Featured News
Teaching careers take flight thanks to Apprenticeship Levy
"Thanks to continued levy donations, we can cover the study costs of our apprentices, and that has a real impact in our schools."
Seven young people have launched their teaching careers at North Warwickshire schools with support from Warwickshire County Council’s Apprenticeship Levy.
The apprentice teachers and teaching assistants have already hit the ground running in Atherstone in the classrooms at St Benedict's Catholic Academy, St Thomas More Catholic School & Sixth Form College, the Holy Spirit Catholic Multi Academy, St Francis Catholic Academy, St Anne's Catholic Academy, and Our Lady & St Joseph Catholic Academy.
Senior staff at the schools and college are passionate advocates of staff taking the apprenticeship route with its unique opportunity for learning a job while actually doing it. With the support of the County Council’s Apprenticeship Levy, they have now taken on more talented young aspiring teachers who are getting the best possible training to set a foundation for long careers in the profession.
Among them is Izzie Walkinshaw, who has begun a Level Six degree apprenticeship at St Francis Catholic Academy in Bedworth - and is loving it.
“I always knew I wanted to go into teaching so I looked at the university route and the apprenticeship route,” she said. “When we heard that funding was there for the Level Six apprenticeship, which included a university degree, I was so excited. It’s the best thing I ever did. I wanted that university degree but, rather than going to lectures, wanted to be hands on and assessed on my skills at the job. I knew if I could get that hands on experience I would benefit more.
“It’s a great school. With all the charity work you get to do, I can give back to people in society as well as giving children the same support and knowledge about their faith that I received at school. I’ve loved it in the classroom. I wanted to be in the classroom, helping children gain that educational knowledge, and from the first day, seeing the children’s faces light up, I was loving it.”
Izzie spends four days a week in the classroom and one day at Coventry University studying with the National Institute of Training and Education.
“In one month, Izzie has achieved so much, she already understands, and can deliver adaptive teaching strategies, said Sandie Wilson, Director of Teacher Education and Apprenticeships at the Holy Spirit Catholic Multi Academy. “In her first month she amassed so much experience. Izzie shone through at interview stage because she has been so proactive and had experience through both paid work and volunteer placements. She was Social Action Champion in sixth form and we want to invest in people with those values. She has that raw character we were looking for.
“Izzie will finish her apprenticeship with three and a half years’ experience… and no student debt! That’s a win/win. She has come straight out of college into the classroom and hopefully will be with us until she retires.”
Michelle Burdett, deputy principal at St Benedict's Catholic Academy, said the County Council support through its Apprenticeship Levy has been invaluable.
“The funding was essential,” she said. “We knew we wanted to take apprentices on but might not have the funding so when the County Council funding came through it meant the world to us. Thanks to continued levy donations, we can cover the study costs of our apprentices, and that has a real impact in our schools.
“An apprenticeship is such a great route to go down, as people learn the job by doing it. We have a fully qualified teacher, Joe Newton, who started through the apprenticeship route and his work is amazing. He is officially a newly-qualified teacher, but in reality, has four years' experience from his apprenticeship. As a teacher that is so important.
“It’s not just about developing as teachers but also the opportunities they are given to lead in other areas. Last year one of our apprentices was our PE lead. We need young people to come in with new perspectives and leadership skills alongside those we already have.”
A game-changer for Warwickshire: The Apprenticeship Levy Transfer Programme
Warwickshire County Council’s Apprenticeship Levy Transfer Programme has become a standout success story, transforming futures, strengthening local businesses, and driving real change across the county. Thanks to this innovative initiative, dozens of Warwickshire businesses have been able to access fully funded apprenticeships, removing financial barriers and unlocking opportunities for growth and development. In 2024 alone, the programme supported over 97 apprenticeships across 38 businesses, injecting more than £1 million into workforce development.
This isn’t just funding, it’s a strategic investment in the county’s future. From care providers to engineering firms, and now schools, the Levy Transfer Programme is helping organisations bring in fresh talent, upskill existing staff, and build resilient teams ready for tomorrow’s challenges.
And for the apprentices? It’s life-changing. They’re gaining qualifications, experience, and confidence, without the burden of student debt. It’s a win-win for everyone involved. Warwickshire is leading the way in showing how smart use of levy funding can create a ripple effect of opportunity, inclusion, and excellence. The success of this programme is a testament to the County Council’s commitment to skills, growth, and community impact.
Warwickshire County Council's Portfolio Holder for Economy, Cllr Rob Howard, said: "In recent years, funding from the county council's Apprenticeship Levy scheme has helped launch the careers of many young people and, at the same time, enabled employers to find and recruit the talented young people they need. I am delighted that the Levy support has proved so valuable to these schools in Atherstone where the benefit from Izzie and the other six apprentices will be far-reaching and longstanding as their careers evolve."
Warwickshire Redundancy Support Task Force activated following JLR cyber attack
"The service has been designed to be flexible, scalable, and ongoing, with a strong focus on helping businesses re-diversify roles and build resilience."
In response to the recent cyber-attack on Jaguar Land Rover, Warwickshire County Council, in partnership with Coventry City Council and alongside key regional partners including the Coventry & Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce, has activated a dedicated Redundancy Support Task Force to assist affected businesses and employees.
This coordinated initiative brings together a powerful network of regional and national organisations to deliver tailored, practical support during a time of disruption. It’s a proactive model of partnership working, built on shared intelligence and a commitment supporting the stabilisation of the local economy.
The Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce’s recent survey provided invaluable insight into the scale and nature of the impact, helping shape the Task Force’s response to ensure it meets the real needs of businesses and workers.
But this isn’t just about reacting, it’s about prevention. The service has been designed to be flexible, scalable, and ongoing, with a strong focus on helping businesses re-diversify roles and build resilience. By supporting workforce development and protecting vulnerable job functions, we’re working to future-proof Warwickshire’s economy and reduce the risk of future disruption.
Our Task Force partners include:
- Department for Work and Pensions
- Federation of Small Businesses
- Warwickshire’s District & Borough Councils
What we’re offering:
Redundancy Support Task Force
A centralised point of contact (physical and/or virtual) to coordinate a tailored response with affected businesses.
Tailored response activities
- Jobs fairs / employer engagement events
- CV writing & interview preparation
- Skills assessments (including transferrable skills)
- Signposting to support services
Employer engagement
- Connecting affected workers with hiring employers
- Access to specialist recruitment agencies
- Promotion of inclusive hiring via the Fair Chance Programme Jobs Portal
- Encouraging employers to upload vacancies and demonstrate inclusive recruitment values
This joined-up approach is helping not only with immediate recovery but also with long-term workforce protection. By supporting individuals and businesses alike, Warwickshire is showing how smart, compassionate intervention can make a real difference.
Contact Us Today
Warwickshire Skills Hub
📞 +44 2476 796461
📧 skillshub@warwickshire.gov.uk
🌐 skillshub.warwickshire.gov.uk
Nuneaton marketing agency eyeing growth
"You’re on your own a little bit when you first start up so having someone to bounce ideas off and formulate a plan with was just what I needed."
A Nuneaton marketing agency has taken on its first member of staff and is on a path to further growth after reaching out for support.
Luke Jones left his job of 12 years with a local manufacturing business at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic and set up LAJ Marketing.
During his time with the company, he’d studied business and marketing at the Open University over a five-year period and as well as gaining theoretical knowledge, he picked up practical, on-the-job insight as he rose to be sales and marketing manager.
He also realised very few marketing agencies were tailored to small and medium-sized businesses so, as Covid restrictions lifted, he decided he would set up on his own to fill the gap in the market.
The business quickly gained momentum and while the success was positive news, it left Luke focussed fully on delivery for clients, with little time to plan. He got in touch with the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce to ask for help and found out he was eligible for free support.
Luke was assigned to Jason Barnes as a business adviser through the Warwickshire Business Resilience and Growth programme. It is delivered by Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce on behalf of Warwickshire County Council.
Jason offered one-to-one support and helped Luke to lay out all of the demands on his time to better understand if it was the right moment to take on a member of staff. The work with Jason helped Luke to make a plan for the future and come to the conclusion that bringing in an apprentice would support the next phase of growth.
Luke said: “The fact we went from one client to dozens very quickly was really good news for the business when I was just starting out. But, suddenly, all of my time was being taken up and it was starting to become a bit too much. I’d worked with the Chamber previously so decided to ask if they could help me and, thankfully, there was support available.
“Working with Jason was exactly what I needed. He’d run a business himself so understood where I was coming from. He knew what we needed to consider and what the next steps might be. You’re on your own a little bit when you first start up so having someone to bounce ideas off and formulate a plan with was just what I needed. I’d definitely urge others in my shoes to ask for support.”
In June, Luke took on Jade Leavesley as an apprentice. She supports with content creation for clients, leaving Luke the chance to work more strategically and also work on the business. He’s now looking to add further staff in the coming years with a laser focus on continuing to support the SME market with a full suite of marketing services, which include graphic design, web design, e-mail marketing and social media content.
Jason said: “It was great to work with Luke on a one-to-one basis. So many owner-managed, one-person businesses hit the same kind of wall when they first start out – there’s not enough of them to go round if they grow quickly.
“Equally, taking on a member of staff feels like a big risk. So, we looked at a 12-month plan in terms of planned growth and how that looks in relation to an increase in clients, but also in terms of finances and the requirement to service new clients to the high standards that Luke offers. I am so pleased to see how well it is working which ultimately means more growth and additional staff going forward.”
Councillor Rob Howard, Portfolio Holder for Economy at Warwickshire County Council, said: “We want to support Warwickshire’s businesses to grow and the Business Resilience and Growth programme is a great resource for local businesses allowing them to receive tailored and practical advice.
“This impact is shown through the support provided to Luke, helping him to grow his marketing business. Through the Business Resilience and Growth programme he received bespoke advice based on his current business and his future goals, resulting in adding an apprentice to his workforce and looking to continually grow his staff over the coming years.”
Councillor Nicky King, Portfolio Holder for Business and Regeneration at Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council, said: “I wish Luke every success with his business, LAJ Marketing. The support that he has had is a wonderful step in his business journey. We are delighted that the business support currently on offer makes our borough a better place to do business. Working together with our businesses, and partners is a vital to the improvement of the lives of the people and communities we serve.”
Warwickshire Business Resilience and Growth Business Support forms part of the Business Growth Warwickshire Business Support programme. The programme is funded by UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and Warwickshire County Council. Responsibility for the planning and delivery of UKSPF was part of the Level 2 Devolution Deal secured by Warwickshire County Council in 2024. Warwickshire’s allocation of UKSPF is supporting a package of communities & place, business support, and people & skills activities in 2025/26.
To find out more about the programme and your businesses eligibility please go to https://www.cw-chamber.co.uk/business-support/business-resilience-and-growth/
UK export pathways to the US, Japan and Sweden
On the eve of International Trade Week, taking place from 3rd November to 7th November, Warwickshire Means Business takes a look at three key investment markets.
Investment into the UK and exporting were in the spotlight in October at events in Birmingham and Coventry, focused on Japan, the US and Sweden.
These countries are key sources of investment for the UK, with the US the top UK investor over the last three years in terms of investment project numbers. Sweden and Swedish investors came in at number 5 and Japan number 10. In Warwickshire top US investors included games developer EA, defence and aerospace company Parker and car maker GM; from Sweden Volvo Truck and Bus and Polestar, and from Japan from HORIBA, the owner of MIRA Technology Park near Nuneaton.
Meanwhile, UK firms exported £893bn of goods and services in 2024. Key among these was the US at number 1 (23%), with Sweden and Japan together accounting for nearly four percent (3.8%).
On the eve of the Sumo Grand Tournament in London, experts on international trade came together for a special event at the Venture Centre, at the University of Warwick Science Park to look at trade with Japan and the US.
The event, called “Go West to the USA or Go East to Japan!”, was organised by Margaret Bourke from Taskeru, Dr Frank Levene from Blue Link Worldwide, and Nathan Garner from Garner Finnemore LLP. The aim of the event was to show UK start-ups and scale-ups that entering the US or Japanese markets is more achievable than they might think.
Greg Clark, a former Business Secretary and now Executive Chair of Warwick Innovation District, opened the day by welcoming everyone and praising Warwick Science Park’s role in helping local companies grow beyond the UK.
He was followed by Jacopo Dettoni, the editor of Financial Times owned FDI Intelligence, a respected authority on international investment, who gave an up to date analysis of key global trends and investment markets.
In the “Go East – Come to Japan” session, Margaret Bourke shared why Japan is a great place for UK firms to build long-term partnerships. She was followed by Marina Parry and Hamid Chaudhry from JETRO London, who gave practical advice on how to start doing business there and outlined the programmes and support available to UK companies.
Margaret said, “Taskeru is happy to help companies looking East or West and this is a great time for UK companies to start up in either direction.”
The focus then shifted to the USA. Dr Frank Levene led the “Go West – Come to the USA” session, explaining what to expect when entering the American market. Margaret Bourke talked about the City of Mentor in Ohio as a friendly landing spot for smaller UK companies, while Rhoda Campbell from SelectFlorida highlighted the support available in Florida. The GDP of Florida is $1.7tn, more than three times the size of the Irish economy, which is the UK’s third largest export market, so the scale and potential of US states is clear. The session wrapped up with essential legal tips from Mary Cecilia Sweeney of Laura Devine Immigration.
Frank said, “This was a trail blazing cross border, UK-USA FDI event that delivered practical insights for UK companies seeking to expand into the USA”.
Whether in the room or watching online, attendees left with clear guidance, useful contacts, and a real sense that international expansion doesn’t have to be overwhelming.
Meanwhile, over in Birmingham, the ‘Swedish Business Footprint in the Midlands 2025’ event explored the impact of Swedish enterprises and investment in the Midlands. The event was hosted by Fieldfisher, in collaboration with Forvis Mazars, with Partners Embassy of Sweden in the United Kingdom, British Embassy Stockholm, and the Department for Business and Trade,
The event opened with a welcome from Fredrik Warneryd, Chief Executive of Swedish Chamber in the UK, and included a number of panels featuring Swedish businesses in the UK, including industrial equipment and services business Atlas Copco and specialist steel business SSAB Swedish Steel and Swedish investor Storskogen. We also heard from Kalle Pilfalk of Dreamhack, and their video games Dreamhack Birmingham event coming to the UK next year, with similar events planned in the US, China and Sweden. West Midlands Growth Company and Invest Warwickshire talked about key local sectors and routes for investors into the area via initiatives like the Global Investment Programme. Speaking on a panel at the event, Ian Flynn of Invest Warwickshire paid tribute to the role of local intermediaries and agents in attracting and supporting businesses into the UK from Scandinavia and the Nordics, and supporting export there.
Useful Links:
For help to access the US, Japan and Swedish markets:
International Trade Week
https://www.business.gov.uk/campaign/international-trade-week/
Doing Business in North America
https://www.business.gov.uk/export-academy/events/doing-business-in-north-america-03-november-2025/
Unlocking Growth: Your EU Export Journey
https://www.business.gov.uk/export-academy/events/unlocking-growth-your-eu-export-journey-07-november-2025/
Investing in the US and Japan
Taskeru – Helping you Internationally - https://taskeru.com/
Investing in the US
Blue Link Worldwide - https://blue-link-worldwide.com/
Investing in Sweden
Swedish Chamber of Commerce - https://www.scc.org.uk/
Investing in Scandinavia and the Nordics
Goodwille (Warwick) - https://goodwille.com/
European Business Solutions (Warwick) - https://www.ebs.ltd.uk/
Japan Trade
JETRO - https://www.jetro.go.jp/en/
BGW programme extended
"We’re delighted that the Business Growth Warwickshire Programme will continue for another year. The support has proven invaluable to Warwickshire’s businesses and has helped to create and safeguard jobs within the county."
Individuals looking to set up their own businesses, and existing companies who are looking for help to survive and grow can continue to tap into a range of free support programmes in Warwickshire, after being extended for another year.
The Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce delivering three different packages of support on behalf of Warwickshire County Council through the Business Growth Warwickshire Programme; Start Up Business Support, Business Resilience and Growth Support and Project Warwickshire – Tourism, Leisure and Hospitality Business Support.
Since October 2023, the Chamber has engaged with well over 1,000 businesses, directly helping 190 start-ups and 160 established businesses by delivering each of them 12-hour business support per output between October 2023 to Mar 2025.
During that time, 20.6 FTE jobs have been created and 296 FTE Jobs Safeguarded. Additionally, 269 clients have improved productivity; 242 have opened up new markets; 80 are now export-ready thanks to the support. The programmes are funded by UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and Warwickshire County Council.
Responsibility for the planning and delivery of UKSPF was part of the Level 2 Devolution Deal secured by Warwickshire County Council in 2024. The success and continued funding from UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, allowed Warwickshire County Council to extend the services, allowing even more businesses to benefit.
The Chamber continues to help budding entrepreneurs to establish their new ventures for businesses less than two years of registering through the Warwickshire Business Start-Up Programme. Clients on the programme can access one-to-one business coaching as well as access to a range of workshops that cover the fundamentals of doing business – from planning to marketing.
The Warwickshire Business Resilience and Growth Programme supports established businesses in a range of ways to help them to grow, from diversifying to finding new markets at home and abroad. The programme, which offers one-to-one business coaching, and can help with financial management, sales and marketing, productivity, identifying grants and funding, and signposting to further help.
The third programme – Project Warwickshire – is aimed at helping the county’s tourism, leisure and hospitality sector to thrive. It helps businesses through one-to-one business coaching, workshops and networking & connectivity in areas such as marketing strategy, SEO, recruitment and retention as well as business planning.
Sarah Humphreys, Business Support Manager at the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce, said: “We are thrilled to continue delivering free support programmes for businesses across Warwickshire. Our team of advisers – who have either run their own businesses or developed skills and experience to support in a range of ways – are on hand to offer tailored help to companies to meet their own needs, depending on what stage they are at.
“We’ve helped everything from florists to fitness businesses and from vets to vineyards – and the feedback we received has been extremely positive. I would encourage businesses across Warwickshire to get in touch to find out more about how we can support them.”
Councillor Rob Howard, Portfolio Holder for Economy at Warwickshire County Council, said: “We’re delighted that the Business Growth Warwickshire Programme will continue for another year. The support has proven invaluable to Warwickshire’s businesses and has helped to create and safeguard jobs within the county.
“I look forward to seeing the continued support businesses will receive from the range of programmes and the impact this will have for our local businesses.”
For more information go to https://www.cw-chamber.co.uk/business-support/
Region's rich offer celebrated at Hospitality Hook-Up
"With passionate contributions from across the sector, the event reinforced the importance of collaboration, tailored support, and amplifying the region’s unique offer to both domestic and international audiences."
Hospitality professionals, business leaders and support organisations combined to deliver a vibrant event when they gathered at Dhillon’s Brewery for the 'Coventry and Warwickshire Producers' Network' (CWPN) - a local initiative from Warwickshire County Council and Coventry City Council supporting food and drink producers across the region.
Focused on a 'Hospitality Hook-Up' the event spotlighted regional voices, shared insights, and explored opportunities for growth and collaboration.
Gordy Mazvihwa of Dhillon’s Brewery shared the story behind the business, highlighting its roots in Coventry and its strong ties to Coventry City Football Club. Attendees were invited to take part in an optional brewery tour and tasting session, offering a first-hand look at the venue’s unique character and craft.
Stephanie Kerr delivered a compelling presentation on the hospitality sector, celebrating the success of the Leamington Food & Drink Festival which attracted over 25,000 visitors and remains a cornerstone of the town’s calendar. She emphasised the importance of place-making, creative collaboration, and business-led partnerships.
Stephanie’s call to action urged stakeholders to advocate for tailored support for hospitality, distinct from retail, and to prioritise business security and sustainability a positive call for the sector to advocate for itself in a challenging climate.
With business support agencies including Coventry & Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce and Coventry & Warwickshire Growth Hub offering guidance on funded programmes, grants, exporting, skills development, and recruitment including those funded by Warwickshire County Council, the event was closely focused on audience need. Coventry City Council outlined the Business Energy Advice Service, led by the County Council in Warwickshire, which is open to Warwickshire-based businesses.
Vicki Zamudio-Senghera of Shakespeare’s England showcased its work in an engaging presentation on how global tourism markets view the UK and Warwickshire and how to be seen, including:
- What visitors are looking for: experiential offerings, excellent customer service, and local distinctiveness, with insights to overseas markets and news of an upcoming visit to China that will showcase the offer.
- The importance of understanding the customer journey and place relevance in a global market.
Attendees were encouraged to list their events on Shakespeare’s England and take advantage of regional marketing opportunities and support available via membership organisations.
For business tourism, the audience were reminded of Destination Coventry, which manages the region’s conference bureau.
The Hospitality Hook-Up was a celebration of local enterprise, resilience, and innovation. With passionate contributions from across the sector, the event reinforced the importance of collaboration, tailored support, and amplifying the region’s unique offer to both domestic and international audiences. 2026 meeting dates will be announced shortly
If you would like to receive information about these, please complete this MS form with your information.
Project Warwickshire supports vineyard
"Support from Project Warwickshire has supported Adele and Clark to expand upon their marketing plan and secure a strategy in order to achieve their objectives."
A vineyard in North Warwickshire is raising a glass to a regional business support programme that has helped it to grow – in more ways than one.
Blabers Hall Wine Estate was established by Adele and Clarke Adams when they planted their first grapes at their home in Fillongley.
They initially bought the property to be their family home in 2013 but decided to grow grapes – initially to sell the fruit itself – in 2016 when they planted 9,500 vines before pivoting to become one of a handful of wine vineyards in the region.
Their first harvest was in 2018 and they have since gone on to produce tens of thousands of bottles of wine – including white, red, rose and sparkling – selling directly to consumers and into local hospitality venues, as well as partnering with other local producers. They can produce anything from 3,000 to 25,000 bottles per year depending on the harvest and this year looks set to be a bumper year thanks to the long, hot summer.
In order to get to their next phase of growth, Adele got in touch with the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce to ask for support and was assigned to Russell Grant as a business adviser through Project Warwickshire Business Support.
Project Warwickshire forms part of the Business Growth Warwickshire programme. It is delivered by Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce on behalf of Warwickshire County Council. The programme is funded by UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and Warwickshire County Council.
Russell worked with the vineyard to help establish long-term business plans and a marketing strategy to grow its customer base. Part of that was starting to attend more networking events in the region to raise awareness of the vineyard in North Warwickshire. The vineyard’s marketing plan has become more extensive while it has also begun targeting corporate clients as well as running wine-tasting and craft events at the vineyard which have grown in popularity.
Following the support, Blabers saw 55 per cent increase in business from 2023 to end of 2024, with further growth anticipated in 2025.
Adele said: “This was initially going to be our family home. Clarke was running his construction business and I was working in the local school but I gave that up when we decided to turn some of the land into a vineyard – I’ve gone from knowing very little about it to understanding what kind of soil works best for grapes! I’m also keeping a constant eye on the weather because it’s absolutely key to whether it’s a successful year or not!
“It came to a point where we wanted to make longer term plans for the vineyard as a business and needed to grow our presence. Russell has been a massive help in understanding what we do and where we might be able to grow. We’ve joined more networks and are tapping into more hotels in the area. We’ve also started to market ourselves as a tourist attraction through Destination Coventry, West Midlands Growth Company and Visit Britain, which is something we can definitely build on.”
Russell said: “Adele and Clarke have had to develop knowledge of how to run a vineyard and what leads to the creation of great wines but that’s different to the business side of things. We’ve helped to refine the business plans, improve processes and develop marketing plans to reach a wider customer base. It’s great to see that the support is working and that is something that should be toasted!”
Councillor Rob Howard, Portfolio Holder for Economy at Warwickshire County Council, said: “Project Warwickshire offers a range of support to Warwickshire’s businesses within the tourism, hospitality and leisure industries. It’s great to see the support provided to Blabers Hall Wine Estate and how this has helped towards their business growth.
“Support from Project Warwickshire has supported Adele and Clark to expand upon their marketing plan and secure a strategy in order to achieve their objectives, helping them to build a wider network and access new routes to customers.”
David Wright, Leader of North Warwickshire Borough Council, said: "Blabers Hall Wine Estate is a shining example of how entrepreneurial spirit and rural innovation can thrive in North Warwickshire. We're delighted to see how Adele and Clarke have grown their vineyard into not only a successful business but also a local attraction that contributes to our visitor economy. Supporting businesses like this, through partnerships and programmes such as Project Warwickshire, is central to our vision for a vibrant and sustainable local economy.”
Support for JLR supply chains as production resumes
Following the criminal cyber attack on the luxury car maker JLR in August, production at its factories resumed in October, including at the Battery Assembly Centre (BAC) at Hams Hall, Coleshill. The company has lost weeks of production just as the new number plates were being introduced in the UK and is incurring high costs to replace and upgrade IT and software systems.
JLR support for direct suppliers
JLR has negotiated a loan guarantee from the UK government, and separately fast-tracked a new financing scheme that will provide qualifying JLR suppliers with cash‑up‑front during the production restart phase:
Since the cyber incident, JLR has introduced solutions to support its suppliers, including establishing a dedicated supplier help desk and implementing a manual payment system to settle outstanding invoices, and this week re‑establishing automated supplier payment systems.
With the new scheme, qualifying JLR suppliers will be paid much faster than under their standard payment terms, aiding their cashflow in the near term. Following an initial phase with qualifying JLR suppliers critical to the restart of production, the scheme will be expanded, including to some non‑production suppliers.
Working with a banking partner, this short‑term financing scheme means qualifying JLR suppliers will receive a majority prepayment shortly after the point of order and a final true‑up payment on receipt of invoice. JLR’s typical supplier payment terms are 60‑days post invoice, so this scheme accelerates payments by as much as 120 days. JLR will reimburse the financing costs for those JLR suppliers who use the scheme during the restart phase, as the company returns to full production.
This move follows steps taken by JLR during September to prudently bolster its liquidity, following the interruption to business since the cyber incident.
Source JLR:
https://media.jaguarlandrover.com/news/2025/10/jlr-restarts-manufacturing-and-introduces-new-financing-solution-pay-jlr-suppliers
Help for indirect JLR suppliers in Warwickshire
The impacts of the cyber-attack on the supply chain are likely to continue for some time, and this has left many Warwickshire manufacturers uncertain about contracts, liquidity, and future investment. The Warwickshire Manufacturing Growth Programme can help SMEs access tailored support to:
- Strengthen resilience through expert advice and business diagnostics
- Identify opportunities to boost productivity and competitiveness
- Access coaching to help you diversify and enter new markets
- Access funding and support to improve your cyber-security
- Access to Capital Expenditure grants to invest in your business
The experienced team from Oxford Innovation work directly with businesses to remove barriers to growth and create measurable outcomes that protect jobs and unlock future opportunities.
Learn more about the Warwickshire Manufacturing Growth Programme here:
https://www.warwickshire-mgp.co.uk/
Cycling fans deliver hospitality boost
"Being part of such a huge event for Warwickshire was so much fun and great for our new small business."
Local hospitality businesses lapped up the limelight as the Lloyds Tour of Britain Men’s race showcased more than just Warwickshire’s appeal as a first-class cycling destination.
Cycling enthusiasts from all over the world tuned into live coverage of the race as it passed through Warwickshire with thousands more watching in person as stage four climbed to a thrilling climax at Burton Dassett Hills Country Park.
Not only did the park deliver drama and breathtaking views of the stunning Warwickshire countryside below, it gave a platform to some of the area’s best food and drink businesses, from long-standing favourites to exciting new ventures and fast-growing success stories.
The Wild West Midlands Coffee Company, Mister V Street Food and Wicked Cookies were among the independent businesses that did a roaring trade in the busy festival village and hope to make the most of a potential increase in visiting cyclists in the weeks and months to come. Operating from an all-electric converted Suzuki Carry pick-up, The Wild West Midlands Coffee Company earned rave reviews for its extensive selection of hot drinks, sustainable ethos and bold Western theme.
Business owner Ava Dunkley said: “We usually serve commuters in Leamington each morning so the country park offered a brilliant opportunity to serve coffee in a different environment: we were lucky to have such amazing views! Being part of such a huge event for Warwickshire was so much fun and great for our new small business. The weather was stunning, and we were able to serve hundreds of spectators. We are both so grateful to have been a part of it!”
Mister V Street Food, a beloved local institution, rounded out the offer with its signature gourmet burgers and sausages. Dating back to the 1990s and a legacy built by the Valle family, Mister V’s locally-sourced menu was a hit with visitors, with its vegan burgers enjoying a noticeable spike in popularity.
Business owner Reno Valle said: “The atmosphere in the festival village really was electric. It was an absolute joy to be part of an event that didn’t just put the county’s cycling offer in the spotlight, but also its thriving independent food and drink scene.”
Wicked Cookies brought a sweet touch to the day, showcasing their journey from market stalls and high street shop to national online presence.
Founded in 2016 by Sally and Giles Rees as a family fundraising project, the business has grown to become a regional favourite producing over 100,000 cookies a year. Their new magic-themed shop, Snickerwoodles, in Leamington Spa, illustrates the couple’s innovative spirit and blended business model.
CJ’s Events Warwickshire provided support and event infrastructure, such as traffic management, stewarding and logistical expertise, and helped to transform the festival village into a hub of activity.
It wasn’t just traders atop Burton Dassett Hills that enjoyed a boom in business on the day. Hospitality outlets located all the way along the 116-mile route enjoyed an uptick in trade.
Darcie Mae’s coffee shop in Church Street, Atherstone, was packed to the rafters as thousands gathered in the town for the start of the race.
Owner Darcie Mae Finn said: “We had originally planned to open our shop two weeks after the race, but once we heard how amazing the event was, we knew we had to be part of it. So, we pushed everything forward and opened just in time. On the day, it was absolutely buzzing – queues out the door for hours and business was booming. The atmosphere was incredible, and it turned out to be one of our best trading days yet. We can’t wait for the next one!”
Fiona Darcy from Cuppa Dunchurch, in Daventry Road, was another trader rushed off her feet as she and her team catered for cyclists and spectators before and after the world’s best riders passed through the village.
“It was absolutely lovely to have the race here,” she said. “We posted about it on our social media and soon after we welcomed a number of cyclists who ate with us. Some of them said they were planning to cycle parts of the route. We had a lot of spectators come in for tea and cake throughout the day. It was great for business and the profile of the village.”
Councillor Rob Howard, Portfolio Holder for Economy at Warwickshire County Council, said: “The Tour of Britain cycle race was a fantastic opportunity to celebrate Warwickshire. It was great to see so many local businesses getting involved and providing a range of delicious refreshments during the event, whether that was in the event village or along the cycle route. We’re delighted the event helped to showcase our great county and also support our local towns, villages and businesses.”
Bidford-on-Avon business expands
"We are really happy that we engaged with this support, and it has opened our eyes up to other networks too, which can help us to grow further.”
A south Warwickshire firm of solicitors has opened a second office in the region – and is already planning a third as part of its growth plans.
Hall Reynolds LLP, which has an office fronting High Street in Bidford-on-Avon, has expanded into Stratford town centre after receiving business support that helped the company to set out its strategy for expansion.
The company, which was established in the 1980s by David Hall, employs ten people –including two apprentices – and is adding an eleventh member of the team shortly. It offers a whole range of legal services from residential and commercial property through to wills and probate.
And if the business – which is now run by Katy Taylor and Conchi Palacios, with David acting as a consultant – stays on the same course for growth, there are plans to add a further office in another Warwickshire town.
Hall Reynolds LLP was given one-to-one help by business adviser Jason Barnes through the Business Resilience and Growth programme.
Warwickshire Business Resilience and Growth business support forms part of the Business Growth Warwickshire programme and is delivered by Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce on behalf of Warwickshire County Council.
Jason listened to Katy and Conchi’s plans and helped to cement them into a business strategy, which included a marketing plan for the company. Since receiving the support, which also included a series of workshops, Hall Reynolds LLP has seen a marked increase in business.
Katy said: “We’d grown organically and had ideas on what we wanted to do next, but working with Jason and the Chamber really helped us to get that down in a plan. From there, we had the confidence to do it. Part of that growth was opening an office in Stratford, which we’ve now done in Elizabeth Court, and adding more people to the team.
“We’d always focused on word of mouth for new business but Jason made us look at our marketing differently. We have now got the messaging right about what we offer, the service we provide and the people we are trying to reach. We’ve seen a real increase in enquiries on the back of that and if we continue to grow, we would like to take on more apprentices when our current two qualify.
“We are also considering a third office too because whilst so much work can be done digitally these days, we are big believers in dealing face-to-face with people – especially in a sector where trust is so important. We are really happy that we engaged with this support, and it has opened our eyes up to other networks too, which can help us to grow further.”
Jason Barnes, business adviser with the Chamber, said: “It was important to listen to the plans that Katy, Conchi and the team had and to see what kind of support they would need to get to the next level. We’ve helped to create a plan for next phase of expansion and have offered insights on how they could market themselves in a more strategic way which has helped to ensure that they are already making positive strides when it comes to growth.”
Councillor Rob Howard, Portfolio Holder for Economy at Warwickshire County Council, said: “The tailored support provided through the Business Resilience and Growth Programme has helped Hall Reynolds LLP to set out their direction of growth and identify how this can be achieved. The one-to-one support allows the advisors to fully understand the business and their needs meaning they can provide practical advice and learning opportunities to support the business’s objectives.”
Councillor George Cowcher, Portfolio Holder for Economic Development at Stratford-on-Avon District Council, said: “It is excellent to see a growing professional services company expanding across the District and taking advantage of professional business advice.”
* The Business Resilience and Growth Business Support programme is funded by UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and Warwickshire County Council. Responsibility for the planning and delivery of UKSPF was part of the Level 2 Devolution Deal secured by Warwickshire County Council in 2024. Warwickshire’s allocation of UKSPF is supporting a package of communities & place, business support, and people & skills activities in 2025/26.
* To find out more about the programme and others available to your business, including eligibility please go to https://www.cw-chamber.co.uk/business-support/
Funding to support technology and manufacturing supply chains
"It is essential to modernise production, upskill our workforce, and support business leaders with the training, funding, and guidance they need to be at the cutting edge of 21st century clean and high-tech industries.”
A new £15m fund aims to create and safeguard thousands of jobs by helping West Midlands businesses (and those in Warwick District) diversify into high-growth, tech-driven manufacturing markets as well as helping SMEs recover from recent disruptions, including the cyber-attacks affecting the JLR supply chain.
The West Midlands Investment Zone - Supply Chain Transition Programme, from the West Midlands Combined Authority and Business Growth West Midlands, aims to support hundreds of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) throughout the region to tap into emerging markets. For now, the support is open to companies based in the Combined Authority geography, as well as the Warwick District area, including Kenilworth, Leamington and Warwick. Much of the Coventry & Warwick Investment Zone falls within the Warwick District area on the Baginton/Coventry border.
The support will be delivered in the first year by the Supply Smarter West Midlands Consortium, a partnership including the Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC), WMG at the University of Warwick, and the West Midlands Combined Universities which comprises Coventry University, Birmingham City University, and the University of Wolverhampton, with front end engagement by C&W Business Solutions, part of CW Growth Hub Group.
The £12.5 million investment from the West Midlands Combined Authority’s Investment Zone Supply Chains Transition Programme aims to future-proof the region’s manufacturing base by helping hundreds of SMEs pivot into six high-growth clusters. It is designed to help firms transition into sectors such as advanced engineering, defence, electric vehicles and battery technology, clean tech and energy, med-tech, aerospace, and digital creative technologies.
The WMCA is providing an additional £2.5m of Investment Zone funding for skills training and routes to apprenticeships.
Mayor of the West Midlands, Richard Parker, said: "Manufacturing is still the beating heart of the West Midlands economy, it's in our DNA. But we're ever evolving as technology transforms what we make and how we make it. It is essential to modernise production, upskill our workforce, and support business leaders with the training, funding, and guidance they need to be at the cutting edge of 21st century clean and high-tech industries”.
The Supply Chain Transition programme, funded with money earmarked to deliver the region's Investment Zone, will give businesses fully funded practical advice, access to a £6m research and development grant fund, and advanced management training for senior leaders.
The programme will deliver a high-impact support package that includes providing eligible manufacturing SMEs based in the region with an audit to assess their existing capacity and capability, intensive one-to-one technical advice and guidance, access to research and development grants worth up to £200,000, and leadership and management training.
Craig Humphrey, Chief Executive of Coventry & Warwickshire Growth Hub Group said: "The Supply Smarter West Midlands Consortium brings together a power-house combination of the region's world-class advanced manufacturing and engineering research and development facilities and specialists at WMG and the MTC, with highly experienced and knowledgeable sector experts from the West Midlands Combined Universities, to deliver this transformational programme. This is about real, practical support that helps companies across the West Midlands win work, grow, and create high-value jobs to support the region’s Growth Plan ambitions.
“Our region’s SMEs already have the skills. This programme will give them the roadmap, the tools, and the backing to diversify, innovate, and succeed in future-focused sectors.
“By harnessing the region’s advanced manufacturing strengths and innovation infrastructure, the Supply Chain Transition initiative is set to deliver sustainable and inclusive economic transformation – making the region a national leader in next-generation supply chains.”
Rowan Crozier CEO of Birmingham based Brandauer, added: "Key to our new ten-year plan is a continued commitment to pushing the boundaries of innovation in manufacturing and we welcome any funding that helps firms explore new opportunities through carefully tailored R&D activities.
"In recent years, we have made significant progress in developing e-motor laminations and, with the support of the Supply Chain Transition programme, we are hoping to use some of the assistance to accelerate our move into power storage and more advanced battery technology.”
Coventry & Warwick Investment Zone at Coventry Airport, Birmingham Knowledge Quarter, and Wolverhampton Green Innovation Corridor are offering a range of incentives from tax breaks to direct funding to attract major new employers to the region, creating 30,000 jobs and driving in excess of £5.5bn of new investment. About £1.5bn of business rates generated over the Investment Zone's 25-year lifespan will also be retained and reinvested in the region instead of going back into government coffers.
This Supply Chain Transition Programme is open to businesses operating within the Wolverhampton City Council, Walsall Council, Sandwell Council, Dudley Borough Council, Birmingham City Council, Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council, Coventry City Council and Warwick District Council areas.
SMEs interested in joining the programme are urged to register their interest at supplychains@cwgrowthhub.co.uk or visit https://bit.ly/IZPRSupplyChainTransition
Business Ready opens doors for Pug Pubs
"Our work with Business Ready is maximising our chances of not only attracting new customers, but bringing in vital repeat business which is the lifeblood of any hospitality venue.”
A group of Warwickshire hospitality venues has been able to reach more customers than ever before after advice from a business support service unlocked its marketing potential – and even helped one of its pubs win a major industry award.
Beer & Coffee Co operates a range of food and drink outlets across Warwickshire, including five pubs under its ‘Pug Pubs’ branding, Greek restaurant Taverna Meraki, and live music venue Tavi.Stock, while its sister company Truck and Trailer runs mobile catering brands The Army Bar and Big Malakas.
Owner Matt Crowther had seen steady growth across his venues in challenging conditions, but was open to advice on how to improve to better overcome the difficulties of the UK hospitality market.
After working with Nina Bale, account manager at the Coventry & Warwickshire Growth Hub, Matt was introduced to Business Ready, a business support programme run by the University of Warwick Science Park on behalf of Warwickshire County Council. Matt was paired with business support adviser Steve Tipson at Business Ready, who specialises in digital marketing.
Steve was able to help Matt, and tap into some of their existing customer data to better market new events. Matt said: “There were plenty of quick marketing wins for us that we were missing out on.
“For example, we regularly take customers’ email addresses when they would make a reservation, but we hadn’t actually used their addresses to market new events to them directly. We were sitting on around 45,000 potential repeat customers. Steve was able to show us the best way to create a marketing plan around those leads, and we saw results almost instantly in terms of people attending new events. We also really appreciated the advice he gave to our marketing manager around website management, which has given him more autonomy and has enabled us to increase visitor numbers to our website.
“Everyone knows about the difficulty of the hospitality sector at the moment, but our work with Business Ready is maximising our chances of not only attracting new customers, but bringing in vital repeat business which is the lifeblood of any hospitality venue.”
Since working with Business Ready, Beer & Coffee Co has seen impressive results, with its Warwick pub The Black Pug taking a record turnover in recent weeks. The icing on the cake was The Black Pug winning the Star Pub of the Year at the Great British Pub Awards in recognition of its success.
Matt is now working with another Business Ready adviser, Fiona Molloy, to create a more strategic social media plan across its venues and ensure its output is consistent.
Steve added: “When looking to reach more customers, one of the barriers to businesses can be identifying a reliable target market.
“In Beer & Coffee Co’s case, they already had that data, but they did not realise what they could do with it. Because of the company’s excellent reputation built over many years, the marketing campaign quickly yielded positive results, which was brilliant to see. And The Black Pug winning Star Pub of the Year at The Great British Pub Awards was a wonderful bonus.
“There are lots of businesses we work with that just need help seeing the wood from the trees, and at Business Ready we have the ability to look at things more objectively and strategically. Often, it’s quite easy to unlock the potential that already exists, and it’s great when there are some easy wins to take advantage of.”
Councillor Rob Howard, Portfolio Holder for Economy at Warwickshire County Council, said: “Business Ready supports local businesses to grow. Local business owner Matt received tailored support helping him to identify new ways to market his business and focus on growing his customer base while encouraging repeat business.
“The business support advisors are able to offer objective advice, helping business owners like Matt to review what is working well and identify potential new strategies, all of which supports the business to develop and grow.”
Business Ready – High Growth and Innovation Business Support Programme forms part of Warwickshire County Council’s Business Growth Warwickshire. It is funded by UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) and Warwickshire County Council. Responsibility for the planning and delivery of UKSPF was part of the Level 2 Devolution Deal secured by Warwickshire County Council in 2024. Warwickshire’s allocation of UKSPF is supporting a package of communities & place, business support, and people & skills activities in 2025/26.
* 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.
Advice for AI voice agents
"
I’ve not long joined the Ignite alumni network, but it’s already proving to be incredibly useful for the growth of my start-up.”
Start-ups based around AI voice agents, software for the healthcare industry and electric camping cookers all received insightful advice from their peers at the latest event of a network designed to help small tech companies learn from each other.
The University of Warwick Science Park’s Ignite Alumni Network met for the seventh time since its creation in 2023, and brought together several businesses and organisations that started life through the Science Park’s Ignite incubation and Business Ready support programmes. The programme offers affordable space to innovative start-ups and scale-ups, as well as access to business mentors, specialists and networking events.
New member Rob Arnold, CTO of AI agent development firm Ascendea.AI, and its Sales and Marketing Director Saroj Bains, spoke about the firm looking to solve the problem of repetitive administration tasks faced by many SMEs – something that AI solutions such as voice agents could solve.
Rob opened up questions to the floor around the best ways to identify a core market for a generalist product similar to the company’s, which was enthusiastically answered by many of the businesspeople in attendance.
He said: “Having a product that can genuinely appeal to so many different sectors makes the marketing that little bit more difficult, as it’s easy to spread yourself too thin. I’m glad I put that problem to the audience because the answers I received were really insightful. I’m already lining up a few meetings with those who can help me. I’ve not long joined the Ignite alumni network, but it’s already proving to be incredibly useful for the growth of my start-up.”
The pair were followed by Nick Niziolomski, who detailed his path to getting involved in Ortus-iHealth, a software platform that allows doctors and patients to share data more easily and speed up many of the long processes involved in healthcare administration.
The final speaker was Nayden Yurukov of start-up PortalZero, which is developing an electric portable camping cooker that eliminates the need for portable gas or a bulky inverter. He spoke about challenges associated with attracting funding and creating prototypes.
Dirk Schaefer, Incubator Manager at the University of Warwick Science Park, said: “This latest meeting was particularly collaborative, with many of the audience sharing ideas with the speakers both during and after their presentations. This is exactly what the network was designed to do – bringing together like-minded businesses in various fields who can help solve each other’s issues.
"We had another excellent turnout for our seventh session, showing the continued strength of the Ignite network. We’re confident of growing the network even further as we host future events in 2026.”
The network is supported by Ignite Alumni sponsors DFA Law, PLMR, Edwards Chartered Accountants and Absolute Works.
For more information on the Ignite and its alumni network, visit https://www.warwicksciencepark.co.uk/business-support/ignite-alumni-network/ or email ignite@uwsp.co.uk.
Significant milestone for CWRT
"Now that CWRT is a recognised delivery partner for the CEF programme this is great news for Warwickshire’s underserved businesses as there is now additional lending available to support them.”
In September, the British Business Bank accredited Coventry and Warwickshire Reinvestment Trust (CWRT) as the third delivery partner in the UK for its Community ENABLE Funding (CEF) programme.
This significant milestone will see CWRT allocated up to £13m to deliver business loans above £25k. The funding will unlock access to capital for underserved businesses Coventry, Warwickshire and parts of the Midlands, including those in disadvantaged areas, new businesses seeking start up loans, or companies declined by traditional finance routes.
This accreditation strengthens CWRT's ability to support a diverse range of businesses, with a particular focus on underrepresented groups such as female and ethnic-minority led businesses, helping to improve the local small business network.
Reinald de Monchy, Chief Banking Officer, British Business Bank said: “It’s great to welcome the Coventry and Warwickshire Reinvestment Trust as a delivery partner under the Community ENABLE Funding programme. Alongside First Enterprise, we now have two CDFI lenders accredited under the programme who are committed to supporting small businesses in the Midlands.”
This national recognition is a success built on the foundation of CWRT's powerful local partnerships. The support they have received over many years from both Coventry City Council and Warwickshire County Council has been the bedrock of CWRT's growth. Their long-standing commitment was instrumental in CWRT's ability to provide impactful business loans across Coventry and Warwickshire, directly paving the way for this new chapter with the British Business Bank.
In 2022 Warwickshire County Council collaborated with CWRT to launch the Local Communities and Enterprise Fund. This initiative was designed to provide finance, including accessible start up loans, to a range of SMEs, from micro-businesses to social enterprises, helping them to access the funding needed for growth and to stimulate the local economy.
A fundamental part of CWRT's collaboration with Coventry City Council has been the Duplex Investment Fund, which began in September 2019. This fund, also supported by Warwickshire County Council, offers a unique combination of a loan and getting a portion of the loan money back, for capital expenditure. The fund has been pivotal in enabling businesses to access the business loans they need to grow, innovate, and create jobs across the region.
Sheridan Sulskis, CWRT CEO said: “I am incredibly proud that both our local Councils and the British Business Bank continue to believe in CWRT, back us, and enable us to grow. Their support has been the foundation of our journey, and this new accreditation allows us to take our impact to the next level. By unlocking more funding, we can reach businesses that are too often excluded from traditional finance, helping them to start, scale, and thrive. Most importantly, it means we can grow our social and economic impact more than fivefold — creating opportunities, safeguarding jobs, and strengthening communities right across the region.”
Councillor Rob Howard, Portfolio Holder for Economy at Warwickshire County Council, said: “At Warwickshire County Council we are proud of our long-standing relationship with CWRT, including working together on the delivery of our £10m Local Communities and Enterprise Fund which supports a range of SMEs to access funding and promote business growth. Now that CWRT is a recognised delivery partner for the CEF programme this is great news for Warwickshire’s underserved businesses as there is now additional lending available to support them.”
Councillor Jim O’Boyle, Cabinet Member for Jobs, Regeneration and Climate Change at Coventry City Council, said: “It’s fantastic that CWRT is now able to offer more funding to support local businesses in Coventry and the surrounding area in Warwickshire especially for those businesses which may not have been eligible for other types of support or funding. We know the impact that small businesses have on the region’s economy, creating jobs for local people, and we want to continue to encourage businesses to grow and flourish. The other good thing about this extra funding is that it will enable CWRT to work with Coventry businesses that might have struggled to access traditional finance.”
Find out if your business is eligible for the Community ENABLE Fund and start your application now: https://www.cwrt.uk.com/community-enable-fund
Rugby businesses urged to speak up
"In these rapidly changing times, businesses needed to talk about the issues affecting them."
A leading figure in Rugby signed off in her role as chair of the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce’s Local Business Forum by urging firms to continue to make their voice heard.
Karen Shuter chaired the latest meeting at Rugby Borough Council’s Unity Hub, which is based at the Town Hall.
The event featured a presentation from Neil Holly, development strategy manager at Rugby Borough Council, on the borough’s local plan.
Karen has chaired the forum for almost a decade – a period that has seen firms have to deal with a range of national and international issues from Brexit to Covid.
She said: “I have been incredibly proud to chair this group for almost ten years and it has been a privilege to get to know so many local companies and leaders who want the best for Rugby and the surrounding borough.
“It has been an uncertain and unpredictable period for businesses and I have seen, first hand, how the Chamber has stepped forward in those times to support companies of all sizes and sectors.
“We’ve also provided a voice into decision-makers and this meeting was a case in point. We were delighted to welcome John Slinger MP to the meeting who updated us on the economy and then took questions from businesspeople on everything from National Insurance through to support for young people.
“Neil Holly gave a very insightful presentation on the local plan and I’d urge businesses to ensure they engage with that process to make sure their voice is heard.
“More broadly, that would be my message to companies as I stand down from this role. In these rapidly changing times, businesses needed to talk about the issues affecting them and there is no better vehicle than the Chamber to do that.”
Neil said the local plan included more than 1,000,000 square metres of employment space across several sites in the borough.
John Slinger MP urged companies to keep him informed of the issues they are facing so he could feed them back in Westminster.
John said: “I’d like to thank Karen Shuter for all her dedicated work for the business community in Rugby and beyond. I am extremely proud to represent Rugby and I believe there is a huge amount of potential for the borough. I understand these have been difficult times for businesses and I urge them to keep feeding back to me so I can take that message to ministers.”
Corin Crane, chief executive of the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce, said: “I’d like to say thank you to Neil and John for joining the meeting and bringing such insightful updates. I would also like to pay tribute to Karen for all of her dedication and diligence in chairing our Rugby Local Business Forum for almost a decade and thank her for the incredible contribution she has made.”
Kieran Joseph is keynote speaker
Businesses in Coventry and Warwickshire are gearing up for the biggest economic conference in the region’s calendar.
The Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce’s Annual Business and Economic Conference is taking place at the IXL Events Centre in Southam on Friday, November 14 and features a range of speakers and panellists from the world of business and politics.
The event, which is sponsored by Prime Accountants Group and People Arches Ltd, includes a panel discussion on the future of the region with MPs from the city and the county.
It will also feature an economic update from Liz Martin, the senior UK economist at HSBC, who will then join a panel of business leaders who will discuss driving growth in Coventry and Warwickshire. The conference will also hear the latest on key regeneration and developments in town and city centres.
The keynote speech will be delivered by the inspirational Kieran Joseph, Founder & Chief Executive of Guardian Ballers CIC, which works to empower young people through basketball activities. Guardian Ballers CIC, a Coventry-based charity, took home The Not-for-Profit Award, sponsored by Coventry Building Society, at the inaugural Coventry & Warwickshire Business and Community Awards this year and Kieran will be sharing his exciting journey from sports hall to boardroom with the audience.
The event will also include a final address from Chamber president Steve Harcourt as he signs off his two-year stint in the role. Further speakers will be announced closer to the event.
Alongside the speakers and panels, it is the biggest networking opportunity in Coventry and Warwickshire with hundreds of business and civic leaders all in attendance.
Corin Crane, Chief Executive of the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce, said: “Our annual conference attracts hundreds of businesspeople with an opportunity to hear from expert and inspirational speakers, as well as finding out what is going to drive growth in our region.
“It has been another year of uncertainty for firms across our patch and we’ll reflect that during the conference but also look ahead with confidence with key figures in Coventry and Warwickshire where we’ll examine what opportunities lie ahead.
“We’re really looking forward to hearing the inspiring story behind Guardian Ballers from the founder, Kieran Joseph, who will deliver this year’s keynote address at the end of what should be a memorable day.”
For more information or to book a place go to: https://www.cw-chamber.co.uk/events/annual-business-economic-conference-2025/
Business confidence bounces back
“The results show that the overall economic outlook index for Coventry and Warwickshire exceeding the national trend in many ways."
Business confidence in Coventry and Warwickshire bounced back heading into the final stages of 2025 according to a new survey.
The Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce’s latest Quarterly Economic Survey (QES) saw an unexpected rise in sentiment among companies in both manufacturing and service sectors. However, the survey was conducted ahead of the cyber-attack that hit Jaguar Land Rover.
The survey, which is delivered in partnership with Prime Accountants Group and measures how business owners are feeling, is analysed by the Business Intelligence Service at Warwickshire County Council. From the responses of businesses across the service and manufacturing sectors, it gives scores out of 100 where anything above 50 indicates growth and anything below 50 is negative.
It looks at a range of aspects of doing business in the region, including the outlook for employment, investment, confidence, and current and future orderbooks for both domestic and overseas sales.
The survey showed that businesses in services and manufacturing had seen an uptick in domestic orders compared to three months ago but that overseas sales had remained flat. It also indicated that employment prospects had improved compared to the last survey data, while investment decisions and cashflow had been boosted too.
On the whole, it led to an improvement in confidence and an overall economic outlook score of 60.2 compared to 50.3 in the second quarter of the year.
Todd Williams, Insight Analyst at Warwickshire County Council, said: “Quarter three at a national level rose modestly primarily due to an increase in services output, alongside continued weakness in manufacturing output. Weak overseas orders are working through the UK supply chain, leading to weak domestic orders. Meanwhile, the latest QES results show the local economy surging, with strong confidence. Local sentiment around overseas sales remains extremely low, with cashflow and investment continuing to be weak in the local services sector.
“Local concerns around labour costs remain significant for both the services and manufacturing sectors, with the manufacturing sector also being very concerned about raw material costs and utilities. Local recruitment difficulties are a mixed picture, a slight improvement for the services sector being offset by severe challenges in the manufacturing sector.
“Furthermore, local investment and training remain weak for the services sector, yet both are very strong for the manufacturing sector. The local services sector is also very concerned about labour costs and taxation. Despite these concerns, local employment is not expected to decrease, contrary to the national picture.
“The results show that the overall economic outlook index for Coventry and Warwickshire exceeding the national trend in many ways. Local and national manufacturing and services businesses continue to be positive about the domestic market. Nevertheless, very weak local sentiments around exports remain a significant concern.”
Corin Crane, Chief Executive of the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce, said: “The survey shows, once again, the real resilience of businesses here in Coventry and Warwickshire. When faced with the most incredibly challenging circumstances they simply knuckle down, innovate and continue to make this an amazing place to do business."
Twenty Five years of Warwick Parkway marked as part of Railway 200 celebrations
"Warwick Parkway station is a key asset to the West Midlands region as well as supporting the local economy of Warwick and Leamington Spa.”
This year, Warwickshire County Council is joining the wider rail industry in its celebrations to mark the 200th anniversary since passengers were carried for the first time on the Stockton and Darlington Railway and the modern railway was born.
In a special celebration with Chiltern Railways, October 25th also marks the 25th anniversary of the opening of Warwick Parkway Station.
The station opened on 25th October 2000 on a site near Budbrooke to the west of Warwick, close to the A46 and M40 which provide access from the Strategic Road Network. The station catered for unmet demand for rail travel across the wider Warwick and Leamington Spa area, with an emphasis on medium and longer distance trips to Birmingham, the Thames Valley and London.
The total cost of the station was £5.5m, jointly funded by Laing Rail, the Department for Transport and Warwickshire County Council. The car park was originally 737 spaces; this was increased by a further 222 spaces in 2012 at a cost of £2.5m.
The station is currently served by Chiltern Railways with a half-hourly service between Birmingham and London Marylebone. New rolling stock is about to be introduced by the operator in early 2026.
The location of the station close to the A46 and M40 provides good access from the Strategic Road Network, allowing drivers to switch from car to rail for part of their journey.
See the speech from David Ayton-Hill, Director of Transport & Economy, here.
Cllr Jennifer Warren, Portfolio Holder for Transport and Plannings at Warwickshire County Council, said: “The anniversary of the opening of Warwick Parkway station is a key milestone for both us and Chiltern Railways, and provides a good opportunity to take stock of this council’s commitment to investing in and facilitating more rail travel. The Railway 200 celebration is another reason to celebrate the work we have done to help residents and visitors to Warwickshire have better rail facilities.
“Warwick Parkway has an excellent train service towards Birmingham and London and also provides rail users with access to the wider rail network for business, education/training and leisure trips. The station is a key asset to the West Midlands region as well as supporting the local economy of Warwick and Leamington Spa.”
Footfall at the station has been increasing since the low of 2020/21 when it dipped to 52,272 during the Covid lockdown. 2023/24 saw it used by 443,000 passengers.
Warwickshire County Council has been involved in the opening of five stations in the privatised rail era: Warwick Parkway, Coleshill Parkway, Stratford Parkway, Bermuda Park and Kenilworth. Plans are at an advanced stage for a new station to the east of Rugby near Houlton called Rugby Parkway.
More information about the Railway 200 celebrations can be found at: https://railway200.co.uk/