Energy audits, apprenticeship advice, and wellbeing at work strategies were just some of the topics covered at a free conference to help SMEs navigate the current cost of doing business.

Around 150 people attended Leicester’s Morningside Arena on Tuesday for the one-off conference organised by the Business Gateway Growth Hub.

It was hosted by Leicester and Leicestershire Enterprise Partnership Board Members Sonia Baigent and Glynis Wright, and saw attendees depart he venue with practical tips and advice from more than a dozen expert speakers.

Attendees were also able to meet representatives of 17 local organisations offering free business advice and support on a selection of stalls set up for the event.

Sonia, Chair of the LLEP’s business board and herself a business owner, said: “My own work in business consultancy makes me very aware of the challenges currently being faced by SMEs. Therefore, it was really encouraging to see colleagues from across the business community come together to share practical tips, advice and contacts with other small businesses.

“Hopefully, by applying some of what they picked up at the conference, our local business owners will go on to strengthen their position.”

Glynis said: “There was a really positive mood among the business owners who came along to the event and confidence that things are not as bleak as we are sometimes told. “We had some really interesting and insightful questions from the floor as our guests took advantage of the expertise that was made available. “All of our speakers offered practical suggestions on reducing costs, tackling various challenges, and encouraging growth. Sonia and I are very grateful to each of them for giving up their time – without charge –  to enable fellow local businesses to benefit from their expertise.”

SME owners received numerous top tips from the speakers, as well as networking breaks to meet other businesses and discuss the free support on offer from a host of local service providers.

More than 98% of Leicester and Leicestershire businesses employ fewer than 50 people, so talks were tailored to offer targeted advice.

• Get hints and tips from 11 of the presentations on the Growth Hub website now.

DWS Legal has successfully helped secure one of the largest international business deals in the East Midlands, after co-ordinating the £60 million acquisition of REVIEWS.io. The sale saw AppHub, an e-commerce-enabled platform and major player in US software, acquire the Leicester-based reviews website from owners Callum McKeefery and Nicole Albano late last year. Overseeing the completion of the sale was fellow Leicester-based business DWS Legal, the legal firm that supported REVIEWS.io since it launched more than 10 years ago. DWS Legal CEO Sameer Karim said: “When I took over DWS, Callum was my first ever client. I feel like we’ve been on a journey with him, we’ve watched REVIEWS.io grow and so it only seemed right that we coordinated the deal that would shape not only the future of the business but of Callum and Nicole’s too.” Founded by husband and wife duo Callum and Nicole, from the comfort of their kitchen table in 2012, REVIEWS.io now has more than 70 staff worldwide, with teams based in Leicester, Irvine, Sydney and Berlin. REVIEWS.io was designed to be a platform that builds trust between brands and customers, giving consumers the opportunity to publish genuine reviews of a service or product, which in turn drives sales. Having developed more than 8,000 customers, including some of the most well-known brands in the e-commerce industry, REVIEWS.io echoes the mission of AppHub to build software that enables e-commerce success. As part of the deal, Callum has become a board member and key shareholder in AppHub. “When Callum approached me about the deal, DWS Legal quickly became an extension of REVIEWS.io. I immediately parachuted all of the relevant support around him and in essence, we basically became his virtual in-house legal department,” Sameer explained. “As the deal progressed, Callum practically lived here – we were making international calls around the clock. “DWS Legal became I suppose, in some way, a safety net for the business because he knew it was in good hands.” Recalling the moment that saw the deal close, Sameer said it was a “very emotional time.” He said: “I remember so vividly when Callum signed those final documents. He turned to me and said ‘I’ve just sold’, and we gave each other a hug. I almost felt like it was my deal too – we’d all worked tirelessly to make sure everything was managed efficiently. “We’re not your usual legal firm at DWS. We provide a personal approach and we really care about all of our clients. Our ethos, our drive and our passion for successfully getting the best results for people just like Callum, is what gets me up in the morning. “For us as a legal firm, the deal has been poignant in helping to mark what has been our most successful financial year to date. This deal demonstrates our capability and commitment here at DWS Legal, and we look forward to supporting more businesses, as we continue into 2023.” The deal means that Callum and Nicole, who have recently become parents to new-born River, will have more time to care for seven-year-old Hudson, their first son together, who has a rare mitochondrial condition. “Selling REVIEWS.io was one of the toughest decisions I have ever made, however, having the freedom and finances to do whatever we can to help our son will always be our priority,” said Callum. “Sameer was an integral part of the deal, and without him by our side throughout the process, it would not have been as seamless and quick – I’m absolutely sure of that. “We had lawyers and professionals working within both America and the UK, and Sameer basically pulled everyone together and managed the sale from our end. “His knowledge, his attention to detail and his dedication to his clients are second-to-none, I can’t fault him. It was clear – and we have always felt this when working with Sameer and the DWS team – that their priority is always the client, rather than simply pushing a deal through.” Callum said Sameer has been his “trusted soundboard,” an “advisor” and “a helping hand” from the moment Reviews.io was first launched. “Back in 2012, Sameer was the one setting up our first ever terms and conditions, and most recently, he has helped us complete a £60 million sale. He really has been on this journey with us.”

Leicester City Council and Leicestershire County Council met with private sector businesses including Queensbury Real Estate, GMI, Mulberry Developments, Morgan Sindall, and Hickman and Smith in the second collaborative Invest in Leicester round table event. At the first session, held at Space Park Leicester, partners identified marketing the place as a key priority to support investment and sustainable growth across the city and county. The second round table took place at Leicester Racecourse and focused on how the public and private sector work together to market Leicester and Leicestershire, and how to reflect on successes and constructively challenge issues, leading to positive outcomes for businesses and residents in the city and county. Richard Sword, Strategic Director for City Development at Leicester City Council, said: “It’s critical that communication lines are open between the council and our partners in the property industry. The city has seen significant regeneration over recent years with more large-scale regeneration planned in the future. “We can only realise the city’s ambitions with the help and support of our partners. It was an insightful round table session, identifying ways to better market Leicester and Leicestershire, alongside some meaningful industry insights around the challenges faced in our region.” Tom Purnell, Assistant Chief Executive at Leicestershire County Council, said: “We have ambitious growth plans, and we know that partners are key in shaping and delivering our vision. “Thanks to the hard work and collaborative relationships between our public and private sectors, Leicester and Leicestershire offers an attractive business and investment location. The round tables offer a fantastic opportunity to understand how we further raise the profile of the city and county.” The next round table will focus on planning to support growth with further round tables due to be held in the coming 12 months in the city and county’s drive to continue their partnership working with the private sector.

Blueprint Interiors has joined the sponsor line up for the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2023, backing the Architects of the Year category. Speaking with Business Link, Ben Dawson, Business Development Manager at Blueprint Interiors, said: “We have been involved in the awards since 2019 either as an award nominee or a sponsor. “We continue to be impressed with both the quality of award submissions, but also the event, which attracts the elite of our region’s construction and property professionals. It is therefore the ideal platform to promote our own expertise as workplace consultants and commercial office fit-out specialists.” The awards, which will take place on Thursday 28 September at the Trent Bridge Cricket Ground, celebrate the outstanding work of those shaping the landscape of our region, recognising development projects and people in commercial and public building across the East Midlands – from offices, industrial and residential, through to community projects such as leisure schemes and schools. Nominations are now OPEN for East Midlands Business Link’s annual Bricks Awards. To nominate your (or another) business/development for one of our awards, please click on a category link below or visit this page.

Book your tickets now

Tickets can now be booked for the awards event – click here to secure yours. The special awards evening and networking event will be held on Thursday 28 September 2023 in the Derek Randall Suite at the Trent Bridge County Cricket Club from 4:30pm – 7:30pm. Connect with local decision makers over canapés and complimentary drinks while applauding the outstanding companies and projects in our region, and hear from Mike Denby, Director of Inward Investment and Place Marketing at Leicester City Council, our keynote speaker. Dress code is standard business attire. Thanks to our sponsors:                                                             To be held at:

The first ever recipients of The King’s Awards for Enterprise have been announced today (21 April), celebrating the achievements of UK businesses, with 13 awards bestowed on East Midlands companies.

Minister for Enterprise Kevin Hollinrake said: “I congratulate the first ever recipients of The King’s Awards for Enterprise, who exemplify the talent, innovation, and entrepreneurial spirit of British business.

“I wish them every success and commend the invaluable contributions they make to communities both at home and overseas, helping to grow the UK economy.”

The King’s Awards for Enterprise was previously known as The Queen’s Awards for Enterprise. The Award programme, now in its 57th year, has awarded over 7,000 companies since its inception in 1965. This year’s King’s Awards for Enterprise are given for outstanding achievement in Innovation, International trade, Sustainable development, and Promoting opportunity (through social mobility). His Majesty’s Lord Lieutenants will be presenting the Awards to businesses locally throughout the year. The recipients from the East Midlands include: Innovation Archaeological Research Services – Bakewell MasterMover – Ashbourne SureScreen Diagnostics – Derby The Alternative Pallet Company t/a PALLITE Group – Wellingborough International trade Blanson – Leicester Brian James Trailers – Daventry Fulkrum Technical Resources – Corby SureScreen Diagnostics – Derby Upperton Pharma Solutions – Nottingham Valour Consultancy – Grantham Viridian International t/a Viridian Nutrition – Daventry Sustainable development Anpario plc – Worksop Trade & DIY Products – Wirksworth   David Campbell, director of SureScreen Diagnostics, a double winner, said: “We are incredibly proud to have been announced as double King’s Awards winners in recognition of what was a huge company-wide effort to develop and manufacture lateral flow tests that helped save lives both in the UK and in countries around the world at the height of the COVID pandemic. “It is a wonderful testament to the hard work across the whole team, but what makes this fitting is that our company has been built on scientific innovation and has always exported a significant volume of our products, so these awards reflect the ethos of SureScreen Diagnostics from the very beginning. “However, they also point to an exciting future. Our work during the pandemic has built a strong platform for our company which promises to help millions of people by giving them the ability to take control of their health and diagnose issues early through fast and reliable testing at home or in clinical settings. “Reducing waiting times for diagnoses is at the heart of improving healthcare. Whether it be workplace testing for drugs and alcohol, home wellness screening or infectious disease testing at the GP, we will be ready to help catch issues early and help prevent them before they arise.” Blanson Managing Director Andy Turner said: “We are delighted that Blanson’s expertise and experience have been recognised by His Majesty The King with this award. For nearly 60 years we have been dedicated to leading the way in developing acrylic products that meet unique challenges in terms of pressure, visual clarity and biocompatibility. This award shows that we are at the top of our field and is a testament to the excellent reputation that British manufacturing holds on the global stage.”