Despite a stronger-than-expected rise in UK GDP, business sentiment in the East Midlands remains subdued, with firms facing persistent cost pressures.

According to the latest Office for National Statistics data, the UK economy grew by 0.7% in the first quarter of the year. While this uptick signals the end of the technical recession seen in 2023, businesses in the East Midlands continue to report low confidence levels.

The East Midlands Chamber’s recent Quarterly Economic Survey data indicates a decline in local business confidence. Key concerns among B2B operators include increased employer National Insurance contributions, the higher national living wage, and corporate tax pressures.

Inflation remains a significant factor, with nearly half of businesses in the region expecting to raise prices. These margin pressures are contributing to cautious outlooks on investment and hiring.

Business leaders in the region are now looking to upcoming policy decisions, including the UK Government’s Comprehensive Spending Review and international trade discussions, for clearer support and incentives to stabilise operating conditions and boost competitiveness.

IT solutions provider XR8 Technology Services is scaling operations to meet growing business demand for cyber security support, AI integration, and robust IT infrastructure.

Operating nationally from its Northampton base, XR8 has recently joined the Northamptonshire Chamber of Commerce and moved into larger premises to support its expansion. With a team bringing over five decades of combined experience, the firm delivers managed IT services, infrastructure procurement, and cyber strategy guidance for B2B clients across various sectors.

As businesses explore Microsoft Copilot for productivity gains, XR8 has responded by offering tailored advice, often at no cost, to help organisations deploy the AI tool safely while maintaining data control and compliance.

The company has also seen rising demand for support with Cyber Essentials certification. With recent high-profile cyber incidents in the national spotlight, many firms are prioritising the government-backed standard to strengthen their resilience and satisfy procurement requirements.

XR8 partners with major vendors, including Microsoft, Cisco, Lenovo, Dell, HP, Fortinet, and Ninjio, offering clients access to competitive pricing and deep product knowledge. It also provides rugged device solutions, such as Zebra products, for clients operating in warehousing and logistics where durability and reliability are critical.

The company’s recent investment in facilities and staffing reflects a strategic push to grow its capacity and broaden its footprint in the UK’s business IT sector.

Global HSE Group have joined the sponsor line up for the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2025, backing the ‘Commercial Development of the Year’ category. Supporting the event for a second year, Global HSE Group are industry leaders in comprehensive fire safety, specialising in passive fire protection and technical fire consultancy, as well as delivering sustainability and MEP (building services), and their own in-house training academy. Operating nationally across the UK and Ireland, clients include some of the UK’s leading student accommodation providers, hotels, universities, consultants, architects, and developers. They also support several of the UK’s largest housing associations, councils, and public sector organisations. Global HSE Group place people and compliance at the heart of everything they do and pride themselves on their highly knowledgeable and experienced, multi-disciplinary team who work seamlessly to deliver safer buildings right across the UK. Speaking with Business Link, Andrew Cooper, Managing Director at Global HSE Group, said: “We’re really proud to be returning as a sponsor of the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2025, once again sponsoring the ‘Commercial Development of the Year’ category. Last year’s event was a brilliant celebration of the region’s property and construction talent, and it was fantastic to see so many inspiring projects and passionate people under one roof. “Sponsoring this category for the second-year running was an easy decision for us. At Global, we’re committed to supporting excellence in property and construction, and the East Midlands Bricks Awards is a perfect platform to do that. We’re especially excited to see the nominations this year, there’s no doubt the standard will be incredibly high again. “We’d encourage anyone who has delivered an exceptional project to complete a nomination form. It’s a great opportunity to shine a spotlight on the teams, collaborations and achievements within the region, and we’re looking forward to another memorable evening of celebrating success and connecting with peers across the 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 property and construction companies in Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, and Northamptonshire. Recognising those behind the changing landscape of the East Midlands, the occasion highlights development projects, businesses, and people in commercial and public building across the region – from office, industrial and residential schemes, through to community projects such as leisure schemes and schools. It also toasts the work of architects, agencies, and those behind large schemes. Welcoming almost 150 professionals, nominating 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 event.

To make a nomination for the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2025, please click here.

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. 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.

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.