Rolls-Royce has withdrawn formal support for its internal diversity networks, including its LGBTQ+ group, as part of a global policy shift driven by compliance with US anti-DEI legislation.

The aerospace and defence giant has informed staff that it will no longer fund events, provide intranet visibility, or allow on-site promotion for identity-based employee networks. These include Prism, its LGBTQ+ employee group, and other minority support initiatives. While employees can continue meeting informally, the company has removed all formal recognition of these groups.

In their place, Rolls-Royce has introduced a company-wide “employee voice network” open to all staff, regardless of background or identity.

The policy change comes in response to diversity, equity, and inclusion restrictions introduced under recent US legislation. Although the legal modifications only apply to the United States, where Rolls-Royce employs around 6,000 people, the company is implementing the new policy globally to maintain consistency across its 43,000-strong workforce.

Rolls-Royce is one of several UK-headquartered firms that have adjusted their DEI strategies due to US political pressures. Other companies are making similar moves this year, including the pharmaceutical group GSK and the advertising conglomerate WPP.

This development marks a significant departure from Rolls-Royce’s previous positioning, which had stressed inclusion as a driver of innovation and talent retention.

Less than a year after purchasing the Nottingham franchise of Metro Plumb, when he became the company’s youngest franchise owner, Harry Thompson (now 25) has purchased Metro Plumb Lincoln. Metro Plumb has over thirty franchises across the UK, providing a range of services to both commercial and domestic customers. The young entrepreneur has also recently purchased an office in Newark-on-Trent from where he and a growing team will run the two franchise territories. The combined territory will take in Lincoln, Nottingham, Spalding and Skegness and run as far south as Peterborough. Harry has built a team of five over the past year and is currently recruiting for an additional engineer to join the team. Speaking about the opportunity to expand the business, Harry said: “I’ve proven that the Metro Plumb model works and we have had a great first year. “The addition of the Lincoln area will allow me to build on our reputation for excellent service and expertise as well as the efficiencies of operating two territories from one centrally-based office. “We are now working with air source heat pumps and that’s an area, both in the domestic and commercial markets, that has great potential. We have also picked up some contracts with large warehouses. “When I started with Metro Plumb a year ago it was my intention to expand into new areas and I’m delighted that this has come to fruition.”

The recipients of The King’s Awards for Enterprise have been revealed today (6 May), celebrating the achievements of businesses from across the UK and Channel Islands. This year, 197 businesses representing a diverse range of sectors, have been recognised by His Majesty The King as among the best in the country, highlighting the ambition, ingenuity, and success of our diverse business community. Of these, a total of 16 awards went to businesses in the East Midlands. Seven in the International Trade category, five for Innovation, two for Sustainable Development and two for Promoting Opportunity Through Social Mobility. This year’s recipients from the East Midlands include:

• GeoPura, a Nottinghamshire-based business, using their cutting-edge technology to deliver zero-emission power from hydrogen. By cutting air pollution at its source, their technology is helping improve public health, protect workers, and support cleaner, safer communities. They receive the award for Innovation.
• David Nieper, which receives the award for Sustainable Development for their work designing, manufacturing, and retailing premium clothing for women. They do this while achieving zero waste to landfill, reduced carbon emissions and onshoring their fabric supply chain into Britain. They are based in Derbyshire.

Gareth Thomas, Minister for Services, Small Businesses and Exports said: “There are some outstanding East Midlands businesses recognised in this year’s King’s Awards for Enterprise: from the pioneering technology of GeoPura to the expert and sustainably focused craftsmanship of David Nieper. “I wish the winners every success as they continue to grow, innovate and prosper, and commend the invaluable contributions they have already made to communities at home in the East Midlands and abroad, helping to boost the UK economy.” Andrew Cunningham, CEO and founder of GeoPura, said: “We’re incredibly proud to receive The King’s Award for Enterprise. It’s a powerful recognition of the hard work, innovation, and commitment of the entire GeoPura team. At a time when the need for clean, reliable energy has never been greater, this award supports the use of green hydrogen to phase out toxic and environment damaging fuels such as diesel, petrol, and HVO. “Designed in the East Midlands, our Hydrogen Power Units (HPUs) are delivering scalable, dependable, zero-emission electricity, wherever and whenever it’s needed, cutting carbon and life destroying emissions, improving local air quality, and enabling sustainable development across the UK and beyond.” Christopher Nieper OBE, managing director of David Nieper, said: “It’s a huge privilege to win a Kings award for sustainable development for the second time. And I’m grateful to The King’s award team for spurring us on to save more energy, employ more local people and build British fashion skills here in Derbyshire. Thank you.” The King’s Awards for Enterprise were previously known as The Queen’s Awards for Enterprise and were renamed two years ago to reflect His Majesty The King’s desire to continue the legacy of HM Queen Elizabeth II by recognising outstanding UK businesses. The Award programme, now in its 59th year, has awarded over 8,000 companies since its inception in 1965. His Majesty’s Lord Lieutenants – The King’s representatives in each county – will be presenting the Awards to businesses locally throughout the year. One representative from each winning business will also be invited to a special Royal reception event. East Midlands recipients include:

Garner Aluminium Extrusions Limited

Heraeus Electro-Nite (UK) Ltd

Abacus Flooring Solutions Limited

Structural Adhesives Ltd

GeoPura LTD

Collaborate & Innovate Ltd

CABINZERO LIMITED

Enovation Consulting Ltd

Stephensons Online LTD

Ziggurat XYZ Ltd

Abacus Lighting Limited

Midland Aerospace Ltd

Upbeat Enterprise Limited

Bridgeway Consulting Limited

David Nieper Ltd

Michael Smith Switchgear Ltd

  Pino De Rosa, founder and managing director of Bridgeway, which has been honoured with a King’s Award for Enterprise for Promoting Opportunity, said: “I am proud of the culture of opportunity that we have created at Bridgeway and honoured that this hard work has been recognised by the Kings Award for Enterprise. “Since our inception 30 years ago this year, I have seen firsthand the incredible impact we can have when we invest in people and empower them to reach their full potential. We will continue to break down barriers to opportunity and provide pathways to sustainable employment.” Sean Smith, managing director of Michael Smith Switchgear, honoured with the King’s Award for Enterprise in recognition of the company’s work in sustainable development, said: “It’s great for our team to see their hard work recognised at the highest level. This has never been a box-ticking exercise for us, it’s an area in which we really want to lead change.” Michael Gladwell, managing director, Upbeat Clean, which secured the award for Promoting Opportunity Through Social Mobility, said: “Our team are delighted to be recognised by the King for combining excellent cleaning with life-changing employment. “We knew before we started that there was huge potential in partnering with refugee women who have fled horrific situations with their children, giving them an opportunity not only to work, but to realise their full potential and take on management and leadership roles. “They’ve done that amazingly, thanks to the incredible support from over 40 Derby companies who are using their budgets to get excellent cleaning and change lives.” Cosy Direct was recognised for its export success with an award for International Trade. Its managing director, David Hook, said: “Our whole team have worked so hard to reform Cosy’s process and quality to get us export fit. “With a brand-new team and offices and staff in the Netherlands, it’s one of our four stellar growth divisions. To be lucky enough to win two King’s Awards as we approach our 15th year is simply brilliant and we’re all over the moon.” Cosy Direct previously won the Sustainable development award – when the scheme was known as the Queen’s Awards – in 2022. Roger Hartshorn, CEO of Garnalex (Garner Aluminium Extrusions Limited), which received a King’s Award for Innovation for its Sheerline aluminium windows and door range, said: “It is a privilege and an honour to be able to share the news that Garnalex has won the prestigious King’s Award for Innovation. The fenestration industry has always been a competitive industry, where accolades such as this make a real difference. “Not only will it enable us to continue to stand out in an increasingly crowded space, but it highlights the far-reaching impact we’re having as a company. We look forward to celebrating and bringing even more industry-changing innovations to market.”

Smith Partnership, a regional law firm headquartered in the East Midlands, has expanded its footprint by opening a new office in Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent. The move forms part of the firm’s wider growth strategy aimed at strengthening its presence across Staffordshire.

The new location occupies the former headquarters of The Sentinel newspaper in Alexander House, a site with historic significance that became vacant when the publication transitioned to remote operations in 2021.

Smith Partnership already maintains offices in Derby, Leicester, Swadlincote, and Burton upon Trent, offering a full suite of legal services. These range from family and criminal law to commercial legal support, personal injury, employment law, and conveyancing. The Hanley office will provide access to the firm’s full range of legal expertise for both private and commercial clients.

This expansion reflects the firm’s continued investment in central, high-visibility locations to enhance accessibility for businesses and individuals in key urban areas.

Nottinghamshire County Council has approved a £140 million procurement framework to manage emergency care placements and crisis support for children. The 10-year framework will pre-approve care providers capable of delivering urgent support, including last-minute foster placements and in-home interventions aimed at preventing children from entering care.

The move is intended to replace costly, inconsistent “spot contracts” with a controlled system that improves service quality and procurement efficiency. Providers will be vetted through a digital tendering platform to ensure financial and operational suitability.

The framework will be used only when existing contracts cannot meet urgent needs. It is expected to reduce budget volatility in children’s services and create a more competitive, responsive local provider market. Annual spending could reach up to £14 million, exclusive of VAT.

Poor internet connectivity is delaying digital transformation across UK farms, particularly in Derbyshire, where rural operations are struggling to access reliable broadband. A new nationwide survey of British farmers highlights the extent to which sluggish internet is blocking progress in adopting technologies such as artificial intelligence, real-time monitoring, and precision farming tools.

According to the Censuswide study commissioned by CityFibre, 60% of farmers see internet access as essential to daily operations, yet 8% of farms are still entirely offline. Even among those connected, nearly half say the lack of reliable broadband is a key barrier to embracing new technology—second only to cost.

The impact is not just operational. Many farmers report having to avoid internet use during peak hours, disrupting both business and family life. Inadequate connectivity also contributes to social isolation in rural areas, cutting farmers off from community resources and affecting wellbeing.

Where full fibre broadband is available, farms report notable improvements: 47% have been able to deploy precision farming systems, while others have seen boosts in administrative efficiency, land diversification, and general productivity.

The findings underline the importance of accelerating rural broadband infrastructure. CityFibre, awarded nine government contracts under the Project Gigabit initiative, is contributing to a £1.2 billion investment aimed at connecting over 500,000 hard-to-reach rural premises, including both homes and agricultural businesses.

University Hospitals of Northamptonshire (UHN), which manages Northampton General Hospital and Kettering General Hospital, has launched a Mutually Agreed Resignation Scheme (MARS) in an effort to reduce staffing levels without resorting to compulsory redundancies.

The scheme, which opened this week, targets corporate, administrative, and support roles. Patient-facing clinical staff are not included in the offer. Under MARS, employees can apply to resign in exchange for a severance payment. Unlike standard voluntary redundancy, the process does not require formal consultation.

UHN stated the approach aims to manage staffing reductions in a structured and voluntary way. However, unions have raised concerns about the impact on workloads and patient services if significant numbers of staff leave. NHS guidelines stipulate that such schemes must be time-limited, typically no longer than three months.

While not guaranteeing avoidance of future layoffs, UHN is using MARS as a first step to restructure and streamline operations.

Age UK Lindsey, a long-established charity supporting older adults in Lincolnshire, will cease operations this week due to sustained financial pressure. The closure affects services provided across West Lindsey, East Lindsey, and North Lincolnshire.

The organisation cited a combination of long-term funding shortfalls, rising operational costs—including increases in National Insurance contributions and the national minimum wage—and lingering economic fallout from the Covid-19 pandemic and cost-of-living crisis.

While Age UK Lindsey is shutting down, related services in the region will continue through Age UK Lincoln and South Lincolnshire, which is working to absorb affected clients and coordinate future support.

This closure underscores a broader trend within the UK voluntary sector. According to the Charity Commission, financial pressures have reduced public donations significantly since 2020, even as demand for services has tripled. Many organisations are facing difficult decisions, including closures and mergers, as funding fails to keep pace with growing needs.