The latest Quarterly Economic Survey from East Midlands Chamber paints a challenging picture for businesses in the region, as companies continue to grapple with economic pressures. Survey responses from 354 firms across various sectors indicate a decline in confidence, with fewer businesses expecting profitability improvements or turnover growth in the coming year.

Despite a modest 5% rise in UK sales and 4% increase in orders, overseas performance has been weaker, with sales down 10% and orders down 3%. Inflation has surpassed corporate taxation as the biggest concern for firms, highlighting rising operational costs and the added challenges of trading internationally post-Brexit.

Approximately 40% of businesses are considering raising prices in response to these pressures, a slight decrease from earlier in the year. Recruitment figures show a slight improvement, with half of businesses attempting to recruit new staff, though the struggle to find skilled candidates persists. However, a majority expect their workforce to remain stable, marking a slight decrease in expectations for job cuts compared to previous months.

The survey’s findings underscore the region’s fragile economic climate, with businesses looking to the upcoming Autumn Budget for policy measures to support recovery without adding further. 

East Midlands Chamber has entered into a strategic partnership with Nottingham Trent University (NTU), one of the UK’s largest and most successful universities. With more than 36,000 students, NTU will contribute valuable insights into shaping policy for the East Midlands business community. As part of the agreement, the university will also collaborate with Generation Next, a Chamber initiative designed to inspire young professionals and entrepreneurs in the 18-35 age bracket.

NTU has a strong track record of supporting students and graduates in launching businesses, with over 500 new companies established since 2001, and a notable 85% survival rate after three years. The partnership will strengthen the connection between academia and industry, ensuring that both sectors can work together to drive regional growth.

The university’s recent accolades include being named ‘University of the Year’ five times in six years and ranking first for employability in 2025. It is also recognised as the most sustainable UK university and second globally in the UI Green Metric University World Rankings for 2024.

This collaboration will provide both the Chamber and NTU with a platform to address shared challenges, create opportunities, and foster the next generation of talent and leadership in the East Midlands.

Cost-cutting measures at Northamptonshire’s NHS services are putting hundreds of jobs at risk as the local Integrated Care Board (ICB) seeks to reduce its running costs by nearly a third by the end of the year. The Northamptonshire ICB, which manages the region’s health services, has been tasked with saving £16.7 million from its £53 million budget.

To meet the required savings, Northamptonshire, Leicestershire, and Rutland ICBs are considering merging their management functions to streamline operations without impacting core services. However, this restructuring is expected to lead to significant job losses across both areas. The Northamptonshire ICB, which employed over 200 staff as of March 2025, has not provided further comment on the matter.

Industry experts, including NHS managers’ union Managers in Partnership (MiP), have expressed concerns that the pace and scale of the cuts may harm local economies and undermine efforts to retain skilled NHS workers. The unions argue that the cuts were implemented without sufficient planning or assessment of the new organisational structure needed.

Proposals for a Leicester, Northamptonshire, and Rutland ICB cluster have been submitted to NHS England. If approved, this would not be a full merger but would involve shared management and resources, aiming to achieve savings while maintaining services. However, the plan continues to spark uncertainty among staff members facing potential redundancies.

Nottingham-headquartered Phenna Group, which invests in and partners with selected niche, independent Testing, Inspection, Certification and Compliance (TICC) companies, has made its 10th acquisition of 2025. Swooping for Asset Management Engineers (AME) – a leader in plant testing, inspection and certification – the firm becomes Phenna’s 16th business in the APAC region. Based in Perth and providing services throughout Australia, AME assists their customers in the resources, energy and industrial industries to reduce risk, meet regulations and enhance the lifecycle of their key assets. Trinity File, managing director of AME, said: “We are excited to be joining Phenna Group. We feel that partnering with Phenna provides the right support for our future growth in capability and geography. The engagement with the Phenna team has been very positive, and we look forward to working with Phil, Brett and their team.” Brett Coleman, divisional MD Asia of Phenna Group, said: “I am very excited to welcome Trinity and the team to our Group. They have built a strong business with a continued focus on expanding the services they provide their customers while ensuring the highest levels of client satisfaction. I look forward to working with Trinity and his team to continue their exciting growth.” Phil Marshall, CEO of Phenna Group, added: “I am very pleased to welcome AME to Phenna Group. Their experienced leader and team, support and expand our fast-growing operations and scope of services in the Asia region. We look forward to supporting Trinity and his team and seeing them continue their growth journey within Phenna Group.” Phenna Group were advised by RSM Melbourne and Macpherson Kelley. AME were advised by Octavian Group and Squire Patton Boggs.

Derby City Council is set to review a controversial rule that reduced the maximum age for newly registered taxis from 15 years to five. Introduced in April, the new policy has faced backlash from taxi drivers, who argue that the change will increase operating costs and could push some out of business.

A report to be presented at Thursday’s council meeting warns that the policy may drive drivers to register their vehicles with other local authorities. However, reversing the rule could expose the council to compensation claims from those who have already complied with the new age limit.

The council has defended the measure, stating that it aims to ensure taxis are in good condition and meet modern safety and emissions standards. Notably, Hackney taxis are exempt from the new rule, and previously registered vehicles are unaffected.

The report also acknowledges the financial burden on drivers, including higher vehicle purchase, tax, and insurance costs. While the five-year limit is seen as a way to reduce emissions by removing older, polluting vehicles from the fleet, the potential for inconsistent regulatory decisions and compensation claims remains a concern.

If the petition to reverse the rule is successful, the council will delay the implementation of the policy until the next committee meeting, where potential changes will be discussed.

The East Midlands Chamber’s People and Skills Conference 2025, held at Loughborough University, brought together businesses and educators to address key workforce challenges, including filling job vacancies, staff retention, and advancing Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI). Hosted in partnership with Loughborough University and West Nottinghamshire College, the event featured discussions aimed at shaping the region’s skills reform.

As part of the conference, Richard Blackmore, Director of Policy and Insight at the East Midlands Chamber, highlighted that over 60% of businesses in the region struggle to find candidates who meet their specific requirements. Filling vacancies remains a critical factor for economic growth, and a collaborative approach between employers and educational institutions is essential to bridging this gap.

Keynote speaker Prof. Eva Selenko of Loughborough University spoke on the importance of aligning education with business needs to tackle youth unemployment. The discussion addressed the complex challenges young people face, including mental health barriers and difficulties navigating career pathways.

Panel discussions also focused on recruitment and retention, with experts emphasising the need for businesses to recognise transferable skills and promote themselves as employers of choice. Chris Grocock of Futures and Eileen Perry of ER Recruitment emphasised the importance of collaborating with educational institutions to drive meaningful policy change and enhance workforce engagement.

The event showcased the necessity of collaboration across industries to support long-term skills development, with a call to strengthen partnerships between businesses and training providers.

A £400,000 project led by the Centre for Business and Industry Transformation (CBIT) at Nottingham Business School aims to bridge the gap between academic research and industry by training technology transfer professionals and STEM researchers in entrepreneurship – with a focus on AI to empower businesses. At the heart of the initiative is a “Train the Trainer” model developed by CBIT, which will prepare 40 staff from partner institutions to mentor researchers in commercialisation and innovation practice. Unlike traditional technology transfer offices, this approach is designed to build enduring local capacity for venture creation – equipping mentors to guide researchers beyond patents and licensing into real-world venture building. By embedding entrepreneurial expertise within institutions, the program fosters self-sustaining ecosystems of innovation. These trained mentors will play a pivotal role in delivering the STEAM Founder Program, which will support 120 researchers from the UK and Thailand in aligning their work with the needs of industry and society. The program equips STEAM researchers (science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics) with the practical tools to work across disciplines, engage with external stakeholders, and develop solutions with global relevance. With funding from the British Council’s prestigious International Science Partnerships Fund and Thai Science Research and Innovation, it will be delivered as part of an established partnership with Chiang Mai University’s Science and Technology Park (STeP). The program will focus on personal AI and health technology to address Thailand’s pressing socio-economic challenges and align with its national strategies. The country faces significant gaps in healthcare access, especially in rural areas, and is prioritising innovation-driven economic growth, particularly in the health and wellness sectors. The project also opens up access to new expertise, partnerships and global markets for UK researchers. In addition to fostering interdisciplinary thinking, the program develops the commercial capabilities needed for international venture building. Participants will gain practical skills in opportunity assessment, sustainable business modelling, and market validation—preparing them to take research-driven products to market. With Thailand acting as a launchpad into Asian markets, and the UK serving as a gateway to Europe, the program positions researchers to grow globally connected ventures from day one. Researchers will test early-stage products with a range of selective ventures from CBIT Venture Builder in the UK and Chiangmai Science Park in Thailand, gaining experience in applying their ideas in real-world, international contexts. The program will evolve into a formal course and will be supported by a new International Network of Entrepreneurial Interdisciplinary Champions (INEIC), which will build lasting partnerships and promote knowledge-sharing between the UK and Thailand. The network will connect researchers, entrepreneurs, and innovation professionals to collaborate on real-world challenges. CBIT has a proven track record in developing scalable, market-ready solutions and a growing global reputation as a convener of interdisciplinary and cross-border partnerships. Professor Xiao Ma, project lead and director of CBIT, said: “UK researchers often work within single disciplines and focus on academic goals, which can create a disconnect between their work and real-world industry needs. “This narrow approach limits the practical impact of their research and contributes to lower industry research income compared to countries like the US. The program addresses this by promoting interdisciplinary collaboration to better align research with real-world applications.” Dr Phavika Mongkolkittaveepol, general manager of STeP, which boasts a network of more than 2,700 researchers and will provide incubation platforms to support the commercial adoption of innovation, said: “The Train the Trainer model is critical for building national capacity that drives transformational economic growth. By equipping institutions with the ability to nurture entrepreneurial talent, the programme lays the groundwork for a more dynamic, innovation-led economy. “Coupled with an emphasis on international venture building, it enables researchers to scale their ideas beyond local contexts and position Thailand and the UK as regional launchpads for global innovation.”

As Business Link’s East Midlands Bricks Awards 2025 draws closer, marking 10 years of the event, Nottinghamshire County Council is encouraging businesses to enter. Nottinghamshire County Councillor, James Walker-Gurley, Cabinet Member for Economic Development and Asset Management, said: “The property and construction industry is vital to our local economy and one to be proud of in Nottinghamshire and the region. “The industry generates skilled jobs, investment and contract opportunities for the supply chain. And with the STEP fusion prototype powerplant due to be built right here in our county, this will bring many more lucrative opportunities. “So I would encourage everyone to get nominating for these awards and help celebrate this industry.” The East Midlands Bricks Awards, which will take place on Thursday 2nd October at Nottingham’s famous Trent Bridge Cricket Ground, celebrates the successes of the property and construction industry in Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, and Northamptonshire. With nominations for the prestigious event now open, it is the ideal time to make your submissions, ahead of the deadline – Friday 15th August. Entering a company or project for the awards is a great way to showcase your successes, recognise your team’s efforts, bolster morale, and reach our audience of over 60,000 business readers, while also offering a chance to connect with respected professionals. It’s completely free to enter and making the top three finalists in your category also wins you free tickets to the awards ceremony and networking event, which will welcome Councillor Nadine Peatfield, Leader of Derby City Council and Deputy Mayor of the East Midlands, as keynote speaker.

To make a nomination for the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2025, please click here, or on the category headings below.

Categories include:

• Contractor of the Year
• Developer of the Year
• Architects of the Year
• Most Active Agent
• Deal of the Year
• Residential Development of the Year
• Sustainable Development of the Year
• Commercial Development of the Year
• Excellence in Design
• Responsible Business of the Year
• Overall Winner

All finalists will have the chance to take home the Overall Winner award, which this year comes with a grand prize of a year of marketing/publicity worth £20,000, with the opportunity to split or gift the marketing to a charity of your choice.

Nominations will close on Friday 15th August.

Supporting imagery, video, documents, or links to these, can be sent to bricks@blmgroup.co.uk. Video nomination pitches are also welcome as an alternative or companion to written entries. New for this year, all entrants will also have the opportunity to be featured on our dedicated nominee showcase on the East Midlands Business Link website, providing space for marketing your achievements. Upon submitting a nomination, we will get in touch for any information, imagery, and video nominees would like to be featured on their showcase page.

The East Midlands Bricks Awards 2025

What: The East Midlands Bricks Awards 2025 When: Thursday 2nd October (4.30pm – 7.30pm) Where: Derek Randall Suite, Trent Bridge Cricket Ground, Nottingham Keynote speaker: Councillor Nadine Peatfield – Leader of Derby City Council, Cabinet Member for City Centre, Regeneration, Strategy and Policy, and Deputy Mayor of the East Midlands Tickets: Available here Dress code: Standard business attire Thanks to our sponsors:                                                                        

To be held at:

With a limited number of sponsorship opportunities remaining, please contact Angie Cooper at a.cooper@blmgroup.co.uk to learn more if you are interested in becoming an East Midlands Bricks Awards 2025 sponsor.

East Midlands family-owned business Gusto Group has issued Enterprise Management Incentives (EMI), otherwise known as ‘growth shares’, to its 150 employees as part of its transition to an Employee Ownership Trust (EOT). The shares were issued during the week leading up to Gusto Fest – the company’s annual community celebration of its employees, which took place on Saturday 21^st June – and are aimed at building a legacy for those who will be creating the company’s future successes and providing employees with a tangible recognition of their service. Chairman Steff Wright says of the decision: “I wanted to find a way for the employees that have worked so hard to build Gusto Group into a £25 million business, to be the ones to benefit from its continued growth. “Ultimately, we want employees to feel invested in and committed to our collective success and by granting workers the opportunity to become shareholders, we hope to build a stronger sense of unity, motivation and accountability throughout the organisation. “As they arrived at Gusto Fest, every employee was given a ‘Gusto Employee Owner’ hat – a symbol of our shift towards employee ownership. From now on, we’ll all be wearing our ‘employee owner hats’ when it comes to making decisions about the future of the business.” All employees, from new starters to those that have been with the company for many years, have now been allocated growth shares to encourage business growth before the Group transitions to an EOT on 31st March 2027. Over the next nine to 12 months, any new starters joining the company will also be entitled to shares. Gusto Group is comprised of several B Corp accredited companies operating in the manufacturing, construction and architecture sectors, including: Gusto Construction, Rototek and Studio-G. All employees will have the opportunity to sit on the trust board, ensuring that there is representation and perspectives from all arms of the business as to how the company is run.