Experts in Leicestershire have secured a share of £6.5 million of funding from the UK Space Agency to drive forward the country’s space industry. The cash boost will support high impact, locally led schemes and space cluster development managers to help the space sector grow across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. Among those to benefit will be the University of Leicester, which helps lead the award-winning Space Park Leicester – the world’s first science and innovation park specifically designed for space-related companies and researchers. It will receive £284,000 to fund a Cluster Development Manager who will work with local government, businesses and academia, over three years, to coordinate space activity and encourage collaboration and inward investment in the Midlands. A further £500,000 will go to the Midland Aerospace Alliance’s Pivot into Space R&D programme. Space Park Leicester Director of Strategic Partnerships, Professor Martin Barstow, said: “We are pleased that the UKSA recognises the importance of the Midlands to the space economy and the contribution from Space Park Leicester. “In collaboration with the Midlands Aerospace Alliance, the funding will allow us to coordinate the growing cluster activities in the East and West Midlands and bring them together under a single umbrella.” The experienced astrophysicist and space scientist added: “Space Park Leicester has already established a strong cluster in the East of the region, and we know there is growing activity in the West. Bringing these activities together will increase the strength of the space economy in the region as a whole. “The cluster manager funding will be complemented by the MAA’s Pivot into Space R&D programme, which provides direct support to space businesses across the region.” Dr Paul Bate, Chief Executive of the UK Space Agency, said: “Establishing a network of space clusters and high impact projects will accelerate the development of the thriving space ecosystem the UK needs to realise the full economic potential of space across the UK. “We’ve been working with the regions to understand their strengths and the needs of their local space economies so that we can back these clusters of excellence to collaborate, grow and thrive.” The projects are focused on piloting local activity that could be scaled up and rolled out nationally and are being supported by the UK Space Agency’s delivery partner, the Satellite Applications Catapult. Stuart Martin, Chief Executive Officer at the Satellite Applications Catapult, said: “We have a long-standing commitment to driving the growth of the UK space sector at a regional level and are delighted to continue our support for the delivery of this investment, with our focus on building a coherent space community. “This additional funding will help cement relationships across the UK’s space community while forging new collaborations with those not yet utilising and benefiting from space data and technology. “We look forward to ensuring that the sector as a whole takes advantage of the opportunities presented through these locally led initiatives and supporting a connected and thriving ecosystem.” Other key partners involved in the project include the Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC), the University of Birmingham and the University of Nottingham, both of which are the universities working in the Midlands Innovation Space Group.

Roses are red

Violets are green

Trust me on this

If you haven’t seen

 

The effect of ammonia

On this lovely flower

But note how my plot twist

Delivers the power

 

To grab your attention

And read more not less

Now apply that same rule

When you’re pitching the press

 

You’ve got to remember

They get hundreds a week

So do make the effort

Or hire a word geek.

GS.

  Greg Simpson, founder of Press for Attention PR, helps you find your media match. Isn’t it funny, or perhaps even tragic, that the way we tend to communicate in our marketing is so, deadly dull!? We play very, VERY safe, lest we upset the delicate balance of “will they like me/loathe me.” The problem is we actually end up saying very little at all and doing NOTHING to separate ourselves from the hundreds of other emails and missives flying around. Now, you don’t have to be HILARIOUS and off-the-wall, indeed for many businesses, it would be in pretty poor taste to suddenly lift out the dusty old ‘Bantersaurus’ from the library shelves or to attempt to resurrect the ghost of Spike Milligan in your next tender submission. However, there is always room for improvement and for differentiation. Especially when it comes to pitching the media. As you probably know by now, I used to be a business journalist so you’d expect I have the inside track and I can speak ‘journalese’. Well, yes but the main thing is, I know how NOT to sound like I’m making a pitch when I’m BLATANTLY making a pitch. You need to remember, PR is public RELATIONS and the bit when you have to communicate with a dreaded journo is Media RELATIONS. So, what you need to start to build (and then maintain) is a RELATIONSHIP. That means give and take. It means being helpful, being useful, being thoughtful. It also involves being attractive BUT that doesn’t mean we need to be sending carefully airbrushed selfies. It means finding what works for them, what floats their boats. Imagine it like internet dating. You need to start by knowing who you are trying to attract (do they influence your market). What are they interested in (what do they write about)? Does that match with you (honestly! If you’re NOT what you claim to be in real life, don’t fib)? How might a ‘date’ with you (useful content) actually help them? This is the research side of the media dating landscape. I’d highly recommend Twitter for this. Let’s pretend that you’ve found your perfect match or indeed, matches. Hey, nobody said anything about exclusives yet right?! How will you pitch them? You need to stand out and you need to consider what they are looking for. Let’s go old skool here and back to the Lonely Hearts Club ads of yesteryear. We need to be adding VALUE so we need to be responding to their needs, not making our marketing moves on them! Here’s what some might be thinking: Finance reporter with freelance roles across several national titles seeks reliable expert to explain what the rise in house prices means for mortgage holders. Must be prompt, not pitchy and able to respond within 48 hours’ notice to request for a ‘date’, typically after the Halifax pipes up with latest results. Or… Lifestyle reporter on daily tabloid seeks top tips to help you get into shape for summer. Brevity preferred. Gifts and trials of equipment and training programmes most welcome. Or… Interiors feature writer on national broadsheet supplement seeks inspiring case studies and trends tips for 2023. Must have visual appeal, no grainy phone snaps taken years ago that no longer look like you say they do. Do you see how they think? All you have to do now is to perfect your pitch to them based on what THEY want. Imagine having the power that Mel Gibson snaffles in ‘What Women Want’. He is speaking the language that resonates, but most importantly of all he is LISTENING. The good news is you don’t need a bolt of lightning, you just need to do some groundwork. I suggest your dating site of choice to start attracting your dream journo is Twitter.   A former business journalist, Greg Simpson is the author of The Small Business Guide to PR and has been recognised as one of the UK’s top 5 PR consultants, having set up Press for Attention PR in 2008. He has worked for FTSE 100 firms, charities and start-ups and conducted press conferences with Sir Richard Branson and James Caan. His background ensures a deep understanding of every facet of a successful PR campaign – from a journalist’s, client’s, and consultant’s perspective. See this column in the February edition of East Midlands Business Link Magazine here.

A new poll of SMEs across the East Midlands reveals – while 2023 may be a challenging year – they still expect on average a 21% growth in revenue. The Skills Horizon barometer, launched by the Skills for Life campaign, asked 1,250 SMEs in England about their challenges and opportunities when it comes to skills and recruitment in the year ahead, and has found many are exploring the best ways to strengthen their workforce to achieve this growth. In the East Midlands specifically, it reveals 69% are planning to invest in upskilling their workforce, bolstering their capabilities for the year ahead. The Skills for Life campaign aims to help SMEs understand all the training and employment schemes available to them, including Apprenticeships, T Levels, Skills Bootcamps, HTQs and Multiply numeracy courses. Businesses who are considering hiring employees can access a range of government programmes offering work experience or upskilling existing staff, some of which offer financial incentives. This moment in the campaign follows last week’s National Apprenticeship Week, dedicated to celebrating apprenticeships and the newer introduction of T Levels to highlight their positive impact on communities, businesses, and the wider economy. Nearly half (45%) of SMEs in the East Midlands rank staffing challenges – such as recruitment and skills – amongst their top three concerns for 2023. However, over a quarter (27%) plan to invest in building digital skills within their company and nearly a third (31%) will encourage staff to engage in current or free training resources – such as Skills for Life Bootcamps. Many SMEs in the East Midlands are hoping this will help them tackle the challenges they face with recruitment and staffing in 2023, as they cite their top recruitment and staffing concern as retaining staff (50%). Over a quarter (27%) are seeking to hire from broad education routes such as apprentices and T Levels students. Minister for Skills, Apprenticeships and Higher Education Robert Halfon said: “Boosting skills in key sectors like digital, manufacturing and healthcare is essential to building a skills nation and the government is investing in resources and skills qualifications – spending over £3.8bn this Parliament. “This investment is being recognised by SMEs who are planning to invest in upskilling their workforce this year, and I would encourage businesses of all sizes follow suit. “Whether it’s through apprenticeships, T Levels or courses in essential numeracy and literacy skills, there are free and flexible ways for employers to tap into the highly skilled workforce they need to thrive.” Daniel Lewin of Lewin Electrical Services in Leicester, East Midlands says: “We have found working with T Level Students or entry level employees gives you a chance to work closely with them – teaching them the trade as well as the business as they are the future of the industry and trade.”

Senior leaders from the Leicester and Leicestershire Enterprise Partnership (LLEP) have paid tribute to former Chief Executive Mandip Rai.

Mr Rai, who passed away over the weekend, served as CEO from 2016 to 2022. Prior to that, he was the LLEP’s Head of Strategy and Engagement.

Andy Reed OBE, LLEP Co-Chair, said: “I was saddened to hear the news over the weekend and, like all our Directors and Officers, my thoughts and prayers are with Mandip’s family at this difficult time.

“Mandip delivered much of the work done in establishing the LLEP before going on to grow its reach and impact as Chief Executive.

“He was a hugely valuable part of the LLEP team for many years and was greatly liked and admired by all who knew him.”

Anil Majithia, LLEP Co-Chair, said: “Mandip contributed a great deal to so much of the infrastructure and skills agenda we see in our region today.

“His career was spent bringing people together to achieve more for our area and his ability to do so successfully was testament to his approach and personality.

“Mandip was a kind and conscientious colleague to me and many others and I send my sincerest condolences to his family and friends.”

Sue Tilley, Head of LLEP, said: “Mandip did so much for me and other LLEP colleagues.

“He was a great source of support and encouragement, and we continue to work to his principles and vision.

“The team and I are all thinking of Mandip’s family at this very sad time.”

Kevin Harris, the former LLEP Chair, launched the LLEP’s Economic Growth Strategy alongside Mr Rai in December 2021.

Mr Harris, now the Chair of East Midlands Chamber, said: “Mandip dedicated his working life to helping the growth and development of our city and county.

“Leicester and Leicestershire have much to thank him for, especially in terms of the part he played in helping secure investment for major developments which will benefit not only this generation but many to come.

“It was a delight to work with Mandip in my time as Chair of the LLEP and I am grateful for the support and help he provided to me and many others.”

Mr Rai worked in economic policy, development, and regeneration for Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council, Leicestershire County Council, and Leicester City Council before being appointed Head of LLEP in 2011.

After playing a key role in the formation of the partnership, he took responsibility for engaging local and national stakeholders, developing enterprise zones, and for delivering its Strategic Economic Plan.

Ninety businesses in Bassetlaw have been given the digital tools and expertise needed to increase footfall and attract new customers via an innovative scheme. Support was offered by East Midlands Chamber under the Bassetlaw High Street Business Support Programme, which aimed to support high street businesses across the district to adapt to changing purchasing habits, such as a move towards online transactions. The businesses benefitted from one-to-one support from a high street adviser, and 78 of them received grant funding of up to £2,000 to help implement business improvement actions. East Midlands Chamber’s deputy chief executive Diane Beresford said: “The Bassetlaw High Street Business Support Programme has helped businesses to improve their digital skills and implement online trading that complement, rather than replace, their high street presence. “There are so many highly passionate business owners across the district who simply needed very practical support in boosting trade, for both the short and long term.” The project, which ran from January to June last year, was funded by Bassetlaw District Council via the Government’s Welcome Back Fund, supported by the European Regional Development Fund and delivered in partnership with the chamber of commerce for Derbyshire, Leicestershire and Nottinghamshire. Councillor Jo White, cabinet member for regeneration at Bassetlaw District Council, added: “It is wonderful to see so many businesses in Bassetlaw benefitting from the Bassetlaw High Street Business Support Programme. “Purchasing habits have changed since Covid-19, with more people moving towards online transactions. The adoption of contemporary online trading methods will improve sales both now and in the future.”