Featured News
Duplex Fund passes £3.25million in loans to Warwickshire businesses
“Receiving a Duplex loan and a grant has enabled us to preserve our cashflow, allowing us to cover our overheads and ensure there is some contingency in light of the increasing costs of energy and inflation.”
A ground breaking programme created to help finance capital investments by local businesses has now loaned more than £3.25million to businesses in Warwickshire.
Since its launch in January 2020, the Duplex Investment Fund has loaned £3,368,206 to 48 businesses across the county. That sum has levered a further £1,081,277 in private sector investment.
As a result of the Duplex Fund, 118 jobs have been created in Warwickshire and 272 jobs safeguarded while another 266.5 jobs are forecast to be created.
The Fund is delivered by Coventry & Warwickshire Reinvestment Trust (CWRT) on behalf of Warwickshire County Council and Coventry City Council. It combines public sector grants and loans and is aimed at businesses in the city and county which are unable to generate sufficient funding to progress with an otherwise viable investment project.
Businesses supported include Massarella & Jones, in Warwick, whose director, Benjamin Jones, said: “We heard about CWRT from Warwickshire County Council who had nothing but praise for CWRT’s team,” he said. “We were considering relocating for a while, but wanted to find the right funding for our project as funding it ourselves would have added unnecessary strain to the business.
“Receiving a Duplex loan and a grant has enabled us to preserve our cashflow, allowing us to cover our overheads and ensure there is some contingency in light of the increasing costs of energy and inflation.”
- 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
Wellbeing Forum supports employers
"Workplace wellbeing has so many dimensions and it was really valuable to hear so many of them covered in such engaging fashion by our speakers."
The Coventry and Warwickshire Workplace Wellbeing Forum returned for its sixth edition on 24th June, bringing together businesses from across the region to explore how they can better support the health and wellbeing of their employees.
The Forum, at Eliot Park Innovation Centre in Nuneaton, welcomed representatives from a wide range of industries and focused on three key themes: preventing ill health, supporting people into work, and keeping employees safe and well in the workplace.
Attendees heard presentations on the newly launched “Get Britain Working” white paper and the Coventry and Warwickshire WorkWell pilot. Both initiatives highlight how employers can benefit from co-producing local plans and making use of referral pathways and support services to improve workforce health and productivity.
The Warwickshire Skills Hub shared the value of investing in staff training, including a powerful case study where a local employee used her newly acquired CPR and defibrillator training to save a life. The Hub also promoted the Skills Escalator funding, which offers up to £750 per staff member (for up to five employees) to support training needs.
The Warwickshire Road Safety Partnership and Driving for Better Business delivered a session on the links between mental health, substance use and work-related road risk. They emphasised how employers can mitigate these risks through effective policies and management training.
Safeline then presented compelling statistics on the impact of sexual harassment in the workplace, both on individuals and businesses. They introduced the Worker Protection (Amendment of Equality Act 2010) Act 2023, which places a new legal duty on employers to take proactive steps to prevent harassment. Safeline also outlined the training and support they offer to help businesses meet these responsibilities.
The final presentation came from Coventry Public Health, who introduced their Prevention Framework. This tool helps employers align their wellbeing strategies with local health priorities, access evidence-based interventions, and collaborate through the Prevention Network.
It all added up to fascinating and enlightening event which emphasised the integral role that workplace wellbeing has in a healthy successful business.
Warwickshire County Council's Public Health Service Manager (Wellbeing and Workforce) Jo Southan said: "Workplace wellbeing has so many dimensions and it was really valuable to hear so many of them covered in such engaging fashion by our speakers. I would like to thank all the speakers very much for their time and expertise which I am sure gave all the businesses present a lot of very constructive points to think about."
There was also a small exhibition with stallholders including CW Mind, Safeline, British Liver Trust, Carers Association, Driving for Better Business, Silence of Suicide.
Presentation slides from the forum are available at: www.wellbeing4life.co.uk/resources/workplace-wellbeing-forum
The next forum will take place in Coventry this November. For more information or to get involved, contact josouthan@warwickshire.gov.uk.
Eatery expands with CWRT backing
Female entrepreneur Mandi Attarani is celebrating the third anniversary and expansion of her Leamington Spa restaurant A Good Catch after receiving a vital loan from Warwickshire County Council’s Local Communities & Enterprise Fund (LCE), delivered by the Coventry and Warwickshire Reinvestment Trust (CWRT).
Located on Regent Street in Leamington Spa, A Good Catch is a restaurant that specialises in freshly prepared Hawaiian poke bowls. Mandi was inspired to open the restaurant in 2022 after identifying a gap in the market for a healthy alternative to processed fast food outlets. A former hairstylist Mandi decided to pursue her passion to bring delicious poke bowls to the local area.
However, setting up a business post pandemic has come with its challenges. Like many start-ups Mandi experienced cashflow difficulties which led to her experiencing some debts. She found it difficult to access lending from the usual High Street banking routes who were unable to support her. It is here that CWRT stepped in to help by providing an affordable finance option that has helped her to repay her debts, manage her cash flow and invest in the future growth and marketing of her business. This month the business is celebrating its third year anniversary.
Mandi Attarani, Owner of A Good Catch, said: “Food is my passion and during the pandemic I noticed the lack of healthy food options available locally. As a busy businesswoman with a family, I understand the pressures of putting healthy home cooked meals on the table. I wanted to create a restaurant with a menu that offers an alternative to processed fast food.
“I’m proud of what I’ve achieved so far, but it’s not been without its challenges. When I experienced financial difficulties, I struggled to access finance. Unfortunately, traditional lenders turned me away, and that’s when I found out about the LCE Fund provided by Warwickshire County Council via CWRT. It changed everything. As a start-up I’ve faced unplanned financial hurdles, but the loan has helped me to repay debts, manage my cash flow and invest in the business. I’ve also been able to buy a new car and look at ways to advertise my business. Without the right support, I wouldn’t be where I am today.”
The LCE Fund was created precisely to back businesses like A Good Catch — locally based and full of potential. It is part of Warwickshire County Council’s £64 million Warwickshire Investment Fund (WIF) and was launched in 2022 to provide loans to businesses who were struggling to access lending by the traditional lenders.
The LCE Fund has proved hugely effective in shoring up businesses, enabling growth and safeguarding and creating jobs. In its first three years, LCE Fund has lent just over £5.88million to 96 businesses, safeguarding 441 jobs, creating 30 jobs and is forecasted to create a further 429 jobs. The economic impact of jobs safeguarded and to be created is £22.5million – an almost 4 time return on investment.
Sheridan Sulskis, CEO of CWRT added: “A Good Catch is exactly the kind of business we exist to support. As an ethical lender, CWRT is here to fill the gaps left by mainstream providers, particularly for early-stage businesses that may not meet traditional credit scoring thresholds or lack a strong balance sheet or security to lend against. Mandi is not only passionate about being her own boss, but she is also creating local employment and contributing to the economy. By offering accessible finance where traditional lenders fall short, LCE is proud to help entrepreneurs like Mandi to unlock their potential. These are exactly the kinds of outcomes we aim to empower through our lending.”
* The LCE Fund is a finance strand from the Warwickshire Investment Fund; this is a 5-year Warwickshire County Council access to finance initiative. This aims to support the economic recovery and future growth of Warwickshire. It is specifically designed to support a range of SMEs, regardless of their trading status - micro businesses, smaller and medium businesses, start-ups, and social enterprises with loans between £10,000 up to £150,000. To be eligible for the Fund you must be trading or going to start trading in Warwickshire or you must be in the process of relocating to the Warwickshire region.
To learn more about LCE and how it could support your business, visit: https://www.cwrt.uk.com/local-communities-enterprise-fund
Interactive Futures celebrates gaming talent
"Interactive Futures 2025 has once again proven itself as a cornerstone event for the UK gaming calendar."
The Midlands’ largest industry led gaming showcase, Interactive Futures 2025, wrapped up another successful year, bringing together developers, students, educator, and gaming enthusiasts to celebrate the vibrant talent and creativity of Warwickshire’s thriving games industry.
Held at The Royal Spa Centre in Leamington Spa on Friday 13 and Saturday 14 June, the two-day event featured a dynamic programme of talks, networking and hands-on experiences.
Organised by Warwickshire County Council, in partnership with The Game Dev Group and Warwick District Council, the event spotlighted the Warwickshire Games Collective—a showcase of the region’s exceptional game development studios and services.
Industry leaders and local talent took centre stage through a packed line up of relevant talks and panels. This year’s event was proudly headlined by Maverick Games, with support from major studios including Playground Games, Rebellion, Code Wizards, Super Spline, Fish in a Bottle, Mastered, Third Kind Games and Digi Monsters. Attendees also had the chance to meet a plethora of local indie developers, who exhibited their latest projects and shared insights into the development process.
Friday’s Business and Professional Development Day featured a packed speaker programme with exclusive talks from Unity and Epic Games, covering everything from gameplay design to investment strategies, with one of the most popular talks of the day featuring women leaders who provided a lively and insightful panel encouraging more women into games. The day provided invaluable networking opportunities for professionals and aspiring developers alike.
Saturday’s Careers and Education Day welcomed students, parents and career changers to explore pathways into the games industry. With interactive exhibits, career advice and live demos provided by the SAE Institute, inspiring the next generation of game makers.
Harinder Sangha, COO of Maverick Games, said: “We were delighted to sponsor Interactive Futures and be part of the event again this year. It’s a fantastic opportunity to celebrate and promote what the Midlands has to offer, showcasing the extraordinary talent in the games industry and the energy and creativity of the local area.”
Looking Ahead
Interactive Futures 2025 has once again proven itself as a cornerstone event for the UK gaming calendar. Plans are already underway for next year’s edition.
For anyone who missed this exciting event all speaker content will be available on the Silicon Spa You Tube channel.
For more information and to stay updated, visit www.interactive-futures.com.
Insights session connects careers leaders
"It was a very productive and worthwhile day...there were lots of contacts made and it was so informative."
Hospitality, Finance, Construction and Logistics were the sectors covered in another very successful Industry Insight Session delivered by Warwickshire Skills Hub.
Held at Warwick Racecourse, it was the third and final session delivered under The Career Leader CPD Industry Programme for the 2024/25 academic year. An excellent roster of speakers imparted thoughts and advice which added up to what one careers leader described as “a very productive and worthwhile day.”
Careers Leaders at the event took on board a range of valuable perspectives from the following speakers: Jaguar Land Rover finance apprentices Daisy Lowe and Reece Brewster; Gary Thyeson (Coventry & Warwickshire Growth Hub’s Head of Business Operations); Kiki Hussein (Responsible Business Lead at McLaughlin & Harvey); Jon Burton (Hercules Construction Academy); Emma Higgs (Hercules Construction plc) and Victoria Geffert and Nicola Van der Hoven (Warwickshire County Council’s Transport and Highways Department).
Sharon O'Donnell, Careers Coordinator at North Leamington School, said: "It was a very productive and worthwhile day and I am very thankful for the opportunity to attend. There were lots of contacts made and it was so informative. I really value these events so thanks to the Warwickshire Skills Hub team for the work they put in to bring it all together."
Emma Higgs of Hercules Construction, said: "It was a great event and I hope it causes a ripple effect for the opportunities in the construction industry and breaks the stigma about the roles available. It is a diverse sector and the opportunities are there."
The Career Leader CPD Industry Programme provides Warwickshire Career Leaders with an exclusive opportunity to hear from a series of industry specialists representing key sectors of the Warwickshire economy.
The programme offers a range of workshops specifically designed to offer a significant opportunity for career leaders to explore the current careers landscape for each industry. Industry specialists present their vision of future skills the different sectors anticipate to offer, and the key skills employers will require. They also discuss with career leaders how they can collectively inspire young people to explore such careers equip the workforce of tomorrow with the right skills to transition into such job opportunities.
Chloe Millage, Careers Service Team Manager at Warwickshire Skills Hub and Careers Hub, said: “It was another very instructive and valuable session and our warmest thanks go to all the speakers who spared the time to share their insights with the careers leaders.
“The Career Leader CPD Industry Programme has proved a great success and resulted in building many bridges between industries across the spectrum and careers leaders. It has enabled careers leaders to go back to their students with a lot of valuable and absolutely up-to-date information about exactly what employers are looking for from recruits in 2025.”
Expo to showcase battery Industry
From raw materials and components to cell assembly, pack integration, testing and recycling, the entire value chain will be represented under one roof. It’s a unique opportunity for businesses to connect, collaborate, and capitalise on the rapid growth of the battery sector.”
The UK’s leading technology and innovation showcase for the battery and vehicle electrification world returns to the National Exhibition Centre, Birmingham, next month.
Battery Cells & Systems Expo is an international showcase of manufacturers, users and the entire supply chain working to increase battery performance, cost and safety. The show offers an unrivalled insight into current and future battery trends, with experts from all sides of the industry.
The free exhibition is dedicated to the development and application of high-performance battery technology. Technologies on display will include the latest in battery management systems, power management, manufacturing and automation equipment, test and measurement, lab equipment and more.
Set within the expo hall, the show has its own dedicated conference. The conference sessions will delve deeper into the insights of the key challenges and opportunities facing the sector. Attendees will benefit from a programme of workshops, round tables & panel discussions whilst networking with industry leaders.
Co-located with Vehicle Electrification Expo, The Advanced Materials Show and The Advanced Ceramics Show, the event welcomes 300 exhibitors and over 5,500 delegates and is ever growing since the first event in 2022.
Vehicle Electrification Expo offers an unrivalled insight into the current trends and future challenges driving the industry, bringing together leading nationwide companies under one roof across two days to discuss the developing applications and strategies for sustainable, efficient, economic and high-performance EVs.
Invest Coventry & Warwickshire will be exhibiting again to promote the city and county’s place as the UK’s centre for vehicle design, engineering, test and manufacture. The UK Battery Industrialisation Centre (UKBIC) in Baginton near Coventry was a world first, and Invest will be promoting Green Power Park Coventry and Coventry & Warwick Giga Park, as well as other key auto sites like MIRA Technology Park South Site, Ansty Technology Park and the University of Warwick Innovation Campus, Wellesbourne. The team will be seeking to meet potential inward investors and to also engage with local businesses and supply chains.
Steve Bryan, Managing Director of Event Partners, the organisers of Battery Cells & Systems Expo said: “We’re thrilled to be returning to the NEC for what promises to be our largest and most impactful Battery Cells & Systems Expo to date. This year, we’re bringing together hundreds of innovative exhibitors and thousands of senior decision-makers from across the battery manufacturing supply chain. From raw materials and components to cell assembly, pack integration, testing and recycling, the entire value chain will be represented under one roof. It’s a unique opportunity for businesses to connect, collaborate, and capitalise on the rapid growth of the battery sector.”
The event includes modern battery innovation across industries including space/aerospace, automotive, energy, renewables, medical, electronics and defence. Located at the NEC, it provides an excellent opportunity on the doorstep for Coventry & Warwickshire SMEs to learn more about and engage with the battery supply chain.
More information about the event and how to register for free can be found here https://batterysystemsexpo.com/
Invest Coventry & Warwickshire will be exhibiting at stand 1558.
North Warwickshire firm expands
"Access to the Business Ready business support programme has given me the confidence and reassurance I needed."
A North Warwickshire marketing consultancy has marked its second anniversary by hiring its first team members with backing from a business support programme.
Collective Companion, which assists clients with social media, content creation, copywriting and more, has hired two part-time social media and marketing executives two years after founder Harpreet Stevenson created the business.
And through the help of business support programme Business Ready - run by the University of Warwick Science Park, on behalf of Warwickshire County Council and Warwickshire’s five District and Borough Councils - Harpreet gained invaluable access to an extra layer of support that gave her the confidence to make the hires.
Harpreet had steadily grown Collective Companion from her home in North Warwickshire after deciding to go it alone following a successful marketing career at both SMEs and larger corporates. After reaching a point where the business was rapidly growing with new enquiries and work coming in regularly, before allowing her time to reach full capacity, she knew she had to get people in to allow the business to continue to expand.
While Harpreet had experience in hiring people in her previous roles, she had never done it for her own company. She reached out to business support programme Business Ready after attending another business workshop.
Steve Tipson, Business Support Adviser at Business Ready, got back to Harpreet and set about understanding the biggest challenges she was facing at the time. Helping her to complete the recruitment process and progress through the sorting of the hundreds of CVs she had received was only the start of the journey.
Harpreet said: “When it came to hiring the first members of the team for my own company – especially with blind spots around changing HR policies and employment law – I was looking for reassurance that I wasn’t going to make a mistake. I decided to contact Business Ready about the support they were offering to Warwickshire-based businesses like mine, as there is a lot of support out there but it can be difficult to find the right fit.
“Steve offered a sounding board that has allowed me to consider angles I hadn’t yet thought of, guiding me through this period of change. His coaching style has been extremely supportive but has also pushed me out of my comfort zone. Whilst my interview processes were underway, Steve was able to make introductions to agencies that provide support around HR and employment law, which has been a great help in ensuring the hiring process was done correctly.
“In addition, Steve was able to offer up the use of the Venture Centre in Coventry as a location for my final interviews, instead of using my home, a café or hotel reception, and this is all thanks to Business Ready’s link with the University of Warwick Science Park.
“Many of my contacts in business have echoed the same message throughout this process, that ‘the first hire is always the most difficult'. And when the buck stops with you, it can feel daunting. Access to the Business Ready business support programme has given me the confidence and reassurance I needed to make two great hires in time for our second anniversary.
“The first people to join a business are crucial, so I’m really pleased Business Ready has given me the boost I needed to help me follow through on that all-important decision.”
Steve Tipson added: “Harpreet already had extensive experience in marketing and business, but making the first hire to a business you have founded can be incredibly overwhelming. We talked Harpreet through the best way to assess candidates according to the criteria she’d laid out in the business, and made sure she had HR expertise during the process. It’s great that she’s been able to hire not one, but two members of her new team. We hope they will help Harpreet and Collective Companion reach new heights.”
Warwickshire County Council's Executive Director for Communities, Mark Ryder, said: “We want Warwickshire to have a thriving economy and it’s great to see how the support from Business Ready has enabled Collective Companion to grow their workforce and employ their first team members.
“We’re proud of the impact the Business Ready programme has on Warwickshire’s small and medium sized businesses, allowing them to access dedicated support to help them overcome their barriers and grow their business.”
David Wright, Leader of North Warwickshire Borough Council, “As a council we are committed to supporting business growth and I am delighted that this North Warwickshire based business has been able to flourish due to the support of the Business Growth Warwickshire programme which is part funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund."
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 support 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.
Free Business Support event at Minerva Mill
“We’re here to help local businesses explore their next steps and find the right kind of support.”
Local businesses and entrepreneurs are being offered the chance to reset, refocus, and accelerate growth this summer with a fully funded support event hosted at Minerva Mill Innovation Centre, Alcester.
On Thursday 17th July, from 11:30am to 2:00pm, the ‘Boost Your Business’ Advice & Support Session will provide practical, no-cost guidance tailored to the needs of small, medium businesses, start-ups, and sole traders across Alcester, Bidford, Studley and the surrounding villages.
Led by the Rural Enterprise Hub, the session is being delivered in collaboration with Coventry & Warwickshire Growth Hub & Warwickshire Skills Hub including presentations from Coventry & Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce. Together, these partners will showcase a wide range of funded initiatives, covering everything from business development and training to strategic growth planning and workforce upskilling.
“We’re here to help local businesses explore their next steps and find the right kind of support,” says Vicky Griffith, Rural Enterprise Development Officer at Minerva Mill. “It’s a chance to pick up new ideas, make useful connections, and leave feeling more confident about where you're heading.”
Key features of the session will be:
- Brief presentations from each partner agency
- Access to free resources, workshops, and mentoring opportunities
- Confidential, 1:1 conversations to explore tailored support
- A relaxed and supportive environment designed for collaboration
- A chance to network with other local businesses.
Attendees are encouraged to bring questions and come with an open mind—whether they are just starting out or seeking a renewed strategy for growth in 2025 and beyond.
The event builds on previous sessions held at Minerva Mill over the past year, which have helped business owners connect with expert led, fully funded support.
“The presentations from Vicky, Kerry and Heather reinforced the amount of free business support on offer from digital boost guidance and strategy coaching on a one-to-one basis” said one attendee “I look forward to the next event at Minervia Mill and meeting even more business leaders from start-ups to established businesses”.
Attendance is free, but booking is advised.
Please register here: http://bit.ly/43OJ1bf or f0r more details email: vicky@minervamill.co.uk, phone: 01789 761334 or visit Minerva Mill Innovation Centre, Alcester
* Based at Minerva Mill, the Rural Enterprise Hub offers a supportive space for local and rural businesses. It brings together expert advice, peer connections, and practical events to help businesses explore opportunities and access fully funded support through trusted local partners.
Business Ready helps agency to aim high
“We created a clear selling point for our business...Steve gave us the confidence to recruit and find the right space for our needs. His advice has been invaluable.”
A Kenilworth digital marketing agency is aiming to bring in over £1m in the next five years and create new jobs after ‘invaluable’ advice from a business support service helped them create a long-term blueprint for growth.
Ada Digital, founded by Kenilworth local Tom Murrell in 2019 and joined by his wife Dani in 2023, helps a wide range of clients increase their profits through a suite of digital marketing services including online advertising, SEO improvements, e-commerce, social media, and more.
The pair had grown their business impressively, culminating in being named in Elite Business UK’s Top 100 SMEs in both 2024 and 2025. However, they had reached a point where recruitment was needed to grow further, as well as an external office.
Following advice from business support programme Business Ready – run by the University of Warwick Science Park, on behalf of Warwickshire County Council and Warwickshire’s five District and Borough Councils – Tom and Dani have been able to create a ten-year business plan, hire new staff and open a new office in Talisman Shopping Centre in Kenilworth.
Tom said: “Dani and I have more than 30 years’ experience in e-commerce and digital marketing between us and had grown Ada Digital from a small start-up to being forecast to bring in over £500,000 this financial year. We knew we were good at what we did through our clients’ success stories and feedback, but there were clear barriers to taking our business to the next level that we found difficult to find the time to overcome.
“We had heard about Business Ready, and the support they offer, through a friend of ours so we decided to reach out to see if they could help.”
After contacting Business Ready, business support adviser Steve Tipson got in touch to discuss the challenges they were facing.
Alongside advising on pricing, business proposition, and initial plans on how to scale, Steve gave Ada Digital the confidence to take a step back from the day-to-day running of the business and focus on the end goal.
Dani said: “We realised we didn’t have a concrete long-term plan, which made planning for the future harder than it needed to be. We were able to work together with Steve to think about where we wanted Ada Digital to get to in the next five years, and how we go about achieving that.
“We created a clear selling point for our business, leaning in on our combined services and expertise, and Steve gave us the confidence to recruit and find the right space for our needs. His advice has been invaluable.”
Since meeting with Business Ready, Tom and Dani have created clear plans to facilitate growth, estimating a turnover of £1.2m in their tenth year. They have also hired four new members of staff, and have acquired a large office at Talisman Shopping Centre to ensure they have enough room to expand their headcount in the medium-term.
Steve said: “Tom and Dani came to Business Ready with plenty of marketing expertise under their belts, but what they didn’t have was a long-term approach towards the growth of their business. Having owned a similar agency myself, I was able to give them informed advice on their long-term development and creating a business plan. When making key decisions in the short-term, they can now refer back to that plan instead of relying on a gut feeling.
“Business Ready helps many companies like Ada Digital take a step back from the day-to-day running of the business and invest time in the bigger picture, which can make a real difference to the long-term health of the company.”
Cllr Chris King, Portfolio Holder for Planning & Place at Warwick District Council, said: “The District Council is pleased to lend its support to Ada Digital and other small businesses in our area through this excellent programme. We are delighted to see the positive impact it is having and would encourage similar organisations to get in touch with the Coventry & Warwickshire Growth hub to find out about the specialist help that is available to them.”
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 support 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.
ASB Awareness and #Shopkind Week
The week commencing 30 June is national Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB) Awareness Week and #Shopkind Week.
If you own a retail business, Safer Warwickshire partners want your business to be safe and for people to ‘Shop Kind’, so they are supporting the county’s retailers to tackle anti-social behaviour and abuse against shopworkers.
The #ShopKind campaign is supported by major high street retailers as well as smaller independent shopkeepers. Its aim is to encourage positive behaviours in shops, acknowledge the important role of shopworkers and raise awareness about the scale and impact of violence and abuse against shopworkers.
In Warwickshire, a partnership approach is being taken by members of the Safer Warwickshire Partnership Board, including Warwickshire County Council’s Community Safety Team, the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner, Warwickshire Police, and our borough and district councils, to raise awareness of business crime and support local businesses.
Activities include raising awareness and tackling anti-social behaviour in retail premises; focusing on prolific offenders; promoting crime prevention to local businesses; high visibility patrols and crime prevention visits; promotion of local support services; and community engagement.
When a business or staff member has been the victim of a crime, or suspect they have been a victim of crime, it is essential that this is reported to the police. This can be done online via Warwickshire Police website or by calling 101. In an emergency, please dial 999.
Retail businesses can also get information and advice and access free downloadable #ShopKind resources at: https://nbcc.police.uk/business-support/shopkind/
With Independent Retailer Month coming up in July, Safer Warwickshire partners are encouraging businesses to help them to help you, by:
- protecting your business from being a victim of ASB
- reporting ASB to help them to tackle offenders
- getting support for your retail or licensed premises.
If you own a business in Warwickshire, you can get free and impartial anti-social behaviour and business crime advice on the Warwickshire Business Watch website.
Warwickshire Business Watch works in collaboration with businesses and partners to prevent crime from occurring and to tackle offenders, offering crime prevention advice and support to businesses. Visit https://warwickshirebusinesswatch.co.uk.
Tailored support moves MV to F1 top table
Through the Warwickshire Manufacturing Growth Programme, delivered by Oxford Innovation Advice, MV Composites gained access to tailored coaching and strategic support.
MV Composites Ltd, a Warwickshire-based carbon fibre component manufacturer, has rapidly established itself as a key player in the high-performance automotive and motorsport sectors.
Founded in 2021 by two former Formula1 Composite Technicians, the company was born from a drive to push industry standards higher, combining technical expertise with an unwavering commitment to innovation. Within just a few years, they have secured a major Formula 1 client and are in discussions with other teams. Their bespoke carbon fibre components have already been used in GT racing, Le Mans, the Dakar Rally and high-performance cycling, showcasing the depth of their technical capabilities.
As their reputation grew, so did the challenges of scaling a business in such a demanding sector. To win more contracts, particularly within Formula 1, they needed to achieve critical industry quality standards, including ISO 9001 and ISO 14001. Expanding their skilled workforce was also a priority, alongside investing in cutting-edge machinery to enhance efficiency and automation. The leadership team at MV Composites knew that addressing these barriers to growth would be key to their long-term success.
Through the Warwickshire Manufacturing Growth Programme, delivered by Oxford Innovation Advice, MV Composites gained access to tailored coaching and strategic support. A GROWTHmapper assessment highlighted the steps needed to achieve quality accreditations and expert coaching guided them through the ISO 9001 process. They also engaged with the Skills Escalator Fund, enabling vital staff training, including First Aid and Fire Safety, which directly contributed to their ability to introduce an evening shift. Additionally, they attended a workshop on Digitalisation and received a Decarbonisation Assessment, helping them to explore sustainable energy solutions and potential grant funding for energy-saving equipment.
Julian Lucas, Manufacturing Growth Manager, said of his time with MV Composites, “Mathew and his team at MV Composites have been a pleasure to work with as they have a forward thinking mindset and embrace new opportunities for growth, whilst ensuring they take the team with them.”
The impact of this support has been significant. The company has grown from 17 employees to a team of 30 and they continue to invest in their workforce. Their turnover has surged, with projections of significant growth by the end of the financial year. With ISO 9001 now achieved and work underway for ISO 14001, they are well-positioned to secure even more high-profile contracts. Plans are already in motion to expand their site, acquire additional machinery and further automate production processes.
Reflecting on their experience, Director Mathew Lainsbury praised the programme, stating, “The support has been brilliant, with clear and regular communication throughout. The coaching was invaluable in helping us achieve ISO 9001, which has been a key factor in progressing with more F1 teams. We are now looking ahead to achieving ISO 14001 and continuing our journey of innovation and growth.”
MV Composites exemplifies what can be achieved with the right mix of expertise, ambition and targeted support. Their success story not only highlights the impact of the Warwickshire Manufacturing Growth Programme but also underscores the strength of the UK’s advanced manufacturing sector. With a commitment to excellence and continuous improvement, they are firmly on track to become a leader in their field.
- 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.
Ladies First awards celebrate success
"Our Ladies First Awards celebrated the achievements of both women and men in our community, honouring those who have gone over and above in their business and in their personal lives."
Inspirational achievers from Coventry and Warwickshire were among those celebrated at the seventh Ladies First Professional Development Network Business Awards.
Three hundred people assembled at Dallas Burston Polo Club, Southam, for the ceremony hosted by Kirsty Leahy and Karen Jones ‘Sugarfoot Mills’ and Ruth Kelly.
Headline winners included the Business Woman of the Year, Abigail Edmunds from Stratford, and Elinor Perry, of Pentlands Accountants, in Leamington who was awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award. Lianne Kirkman was awarded the Community Champion prize after founding The Esther Project a women-only initiative to provide gender-specific support - as well as launching The Esther House, a seven-bed supported living accommodation in Leamington, providing a safe space for women to recover.
Lianne said: “I am so proud and was completely overwhelmed. This award may have my name on it, but I received it on behalf of our whole team at The Esther Project. You can’t achieve what we have in this last year without a strong team of people standing beside me. As a volunteer myself, and with some other amazing ladies also giving their time for free, we have really achieved so much to establish The Esther Project as an independent community project this last year.”
Elinor Perry said: “This was a real ‘pinch me’ moment and completely unexpected. 2025 is a particularly special year, marking 20 years of owning and leading Pentlands and 25 years of working in the business. To be recognised at this milestone is just wonderful. It’s a real honour, and I was so pleased that friends, clients, and members of the Pentlands team were there to share in such a special moment.”
Abigail Edmunds said: “Since taking over Domino Style eight years ago I have worked so hard to make sure the business a success in what is a very competitive and tough market. So to win this award and to be recognised in this way is incredible, especially in a competition full of so many incredible and inspiring women! However, I wouldn’t be here without the huge support I receive on a daily basis from my incredible Domino team, my family and friends for their unwavering support and to my amazing customers.”
Other local winners were: Tracy Benbow and Wendy Coris, of Fabulous Suppers (Family Business of the Year); Beverly Clarke, of Spear Travels in Stratford (Excellence In Professional Services); Harpreet Stevenson, of Collective Companion (Excellence In Marketing); Amanda Chalmers, Chalmers News PR in Warwick (Excellence In Media); Alana Patchett, of Purple Monster, in Warwick (Excellence In Technology & Innovation); Clare Haynes, of Wildfire in Leamington (Business Consultant/Coach of the Year); Preeti Lekhi, of Seymours Solicitors in Leamington (Women In Property); Sophie Howe, of Comtec Translations in Leamington (Inclusive Leadership); Cynthia Tamraz, of Café Desa in Leamington (Excellence In Independent Food); Natalka Hunka of Aspire HR & Training Consultants in Knowle (Start-Up of the Year) and Chris Pickering, of L Pickering & Sons in Warwick (Businessman of the Year); Rebecca Boulton, Leader in Creative Arts at Finham Park 2 School in Coventry; (Special Recognition) and Lindsey Gillespie who scooped Trailblazer of the Year for Pawesome Pets Grooming School.
The Awards, which were unveiled at The House of Commons in February, are headed up by Ladies First director Tracey McAtamney from Balsall Common and sponsored by Edwards Wealth, in Berkswell; Alsters Kelley Solicitors; Pertemps Network; IXL Centre; Mallory Court Country House; Bia’s Kitchen Show and Sandhu Foods.
Tracey said: “Our Ladies First Awards celebrated the achievements of both women and men in our community, honouring those who have gone over and above in their business and in their personal lives. A massive congratulations to all of our winners and finalists. It was your night to shine! It was most definitely an unforgettable evening celebrating excellence, raising vital funds for our local breast cancer wards and enjoying first class entertainment throughout.
“I would like to express a huge thank you to our sponsors, partners, members and awards team, in particular Atul Lakhani and his staff at the IXL Dallas Burston Polo Club and incredible Sanjay Food.”
Domestic Abuse in the workplace.
Domestic abuse is a hugely destructive problem, and we have a collective responsibility to tackle it. Employers have an important role to play in society’s response to domestic abuse. Employers owe a duty of care to employees and have a legal responsibility to provide a safe and effective work environment.
One in four women and one in six men suffer from domestic abuse in their lifetime and domestic abuse costs businesses £1.9 billion every year due to decreased productivity, time off work, lost wages and sick pay. In the UK, nearly 2 million people experienced domestic abuse in the last year alone.
With one third of a working adult’s life spent in work, employers are in a unique position to create a supportive workplace culture that encourages the identification of health and wellbeing needs and to help break the silence around this issue.
Public Health at Warwickshire County Council are in the process of organising a CPD Accredited Course: Domestic Abuse Awareness and Support in the Workplace which focuses on how to Recognise, Respond, Record, and Refer a victim/survivor to support. Recognising that domestic abuse affects everyone, this course is inclusive of all genders, cultures, and backgrounds - using lived experience examples throughout. This will be available to third sector organisations within Warwickshire. To keep up to date with the courses and when they become available, please visit Talk2Someone Warwickshire.
Networks for Employers
Employers Initiative on Domestic Abuse (EIDA) - A free-to-join members' network of employers, the Employers' Initiative on Domestic Abuse (EIDA) supports over 1,900 large and small businesses, collectively comprising over 25% of the UK workforce, to take effective action on domestic abuse.
Employers Domestic Abuse Covenant (EDAC) - The Employers Domestic Abuse Covenant is a pledge by businesses to support women affected by abuse to enter or re-enter the workplace.
Get Support
'Refuge' is Warwickshire's Domestic Violence and Abuse Accommodation and Support (WDVA) service - If you are experiencing domestic abuse in Warwickshire, Refuge’s domestic violence and abuse service can support you and your children to keep safe. Refuge is a county-wide service that provides support to women, men and children experiencing domestic abuse in Warwickshire.
Warwickshire’s Domestic Violence and Abuse Service Helpline – 0800 408 1552.
You can also contact Warwickshire’s Domestic Violence and Abuse Service via email - DVSW@refuge.org.uk
Refuge website: https://refuge.org.uk/i-need-help-now/refuge-domestic-violence-service-warwickshire/
Employer Breakfast at Nuneaton college
King Edward VI College, Nuneaton will host an Employer Breakfast on Monday 14th July, from 9:00am to 11:30am - and would love more businesses to support the event.
The college is looking for passionate professionals to volunteer to join them for a couple of hours of networking and discussion with our teaching staff. This is a fantastic opportunity to:
- Share insights into your industry and the skills you value in young talent
- Help educators bring real-world relevance into their subject areas
- Co-create curriculum content that reflects the demands and opportunities of your field
In return, the college is excited to offer:
- A prime exhibiting slot at one of our Careers or Apprenticeship Fairs
- A pipeline of talent to advertise any opportunities with
- A chance to directly influence how we prepare young people for the world of work
- The opportunity to build lasting connections with our staff and wider college community
King Edward VI College intends to equip students with essential attributes that prepare them to excel in the workplace and contribute meaningfully to any business. They are learning how to get things done by managing commitments, making well-informed decisions, and using their skills to make a positive impact. The students are beginning to adapt their approach in a constantly evolving world, showing flexibility, optimism, and a willingness to embrace new ideas and effective communication is at the heart of their success, with the ability to build relationships based on empathy and respect, and engage diverse audiences.
They can act with integrity, taking responsibility for their actions and leading by example. The students also think creatively, using their imagination to solve problems and drive innovation. Above all, they remain positive, resilient in the face of challenges, and committed to personal wellbeing and the wellbeing of others.
If you’d like to be part of this exciting journey, please complete the short form https://forms.office.com/e/LeMm86Y00m and we will be in touch with further details.
If you have any questions, feel free to get in touch with careers@ke6n.ac.uk we would love to hear from you, if you can’t make it, please pass our invitation to a colleague.
Age-restricted sales compliance
A new campaign, ‘Right Age, Right Sale’, has launched to help retailers stay compliant with age-restricted sales laws and ensure best practice in preventing underage sales of alcohol, vapes, knives, and tobacco.
Led by Central England Trading Standards Authorities (CEnTSA), which includes Warwickshire County Council Trading Standards, the campaign supports retailers in applying Challenge 25 correctly, preventing proxy sales, and ensuring staff are confident in refusing illegal sales.
Fines of up to £20,000 can be issued for underage sales of alcohol. Failure to check ID can result in test purchases, enforcement action and loss of licence.
Proxy sales are a criminal offence—adults buying age-restricted products for minors can face legal action.
Retailers play a key role in preventing underage access to restricted products. CEnTSA has produced a range of free compliance resources to help businesses implement best practices, including:
- E-learning courses for employees and managers.
- A compliance toolkit, including free resources such as a refusals register template.
- Guidance on proxy sales and preventing underage purchases.
You can download the free resources at https://centsa.org.uk/campaigns/business-resources/.
Report concerns about illegal sales anonymously here: https://centsa.org.uk/consumer-advice/report-a-business-or-trader/
By ensuring compliance with age-restricted sales laws, retailers can protect their business, support responsible retailing and maintain public trust.
US trade deal is "hugely positive"
An agreed trade deal’ between the USA and UK has been hailed as hugely positive news for the Coventry and Warwickshire region.
The deal will see tariffs on car exports from the UK to the USA drop from 27.5 per cent to 10 per cent and a commitment to remove tariffs from aerospace parts completely, which currently stand at 10 per cent.
Corin Crane, the chief executive of the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce, said it would be welcomed by key industries to the region’s economy.
He also encouraged more firms across the region to grow their overseas markets to bolster growth.
Corin said: “The economy of our region has evolved over the years, but the car industry is still very important to us and is fundamental to our success, so it is hugely positive news for the President and Prime Minister to announce they’ve reached a deal in this area.
“I know it has taken a lot of hard work behind the scenes to reach this agreement with the US, which looks to be bearing fruit. The supply chain in our area will be thrilled with this news after months of uncertainty.
“It’s not only the car industry, we’ve got a strong base of aerospace businesses in Coventry, Warwickshire and the wider Midlands too, and this deal benefits them too.
“The Government has also made progress with India and the EU, which is a real sign that global trade is vitally important to our future growth.
“I would urge businesses across the region to get in touch with the team at the Chamber to find out how they can be supported with exporting. It might be something that’s brand new to them or they may be looking to expand their markets overseas, we’ve got a great team that can help them.
“Doing business internationally is proven to increase a businesses’ chances of growth, make it more efficient and more resilient.”
William Bain, British Chambers of Commerce Head of Trade Policy, said: “News that the trade deal with the US has been agreed on automotives and jet engines will be music to the ears of affected sectors.
“They are desperate for tariff relief and lower costs, and this new Executive Order should deliver that.
“For the automotive sector, operating under 27.5 per cent tariffs on sales to the US over the past two months has been tough. A reduction to a 10 per cent levy from the end of June will help order books, investment and jobs.
“However, for steel and aluminium firms the wait goes on. They have faced 25 per cent US tariffs for the past three months and are still awaiting the resolution of outstanding issues on the new US quotas.
“But the deal does also implement zero tariff arrangements on UK Rolls Royce jet engines by the end of this month – a vital part of aerospace supply chains in the US.
“Both Governments should now build upon this current deal to secure an agreement on digital trade to make trans-Atlantic trade cheaper, speedier and more efficient.
“We also need to make the case for further tariff relief in other goods sectors affected by the US reciprocal tariffs, from clothing to food and drink.”
For international trade support, contact the Chamber on 024 7665 4321 or go to https://www.cw-chamber.co.uk/international-trade/exporting-starts-here/
Warwickshire Women in Engineering 2025
Warwickshire celebrates International Women in Engineering Day 2025
This month women engineers have been celebrated around the world, especially on International Women in Engineering Day (INWED) on Monday June 23rd.
It is a key date of interest to our ‘Warwickshire Women in Engineering 2025’ awareness-raising series where we have been raising the profile of jobs and careers in STEM and STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Mathematics) roles, which underpin the activity of many of the businesses here in Warwickshire.
There is a gap in representation of women in the workplace that INWED and other programmes are keen to close. As part of our campaign this year we have spoken to women engineers from automotive and construction, and during the 200th anniversary year of rail in the UK, Rail 200, the rail industry. Warwickshire’s manufacturing and technology sectors provide a wide range of engineering roles, from shop floor assembly roles and machine operators to software roles in video games design and production engineering, to product design, test, prototyping and development. Then there are civil engineering roles in construction, from the highway engineers at Warwickshire County Council to the construction of HS2 and of new homes and industrial units across the county.
The Coventry & Warwickshire economy employs 50,000 people directly in automotive and future mobility, including aerospace. These are generally well-paid jobs with excellent progression through training and routes into leadership, with skills transferable across sectors.
The future demand for skills includes many in the electrification of industry, from electricians, heating engineers, garage service technicians and those working directly in design and manufacturing industry. These include the manufacture of battery cells in Sunderland and Somerset, as well as the Coventry & Warwick Giga Park, Green Power Park. If more women join the engineering workforce, it will help to close the skills gaps we see in multiple industries.
Our campaign 'Warwickshire Women in Engineering 2025' seeks to celebrate the achievement of some of our local engineers, share their varied routes into their current roles and help everyone better understand the range of roles and what is done across engineering and technology. This year we’ve already marked National Careers Week, National Apprenticeships Week, Rail 200 and the Autocar Great Women in Automotive, held this year at MIRA Technology Park near Nuneaton, for the first time.
We hope that readers find these stories helpful to guide their own career paths, or those around them at home or work who are considering a career change or who are making choices around study and career paths.
Nicola Van der Hoven, Head of Engineering Design Services at Warwickshire County Council, said: "Engineering is not necessarily the first thing that girls and young women think about as a potential career, so, in the last few years myself and others at the county council have been involved in celebrating International Women in Engineering Day. That’s about providing opportunities for women across the built environment, creating connections and allowing people to see what the opportunities exist.”
Engineering the springboard for Natalie's success
"Now she’s an OX customer, she just calls up, books space on the truck and her bananas are transported for her. If anything makes me proud it is being able to make that difference. Many of our customers are reporting a ten-times growth in income and that is life-changing.”
Natalie Dowsett would encourage all young women to consider engineering as a career – for the satisfaction it brings, for the people you meet and not least for the amazing opportunities it opens up.
The engineering sector is a very broad spectrum in itself, offering copious and diverse openings. It is also, as Natalie has proved, a great foundation for building a business career.
Last month, Natalie collected a prestigious ‘Autocar Great Women Award’ for her work as co-founder and Chief Operating Officer of OX Delivers, in Leamington Spa.
From their base at Squab Hall, off Harbury Lane in the heart of the Warwickshire countryside, OX Delivers serves a customer-base entirely in Rwanda, East Africa. Many people there who are living in poverty and without transport which makes making a living, mostly as farmers, incredibly difficult.
OX Delivers’ team in Rwanda run electric trucks to provide transport-as-a-service meaning customers pay only for the space they need, by the kilo and kilometre. Few people there have the money to buy a vehicle, but transport services are desperately needed. This simple, brilliant idea is making a real difference - and will soon be making an even bigger one. OX Delivers has signed a $125million deal for over 2,500 trucks to be deployed in Rwanda, Kenya, Uganda, Burundi and Tanzania.
All this was built by Natalie and co-founder Simon Davis…and rooted in her love for, and training in engineering.
“I am now a Chief Operating Officer but I started as an engineer and that’s what opened all these doors for me,” she said. “That is how I gained the knowledge to enable me to do this.
“I had wanted to be an automotive engineer since I was 11. As a family we went to the Le Mans 24-hour race every year and that got me into cars and, in particular, the design of cars. Since then I’ve been very fortunate to have some great opportunities and meet some great people and I’m very passionate about supporting other women coming into engineering. Attracting women into the sector is a very powerful and important topic. We live in a complex world and it needs a lot of diverse and strong minds to deal with those complexities. That’s how we will get solutions.”
Natalie’s fascination with finding solutions was fuelled by a degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Salford. Next came another great learning environment - a graduate scheme at Jaguar Land Rover which brought her to Warwickshire.
“I was in package engineering, which is focused on optimising the design for occupants and cargo within the constraints of design and systems. The package engineers find the solutions to make the vehicle attractive to a customer and meet regulations and requirements.
“I enjoyed that, then transferred to product planning which I also really enjoyed. That meant I’d worked on the product life cycle at the start and in the middle so wanted to see what it’s like at the end, so I joined the PR department to be part of launching products into the world. Again, I had a fantastic time there, but then I had my children. And at that point everything took a different perspective.”
And at that point the seed of Natalie’s African adventure was sown.
“I wanted to be part of something where success isn’t just about sales,” she said. “I wanted success to be about impact. So I left JLR and an ex-colleague asked me for help with an event he was setting up for a concept vehicle called OX, which was part of the Global Vehicle Trust, a not-for-profit business. They had commissioned a design for a vehicle that answered the problem of having so few fit-for-purpose vehicles in rural Africa. They had a design but no route to access very price-sensitive customers. No matter how cheap they made it, it was still too expensive for farmers there to buy or hire.
“So we spent COVID lockdown developing the route to market. We used the Uber/AirB&B mantra of ownership doesn’t need to be king - the customer only pays for what they need for as long as they need it.
“We realised the truck needed to be electric and to be a commercial venture because it required investment and wasn’t viable as a not-for-profit business. We redeveloped it and the truck today is in its fourth generation of design. The whole design journey has been fully informed by the market because we started a pilot scheme in 2021 in Rwanda to gather data.
“The business has evolved a long way since then and it is very exciting to have signed a deal for thousands more trucks. It is exciting for all the benefit they will bring but what makes me most proud is not the numbers but the impact on each individual customer.
“I met a banana trader who had a market stall and had to go to the wholesaler on the bus to get her bananas, but couldn’t get the bus back with all stock, so she had to hitch a lift which could take two or three days. She would be away from her children for three nights then sell the bananas and do it all again. Now she’s an OX customer, she just calls up, books space on the truck and her bananas are transported for her. If anything makes me proud it is being able to make that difference. Many of our customers are reporting a ten-times growth in income and that is life-changing.”
Natalie and OX delivers are another great example of a small Warwickshire business wielding a giant impact overseas. The business employs 40 in Leamington and a growing team in Rwanda, and is soon to expand into bigger premises at Squab Hall as they step up production.
“Where else in the UK would you start a truck-manufacturing operation than Warwickshire with all the resource and skills and knowledge. This is just the right place and great for recruitment and Warwickshire County Council has been brilliant in introducing us to lots of people. Ian Flynn from the Inward Investment team is the person who will connect you to so many people which makes a big difference.”
Women powering the future of Game Development
International Women in Engineering Day 2025 (IWED) this month serves as a reminder of the importance of diversity and inclusion across the vast spectrum of engineering, including game development. Warwickshire County Council's Digital Creative Industry & Inward Investment Specialist, Stacy O'Connor reflects upon the significant strides made by women in the video game development industry in our region and beyond.
In an industry long-dominated by male voices, women are increasingly stepping into the spotlight of video game development - and reshaping the landscape in the process.
By continuing to support and uplift women in this industry, we can ensure a more innovative and inclusive future for all. From indie studios to tech giants, women are driving innovation, storytelling, and inclusivity in ways that are transforming how games are made and played.
Indie success stories
The indie game scene has become a launchpad for female talent. Titles like Celeste and Unpacking, developed by diverse teams, have not only won critical acclaim but also outperformed many mainstream releases. According to the International Game Developers Association, games created by teams with at least one woman receive 32% higher ratings on average. Platforms like Steam and Itch.io have democratised publishing, allowing women to bypass traditional gatekeepers and bring their unique visions directly to players.
Gender bias starts early
From childhood, gaming is often marketed as a “boys’ hobby.” This stereotype seeps into education and career choices, discouraging girls from pursuing STEM fields or game design. Even when women do enter the field, they often face scepticism about their technical skills or creative authority.
A growing presence
At the corporate level, leaders like Amy Hood and Bonnie Ross have redefined what leadership in gaming looks like. Hood, Microsoft’s CFO, has been instrumental in expanding Xbox’s reach through cloud gaming and AI integration, making gaming more accessible than ever. Ross, formerly of 343 Industries, helped shape the narrative direction of the Halo franchise and laid the groundwork for inclusive storytelling across Xbox Game Studios. The numbers tell a promising story: women now hold about 23% of technical roles in gaming, up from just 11% in 2010. This growth reflects not only changing attitudes but also the tangible benefits of diversity—games made by inclusive teams tend to be more innovative, better received, and more profitable.
Locally in Warwickshire, we also have games-changers, building inclusive studios and leading the way for women in engineering so we thought we would spotlight two of them.
Maverick Games
Maverick Games was founded in 2022, by several of the core team behind the critically acclaimed open-world racing game series Forza Horizon, including CEO and creative director Mike Brown, former creative director of the Forza Horizon franchise.
Based in Warwick, Maverick Games is run by award-winning studio leader Harinder Sangha (Sega Hardlight, Sumo Leamington) as Co-founder & Chief Operating Officer, and currently has a team of more than 120 people. She previously sat on the board at UK Interactive Entertainment (Ukie) and the advisory board at Women in Games. Maverick Games emphasises diversity and inclusion, celebrating women's contributions and working to create a more equitable environment within the games industry. Maverick has impressively managed to create a studio with women in all teams and at all levels.
Harinder said: “This year’s International Women’s Day theme, Accelerate Action, truly resonated with us at Maverick Games. It’s more than just a phrase, it’s a mindset we embrace every day. For me, Accelerate Action means taking real, tangible steps to create a workplace where women don’t just tick a box but truly thrive. It’s about moving beyond conversations and actively driving change, lifting each other up, calling out inequality when we see it, and ensuring women at Maverick (and across the industry) have the opportunities they deserve.
"I am incredibly proud of the amazing women at Maverick Games - they bring talent, creativity, and leadership to everything we do. I’m also proud to say that we have women on every team and at every level, making a meaningful impact throughout the studio. Our industry thrives when diverse voices, perspectives, and ideas are heard, and that’s something we champion every single day.
"To the women of Maverick, you inspire me. Let’s keep moving forward and continue making the industry a better place.”
Third Kind Games
Third Kind Games - a Virtuos Studio, is a world-class co-development games studio that works with some of the biggest names in the industry, based in Leamington Spa. Founded in 2016 by nine leaders in the industry, it has continued to grow since becoming a Virtuos Studio in 2024. With an impressive track record of clients such as Blizzard, Amazon, Microsoft and Mythical Games, Third Kind Games have had a hand in critically acclaimed games and franchises.
Third Kind Games actively supports women in an industry where they remain significantly underrepresented—particularly in technical and engineering roles. Third Kind Games also demonstrates a strong commitment to outreach, regularly engaging with local schools, colleges, and universities to inspire the next generation of game developers. By connecting with students of all ages, the studio helps raise awareness of the wide range of career opportunities within the games industry.
These outreach efforts are designed to break down barriers and encourage individuals from all backgrounds—particularly those from underrepresented groups—to see themselves as part of the industry’s future. By showcasing real career pathways and making the games sector more visible and accessible, Third Kind Games aims to foster a more diverse and inclusive talent pipeline from an early age.
The studio actively fosters a positive, inclusive workplace culture where women are empowered to thrive. Through open communication, empathy, and a strong focus on professional development, Third Kind Games strives to create an environment in which all the team feel valued and supported in their careers.
Beyond the studio, Third Kind Games is engaged in broader industry efforts to promote mental health awareness and LGBTQ+ inclusion, sponsoring Warwickshire Pride each year and recently achieving a gold award from Mind Charity for their efforts to support mental health. Several team members also mentor individuals from underrepresented groups, offering guidance, encouragement, and a pathway into the industry.
Tracy Clark, Operations Director at Third Kind Games, said: “When others are inspired to understand and value women’s inclusion, we take a meaningful step toward a better and more equitable world. The latest State of the Games Industry 2024 report from GDC highlights that just 23% of respondents identified as women—underlining the continued need for progress.
At Third Kind Games, the achievements and contributions of women are recognised every day, but especially within the games industry, it’s important to provide a platform and celebrate the talent of the women on our team.”
Building inclusive communities
Organisations such as Women in Games, Girls Who Code, and Code Coven are fostering a new generation of developers. Through mentorship, education, and networking, these groups are helping women build portfolios, gain visibility, and connect with hiring networks.
Initiatives like Game Dev Unlocked are also empowering underrepresented voices through online courses and collaborative projects, making game development more accessible to all. But systemic change is still needed. That means:
- Inclusive hiring practices
- Transparent pay structures
- Safe, supportive workplaces
- More women in leadership roles
Voices of change
Whether through coding, design, narrative, or leadership, women are proving that they belong in every corner of game development - and that their contributions are essential to the future of the medium. Diversity isn’t just a buzzword - it’s a creative advantage. Games are stories, and the more voices we include, the richer those stories become. If the industry wants to keep evolving, it must make space for everyone at the controller.
#TogetherWeEngineer and #INWED25