Latest news-in-brief from the county and region...
Investment Zone Light Industrial Scheme gets planning approval
Warwick District Council has approved plans put forward by developer SEGRO for a new light industrial development on the Coventry & Warwick Investment Zone in Baginton, near Coventry. Named SEGRO Park Whitley South, the project is a 29-acre development of 12 units at 10,000 to 80,000 sq ft.
SEGRO’S plans for logistics park in Warwickshire gain permission | Insider Media
£1.8m raised for the expansion of Warwickshire toothpaste company
Gutology is a gut-friendly oral hygiene brand from Warwickshire. Their flagship product, the Oral biome+ toothpaste, works by supporting the mouths biome. Founder, Ollie Gallant, secured funding from the Midlands Engine Investment Fund II alongside other investors.
Gut-friendly toothpaste has a reason to smile with £1.8m funding | TheBusinessDesk.com
Potential JLR and Chery deal
Through UK Government proposals there is potential for Chinese car brand Chery to start using one of JLR’s plants to produce their own cars. This is to be discussed further in Keir Starmer’s upcoming trip to China. There has been a joint venture between JLR and Chery since 2012 and a deal between the two could be a step to support the Government’s target to produce 1.3 million vehicles annually in the UK.
Starmer's China trip could pave the way for deal between JLR and Chery | TheBusinessDesk.com
Hi-tech ecosystem bears fruit as Coventry market enjoys bumper 2025 for office investment
Office investment volumes in the Coventry market hit a four-year high in 2025, according to new research, with early figures showing about £60m transacted, more than treble the previous year’s total and 20 per cent above the five-year average.
CoStar said the increase reflects a targeted shift by investors towards assets let to tenants in high-technology sectors, particularly those aligned with the region’s established automotive and engineering base. Investments in Leamington Spa were highlighted. The largest transaction was Hortons’ £12.1m acquisition of a 12.8-acre research campus in Leamington Spa, fully let to Ricardo plc, now part of WSP.
Elsewhere, Shelborn’s November acquisition of the Aura Building, also in Leamington Spa, was part of a £15m deal with Tritax. The 75,000-sq-ft building is let to Facebook parent company Meta and Tata Technologies, a subsidiary of Indian multinational group Tata Motors that focuses on product engineering and software development.
https://www.insidermedia.com/news/midlands/hi-tech-ecosystem-bears-fuit-as-coventry-enjoys-bumper-2025-for-office-investment
EV motorcyle brand Maeving gets £11m funding boost
A West Midlands electric automotive company has secured an £11m funding package to support its international expansion and boost the motorcycle industry in the region.
Coventry-based Maeving is looking to grow its overseas sales in key markets like North America and Europe after receiving the grant, which includes £500,000 from the West Midlands Co-Investment Fund (WMCO).
Co-founders Will Stirrup and Sebastian Inglis-Jones have designed the bikes with removable batteries that charge from any standard plug socket with the aim of making them a practical option for commuting and leisure.
https://www.insidermedia.com/news/midlands/electric-motorcycle-brand-revs-up-growth-plans-with-11m-funding-boost
Sertec begins new chapter with CEO appointment and boardroom reshuffle
One of the biggest names in Midlands automotive manufacturing, Sertec, has started the new year with a new chief executive and a major shake-up of its leadership team. The Coleshill-based business has promoted Ben Higgins, its senior vice-president of operations, to chief executive. He formally took up the role today (Monday).
Sertec specialises in the manufacture of steel and aluminium components for vehicle bodies. Its customers include JLR, Ford, Volvo, Nissan and Toyota.
https://www.insidermedia.com/news/midlands/sertec-begins-new-chapter-with-ceo-appointment-and-boardroom-reshuffle
Defence plan backs local jobs and drives economic growth
Midlands Mayors Richard Parker and Claire Ward are mobilising the region’s businesses to seize new defence industry opportunities as the government ramps up national security spending. Defence has already been identified as a key driver of the regional economy and both Mayors have put support for the sector at the heart of their growth plans.
https://www.cw-chamber.co.uk/news/wmca-220126/
Acquisition of Warwickshire insurance service
Alcester based Shire Insurance Services, a specialist broker that works in the veterinary sector, has been acquired by independent insurance broker Clear Group. This is Clear group’s first 2026 acquisition.
Clear Group snaps up Warwickshire insurance business | TheBusinessDesk.com
Housing-led regeneration in Rugby to receive £2.6m investment
Morro Partnerships are leading the delivery of 108 new affordable homes in Rugby, on behalf of Orbit – a not-for-profit housing provider. The funding, confirmed by West Midlands Mayor Richard Parker, is supported by Homes England as part of the mayor’s wider social housing strategy in the region. Morro Partnerships are focusing on recruitment within a 20-mile radius to create local economic benefits through job creation and construction apprenticeships.
https://www.thebusinessdesk.com/westmidlands/news/2106850-2.6m-investment-accelerates-housing-led-regeneration-in-rugby
Historic property in Rugby on the market
Oakfield House, a detached 19th century historic property in one of Rugby’s established commercial locations, has been put on the rental market by commercial property consultancy Bromwich Hardy.
https://www.thebusinessdesk.com/westmidlands/news/2106888-grade-ii-listed-office-building-in-rugby-brought-to-market
Warwick hotel acquired by LondonMetric Property
9 Premier Inn hotels have been acquired by LondonMetric property, including one in Warwick. The acquisition totals £89m for previous owner Whitebread. The hotels are to be lease back to Whitebread on new 30-year terms, generating around £5m in annual rent and expanding LondonMetric’s Premier Inn portfolio to 22 hotels.
LondonMetric acquires more Premier Inn Hotel sites for £89m | TheBusinessDesk.com
Apprenticeships open at Severn Trent
100 apprenticeship roles have opened for application at Severn Trent. Some of the roles included are HR, water networks, engineering and electrical. The positions are for anyone who is interested regardless of age or career position. They can be used to start a career or re-skill in a new job.
Severn Trent opens applications for 100 apprenticeships | Insider Media
Funding for a heritage regeneration project in Warwickshire
St Michael’s Place is a historic site in Warwickshire that has been awarded a significant funding boost through a capital grant from the Architectural Heritage Fund. It is one of ten projects across the county to secure such funding. The scheme aims to restore and repurpose buildings that have been derelict for more than 50 years. In partnership with Warwick District Council, the Warwickshire site will be converted into affordable rental homes, bringing together conservation, housing delivery and skills development.
Historic Warwick site set for revival after funding boost | TheBusinessDesk.com
Deal agreed for first unit in Prologis Park Coventry’s expansion
A supplier of fencing products has secured the first unit of a new 150,000 sq ft expansion of Prologis Park Coventry. The expansion comprises DC14, a 64,390 sq ft build-to-suit facility for Birkdale Sales, and DC15, a 83,606 sq ft speculative build.
https://www.insidermedia.com/news/midlands/deal-agreed-for-first-unit-in-prologis-park-coventrys-expansion
Warwickshire restaurant added to Michelin guide
A Midlands restaurant overseen by a MasterChef: The Professionals winner has been added to the prestigious Michelin guide – less than a year after opening. The Warwick at Mallory Court Hotel & Spa in Leamington Spa opened last June under the stewardship of Stu Deeley, delivering British dining with bold flavours and the finest local produce served in historic surroundings.
https://www.cw-chamber.co.uk/news/mallory-court-hotel-150126/
Venturefest West Midlands returns for 2026
Venturefest West Midlands – the largest gathering of entrepreneurs and innovators from across the region. The Molineux Stadium in Wolverhampton is the venue for the popular event on Tuesday, 10 March, co-hosted by West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) and Innovation Alliance for the West Midlands, and sponsored by Medilink Midlands.
Now in its 11th year, Venturefest West Midlands brings together some of the brightest minds in the business and academic worlds, offering a unique platform to raise their profile by connecting them with influential decision-makers, national investors, partners and support organisations.
https://www.cw-chamber.co.uk/news/wmca-150126/
Economic growth on the horizon for 2026 in Coventry and Warwickshire
Coventry and Warwickshire’s economy is expected to grow in 2026 according to a leading business survey. Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce’s final Quarterly Economic Survey (QES) of 2025 showed that firms in the region felt the effects of an uncertain period around the time of the Autumn Budget and the fallout from the cyber-attack at JLR. The survey, which is delivered in partnership with Prime Accountants Group and measures how business owners are feeling, is analysed by the Business Intelligence Service at Warwickshire County Council.
https://www.cw-chamber.co.uk/news/cwcc-070126/