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Skills Hub input helps global company recruit and grow in Warwickshire
“The knowledge of the Skills Hub team was invaluable - we reached a position that really lends itself to an apprentice and the Skills Hub made it happen."
An apprentice is proving a perfect fit at a Warwickshire electrical engineering company after he was recruited thanks to support from a Warwickshire County Council programme.
College-leaver Toby Baston joined Lighthorne-based RLE Futuremotiv where he is learning all the skills required to help safeguard the company’s future at the heart of this fast-developing sector. Toby’s apprenticeship has been supported by a £2,000 Future Apprenticeship - Salary Support payment, which forms part of Warwickshire County Council's Future Focus Skills Programme delivered by Warwickshire Skills Hub.
The Salary Support Scheme has assisted the growth plans of RLE Futuremotiv, the electrical sister company of global engineering firm RLE, but is just part of the “immense” support that the business has received from Warwickshire Skills Hub.
Lorraine Jones, Human Resources Manager at RLE Futuremotiv, is based at the company’s head office in Basildon, so has found the ongoing advice from the Skills Hub team priceless - not least in helping to bring Toby on board.
“The knowledge of the Skills Hub team was invaluable,” she said. “I’ve always been interested in apprenticeships but having the projection of work coming down the track to support the required training has always been quite challenging. But then we reached a position that really lends itself to an apprentice - and the Skills Hub made it happen. They helped us find the right training provider and supported us with a grant.
“Toby is doing really well. He is in the workshop at the moment and the next phase will be for him to do some Engineering Data System work and get more involved in prototyping.”
So smooth was the apprenticeship process that RLE Futuremotiv is now planning to bring more Warwickshire school-leavers into the fold.
“We’d like to use this as a platform to look at more apprenticeships,” said Lorraine. “We hope to commit to at least one more each year. This has shown us that the electrical engineering sector can really accommodate not just graduates but school-leavers as well.
“We were fortunate this year to take on four graduates who have really grown with us, but I think the school-leaver sector tends to get overlooked from an engineering perspective. We are keen to explore that in more detail and go forward and use the talents of young people like Toby.”
Going forward, RLE Futuremotiv will continue to benefit from the expertise of the Skills Hub team.
“I am based at our head office in Essex but most of our work is done in Warwickshire and the Midlands so building up contacts in that area is so important for me,” said Lorraine. “My first introduction to the Skills Hub was primarily to look at training that was available in that area and to build up a bit more of a network. Was I missing anything because I was not based locally?
“Louise Stolz and Steven Convery at the Skills Hub have been brilliant. When I asked about the apprenticeship, they totally understood our needs. They asked what we wanted to grow Toby into and really steered me along the path. My knowledge of apprenticeships was really only round office and admin roles so it was new territory me and I really thank them for the guidance. Steven spoke to some of the training providers on our behalf just to ensure they matched what we needed. Then came the Salary Support grant and the support has been all-round brilliant.”
Louise Stolz, Future Skills Business Support Advisor, at Warwickshire Skills Hub, said: "The Automotive & Future Mobility sector is a major employer and driver of economic activity in the county and recognised as such in the Warwickshire Economic Growth Strategy, with electrification skills important cross sector as the UK economy seeks to decarbonise. RLE Futuremotiv are at the forefront of this and it has been a real pleasure supporting them not just with skills generally but also helping to put Toby on a path towards a fulfilling career."
“It is always great to welcome new businesses into Warwickshire from across the UK and beyond. Our role at the Skills Hub is to ensure they have the skills support they require for their workforce, alongside working with our colleagues in Economic Development, to provide them with all the local information and contacts they need".
If you would like to know more about the support available from Warwickshire Skills Hub, around apprenticeships and upskilling, or the wider support from Warwickshire County Council around inward investment into our region, then please do get in touch:
louisestolz@warwickshire.gov.uk
stevenconvery@warwickshire.gov.uk
ianflynn@warwickshire.gov.uk
Fourteen businesses strengthened by WBEAS support
Almost half a million pounds of grants has been awarded to businesses across the county by the Warwickshire Business Energy Advice Service (WBEAS).
Grants totalling £490,716 have supported 14 businesses which will collectively save an estimated 240 tonnes of CO2 per annum.
The funding is expected to help the 14 businesses save £163,100 on their energy bills in the first year alone.
WBEAS was launched earlier this year as a part of the £4.6 million
Business Growth Warwickshire Programme, developed and commissioned jointly by Warwickshire County Council and the five district and borough councils in the county. The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero is also funding an expansion to the service as part of a
West Midlands Combined Authority pilot including a grant scheme managed by the County Council.
Coventry City Council is delivering WBEAS on behalf of the county council and the districts and boroughs. The service starts with a free energy audit to ascertain the needs of each business and then offers bespoke advice and support. This potentially includes capital grants of up to £100,000 towards the costs of investing in energy efficiency and low carbon technologies.
Businesses supported across the county include
Harry Burrows Fabrications in Exhall,
Rugby Care Centre in Rugby and
Just Nice Clean Cars in Warwick. Recently-awarded grants include to Brewsters Corner in Southam, Rugby-based Technoset, Datagraphic and Hertz Electrical Contractors and two Nuneaton companies, Excel Machine Tools and Harris Repair Consultancy.
There is still some WBEAS grant funding available but the deadline for applications is expected to be in January, so any interested business is asked to express an interest in an audit
here as soon as possible.
£1m support from Levy Share programme
"We invite you to join us in supporting local Warwickshire businesses. By donating a portion of your levy, you can help drive innovation, growth, and economic prosperity within our region. Together, we can create 
a stronger, more vibrant Warwickshire."
A Warwickshire County Council programme which supports apprenticeships has awarded more than £1million to businesses across the county in 2024.
The programme allows Warwickshire County Council to share part of its apprenticeship levy funds to help businesses take on apprentices by covering the full training costs associated with an apprenticeship. It gives the apprentices their first steps towards a fulfilling career and their employers the opportunity to grow and train their own talent from within.
The programme has been running since 2019 but in 2024 alone more than £1million has been pledged to support 97 apprentices at 38 businesses across the county. Of those apprenticeships, 40 were Level Three, 24 Level Six, 13 Level Five, 12 Level Four and 8 Level two.
Apprenticeships supported were in a range of sectors with 34 in Children's Care, 24 in Adult Care, 20 in Law, Politics & Government, 6 in Manufacturing and 4 in Charity & Social Enterprise.
Among businesses to benefit from the programme is PF Auto Services, in Rugby. Business-owner Paul Francis recruited Kirsty Conopo as an apprentice and she has been instrumental in driving the businesses forward as Paul returns towards full health following a serious back injury.
“It has all worked out beautifully,” said Paul. “It was a really tough situation, but Kirsty has been a godsend. When Adam Plumb of Coventry & Warwickshire Growth Hub. told me about the apprenticeship support available from the Skills Hub, it was a no brainer to go for it. We are so grateful.
“It has played a massive part in keeping the business going and given Kirsty a great career opportunity. She is already a big asset to the business and will only become a bigger one with all that she is learning.”
Steven Convery, Business Skills Support Officer, at Warwickshire Skills Hub, said: “Paul and Kirsty at PF Auto Services are a great example of how the Apprenticeship Levy Share programme helps all concerned. The employer has a new team member who is gaining all the relevant skills to become a huge asset to the business while the apprentice is gaining skills and experience that will set her up for a lifelong career.
“Their example is being replicated across the county with almost 100 apprentices recruited through the programme this year alone. I would urge any business considering
taking on an apprentice to contact us to see how we might help them.”
Are you a Levy Paying Business Ready to Make a Difference?
We invite you to join us in supporting local Warwickshire businesses. By donating a portion of your levy, you can help drive innovation, growth, and economic prosperity within our region. Together, we can create a stronger, more vibrant Warwickshire.
To learn more about how your levy can be used to support local businesses, please contact Steven Convery at the Warwickshire Skills Hub on stevenconvery@warwickshire.gov.uk Let's work together to build a brighter future for Warwickshire.
* 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.
£4.35m funding will power innovation
“This Launchpad funding will give businesses involved in technology developments the opportunity to make the most of their talents and build on our sub-region’s reputation for attracting inward investors as well as our commitment to long-term economic stability.”
Innovative businesses in Coventry and Warwickshire are urged to apply for a share of up to £4.35 million to drive innovation and business growth.
Through its Launchpad programme for Coventry and Warwickshire, Innovate UK has already awarded the area more than £3 million to provide funding, support, and networking opportunities to help businesses to innovate, grow and scale-up.
The Coventry and Warwickshire Launchpad has been developed through a partnership between Innovate UK, the national innovation agency, Warwickshire County Council, Coventry City Council and the West Midlands Combined Authority.
In this latest round, offering up to £4.35 million, projects must focus on immersive and creative industries which will increase investment in research and innovation and contribute to growing businesses and boosting the local economy.
These projects could include developing and applying technologies such as digital and mixed media, augmented and virtual reality, game engine and virtual production including 3D environments, simulations and data visualisations or motion capture including performance capture and gesture and facial recognition.
As part of the Immersive and Creative Technologies Launchpad programme, businesses can apply for MFA grant funding between £25k and £100k or larger-scale collaborative research and development projects can apply for between £150k and £1m as part of a consortium.
The funding is for innovation projects that focus on developing and adapting new technologies in various industries including creative, healthcare, education, future mobility, manufacturing, retail and tourism.
The competitions are open and businesses can apply and find out more by visiting: https://iuk.ktn-uk.org/programme/launchpads/. Applications must be submitted by 11am on Wednesday, December 11.
The Launchpad programme is funded by Innovate UK, part of UK Research and Innovation. It is designed to build on innovation clusters around the UK that have significant growth potential and to deliver jobs, growth, and higher productivity.
Cllr Martin Watson, Portfolio Holder for Economy at Warwickshire County Council, said: “Coventry and Warwickshire is renowned for our innovation which drives forward our economy and creates jobs. This latest Launchpad competition demonstrates our strength at fostering innovation to enable talented entrepreneurs to expand their businesses and take on more highly-skilled staff to meet our county’s sustainable and inclusive ambitions.
“Previous rounds of funding have led to Coventry and Warwickshire businesses developing mixed reality manufacturing environments, a 3D data visualisation toolset, and immersive gaming with educational and ethical benefits.
“This Launchpad funding will give businesses involved in technology developments the opportunity to make the most of their talents and build on our sub-region’s reputation for attracting inward investors as well as our commitment to long-term economic stability.”
Cllr Jim O’Boyle, Cabinet Member for Jobs, Regeneration and Climate Change at Coventry City Council, added: “We all know that innovation and the effective adoption of new technologies will be fundamental to growing our economy and creating the jobs of the future. It is something Coventry and Warwickshire has repeatedly excelled at, and this news will be a great boost to businesses.
“We have seen some exciting projects awarded funding through the first two Rounds of the scheme from a wide range of businesses doing great things with creative technologies. Now, with this new round it will provide local businesses - either in Creative Industries or working with creative or immersive technologies - with an excellent opportunity to access funds for developing new products or services that will accelerate their 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
Shop local this festive season
"We’d love to see you on our high streets, shopping in our small businesses, over these coming weeks and beyond.”
Small Business Saturday is a chance to support and celebrate small businesses, encouraging people to 'shop local' and back small firms in their communities.
With many great local towns in Warwickshire, Small Business Saturday – taking place on 7 December – is a great chance to shine a spotlight on our many small and local businesses, which is particularly important in this lead up to Christmas when many people are thinking about their Christmas shopping.
Coleshill in north Warwickshire is home to several small businesses on their high street, each providing that personal touch and customer service. Heads of Coleshill have been on the high street for over 20 years and from new businesses to long-standing ones, small businesses play an important role in the local community.
Councillor Martin Watson, portfolio holder for Economy at Warwickshire County Council, said: “Christmas can be such an important time for our local businesses. The festive period can often generate a sizeable proportion of annual profit and can set businesses on a good footing for the coming months. We’d love to see you on our high streets, shopping in our small businesses, over these coming weeks and beyond.”
Small Business Saturday is a national initiative that celebrates local independent firms, including the traders and retailers that contribute to the unique character and atmosphere of our high streets, town centres and villages.
Local traders can take part in the campaign and make the most of the opportunity offered by the day. The dedicated Small Business Saturday website offers a downloadable social media guide, as well as the logo and digital banner to display online, in shop windows, or at an SBS event.
Alongside the Small Business Saturday initiative, the County Council’s Christmas campaign #WarwickshireChristmas, is highlighting many of the wonderful businesses in the county’s towns and villages and encouraging customers to shop locally for their gifts this year.
The drive is being supported by a social media campaign by Warwickshire Towns Network, where a festive mix of Warwickshire’s independent shops are being showcased in the run up to the big day.
To follow the campaign, please visit @WarksTN on Instagram, or like Warwickshire Towns Network on Facebook or follow the hashtag #WarwickshireChristmas.
Employers urged to shape skills strategy
"Every employer that completes the survey is playing their part on helping us to help businesses in the years ahead.”
Employers across Warwickshire have been asked to help shape skills support for the future with the building of a new Careers, Employment and Skills Strategy for the county.
Warwickshire County Council and its partners are committed to building an ambitious, inclusive and sustainable economy, supporting growth in both existing and emerging sectors. To do this, it is vital that the Council and its Employability and Skills team (also known as Warwickshire Skills Hub) has a strong strategy with clear and achievable objectives for the future.
The Council’s ambition is to create and shape a new Careers, Employment and Skills Strategy which will respond to key elements of the Economic Growth Strategy and wider Warwickshire strategies. The consultancy firm Mylocaleconomy has been commissioned to develop and deliver the strategy, working with partners including the Federation of Small Businesses, Coventry and Warwickshire Growth Hub and Coventry & Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce.
The new strategy will provide a detailed framework and delivery plan to support local businesses, residents, schools, colleges and universities to achieve key existing and future objectives. Crucial to it will be the input of employers in all sectors and all parts of the county, so businesses in Warwickshire are asked to spend five minutes completing
this survey.
Cllr Martin Watson, Warwickshire County Council's Portfolio Holder for Economy, said: “The new Careers, Employment and Skills Strategy will shape our thinking and the support we offer to businesses and education-providers for the foreseeable future. Warwickshire’s economy is driven by a fantastic range of businesses across many sectors and only the businesses themselves knows their exact skills needs now and going forward, so their input to the strategy is vital. Every employer that completes the survey is playing their part on helping us to help businesses in the years ahead.”
"Great benefit" from Growth Programme
Bellagio Stone Ltd engaged with the Warwickshire Manufacturing Growth Programme, delivered by Oxford Innovation Advice on behalf of Warwickshire County Council and Warwickshire’s five District and Borough Councils, to scale its operations and address key business challenges. This case study highlights their journey towards embracing innovation, strategic growth and effective business support.
Bellagio Stone Ltd, based in Leamington Spa, was established 18 years ago by Rob Wilkinson. The company manufactures granite, marble, and fabricated stone kitchen and bathroom worktops for the construction industry, employing 60 staff with annual sales reaching £10 million as of December 2023. They serve two main markets: showrooms (kitchen designers) and developers. Their commitment to reliability and quality has won them contracts with leading companies, including a national contract with Redrow Homes, and clients like Starbucks, Barratt, David Wilson Homes and Magnet.
Bellagio Stone faced several challenges impeding their growth ambitions. The company has recently grown from a £7.5m business to a £10m business and is currently undertaking a merger with a similar company in Slough to form a £13 million business employing 100 staff. This has brought about the need to manage cultural integration and skills development across both teams. Additionally, they are looking to develop first-line managers, and meet new green standards required by their client base. They were also looking to acquire funding for purchasing new machinery to support the merger.
The Warwickshire Manufacturing Growth Programme provided Bellagio Stone with essential support to navigate these challenges. The programme facilitated referrals for Warwickshire Business Energy Advice Service (WBEAS) and capital grants, connected the company with the Skills Hub for training opportunities, and explored funding options through CWRT for Duplex Funding. They also hosted a Lean Manufacturing workshop delivered by Oxford Innovation Advice, as part of the programme to facilitate peer networks and shared learning with other local manufacturing businesses.
Through the programme, Bellagio Stone received valuable insights and connections to various support systems in the region. The GROWTHmapper review highlighted areas for improvement, which will be supported under their KTP project which commenced in April. They are exploring funding for apprentices and leadership coaching to enhance staff management and conflict resolution skills to ensure they maximise the benefits of their upcoming merger.
Bellagio Stone aims to grow its business by 10% in 2024 and 20%-30% in the following two years. They are focused on expanding into new sectors, leveraging suitable finance options, and enhancing their operational efficiency through technological advancements.
Mike Boyden, Director, said, "This programme has been a great benefit to help us navigate and understand the various support systems available. It’s often hard to know where or how to access these services, Michelle and her team have been fantastic in giving us a route to this support, that we would be unlikely to have found otherwise."
Michelle Connor, Programme Manager for Warwickshire Manufacturing Growth Programme, said, “Mike and his team have been very receptive to engaging and understanding what support is out there to grow their business, they have been particularly keen to ensure as they merge two businesses they do this with the right level of support to gain maximum output”.
Bellagio Stone Ltd exemplifies how targeted business support and strategic guidance can propel a manufacturing business forward. They have made significant strides towards 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 Warwick District Council) and Warwickshire County Council.
Councillor Martin Watson, portfolio holder for Economy at Warwickshire County Council, said: “The Warwickshire Manufacturing Growth Programme supports businesses with tailored support from a dedicated, local and highly experienced Manufacturing Growth Manager to help unlock new opportunities that enable business growth.
“The programme has supported Bellagio Stone to navigate their business challenges and identify opportunities, enabling them to work towards achieving their growth ambitions, including facilitating referrals to access grants, linking in with Warwickshire Skills Hub for additional training and exploring funding options.”
Councillor Ella Billiald, Warwick District Council’s Portfolio Holder for Arts & Economy, commented: “We are proud to support the Warwickshire Manufacturing Growth programme through our contribution to the County’s pooled UKSPF, helping manufacturers such as Bellagio Stone Ltd to develop and grow their business.
“It’s fantastic to hear how the scheme has helped Bellagio Stone tackle a number of challenges to assist its growth ambitions and develop staff in Warwick District, where there is a rich talent pool.”
For details about the Warwickshire Manufacturing Growth Programme, visit: Warwickshire Manufacturing Growth Programme
New Enterprise Park attracts much interest
"Small and medium sized businesses are major employers locally and nationally, and essential to local supply chains. It’s great to see the fund supporting the development and the businesses that will benefit from the new space."
A leading commercial property estate agent is poised to complete the first unit sale at a flagship industrial park in Coventry – months before it is due to be completed.
Albion Enterprise Park will provide 20 units for sale, ranging in size from 1,000 to 3,000 sq ft, to help meet growing demand for commercial space and to benefit local small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs).
Such is its appeal, Coventry-based Bromwich Hardy, which is marketing the 1.88-acre brownfield site in Endemere Road, has already been instructed by Inspire Technologies Ltd to reserve a unit – even though construction only began in May. The industrial park is being constructed by Tyto Contracting Limited and project managed by Tetra Real Estate, both part of the Wigley Investment Holdings portfolio of companies.
Bromwich Hardy Surveyor Mark Booth said: “The region has been calling out for more high quality industrial developments like this for a number of years now, so it is a pleasure to be involved in matching these units up with occupiers and investors. With a developer like Tetra Real Estate, their reputation precedes them, which is why our first buyer had the confidence to purchase a unit before steels were even up.”
Albion Enterprise Park is expected to take around 12 months to complete with the first units available for occupation by the summer of 2025.
For Chris Parsons, Managing Director of Tetra Real Estate, the proposed sale is especially meaningful having been involved with the site all the way from the first designs, costing and planning through to the construction phase.
“We’re thrilled that Albion Enterprise Park has attracted a prospective tenant so early in its construction,” he said. “This sale represents a significant milestone in the project and demonstrates just how great the need is for commercial space in and around the city. We fully expect to have a healthy number of businesses waiting to move in when building work finishes next summer. Partly because this well-connected location will service what is a clear demand for commercial space, but also because we’re confident of delivering units of a high standard and specification that upwardly mobile businesses will naturally want to capitalise on.”
The development is one of two new industrial parks in the region Tetra Real Estate is overseeing thanks to a loan from Warwickshire County Council’s enterprising Property Investment Fund (PIF), managed by global real estate advisor, CBRE. The PIF is the property strand of the Warwickshire Investment Fund (WIF) which supports the
provision of sites and premises which are designed to drive growth of the local economy.
Councillor Martin Watson, Portfolio Holder for Economy at Warwickshire County Council, said: “The availability of smaller light industrial units is constrained locally which is why the Albion Enterprise Park development presented a great opportunity to deploy the Property Infrastructure Fund to
support the provision of this kind of space. While the county of Warwickshire and the city of Coventry are home many large global businesses, we know that small and medium sized businesses are major employers locally and nationally, and
essential to local supply chains. It’s great to see the fund supporting the development and the businesses that will benefit from the new space.
Albion Enterprise Park will provide sustainable and modern industrial units with office and storage space along with 72 car parking spaces. It is close to the A444
with easy access to the M6 and M69. Tetra Real Estate has collaborated with Warwickshire County Council and global property advisors CBRE in funding the project.
For more information on the Property Infrastructure Fund, please visit https://warwickshireinvestmentfund.co.uk/property-infrastructure
For more information on the availability of units at the new developments, please visit the Bromwich Hardy website at https://www.bromwichhardy.com/
Business Ready helps turn idea into reality
"Everyone has been so supportive and knowledgeable. I’m now finalising all the different functions to take to an app developer, and I think we will be ready to launch next summer.
A new app to support small businesses in Coventry and Warwickshire to achieve their marketing goals is to be launched next year.
Katherine Attreed has over 29 years’ experience in marketing, sales and customer service across various industries and founded AtKat Marketing in 2016 when she moved to Warwick due to her husband Simon’s work in the automotive sector.
Since starting the business, Katherine has helped many local businesses to grow with targeted marketing strategies and marketing support.
She had an idea to develop an innovative marketing app for small businesses just like hers but wasn’t sure where to start. The mum-of-two contacted Laura Delahunty at Coventry and Warwickshire Growth Hub and after referrals and support from Business Ready at the University of Warwick Science Park, Innovate UK, Warwick District Council, and Warwickshire County Council, the app is due to launch next summer.
Katherine said from talking to clients she is aware how difficult it can be for solopreneurs and small business owners to create successful marketing strategies when that is not their area of expertise.
“I currently help lots of small businesses, primarily in the food and hospitality service sector, but I felt I could do more to support other SMEs to market themselves and stay on top of their marketing goals,” she said. “I thought an app would be a wonderful way of reaching more SMEs to help them market themselves in a cost-effective manner.
“Laura at the Growth Hub was fantastic because she knew just who I needed to contact to turn my idea into a reality, and everyone has been so supportive and knowledgeable. I’m now finalising all the different functions to take to an app developer, and I think we will be ready to launch next summer.
“It is very exciting to have an opportunity to be able to help lots of other small businesses because marketing can be a minefield. What is right for one business might not be right for another, and there’s plenty of ways of marketing a business without spending a lot of money, so the app will be helping businesses to navigate their way through different marketing options to work out what’s best for them.”
Laura Delahunty, Account Manager at Coventry and Warwickshire Growth Hub, said her work with AtKat Marketing had highlighted the positive difference that collaborative working can make to businesses in the area.
She said: “Katherine approached us through a word-of-mouth referral and over the last 12 months we have introduced her to a number of support streams and helped to keep the project on track. This shows the value of partnership working and any businesses in Coventry and Warwickshire looking to access support, including start-ups who have new ideas to diversify and grow their venture, should get in touch to see how we can help.”
Mark Wisniewski, Business Growth Adviser at UWSP, said: “We were delighted to support Katherine when the app was just an idea. As a business growth advisor and software developer, I encounter many app ideas, but Katherine’s concept really stood out. It not only fills a gap in the market for local businesses needing targeted, geography-specific marketing but also digitises Katherine’s deep expertise and understanding of her clients. This app allows her to help many more small businesses, like cafes, restaurants, and fitness instructors, navigate the challenges of local marketing with the same level of care and insight she brings to her one-on-one work."
Councillor Martin Watson, Portfolio Holder for Economy at Warwickshire County Council, said: “At Warwickshire County Council we are committed to supporting local businesses to grow and develop. The Growth Hub offers a diverse range of support for businesses and start-ups and it’s great to see AtKat Marketing making the most of the support available. The Growth Hub has supported Katherine to take her idea and make it a reality with the upcoming launch of her app, allowing her to add to her business offering for her current and potential clients.”
Cllr Ella Billiald, Portfolio Holder for Arts and Economy at Warwick District Council, said: “The District Council is pleased to lend its support to AtKat Marketing and other entrepreneurs and innovators in our area to grow their fledgling businesses through the Business Ready scheme. We are delighted to see the positive impact it is having and would encourage other start-ups to find out more."
* 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 visiting the Coventry and Warwickshire Growth Hub website.
Careers leaders get inside track on skills
“The first event was a great success and it was really inspiring to see everyone pulling in the same direction – to ensure that students get absolutely the best, most targeted advice as they prepare to embark on their careers."
The inside track on which skills are most required by employers in 2024 was given at the first Careers Leaders Industry Insights Day delivered by Warwickshire Careers Hub.
Careers leaders from schools and colleges across Warwickshire gathered for the event at Eliot Park Innovation Centre in Nuneaton to hear directly from employers.
The highly successful event was the first in a series, spanning various sectors, to be delivered by the Careers Hub, part of Warwickshire County Council’s Warwickshire Skills Hub. It focused on skills needs in the Digital Creative, Manufacturing, Automotive and Future Mobility sectors.
Careers leaders heard directly from employers about exactly which skills and attributes they are looking for from school and college leavers seeking to transition into workplaces. Speakers included Georgina Mellor from Warwick-based communications company Purple Monster and Phil Bale who has an extensive background in the gaming industry. The event also heard from also had Heath Davies from Mecalac, Simon Hill from UK BIC and Olaide Olaoye from D&S Engineering. Engagement from the careers leaders was excellent and some great connections were made during the day.
Further Industry Insights days to come are: Adult Social Care, Primary Healthcare and Early Years, January 25th at Warwick Racecourse; Logistics and Construction, March 13th at Eliot Park, Nuneaton; Hospitality, Finance and Business Operations, May 6th Warwick Racecourse.
The Careers Leaders Industry Insights Days add to the interaction between careers leaders and employers, including Teacher Encounter Days and Industry Round Table events, delivered by Warwickshire Careers and Skills Hubs.
Emma Carty, Operational Hub Lead at Warwickshire Skills Hub and Careers Hub, said: “The first event was a great success and it was really inspiring to see everyone pulling in the same direction – to ensure that students get absolutely the best, most targeted advice as they prepare to embark on their careers.
“I would like to thank all the employers ad careers leaders who attended and made it such a vibrant event which will materially help to shape careers delivery in our schools and colleges.”
Ann Jordan, Careers Advisor and Guidance Officer for Aylesford School, said: “It was a fantastic opportunity to hear about the opportunities and challenges facing local businesses and, although worrying, it was reassuring to hear we are all facing the same/very similar challenges with our students to help them become work-ready. I was particularly struck by what the speaker from Mecalac was saying about the lack of knowledge of industry specific software and practices."
CWRT's 20th anniversary donations
"This anniversary is not only a celebration of our achievements but also an opportunity to give back to the community that has supported us throughout our journey."
Coventry and Warwickshire Reinvestment Trust, a Community Development Finance Institution (CDFI), proudly marks its 20th year of delivering financial solutions to businesses in Coventry and Warwickshire. Since its inception, CWRT has been dedicated to providing access to finance for individuals, startups and businesses unable to secure funding through traditional avenues, driving economic growth and inclusivity across the region.
To celebrate this significant milestone, CWRT is pleased to announce that 1% of all loans issued between June and August 2024 have been donated to three impactful local charities. These donations reflect CWRT’s ongoing commitment to supporting not only businesses but also the wider community, fostering positive social impact.
Sheridan Sulskis, CEO of CWRT, expressed gratitude for the continued trust from local businesses and partners over the past two decades: "We are incredibly proud of the impact we have made over the last 20 years, empowering businesses to thrive and creating opportunities for growth in Coventry and Warwickshire. This anniversary is not only a celebration of our achievements but also an opportunity to give back to the community that has supported us throughout our journey. Our donation to these local charities represents our enduring commitment to making a difference."
The three charities benefiting from CWRT's donation are The Rescue Ranch Animal Sanctuary, Macmillan Cancer and Zoe’s Place Baby Hospice.
Lisa Harrison-Byrne, Head of Fundraising at Zoe’s Place Coventry said, “We were thrilled to hear that the team at CWRT was supporting Zoe's Place – thank you! Without the help of fundraising efforts such as these, we would not be able to offer our invaluable services. The huge amount of funds raised will make a difference to the lives of the families we support – please accept another heartfelt thank you!”
Sue Franks at The Rescue Ranch Animal Sanctuary said, “We’re so delighted to receive this generous donation and equally thrilled that our work here has been recognised in this way. As winter approaches our costs and work hours increase even though the daylight hours get shorter. Bills for veterinary care is usually a huge drain on our finances but along with this are the costs of hay, straw and hard feed along with a multitude of general running costs. In view of all this a donation like this one is genuinely a lifeline that keeps our heads above water, and for that, we’re so grateful.”
Over the past 20 years, CWRT has facilitated over £27million in loans, helping over 800 businesses overcome financial barriers and contributing to the economic resilience of the region. The finance has also helped these businesses to create and safeguard 4,668 jobs.
By providing tailored financial support, CWRT has enabled local entrepreneurs to grow, innovate, and sustain their businesses, further strengthening the local economy. As CWRT embarks on its next chapter, the organisation remains steadfast in its mission to provide inclusive financial solutions and business support to those who are often overlooked by mainstream finance. Warwickshire County Council has been a major funder of CWRT during its 20 years, and is currently funding CWRT to deliver the Local Communities & Enterprise Fund and the Coventry and Warwickshire Duplex Fund.”
For more information about CWRT and its 20th-anniversary celebration, please visit www.cwrt.uk.com or contact our friendly team on 02476 551 777 or enquiries@cwrt.uk.com
Helping businesses recruit well
"Business Ready has been able to provide advice to support John in the development of his launch plan and marketing knowledge to ultimately grow his business.”
An AI career assessment tool developed by a Rugby-based career guidance company could help businesses make far better-informed hiring decisions and get people into jobs that truly fulfil them.
Career-Fit, founded by John Kilvington who has worked in HR for more than 40 years, uses advanced psychometric testing to understand what motivates people and their competencies in transferable skills before matching them to ideal vacancies, and helps businesses fill their own vacancies or build teams.
Now, thanks to advances in AI, the firm has developed a tool which will enable businesses and organisations to quickly interpret the results of these tests without the need for a qualified psychologist. It is hoped the tool will help candidates find roles that enable them to thrive both now and in the future, and businesses or organisations to quickly fill vacancies with motivated candidates.
John has worked with Fiona Molloy, Growth Advisor at the University of Warwick Science Park’s free business support service Business Ready, which is funded through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and Warwickshire County Council to create a launch plan and to provide marketing advice around Career-Fit.
Career-Fit was referred to Business Ready via the Coventry and Warwickshire Growth Hub.
John said: “I looked into psychometric testing in the early 1990s after my company was tasked to build teams for IT companies in many different emerging markets at that time in Europe, Africa and the Middle East. People in these regions had skills and inherent motivations, but there was no reliable way of assessing them because the economies they worked in were not the same as a Westernised labour market.
“This led me to create psychometric tests to assess an individual’s motivations, regardless of academic ability, and work out where they will excel the most in the workplace. The tests looked at qualities such as flexibility, adaptability, resilience, and emotional intelligence – all excellent predictors for career success across a range of sectors.
“After refining the testing over a number of years, recent advances in AI have been game-changing. Instead of needing a psychologist to interpret the results of our testing, AI can do so in a matter of moments. This led me to found Career-Fit to enable more businesses and individuals to take advantage of this accessibility.
“However, I struggled with finding a way of packaging it and making it appealing for businesses to use. That’s where Fiona and Business Ready came in. What she has enabled us to do is to really focus on what makes Career Fit’s tool unique, and why it will be useful for so many companies.”
Fiona Molloy, Growth Advisor at Business Ready, said: “John clearly had extensive experience in HR and psychology when he came to us for support, but was not sure of the best way to sell what he had created to businesses and other organisations. He’d never really needed to come up with a marketing or launch strategy before, so we have been guiding him through that process and enabling him to ‘sell’ Career-Fit’s tool.
“Career-Fit is now at a stage where the tool is ready to be launched, and we’re confident it will make a significant difference to businesses needing to find quality candidates and individuals looking for fulfilling work.”
Councillor Martin Watson, Portfolio Holder for Economy at Warwickshire County Council, said: “The Business Ready programme provides tailored advice for many local businesses, and this is seen in the support provided to Career-Fit. John used his specialist knowledge to create a fantastic tool for businesses and Business Ready has been able to provide advice to support John in the development of his launch plan and marketing knowledge to ultimately grow his business.”
Cllr Louise Robinson, Rugby Borough Council portfolio holder for growth, investment, digital and communications, said: “All products need launch and marketing strategies to ensure potential customers can be targeted from day one and the product has the best chance of success.
“Business Ready has helped Career-Fit take the significant step from product development to launch and given John the marketing know-how to target HR departments in companies across a huge range of sectors.”
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.
Still time to enter for business awards
There is still time for businesses, community groups and individuals to put themselves forward for the first ever Coventry & Warwickshire Business and Community Awards.
The new awards have been developed by Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce and will take place at the Belgrade Theatre in March 2025 to help celebrate the positive impact businesses and community organisations have across the region.
There are ten exciting categories to enter ahead of the deadline at noon on Friday, December 6 before a shortlist of finalists is announced in January.
They are:
- The Workforce Developer – Commitment to People Award
- The Global Player – Export Business of the Year Award
- The Planet Saver – Green Business of the Year Award
- The Rapid Riser – Start-up or Scale-up Business of the Year Award
- The Problem Solver – Business Diversification Award
- The Equality Trailblazer – EEDI Business of the Year Award
- The Community Champion – Community Business of the Year Award
- The Not-For-Profit Champion – Community Organisation of the Year Award
- The Creative and Culture Activator – Creative and Cultural Award
- The Inspirational Individual – C&W Person of the Year Award
Sponsors for the event include Coventry Building Society, Purple Planet Packaging, EBC and Wright Hassall.
Corin Crane, chief executive of the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce, said it was shaping up to be a special evening. “This is a brand new awards and we’re really excited that we are going to be able celebrate some of the incredible work that our businesses, community groups and individuals do across Coventry and Warwickshire that make this such as fantastic place to live, work and play," he said. “We want to do this differently and make it a really open, inclusive event that businesses and groups of all sizes and sectors feel they want to attend or be part of.
“The night itself will be a celebration of local performers and artists as well as local food and drink, which we believe is really important.
“The fact that entries are coming in thick and fast suggests to us that those decisions we’ve made have helped to capture people’s imaginations – but it’s important to note that there is still plenty of time to get your entries in!”
For more information or to enter go to https://www.cw-chamber.co.uk/awards/
Scams warning as deadline looms
Concerned customers reported nearly 150,000 scam referrals to HMRC in the last year, as Self Assessment filers are warned to be alert to fraudsters.
With millions of people due to complete their Self Assessment tax return and pay any tax owed by 31 January 2025, fraudsters are targeting people with offers of tax refunds or demanding payment of tax to get hold of personal information and banking details. Around half of all scam reports (71,832) in the last year were fake tax rebate claims.
There has been a 16.7% increase in all scam referrals to HMRC – 144, 298 were received between November 2023 and October 2024, up from 123, 596 in the previous 12-month period.
If someone receives communication claiming to be from HMRC that asks for their personal information or is offering a tax rebate, check the advice on GOV.UK to help identify if it is scam activity.
HMRC will never leave voicemails threatening legal action or arrest, or ask for personal or financial information over text message – only fraudsters and criminals will do that.
Kelly Paterson, Chief Security Officer at HMRC, said: “With millions of people filing their Self Assessment return before January’s deadline, we’re warning everyone to be wary of emails promising tax refunds.
“Being vigilant helps you spot potential scams. And reporting anything suspicious helps us stop criminal activity and to protect you and others who could have received similar bogus communication.
“Our advice remains unchanged. Don’t rush into anything, take your time and check ‘HMRC scams advice’ on GOV.UK.”
HMRC will not contact you by email, text, or phone to announce a refund or ask you to request one. Anyone who is due a refund from HMRC can claim it via their online HMRC account or the free and secure HMRC app.
You can report any phishing attempts to HMRC by:
- reporting tax scam phone calls to HMRC on GOV.UK
- forwarding suspicious texts claiming to be from HMRC to 60599
Warwick ready for fun on Small Business Saturday
Warwick’s independent businesses are set for the spotlight thanks to a festive-themed event to mark Small Business Saturday.
Visitors to the county town will be able to enjoy festive horse and carriage rides around the town, photos with Santa and his Sleigh, and a special Christmas Fun Day featuring 22 independent businesses selling a range of Christmas gifts and decorations. Not forgetting festive refreshments, children’s games, a tombola, face painter and more.
The event on 7th December has been organised to coincide with Small Business Saturday UK - a grassroots, non-commercial campaign which aims to highlight small business success and encourages consumers to 'shop local.' Warwick Town Council, supported by Warwick Chamber of Trade, have organised the Christmas Fun Day at the town’s Court House to showcase Warwick’s independent businesses, attract people into the town centre and raise money for charity, with the event supporting local causes The Myton Hospice and Warwick’s Christmas Lights.
On the same day, there is also free parking in all of Warwick District Council car parks in Warwick to help encourage people to shop local. The Christmas Fun Day also coincides with the fundraiser by the Myton Hospice, which will see ‘Santa and his Sleigh’ descend on Warwick’s Market Square. Warwick Town Council has organised a horse and carriage to give festive rides around the town centre, with pick up and drop off points at both the Market Square and Court House.
George Palmer, Finance and Communications Officer at Warwick Town Council, said: “Small Business Saturday is a great initiative to remind people to shop local, and where better than Warwick, where we have so many fabulous small businesses. We wanted to go all out this year to showcase some of the great independents we have in the town and local area, so decided to host a Christmas Fun Day where 22 independent businesses will be selling a range of Christmas gifts and decorations. We’ll also have festive refreshments, Children’s games, tombola, face painter – so there’s lots of fun to be had!
“This is all about encouraging people into the town centre, supporting as many independent businesses as possible, and raising money for great causes. We can’t wait to welcome everyone to Warwick.”
The Christmas Fun Day at The Court House, which takes place from 10am to 4pm on 7th December, has been sponsored by Flying Pig Catering, while the horse and carriage will be provided by P&R Horsedrawn Carriage and has been sponsored by Switch Squid.
Special Feature
Future Destination Hub offers tailored support for 16 to 24-year-olds
“The Future Destination Hub is a fantastic addition to the support offered to young people who are still searching for direction in their lives and a way into employment or back into education."
A unique new wraparound service to help 16 to 24-year-olds into employment or education has been launched by Warwickshire County Council and the five Districts and Boroughs across the county.
The Future Destination Hub, funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, is a county-wide model which offers the most bespoke guidance to individuals. The programme offers support to create interventions tailored to each young person’s needs and the challenges of each District and Borough.
Delivered by the Shaw Trust, the Future Destination Hub entails support with a new level of detail specific to the needs, skills and personality of each young person. Each person works with their own journey guide to identify the barriers they face in the search for education or employment and ascertain the best pathway forward and how to overcome those barriers. The one-to-one support remains until the planned destination is achieved.
The £200,000 programme is designed to help the hardest-to-reach young people, integrate them into the community and support them towards building fulfilling lives and careers. Recent pilot schemes have shown that such personalised support and help to identify individuals’ own needs and objectives is highly effective.
Employers and college principals across the county will work with the programme. Colleges will create a series of events to offer young people in the Future Destination Hub the opportunity to engage with college activities and taster days and participate in learning opportunities. Employers will offer industry tours to support the young person develop workplace knowledge and understand the roles within each industry.
Warwickshire County Council’s Portfolio Holder for Economy, Cllr Martin Watson, said: “The Future Destination Hub is a fantastic addition to the support offered to young people who are still searching for direction in their lives and a way into employment or back into education. With funding from the UKSPF, the programme shows the value of collaboration and underlines the shared commitment of county, District and Borough councils to support these young people.”
Cllr Louise Robinson, Rugby Borough Council Portfolio Holder for Growth, investment, Digital and Communications, said: “There’s no ‘one size fits all’ solution when it comes to supporting young people into the world of work, apprenticeships or further education, and the Future Destination Hub aims to help young people identify the right route for them to achieve their ambitions. In addition to advice on the options available, the hub also focuses on personal development to identify training needs and equip young people with the skills and confidence to start the next chapter in their lives.”
Councillor Ella Billiald, Portfolio Holder for Arts and Economy at Warwick District Council said: "This is an excellent programme which means that some of our most vulnerable young people will be supported into further education and future employment. Both can be very daunting and, therefore, avoided. The Hub will mean that young people are highly supported, breaking these barriers to ease the transition. It will provide nurture, motivation and help young people realise their potential, developing the confidence to enable them to progress on their own unique journeys."
Cllr Nicola King, Portfolio Holder for Business and Regeneration at Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council, said: “It is hugely important that people in the 16-24 age group in our Borough have as much help as possible to help them get into employment or education. The Future Destination Hub will be a fantastic means of support and we look forward to seeing it being a success in Nuneaton and Bedworth.’’
* For more information about the Future Destination Hub, please email Rabia.begum@shaw-trust.org.uk.
Destination Work programme will help people towards life-changing employment
"The Destination Work programme will play a vital role in addressing the needs of our economically inactive residents, providing them with the tools and support they need to move towards employment."
A groundbreaking new programme has been launched in Warwickshire to deliver intensive employability and skills support to economically inactive people aged 25 and over.
Destination Work, funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, is delivered by Jobs 22 on behalf of Warwickshire County Council, Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council, Rugby Borough Council, Warwick District Council and Stratford District Council.
The £500,000 programme will be carried into the county’s communities by three organisations renowned for their expertise and experience in supporting people towards employment. It will be delivered by Jobs 22 in the Rugby and Stratford areas and their delivery partners Coventry and Warwickshire CDA and Pet-Xi in Nuneaton & Bedworth and Warwick District respectively.
With guidance from Warwickshire County Council’s Warwickshire Skills Hub, the programme is intended to assist 172 participants in gaining vital employability skills, boosting confidence and ultimately guiding them towards meaningful employment. It entails intensive support designed to engage some of the hardest-to-reach people in our communities. Sessions and activities will cover areas including employability skills, job clubs, communication, confidence and motivation, team working, maths and English tuition and digital skills training as well as other workplace and life skills.
The programme's success will be measured by its ability to engage participants across the four boroughs, helping them achieve a range of employment-related outcomes. These include increasing employability, accessing support services, and successfully securing work.
The service is designed for economically inactive residents -individuals not currently seeking work and not claiming benefits related to active job-seeking, such as Employment Support Allowance (ESA) or Income Support (IS). Participants will receive weekly one-to-one guidance, group activities, and employability training to address both personal and professional barriers to employment.
Samantha Saunders, Regional Operations Manager for Jobs 22, said: "This contract represents a significant step forward in our mission to empower individuals and strengthen communities across Warwickshire. We are thrilled to work alongside Warwickshire Skills Hub and our trusted delivery partners to offer personalised support to economically inactive residents and help them move closer to employment."
Warwickshire County Council’s Portfolio Holder for Economy, Cllr Martin Watson said: "Warwickshire County Council is pleased to partner with Jobs 22 on this important initiative. The Destination Work programme will play a vital role in addressing the needs of our economically inactive residents, providing them with the tools and support they need to move towards employment."
Councillor Ella Billiald, Portfolio Holder for Arts and Economy at Warwick District Council said: “I am really pleased that Warwick District Council is collaborating with its neighbour councils to engage participants across the four districts and boroughs to deliver this much needed flagship scheme. It will provide a valuable service for those in our community who need support to access jobs, providing the opportunity, skills, and confidence boost to aid transition back into the workplace. I am interested in seeing the outcome of this scheme.”
Cllr Louise Robinson, Rugby Borough Council Portfolio Holder for Growth, Investment, Digital and Communications, said: “Searching for your first job or looking to return to work after a period of unemployment can be a daunting prospect, but Destination Work aims to make the move into work as smooth as possible. Working one-to-one with clients, the programme’s action plans aim to address any personal obstacles which might be stopping someone looking for work, while building the confidence to secure and stay in a job.”
Cllr Nicola King, Portfolio Holder for Business and Regeneration at Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council, said: “We are delighted to be working with Jobs 22 in our Borough and this exciting new venture. The Destination Work programme will be a huge boost to those who are currently aged 25 and over and economically inactive and will help them increase their chances of employment.’’
* For more information about the Destination Work programme, please visit https://jobs-22.co.uk/destination-work
News in Brief
A round up of latest news-in-brief affecting the county...
Former WWII camouflage workshop transformed into creative offices
The transformation of the former WWII camouflage workshop in Leamington's Spencer Yard has been completed with all the units now fully let. The scheme forms part of the continued progress of the Creative Quarter. The building, now known as 1 Spencer Yard, has been restored to provide creative offices by Complex Development Projects (CDP) in partnership with Warwick District Council. 1 Spencer Yard is the new home of EDAG Engineering, LoudLocal, PO'Sh Creative and Lily Head Dental Practice Sales and Finance with about 50 people now working within the building.
https://www.insidermedia.com/news/midlands/former-ww2-camouflage-workshop-transformed-into-creative-offices
Green light for 220,000 sq ft North Warwickshire commercial scheme
Urban regeneration company Summix has secured the green light for the creation of about 220,000 sq ft of commercial space in Warwickshire. The development, on brownfield derelict land at Tamworth Road, near Tamworth, will create a significant number of jobs through a range of new buildings that will offer research, commercial and industrial uses.
https://www.insidermedia.com/news/midlands/green-light-for-220000-sq-ft-warwickshire-commercial-scheme
900 jobs at risk as HelloFresh proposes closure of Nuneaton distribution centre
Recipe box company HelloFresh is proposing the closure of its Nuneaton distribution centre in a move that places about 900 jobs at risk. The proposal, which is subject to consultation, is for the site to remain operational until at least mid-2025. The company said that "consolidating our operations and leveraging more of the technologically advanced parts of our network will enable us to offer the best product to our customers while reducing emissions and waste".
https://www.insidermedia.com/news/national/revealed-the-16-best-pubs-in-the-uk-in-2024
Warwick poised for £20m logistics unit after green light for Barberry
A £20 million logistics unit is set to be built at the Tournament Fields Business Park in Warwick after developer and investor Barberry was given the go-ahead by the district council. Barberry acquired the last remaining plot at the park, which sits off Junction 15 on the M40 earlier this year, and has now secured reserved matters planning permission from Warwick District Council for the 92,246 sq ft project.
https://thebusinessmagazine.co.uk/companies/warwick-poised-for-20m-logistics-unit-after-green-light-for-barberry/
Lotus to cut up to 200 jobs in the UK
Sportscar manufacturer Lotus has confirmed it is cutting jobs for the third time in 18 months, with up to 200 UK-based roles at risk. The company, which is based at Hethel near Norwich, said the redundancies were the result of "market demand and evolving market conditions". Owned by Chinese firm Geely, Lotus made significant cuts to jobs in July 2023 and January this year, with accounts in 2023 showing car sales had dropped by almost 200% in one year and losses had risen to £145.1m. The company employs engineers at its facility in Wellesbourne and also in Coventry, but it is understood that the majority of the latest job losses will be at the Norfolk factory.
https://www.itv.com/news/anglia/2024-11-08/up-to-200-uk-jobs-at-risk-as-sportscar-firm-reveals-redundancy-plan
Dumper truck manufacturer eyeing growth with factory expansion
Leamington dumper truck firm Thwaites expects to see a 15% increase in its manufacturing capacity over coming years, once it completes work to expand its site in Cubbington. The family-owned business is being supported in the work, earmarked for completion in summer 2025, with a funding package from HSBC. The transformation of the site will include constructing a new 43,000 sq ft building, and solar panels will also be installed and provide a third of the electricity used by the site.
https://thebusinessmagazine.co.uk/companies/dumper-truck-manufacturer-eyeing-growth-with-factory-expansion/
Recruitment giant seeks further acquisitions as revenues near £2bn
A Warwickshire-headquartered recruitment giant said it is seeking further growth through acquisitions after an extended financial year in which revenues neared the £2bn mark but pre-tax profits dipped. Pertemps Network Group, which was established in 1961, is a workforce talent provider with more than 200 branches across the UK.
https://www.insidermedia.com/news/midlands/recruitment-giant-seeks-further-acquisitions-as-revenues-near-2bn
Business Secretary to confirm Government will consult on easing EV rules
Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds is set to confirm the Government will consult on easing rules related to the phasing-out of new petrol and diesel cars, the PA news agency understands. The Cabinet minister is expected to use a speech to the automotive industry on Tuesday night to announce that changes to flexibilities available to manufacturers as part of the zero-emission vehicles (Zev) mandate will be proposed. Under the current rules, the mandate will reach 80% by 2030, but the Government has committed to bring the ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars and vans forward from 2035 to 2030.
https://www.insidermedia.com/news/national/business-secretary-to-confirm-government-will-consult-on-easing-ev-rules
Jaguar’s rebrand backlash - the reason behind it and the “end of the classic British design”
The British luxury vehicle company Jaguar unveiled a new logo as part of a rebrand, as the car giant pushes forward to an electric-only future. The rebrand has been met with widespread confusion and criticism, with Tesla-owner Elon Musk even joining in on the online backlash following the carmaker's latest advertisement.
https://www.insidermedia.com/news/national/jaguars-rebrand-backlash-the-reason-behind-it-and-the-end-of-the-classic-british-design
John Brown Wheels to roll back to Warwick home after 40 years
John Brown Wheels is moving back to Wedgnock Lane in Warwick after being away for more than four decades.Founded in Coventry in 1972, the firm designs replicas of alloy wheels for a range of vehicles.
https://thebusinessmagazine.co.uk/companies/wheel-supplier-to-roll-back-to-warwick-home-after-four-decades/
Wrightbus snaps up refurbishment and repair company
JCB linked bus businesss Wrightbus, based in Northern Ireland, has expanded with the acquisition of a company which specialises in bus and coach refurbishment and repair. RGI Bus and Coach Refurbishment operates from premises in Southam. The deal secures the facility as well as the company's 13 members of staff. RGI owner Ross Cleaver joins Wrightbus as head of repair and refurbishment UK.
https://www.insidermedia.com/news/national/wrightbus-snaps-up-refurbishment-and-repair-company
Fine-dining restaurant opens at newly restored Georgian manor
A new fine-dining restaurant has launched within Warwickshire's Ansty Hall, a recently restored grade II-listed Georgian manor. Twine draws its name from Ansty's history as a hub of the weaving industry and aims to "redefine" classic British cuisine.
https://www.insidermedia.com/news/midlands/fine-dining-restaurant-opens-at-newly-restored-georgian-manor
Medtech firm chooses Warwick for UK testing and repair site
An Italian-headquartered multi-national, which makes products for diagnostic imaging, has chosen Warwick for its UK site for testing and repairs after moving the service in-house. The UK arm of Bracco, based in Oxford, had a strong sales presence in this country with products used in both NHS and private hospitals, but it used to rely on third parties to repair defective equipment and to test new products.
https://thebusinessmagazine.co.uk/companies/medtech-firm-chooses-warwick-for-uk-testing-and-repair-site/
Warwickshire engineering company celebrates a century in business
Kigass, which manufacturers components for a range of industries from automotive and aerospace to the oil and gas sectors, is celebrating 100 years in business. Since its inception in 1924 the fourth-generation family business Kigass in Warwick has consistently evolved its offering to meet new technology and demand.
https://thebusinessmagazine.co.uk/companies/warwickshire-engineering-company-celebrates-100-year-in-business/
Construction firm Stepnell reports strong year and looks ahead to demerger
Construction company Stepnell has reported profits of in excess of £1m following an "improved performance across a range of key indicators", with turnover rising by more than 15 per cent. The business, which operates regionally from offices in Nottingham, Rugby, Wantage, Bristol, Southampton and Poole, attributes the strong 2023/24 financial year to a continued focus on overall business strategy and operational performance.
https://www.insidermedia.com/news/national/construction-firm-stepnell-reports-strong-year-and-looks-ahead-to-demerger
HS2 reaches halfway point on Warwickshire ‘green tunnel’ - new images showcase progress
Work to build HS2's 700-metre-long Burton Green Tunnel in Warwickshire has reached the halfway mark, with new images highlighting the progress. Once built, the tunnel will carry HS2 trains through the village of Burton Green, near Kenilworth, and will feature a green space above for use by the community. It is one of five 'green tunnels' being built on the project – shallower tunnels which will be finished with trees, plants and shrubs on top.
https://www.insidermedia.com/news/midlands/hs2-reaches-halfway-point-on-warwickshire-green-tunnel-new-images-showcase-progress
Green light for Nuneaton industrial and logistics warehouse - will create almost 250 jobs
A Detailed plans for a £3.5m mid-box industrial and logistics warehouse at Nuneaton business park have received the green light. The project is forecast to create almost 250 jobs. Tungsten Properties' plans for a facility at Bermuda Park have been approved by Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council. The company will speculatively develop Nuneaton 37, which will total 36,730 sq ft, targeting BREEAM Very Good and EPC A. The project is forecast to create about 150 construction roles and, once the building has been completed, create a further 95 jobs.
https://www.insidermedia.com/news/midlands/green-light-for-nuneaton-industrial-and-logistics-warehouse-will-create-almost-250-jobs
Detailed plans lodged for Exhall Golden Triangle employment space
Detailed plans have been lodged for the creation of approximately 600,000 sq ft of employment space in the Midlands' Golden Triangle. Following a planning appeal last year, L&Q Estates secured outline planning permission for more than 600,000 sq ft of commercial development on land off Wilsons Lane/A444 in Longford.
https://www.insidermedia.com/news/midlands/detailed-plans-lodged-for-golden-triangle-employment-space