  Its main anchor site, Greenpower Park, is being delivered through a Joint Venture between Coventry Council and Coventry Airport Ltd. 

Greenpower Park is a trailblazing centre of excellence for electrification, battery technology and manufacturing. This ground-breaking location is the first of its kind, offering an all-in-one solution for battery research, industrialisation, manufacturing, testing, recycling and electrified logistics designed to foster the UK’s growing battery ecosystem.  

Cllr Martin Watson, portfolio holder for economy at Warwickshire County Council, said: "The automotive sector is a major employer and driver of economic growth in the local area. We welcome this new investment that will accelerate the development of Coventry and Warwick Gigapark and give a significant boost to local supply chains and the regional economy.  It builds on the region's global reputation for innovation, Research and Development and manufacturing in EV, battery and related vehicle technologies." 

Cllr Jim O’Boyle, cabinet member for jobs, regeneration and climate change at Coventry City Council, said: “Greenpower Park, the UK’s Centre of Electrification and Clean Energy, has an important role to play in accelerating the UK’s transition to an electrified economy. The WMCA’s approval of £23m investment zone funding is a significant step towards boosting our country’s growing battery industry. This funding will enable a power supply upgrade for Greenpower Park which will help prepare the site in readiness for investors. 

“Greenpower Park is the only available site in the UK which sits within an investment zone and has planning permission in place for battery production and recycling facilities. With this strategic investment, Greenpower Park will act as a catalyst for a fully integrated and globally competitive battery ecosystem at the heart of the United Kingdom."

Cllr Chris King, portfolio holder for place at Warwick District Council, said: “Creating a favourable environment and having the infrastructure in place are key ingredients needed for us to attract the partnerships and investment we need to deliver the ultimate prize of a West Midlands Gigafactory and cluster of green manufacturing industries in this location. We are therefore delighted to start the new year with this major boost to our exciting and ambitious plans for a low carbon economy and way of living.” 

The Coventry and Warwick Gigapark is one of three key sites - alongside the Wolverhampton Green Innovation Corridor and Birmingham Knowledge Quarter - that will power the West Midlands Investment Zone.  These three sites will benefit from a mix of direct funding and in some cases tax incentives with a focus on driving growth in advanced manufacturing, green industries, health-tech and digital technologies. Collectively they have the potential to attract more than £5.5bn of private investment into the region and create more than 30,000 jobs by 2034. 

In addition, around £1.5bn of business rates over the zone’s 25-year lifespan will also be retained and reinvested directly into the region. 

A range of business support and skills development programmes are also being established to ensure regional companies are best placed to make the most of these opportunities, and local people can access new skills and jobs opportunities. Funding, tax incentives and business rate retention have been provided by the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government through the national Investment Zone programme. 

Find out more about the West Midlands Investment Zone and the three sites at www.wmca.org.uk/what-we-do/economy-and-innovation/west-midlands-investment-zone/.  

Technoset Ltd - expanding horizons with localised business support 

"The programme directly supports manufacturing businesses across all sectors by helping them to grow by identifying, understanding and removing their barriers to growth."

Technoset Ltd, a leader in precision machining, has engaged with the Warwickshire Manufacturing Growth Programme to expand its operations and tackle key business challenges.

The programme is delivered by Oxford Innovation Advice on behalf of Warwickshire County Council and Warwickshire’s five District and Borough Councils. 

Founded in 1978, Technoset is renowned for manufacturing high-precision components using state-of-the-art Multi Axis CNC Machines. Located in Rugby, Warwickshire, the company produces a wide range of components and works with a wide range of common and more exotic materials including Titanium, Inconel, Aerospace Alloy Steels, Brass, Copper and General Engineering Steels. 

After diversifying over the past few years, the company now has customers in Green Energy, Hydrogen, Telecommunications, Medical, Motorsport, and Automotive, reducing their prior reliance on the Aerospace sector, which now constitutes 25% of their business. The company's turnover increased from £2.4 million in 2022 to £3.2 million in 2023, with projections to reach £3.6 million in 2024. 

Technoset Ltd faces several barriers to growth. Skills and Staff Shortages: Challenges in recruiting skilled staff despite efforts through various channels; Customer Payment Delays: No concerns over cash flow but delayed payments are more often in current times; Expansion Needs: Plans to build a mezzanine floor to accommodate staff and purchase new tooling to support growth in the Communications sector; Economic Uncertainty: Potential impacts of global economic conditions and governmental changes on business operations and funding. 

Through the programme, Technoset Ltd received valuable guidance and connections to various support systems. The Warwickshire Manufacturing Growth Programme provided Technoset Ltd with key support to navigate these challenges. The programme facilitated referrals to the Warwickshire County Council to support with expansion of their unit and necessary tooling purchases. The programme also connected the company with the Warwickshire Skills Hub for staff training and supported them in hosting one of the programme’s Supply Chain workshops enhancing networking and collaboration opportunities across the region. 

After engaging with the programme, Technoset Ltd is on track to create three new positions by September 2024, further supporting their growth ambitions. The support has laid the groundwork for continued expansion into new sectors and enhanced collaboration with their customer base. In the future, Technoset Ltd aims to grow its business across various sectors, leveraging their precision engineering expertise and expanding their market share. 

Adam Land, Operations Director, said of the programme, “I found the Lean workshop really useful, not only a good reminder of all the reasons I push these projects but great to meet others. I am hoping we may be able to do some work with other clients as well which is brilliant.” 

Michelle Connor, Manufacturing Growth Manager for the Warwickshire Manufacturing Growth Programme paid homage to their engagement with the programme, “Technoset Ltd have engaged with the Programme in the initial stages and have been most supportive in terms of attendance at all the workshops and hosting the Supply Chain workshop.”  

Michelle’s work with Technoset Ltd exemplifies how manufacturing businesses can identify and remove barriers to growth by utilising local business support programmes. Thanks to the programme Technoset Ltd are even closer to achieving their growth objectives, setting a benchmark for other ambitious SMEs in the region. 

The Warwickshire Manufacturing Growth Programme is part funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (via Rugby Borough Council) and Warwickshire County Council. 

Councillor Martin Watson, portfolio holder for Economy at Warwickshire County Council, said: “The Warwickshire Manufacturing Growth Programme supports our ambition for Warwickshire to have a thriving economy. The programme directly supports manufacturing businesses across all sectors by helping them to grow by identifying, understanding and removing their barriers to growth. Local businesses can access one to one support from specialist manufacturing advisors, digital diagnostic tools, workshops and cohort-based small courses through the Warwickshire Manufacturing Growth Programme. 

“It’s great to see the impact of the dedicated support provided to Technoset Ltd, helping them to identify and overcome their barriers to growth. This has led to the organisation being able to create new job roles and ultimately support their growth ambitions.” 

Cllr Louise Robinson, Rugby Borough Council portfolio holder for Growth and Investment, Digital and Communications, said: “It’s great to see how Technoset is innovating, collaborating, and leveraging the support available to ensure the business keeps pace with change and continues to meet customer needs. Rugby has a strong manufacturing heritage and Technoset is part of that and part of ensuring we have effective local supply chains to feed other businesses into the future. This is all an essential part of our local economy.” 

For details about the Warwickshire Manufacturing Growth Programme, please visit: Warwickshire Manufacturing Growth Programme 

Apprenticeships: the perfect pathway for career progression

Engineering firm evolves and expands with Business Ready support

"It’s great to see the impact the Business Ready programme has by providing tailored support for Warwickshire's businesses."

An expanding engineering and manufacturing business in Leamington is undergoing a significant evolution as part of aim to double its turnover in the next 12 months.

Tecman Speciality Materials is renowned throughout the UK as a developer and manufacturer of components using adhesive tape in the automotive, medical, and offshore and onshore industries.

The Leamington-based firm has developed Anti-thermal Propagation Technology for EV battery packs that prevent or delay heat transfer between adjacent battery cells from a thermal runaway event, effectively optimising cell performance, longevity, and safety of battery packs.

The 35-strong business, which has recently celebrated its 30th anniversary, is now evolving to create three separate divisions from its base in Berrington Road. Tecman Innovation will focus on research and design, to drive the development of next-generation advanced materials, solutions, and processes; Tecman Manufacturing will be responsible for delivering exceptional quality, reliability, and consistency across all their products and production processes; and Tecman Automation will be dedicated to Industry 4.0, developing world-leading manufacturing systems designed for highly automated, cost-effective production.

Before this next chapter in its history, Operations Director David Roberts contacted Coventry and Warwickshire Growth Hub Account Manager, Laura Delahunty, to discuss support to upskill its staff. She put him in touch with Warwick District Council, Warwickshire County Council and the University of Warwick Science Park’s Business Ready programme for various support.

David said the fast growth the business is benefiting from means they are also looking to move to bigger premises within the Warwickshire area.

He said: “The changes we are making at Tecman are really exciting and I met with Laura from the Growth Hub to discuss the various funding opportunities that were available.

“We are on a rapid growth trajectory with a large portion of our business growth coming from sectors identified by the government as critical to the national industrial strategy, such as the renewable energy sector, which includes wind blade protection and EV batteries. We are also well known within the healthcare and life sciences sectors as a result of our work in diagnostics manufacturing and for producing hundreds of thousands of face shields each year following Covid, for health providers in UK, Norway, Italy, France, Germany and the Netherlands.

“The EV work in particular is really accelerating, and we have secured a significant contract with an OEM in the area which meant we wanted to upskill staff in various areas of the business to help to future-proof our business and meet the demands of the new work that is coming in.

“As part of our strategic workforce development, we initiated our first production apprenticeship with funding support from Warwickshire Skills Hub, enabling the recruitment of machine technician Louie Fitchett. This invaluable support has facilitated the expansion of our apprenticeship programme, and we are now exploring opportunities to introduce apprenticeships across other areas of the business to align with our ongoing organisational evolution.

“We’re still a relatively small business but we want to move from our 23,000 sq ft premises to a 50,000 sq ft facility and the County Council is helping us to identify a suitable location.”

Laura Delahunty, Account Manager at Coventry and Warwickshire Growth Hub, said she had helped Tecman to access ongoing support as well as providing details of programmes and connections to help with recruitment.

She said: “This is a great example of partnership working in the sub-region because Tecman is on track to scale rapidly, and we have found at the Growth Hub that scaleup businesses require different types of support to other SMEs.

“Tecman is working towards becoming a Tier 1 supplier to OEMs in the UK and internationally with their EV product, and they have found our support to be incredibly useful.”

Councillor Martin Watson, Portfolio Holder for Economy at Warwickshire County Council, added: “Supporting local businesses is a key priority for the county council and it’s great to see the impact the Business Ready programme has by providing tailored support for Warwickshire's businesses.

“Tecman is a great example of a local business making best use of the support available. The programme has helped them to introduce an apprentice to the team and explore future apprenticeship opportunities, making use of our local future talent, along with support to grow and move to larger facilities.”

Cllr Chris King, Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Place at Warwick District Council, said: “This is another great example of Warwick District Council playing its part in enabling this small local company to expand and also upskill and develop its current workforce.

“This is not only adding to Tecman’s competitiveness and resilience, but also contributing to improving the skilled job opportunities available in our area.“

Steven Convery, Business Skills Support Officer at Warwickshire Skills Hub said: "The Auto, Future Mobility, and Energy sectors are major employers and drivers of economic activity in the county, and are playing a key role in the UK's green transition. Tecman Speciality Materials is a prominent player in this sector, and we have been delighted to support their workforce development initiatives. In addition to general skills training, we have facilitated connections to relevant support programmes and strategic partners.

“It is gratifying to assist organisations such as Tecman Speciality Materials in taking advantage of our programmes, including the Inclusive Fair Chance Programme and various grant opportunities. The Skills Hub is dedicated to providing the necessary skills support to our local businesses, working closely with Economic Development to ensure they have access to all relevant information and contacts."

Ian McFarlane-Toms, Business Ready Programme Manager at UWSP, said: “The Business Ready programme was specifically developed to support high growth and innovation organisations; Tecman is a perfect match. Our business advisors and growth specialists are working with their management team across a number of business areas. I first met with David Roberts and we identified some challenges and set priorities. Based on those conversations I picked the advisers and specialists best suited to support Tecman across a number of initiatives, including marketing, HR and operations.”

* Please find out what other support is available to your business by calling Coventry and Warwickshire Growth Hub on 0300 060 3747 or visiting https://www.cwgrowthhub.co.uk

Calling all innovative businesses in North Warwickshire...

“Business Ready is an excellent initiative designed to equip businesses with essential start-up knowledge, particularly for emerging ventures that can greatly benefit from expert advice and support...I strongly encourage local businesses in North Warwickshire to take full advantage of these valuable resources."

Innovative companies in the north of Warwickshire are being encouraged to take advantage of a successful business support scheme in 2025 which has already helped hundreds grow elsewhere in the county. 

Business Ready, delivered by the University of Warwick Science Park, is primarily aimed at innovative and ambitious SMEs with good potential for growth, and helps them access finance, benefit from one-to-one mentoring, receive advice on investment, and much more. 

In 2024, the programme helped more than 300 businesses across Warwickshire, delivering more than 1,000 hours of consultation.  

However, the majority of SMEs helped by Business Ready have either been based in the districts or boroughs of Stratford-on-Avon, Warwick, and Rugby. Only a few firms in Nuneaton & Bedworth and North Warwickshire have engaged with the programme so far. 

Ian McFarlane-Toms, Business Ready Programme Manager, said: “The majority of demand for mentoring support has come from SMEs based in the districts or boroughs of Stratford-on-Avon, Warwick, and Rugby.  With our limited resources this has meant that only a few firms in Nuneaton & Bedworth and North Warwickshire have benefitted from engaging with our programme.   

“To date, who shouts loudest gets the most attention.  But we are committed to help level up the whole of the county and Business Ready is planning a bigger drive to work with more businesses in these two areas.” 

Business Ready has been working with Becky Evans and Carol Ingleston, at North Warwickshire Borough Council and Nuneaton & Bedworth Borough Council respectively, to organise events for SMEs to attend in 2025. 

Firms in North Warwickshire can access an AI workshop at Coleshill Town Hall on Thursday 30th January between 10am and 12 noon, while Nuneaton & Bedworth businesses can exhibit at a careers fair event at The Bermuda Phoenix Centre on Thursday 10th April. More events are expected to follow. 

Ian added: “Business Ready has achieved fantastic results for so many companies across Warwickshire, but it’s fair to say the distribution of SMEs we have supported is skewed towards the south of the county.  After hitting our engagement targets in those areas with months to spare, we’re now diverting our resources to help create demand for firms in either Nuneaton & Bedworth or North Warwickshire to access the same level of support which has benefitted so many in the rest of the region. 

“After significantly boosting engagement in Rugby this year by hosting well-attended business events at Benn Hall and having positive conversations with Rugby Borough Council, we are hoping to achieve similar success further north. 

“Business Ready has been transformative to so many companies in Warwickshire, and we want to do all we can to ensure businesses in the entirety of the county are getting access to the programme. 

“We’d encourage young businesses in Nuneaton & Bedworth and North Warwickshire that would benefit from advice and support around growth to contact the team.” 

Councillor Martin Watson, portfolio holder for Economy at Warwickshire County Council, said: “The Business Ready programme mirrors our ambitions to support Warwickshire’s businesses to grow and develop. The programme offers a range of specialist support to help businesses develop their knowledge and expertise, helping to take them to the next level. I encourage our local businesses looking for support to get in touch and make the most of the tools and support available.” 

Councillor Margaret Bell, Chair of the Community and Environment Board at North Warwickshire Borough Council said: “Business Ready is an excellent initiative designed to equip businesses with essential start-up knowledge, particularly for emerging ventures that can greatly benefit from expert advice and support.  

“I strongly encourage local businesses in North Warwickshire to take full advantage of these valuable resources, as we are committed to supporting and celebrating the success of businesses across North Warwickshire.” 

Business Ready forms part of the Business Growth Warwickshire programme. It is delivered by University of Warwick Science Park on behalf of Warwickshire County Council and Warwickshire’s five District and Borough Councils. The programme is part funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (via the District and Borough Councils), and Warwickshire County Council.  

Find out what other support is available to your business by calling Coventry and Warwickshire Growth Hub on 0300 060 3747 or visit the Coventry and Warwickshire Growth Hub website.  

Alcester business learn about free advice available

“I was really surprised to hear the level of free support that is provided by the local authorities."

Fusiliers Way development could bring up to 85 jobs

"Through the work of WPDG the County Council continues to realise its ambition to unlock the potential in local sites and make the most of the county’s assets for the benefit of our people, communities and businesses.”

Plans have been submitted for a new commercial scheme in Warwickshire which could create up to 85 jobs. 

The proposed scheme located on Fusiliers Way, between Warwick and Leamington Spa, would see the development of 16 units across 43,000 sq ft of commercial space to support SMEs and local businesses. 

Warwickshire Property & Development Group (WPDG) has submitted a full planning application to Warwick District Council for the development. Fifteen of the business units will range from 1,000 sq ft to 3,500 sq ft, with the plans also set to deliver the footprint for a larger 15,000 sq ft building. 

The scheme aims to develop high quality, sustainable and energy efficient units, being built to BREEAM Very Good and EPC A standards. It seeks to support the growth of SMEs in Warwickshire, providing space for expanding businesses and start-ups in the County. If approved, it would be the first part of a two-phase scheme planned for the local area by WPDG. The second phase will seek to deliver a local centre to support the growing neighbourhood and business community in the local area, including a convenience store, children’s day nursery and coffee shop.  

WPDG was formed in 2021 by Warwickshire County Council to realise the potential of its development sites, commercial buildings and mineral rights. The plans for the scheme on Fusiliers Way follow on from the company’s completion of Sucham Park, a 42,200 sq ft industrial scheme in Southam which is now nearing full occupation. 

The Fusiliers Way development from WPDG is part of a wider masterplan for transformative change in the area, with plans to create a mixed-use community to support business, create jobs and provide leisure and community services for residents. 

Rob Andrews, Head of Development at WPDG, said: “We’re pleased to be bringing forward this scheme which will provide valuable space for SMEs to grow in the region. 

“It’s important we can provide high-quality space which fits the needs of businesses. The scheme will allow more high-growth SMEs to lay their foundations for further development in Warwickshire, while retaining the economic value they generate in the County. 

“If the plans are approved, we would hope to be in a position to start work in the summer of 2025.”  

Councillor Peter Butlin, Deputy Leader of Warwickshire County Council and Portfolio Holder for Finance and Property said: “The proposed scheme on Fusiliers Way is an opportunity to widen the capacity for much needed commercial space and at the same time, build a scheme that is sustainable and energy efficient.  

"The submission of the planning application for the scheme marks another significant milestone for Warwickshire Property & Development Group and their continued progress supporting the development and growth of Warwickshire businesses.  Through the work of WPDG the County Council continues to realise its ambition to unlock the potential in local sites and make the most of the county’s assets for the benefit of our people, communities and businesses.” 

To find out more about the plans visit www.wpdg.co.uk/fusiliers-way-warwick 

Employment in Coventry & Warwickshire expected to increase

"Local investment in training continues to increase, particularly for manufacturing businesses.”

The prospect of new jobs being created in Coventry and Warwickshire in 2025 remains positive – despite a slight dip in confidence among businesses across the region.

That was one of the findings of the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce’s final Quarterly Economic Survey (QES) of 2024.

The survey, which is delivered in partnership with Prime Accountants Group and measures sentiment among businesses, is analysed by the Business Intelligence Service at Warwickshire County Council. From the responses of businesses across the services and manufacturing sectors, it gives scores out of 100 where anything above 50 indicates growth and anything below 50 is negative.

It looks at a range of aspects of doing business in the region, including the outlook for employment, investment, confidence, and current and future orderbooks for both domestic and overseas sales.

The score for domestic sales dropped slightly in the service sector to a score of 57.3 from 63.3 – but the fact the score is still above 50 indicates growth. In manufacturing, the score jumped from 52.3 up to 60.3. From an export point of view, the number dropped for both service and manufacturing businesses. Both now sit beneath 50. Investment and cashflow fell in the service sector to 51.2 while it remained flat in manufacturing at 54.7.

Business confidence across the board fell but remains in positive territory – at a score of 65.6 in the service sector and at 51.3 in manufacturing, giving an overall economic outlook for Coventry and Warwickshire of 56.3, down from 60.2 in the previous quarter.

However, there was positive news on the jobs front with employment prospects in the service sector up from 55.3 to 58.6. In manufacturing, the score moved to 59.2 from 53.4.

Todd Williams, Business Intelligence Analyst (Economy & Skills) at Warwickshire County Council, said: “Quarter four at a national level fell primarily due to a decrease in manufacturing output, alongside softening growth in services output. Meanwhile, the latest QES results show the local economy maintaining optimism, with the main exceptions being cashflow and exports.

“The results show that the overall economic outlook index for Coventry and Warwickshire is exceeding the national trend. Local manufacturing and services businesses remain positive about the domestic market, while sentiment about the overseas market is clearly pessimistic. New orders, especially from Europe, have weakened significantly at the national level.

“Local concerns around labour costs remain a significant concern for both the services and manufacturing sectors, with the manufacturing sector also being very concerned about utilities, raw material costs and corporate taxation. Employment is expected to increase, contrary to the national picture, with ongoing concerns around recruitment challenges. Local investment in training continues to increase, particularly for manufacturing businesses.”

Corin Crane, chief executive of the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce, said: “It is pleasing to see that local companies are still looking to grow from an employment point of view, especially as there were additional burdens placed on businesses through a higher minimum wage and an increase in employers National Insurance which our national QES data suggests is having a bigger impact on recruitment in other Chamber areas. It is absolutely crucial that they can find the skills needed support their growth.”

Views sought on freight and logistics in Warwickshire

Warwickshire County Council is working with consultants AECOM to develop a new Freight Strategy, and would like to better understand issues relating to freight and logistics in the area. To do this we need to engage with those who move goods, rely on freight or are affected by freight movements, and gain your insight. Freight is vital to the economy, and our businesses rely on a variety of different types of transport from long-haul HGVs to ‘last-mile’ deliveries by smaller vehicles, such as by vans, rail movements or developing modes such as cycle logistics.

An online engagement event will be scheduled for the week commencing 10^th February. To express an interest in attending, please send an email to Adam.Bardsley@aecom.com by Monday 10^th February. For those who wish to attend, a Microsoft Teams invitation with the exact date, time and agenda will then be sent.

Business asked to help guard against danger of open water

Shortlists announces for exciting new awards

"The number and the standard of entries received is incredibly high."

Around 50 businesses, community organisations and individuals in Coventry and Warwickshire are on the shortlist for an exciting, new awards event for the region.

The Coventry & Warwickshire Business and Community Awards, which have been developed by Coventry & Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce, has announced the finalists in nine out of the ten categories. The winners will be announced at the Awards Celebration Evening taking place at the Belgrade Theatre on Thursday, March 27.

The selected finalists are from across the region and cover everything from manufacturing and technology through to professional services, and leisure and hospitality. There are also a series of community groups shortlisted, recognising the not-for-profit sector.

The finalists for the Inspirational Individual will be announced later in January.

It follows a rigorous, independent judging process that saw nearly 200 entries submitted for the new awards that have been designed to celebrate the impact businesses, community organisations and individuals make in the region.

The event itself will feature much more than a series of award presentations, with arrival drinks, bowl food and snack bags on offer as well as a show – co-created with the Belgrade Theatre – to highlight some of the amazing local talent from across the region.

Tickets for the event will be priced at £45 (shortlisted organisations will receive two complementary tickets) with a discounted rate for charity and community groups.

Corin Crane, chief executive of Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce, said: “Firstly, I have to thank all of our sponsors and judges who supported us in the run up to Christmas in going through raft of entries we had. The number and the standard of entries received is incredibly high.

“The fact that this is our first year meant we were taking a leap of faith that this kind of awards event was something the region wanted and needed, and the sheer level of interest and number of submissions has proved that to be the case.

“Now, it is all systems go as we build towards our inaugural celebration event in March which will showcase so much of what is great about Coventry and Warwickshire through the food on offer and the show on stage – and that’s before we even get to the awards!

For more information on the awards and how to buy tickets go to https://www.cw-chamber.co.uk/awards/

The full shortlist for the awards is:

The Global Player, sponsored by Lawton Tubes

EBS Ltd

London EV Company

NP Aerospace

Silson Ltd

WOMAG Weighing Ltd

The Equality Trailblazer, sponsored by North Warwickshire & South Leicestershire College

Azets

Diverse Matters

Nuneaton Signs

McDonald's (People Arches Ltd)

Tulia Group CIC

The Planet Saver, proudly sponsored by EBC Group

Club 147

Diffuse Retail

EZOO

IPP Pooling

Warwick Conferences

Purple Planet Packaging

The Workforce Developer, sponsored by McDonald's (People Arches Ltd)

AGGs World Ltd

Beechwood Trees & Landscapes Ltd

Direct Air & Pipework Ltd

Independent Freight Solutions

Wright Hassall LLP

The Rapid Riser, sponsored by Purple Planet Packaging

Askews Legal LLP

Blabers Hall Wine Estate

Coventry Coffee Company

Happy Marketer

SolaaS

WOMAG Weighing Ltd

The Problem Solver, sponsored by Wright Hassall LLP

AGGs World Ltd

B2B Store Ltd

Blunt & Brave

Coventry BID

University of Warwick Science Park

Weston Hall Hotel

The Not-for-Profit Champion, sponsored by Coventry Building Society

Clothing Coventry

Coventry Rape & Sexual Assault Centre (CRASAC)

Grapevine Coventry & Warwickshire

Guardian Ballers CIC

Sydenham Neighbourhood Initiatives

The Shakespeare Hospice

The Community Champion, sponsored by Coventry BID

Coventry Rocks

MES Systems

Piece of Cake Marketing

Sri Lanka Street Food

Sydenham Neighbourhood Initiatives

The Creative & Culture Activator, sponsored by Warwickshire County Council

Blunt & Brave

Coventry Cathedral Arts & Events

Imagineer Productions

Stratford-upon-Avon College

Alexandra Arts Company

Could your business host a road safety digital screen?

In December, the Warwickshire Road Safety Partnership piloted four digital screens across the county to display the Christmas anti-Drink Drive messages. One of these screens was prominently placed at the Piston Club near Stratford, a high-footfall location which attracts car and motorcycle enthusiasts from around the county.  

Generously provided by Co-Pilot, a developer of various road safety initiatives, the screens displayed the national THINK! Drink Driving campaign and featured QR codes linking to road safety magazines. The initiative was well-received by both the venue and visitors, effectively delivering road safety messages to the public where they already regularly attending. It also demonstrated the Piston Club's support for the partnership's goal of reducing casualties on Warwickshire's roads. 

Looking ahead to Summer 2025, the Warwickshire Road Safety Partnership plans to deploy the screens countywide and invites more businesses to come forward to host a screen with road safety messages in a high-footfall areas. The screens can portable and can be moved around venues with ease or be locked in position for security.  

If you are interested in hosting a road safety digital screen, please contact Fay Cannon, the Partnership Coordinator, at faycannon@warwickshire.gov.uk. 

WCC launches 'Warwickshire Women in Engineering 2025' campaign

“This is an important campaign which will support the great work that is already underway at many organisations to encourage more women to bring their skills into the engineering sector in all its forms."

Warwickshire County Council today launches its campaign ‘Warwickshire Women in Engineering 2025.’ This new initiative aims to help attract and encourage the skills of women of all ages into the engineering sector. 

As industries compete to secure the right workforce to become more productive and profitable, Invest Warwickshire, Warwickshire Engineering Design Services, Warwickshire Careers Hub and Warwickshire Skills Hub are coming together to support major local and national partners in a drive to get more women of all ages into the engineering sector. 

This campaign includes encouraging more young women to take up STEM and STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Maths) subjects, but also to encourage working age people to look into the exciting range of well-paid career opportunities in this most creative of sectors. 

“We recognise that there are organisations in Warwickshire and elsewhere that actively encourage and support women in engineering,” said Victoria Geffert, Principal Engineer at Warwickshire County Council. “We wanted to capture and celebrate this through our ‘Warwickshire Women in Engineering 2025 campaign.” 

International Women in Engineering Day (INWED25) will be celebrated on June 23rd and is an opportunity to recognise and celebrate engineering roles of all kinds. In April, Autocar magazine will host its annual ‘Great Women in Automotive,’ which sees many Warwickshire-based women nominated every year. Later in the year, in October, the games industry will come together to celebrate Women in Games. 

First up though, next month, is National Apprenticeship Week (February 10 - 16), an ideal time to encourage people of all ages to consider a wide range of careers, including engineering. Then in March comes National Careers Week and another opportunity for young people to consider the range of opportunities available in engineering. 

Our campaign to promote engineering covers the subject in the broadest context. It includes civil engineering for construction and infrastructure; automotive engineering in the design and development and service of vehicles and manufacturing; and the creation and development of software for business and video games for entertainment. 

There is much talk about the new challenges and opportunities opening up with AI. Which high value sectors will grow the global economy? From where will the interesting, well-paid, secure employment come in the future? 

Global strategy consultants McKinsey & Company recently looked in detail at which sectors are set to grow most by 2040. The news is good for the economy of Warwickshire. The county ranks highly in ten of their top 18 'Arenas of Tomorrow.' They estimate that those 18 are set to grow from $7trn in revenue to up to $48trn over the next 15 years. 

Important subsectors listed include EVs, batteries, shared autonomous vehicles, air-mobility, robotics, digital ads, cyber software and videogames. These are all sectors where STEM and STEAM will properly equip those seeking to work in those industries. 

Coventry & Warwickshire already has significant existing strength and impact with clusters, sites and facilities like Silicon Spa, Immersive Creative Launchpad, Greenpower Park, MIRA Technology Park, WMG, University of Warwick, UKBIC, the MTC - Manufacturing Technology Centre and Coventry University along with major local OEMs and brands like Aston Martin Lagonda, BMW, EDF Arabelle Solutions, GE Verona, HS2, JLR, Morgan Sindall, Polestar, Rolls Royce Aerospace, SEGA and Ubisoft. 

Over the coming months, we will meet some inspirational women from the construction, video games and automotive industry through interviews and features. We will be celebrating these initiatives on social media and in our business newsletter Warwickshire Means Business.  

Martin Watson, Warwickshire County Council’s Portfolio Holder for Economy, said: “This is an important campaign which will support the great work that is already underway at many organisations to encourage more women to bring their skills into the engineering sector in all its forms. 

“Our teams at Warwickshire County Council, with their great energy, experience and contacts across the sector, will work with partners to help open up more opportunities in engineering for women of all ages.” 

Increasing number of young females training up at BMW

BMW Group Plant Hams Hall, in North Warwickshire, has reported an increasing number of young females successfully coming through their recruitment process.

The company is currently looking for more apprentices to join its latest generation working on engines for BMW, MINI and Rolls-Royce Motor Cars and the Hams Hall plant offers great opportunities to kick-start a career and earn while completing fully funded qualifications.  

“We look forward to receiving a number of applications for our 2025 apprenticeships,” says Carol Maison, apprentice training specialist. “While our training programmes are open to all, in recent years it’s been great to see an increasing number of young females successfully coming through our recruitment process and starting apprenticeships at our Hams Hall plant. Last year almost half of the apprentices joining technical training programmes were female, something we are keen to encourage again for this year and going forward.”  

Recruitment for 2025 apprenticeships is open now with engineering and maintenance apprentice opportunities at Plant Hams Hall. Anyone joining a BMW Group apprenticeship can expect exciting and varied work and will receive on-the-job training, learning from world-leading experts. A raft of further apprenticeship opportunities exist at various other BMW Group locations around the UK, at Oxford, Swindon, Goodwood and Farnborough.  

For further information or to make an application, please visit the BMW Group Careers site https://www.bmwgroup.jobs/gb/en/apprentices.html. Applications will close progressively from February 27th.

Upcoming events

Collaboration is key to Aaron's role in Stratford

October 2024 marked the beginning of an exciting journey for Aaron Corsi when he left his longstanding role as Warwickshire County Council's Service Manager for Place, Projects and Partnerships to become manager of Stratford-upon-Avon's Business Improvement District. Here, Aaron reflects upon his exciting, new challenge and how collaboration is key to his new role just as it was to the old one. 

I am very thankful for the ten years that I spent at Warwickshire County Council and the honour that came with it of supporting the County in showcasing Warwickshire and embracing the collaborative community spirit approach, especially through the Warwickshire Towns Network. Now that I am on the 'other side' of the equation, I am very grateful for this positive, kind, place-based approach to supporting the local economy.  

This month I was thrilled to welcome Georgia O’Connell to our team at Stratford BID. Her innovative approach and dedication to Stratford-upon-Avon town align perfectly with our BID mission to support and promote local businesses. I am confident that Georgia will play a key role in advancing our projects and initiatives. 

In her new role, Georgia will oversee the planning and execution of various projects aimed at improving the town's business landscape. She will work closely with myself and local businesses, stakeholders, and community members to ensure that the BID's objectives are met and that Stratford continues to thrive as a vibrant business hub. 

Stratford-upon-Avon town is blessed as a lovely Warwickshire market town on the River Avon with rich history and heritage including the international accolade of being the birthplace and resting place of the playwright William Shakespeare. The great writer is a wonderful magnet for visitors to the town, but there is so much more to Stratford. The BID has the wonderful job in helping to create a collaborative and safe space for businesses to thrive and reap all the benefits of being based in such a great town.

Leader of Warwickshire County Council, Cllr Izzi Seccombe, was always, and remains, hugely supportive of the work that goes into supporting the town centre economic hubs across the County. During my first three months with Stratford BID, Izzi and I have crossed paths in Stratford and in Warwick and at those meetings collaboration and support were key themes. In Warwick at Shire Hall I was lucky enough to meet town centre support professionals from across the County at the Towns Network where we had the opportunity to share best practice. One key item was how we all promote and support our key, independent, small businesses around Small Business Saturday, #buyeatlocal and the #WarwickshireChristmas campaign.  

Here in Stratford we touched base at a partners meeting and it was wonderful to hear how innovation, skills and the County can help businesses. Ultimately, collaboration and strength in numbers can only support the creative sector in the town.  

I am looking forward to working more closely with Warwickshire County Council and Stratford District Council teams in enabling as many of the BID businesses to gain access to Skills Support, Training, Innovation funding and further collaboration, whether through the Council teams or the partners it has commissioned to help, like Coventry & Warwickshire Growth Hub. Nina Bale from the Growth Hub will be working out of the BID Office for regular business support drop ins on the last Thursday of each month.  

January is the exciting time of year where the crucial process of annual event-planning occurs. In Stratford, the town and organisations are prepping ready for the Season of Love in February, the Birthday Celebrations in April, VE/VJ Celebrations, Pursuits Festival in May, Literary Festival in May, Festival of Motoring, Young Traders Market Competition Final, Food and Drink Festival in September, then back to Christmas and switching on the lights in November...with many more events and experiences in between!

Georgia and I promise to do all we can to bring continued prosperity and cultural enrichment to this historic town. I look forward to seeing as many of you enjoying the wonderful town of Stratford in 2025.  AARON

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

Green light for Frasers Group HQ plans on green belt 

Plans for a huge new headquarters for retail, sport and intellectual property giant Frasers Group on green belt land in Warwickshire have been given the go-ahead by Rugby Borough Council. The proposed site near the village of Ansty for the campus style development spans almost 280 acres and plans reportedly include a 100-room hotel, swimming pool, warehouses, and research and development facilities. The council reportedly received around 200 objections to the proposals, including from eight parish councils. 

https://thebusinessmagazine.co.uk/property/green-light-for-frasers-group-hq-plans-on-green-belt/ 

Britvic's Bold Bid to Cut Carbon and Costs in Factories 

Drinks manufacturer Britvic is pouring over £1m into upgrading one of its key UK factories to reduce energy usage, costs and carbon emissions at its factory in Rugby, UK. This £1.15m will be supported by a £305,000 grant from the UK Government’s Industrial Energy Transformation Fund. 

https://manufacturingdigital.com/articles/the-story-behind-britvics-carbon-cutting-cooling-towers 

Advanced Propulsion Centre launches competition for £40m funding 

The government-backed Advanced Propulsion Centre (APC) has launched a competition for UK-based automotive projects to receive a share of up to £40 million in funding. The competition is open to UK-registered businesses in late-stage collaborative research and development in areas including battery technology, fuel cells and clean internal combustion, among others. 

https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/business-electric-vehicles/advanced-propulsion-centre-launches-competition-%C2%A340m-funding 

JLR's tie-up with Tata Communications set to supercharge vehicle connectivity 

JLR  has announced a tie-up with Tata Communications, concerning the latter's MOVE platform, in a move, which is set to 'supercharge' vehicle connectivity. It will enable continuous connectivity to intelligent services across remote locations in 120 countries in JLR’s next generation software defined vehicles.  

https://thebusinessmagazine.co.uk/companies/jlrs-tie-up-with-tata-communications-set-to-supercharge-vehicle-connectivity/ 

Record turnover of more than £1.2bn at national electrical retailer 

Turnover has jumped past the £1.2bn mark at an electrical products wholesaler which operates stores across the UK. CEF Holdings, which is headquartered in Kenilworth, owns City Electrical Factors. City Electrical Factors was founded in Coventry in 1951 and now has about 390 branches.  

https://www.insidermedia.com/news/national/record-turnover-of-more-than-1.2bn-at-national-electrical-retailer 

Jobs at risk as games company set to close Leamington Spa office 

Games developer Ubisoft is set to close its office in Leamington, among other restructuring.  

The closure of the Warwickshire site and a restructuring of its office in Newcastle-upon-Tyne will put 100 jobs at risk. The move is part of a wider process to reorganise the French company's workforce, which will affect a total of 185 jobs across Europe. Ubisoft has been plagued by delays and the underperformance of some key titles, including Assassin's Creed Shadows, which was originally due for release in November but will now go on sale in March. Ubisoft closed its offices in San Francisco and Osaka in December and reduced production in Sydney, leading to a likely 277 job losses. 

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cx2jxzjgpplo 

New office and lab facilities handed over at the UK Battery Industrialisation Centre 

OP has completed the construction of new office and laboratory facilities at the UK Battery Industrialisation Centre (UKBIC) in Coventry. The phased project included the creation of a two-storey building in the warehouse process hall, housing 8,000 sq ft of open plan office space, meeting and conference rooms, and breakout facilities. 

https://www.insidermedia.com/news/midlands/new-office-and-lab-facilities-handed-over-at-the-uk-battery-industrialisation-centre 

Self-driving vehicle showcased ahead of deployment at Belfast Harbour 

Belfast Harbour has visited its automotive engineering partner HORIBA MIRA to observe testing of the Harlander, Northern Ireland’s first autonomous passenger vehicle, ahead of its delivery to Belfast in March. Harlander is Northern Ireland’s first self-driving vehicle and will operate in Belfast Harbour Estate from Titanic Halt Railway station to Catalyst through Titanic Quarter. 

https://www.insidermedia.com/news/ireland/self-driving-vehicle-showcased-ahead-of-deployment-at-belfast-harbour 

Growing audio equipment firm takes next step with new Warwickshire HQ 

An audio equipment supplier has secured a three-year lease on a new 1,035 sq ft premises in rural Warwickshire as the business grows. Make Noise Pro Audio has moved to 'The Old Vicarage' in Coughton, with the support of local agents. 

https://thebusinessmagazine.co.uk/companies/growing-audio-equipment-firm-takes-next-step-with-new-warwickshire-hq/ 

Coventry's NP Aerospace ramps up armoured vehicle assembly capabilities 

NP Aerospace, the Coventry-based global vehicle integrator and armour manufacturer, is to ramp up its UK-based armoured vehicle assembly and integration capabilities. NP Aerospace is currently assembling and integrating more than 150 specialist armoured vehicle systems, with more expected throughout 2025. Since the announcement of the acquisition of the assets of Jankel Armouring Limited last June, NP Aerospace has novated several former Jankel Armouring Limited contracts. 

https://thebusinessmagazine.co.uk/manufacturing-engineering/coventrys-np-aerospace-ramps-up-armoured-vehicle-assembly-capabilities/ 

Saputo Packing Operation Set to move to Nuneaton Facility 

According to The Yorkshire Post, the owner of the site Saputo Dairy UK (SDUK) has confirmed it is planning to shut the facility and move its cheese packing operations to Nuneaton, following a major investment. 

https://www.insidermedia.com/news/yorkshire/jobs-at-risk-at-wensleydale-creamery-plant-which-could-soon-close 

New owner for Warwickshire hotel which dates back to the 18th century - site features 50-cover restaurant 

A Warwickshire hotel which dates back to the 18th century has been acquired by an Indian company for £2.5m in its first step into the UK hospitality market. Originally an 18th century farmhouse, Marston Farm Hotel sits on a six-acre freehold site and features 37 en-suite bedrooms.  

https://www.insidermedia.com/news/midlands/new-owner-for-warwickshire-hotel-which-dates-back-to-the-18th-century-site-features-50-cover-restaurant 

Sales surge as 3D printing business celebrates King’s Award win 

Sales have grown by almost 60 per cent at a Shipston 3D printing company during a year in which it secured a King's Award for Innovation. RYSE 3D, which was founded by university graduate Mitchell Barnes in 2017, has recorded an increase in sales of 68 per cent over the last 12 months, with turnover nearing £5m.  

https://www.insidermedia.com/news/midlands/sales-surge-as-3d-printing-business-celebrates-kings-award-win 

CBS Arena eyeing more major events after successful 2024 

Bosses at the Coventry Building Society Arena aim to bring more major events to the Midlands venue after hitting 1.2 million visitors last year, supported by its new live events proposition, which drove 50,000 new visitors. 

https://thebusinessmagazine.co.uk/companies/cbs-arena-eyeing-more-major-events-after-successful-2024/ 

Extra Room Self Storage to create 100 jobs with new facility 

Extra Room Self Storage is supporting the creation of 100 jobs with its expansion in Nuneaton. A new self storage unit in Redgate is set to open on 3 February in a building formerly occupied by Countrywide Farmers before it went into administration. A 30,000 sq ft extension is being made to the Redgate facility, which now spans two floors and can provide an additional 500 storage units to the local area. The site will complement two existing stores in Fenny Drayton. https://www.insidermedia.com/news/midlands/extra-room-self-storage-to-create-100-jobs-with-new-facility 

West Midlands businesses “bucking the trend and demonstrating resilience” – UKSE 

West Midlands businesses remain optimistic and ready to grow says social impact lender UKSE as they plan to deliver investment for companies looking to expand in 2025. 

UKSE is a wholly owned subsidiary of Tata Steel UK Limited with a mission to enable and encourage businesses and the people behind them to create jobs, grow and prosper, within communities affected by current or historic changes in the steel industry and its jobs. 

https://www.ukse.co.uk/news/lender-ukse-plans-year-of-investment-to-support-west-midlands-business-growth 

£20bn plan to make the Midlands the centre of UK’s green energy ambitions 

A £20bn plan for the Midlands to spearhead the UK's ambitions to be a green energy superpower has been launched. Proposals include rolling out small scale nuclear reactors, wider use of community solar farms and creating more sites for onshore wind generation. The plan could create almost 200,000 jobs by 2041.  

https://www.insidermedia.com/news/midlands/20bn-plan-to-make-the-midlands-the-centre-of-uks-green-energy-ambitions 

Warwickshire hotels land green tourism accolade amid net zero ambitions 

Two Warwickshire hotels have landed a world-leading certification for their green credentials after a bumper year of sustainability successes – as they strive to become net zero by 2040. 

Mallory Court Hotel and Spa in Leamington and The Arden Hotel in Stratford-upon-Avon have been recognised by Green Tourism – a certification that has been assessing travel, tourism and hospitality businesses’ approaches to sustainability for more than 27 years. 

https://www.cw-chamber.co.uk/news/mallory-court-230125/ 

Coleshill-based retailer The Works upbeat as it outlines new strategy 

Stationery, crafts and toy retailer The Works said it saw a strong end to Christmas trading in December, which has continued into this month (January), as it launched a new strategy to continue the firm's recovery. The Coleshill company revealed it had cut its losses, made significant margin growth, and reduced its cost base in its first half of fiscal 2025 to November 3 last year. 

https://thebusinessmagazine.co.uk/companies/warwickshire-based-retailer-the-works-upbeat-as-it-outlines-new-strategy/ 

SMEs confident of growth next year but challenges persist post-Budget 

New research from alternative lender ThinCats has shown that SMEs are confident they will grow next year but that challenges persist post the October Budget. The research was conducted among over 2,000 UK small and medium-sized firms (SMEs) after the Chancellor's Autumn Statement on October 30. The firms put the three biggest challenges ahead as: The general economy (people and companies delaying decisions or not spending) according to 37% of those surveyed, followed by cost inflation (37%) and competition (29%). After that, came energy (26%) and staffing costs (23%). 

Despite this, 81% of businesses said they were confident that their business would grow in 2025. 

https://thebusinessmagazine.co.uk/companies/smes-confident-of-growth-next-year-but-challenges-persist-post-budget/ 

West Midlands event next month to connect suppliers to key customers 

A 'Meet the Buyer' event is being staged next month for businesses signed-up to a programme to help SMEs across the West Midlands diversify their customer base. The invitation-only event, at the Black Country Innovative Manufacturing Organisation (BCIMO) in Dudley on February 4 will connect suppliers to key customers in the sectors of Very Light Rail, Light Electric Vehicles, and Micromobility. 

https://thebusinessmagazine.co.uk/companies/west-midlands-event-next-month-to-connect-suppliers-to-key-customers/ 

'Perfect storm' for UK businesses brewing in 2025, says Shakespeare Martineau partner 

Law firm Shakespeare Martineau has carried out the analysis, which showed the West Midlands accounted for 9% of businesses in administrations - the sixth highest region in the UK. Retail, construction, hospitality, manufacturing and real estate were the worst-hit sectors for the second year in a row, collectively accounting for 55% of total administrations. National Insurance changes will stretch cash flows for companies that are already operating on thin margins. 

https://thebusinessmagazine.co.uk/companies/perfect-storm-for-uk-businesses-brewing-in-2025-says-shakespeare-martineau-partner/ 

Warwickshire towns among nine most expensive towns and cities to live in the West Midlands  

A ranking of the most expensive areas to live in the West Midlands in 2025 has been made, based on recent research carried out by property company Zoopla. The nine include three from Warwickshire, including Stratford-upon-Avon, placed at number 1, and Warwick (4th) and Rugby (9th).  

https://www.insidermedia.com/news/midlands/the-nine-most-expensive-towns-and-cities-to-live-in-the-west-midlands-2025