A Midlands entrepreneur who set up his company to help get children outside to experience nature has been recognised as one of the UK’s most ambitious business leaders. Peter Ellse, co-founder and CEO of Cosy Direct, was named in the 2025 line-up of the LDC Top 50 Most Ambitious Business Leaders. He was also awarded the People Award for his commitment to going the extra mile for his employees and customers. Peter’s inclusion celebrates his drive to establish Cosy, based in Fauld, on the Derbyshire/Staffordshire border, as a world pioneer in the design and supply of sustainable nursery and educational equipment. To date, that drive has seen the company, which Peter set up nearly 15 years ago with his wife, Amanda, grow its annual turnover to nearly £30m, sell more than 6,000 different products to nurseries and schools in 50 countries worldwide and employ 130 people. Ten per cent of its profits are donated to good causes in the UK and around the world through the Cosy Foundation, and Cosy also owns a farm and campsite which it lends to the charity Derby Kids Camp every year. Peter said: “I’m incredibly honoured to be named alongside some of the country’s most inspiring business leaders and getting the People Award means the world to us. “But like every one of the other winners, I know that our successes and awards can’t happen without the support of an exceptional team both at our HQ and, increasingly across the world. “I’m hugely fortunate to work with colleagues who share the vision and go above and beyond every day. And I’m incredibly grateful to Amanda, who has been by my side every step of the way.”

A Nottingham charity at the forefront of supporting children and young people affected by sexual or domestic abuse is calling for more trauma informed approaches across the sector. Imara has supported thousands of children in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire over the last 15 years, achieving positive outcomes for its holistic approach that places the child’s voice at the centre. Now it is hosting its first ever conference, ‘Bridging The Gap’, on Tuesday 25 November 2025 at Nottingham Contemporary, bringing together survivors, families and professionals, and inviting local organisations to sponsor the event as a way to fulfill their CSR goals. In return, sponsors would be thanked during the event and receive credits on their website and social media platforms. If financial sponsorship is not possible, Imara also welcomes donations for their goody bags such as fidget toys and keyrings. Anyone interested in becoming a sponsor or donor should email fundraiser@imara.org.uk. Child sexual abuse is a growing problem nationally with the vast majority of cases never being reported to the police, according to the most recent report from the Centre of Expertise on child sexual abuse. In Nottinghamshire, 9,580 children are estimated to be sexually abused each year with just 1,812 child sexual offences recorded by the police. Now the charity is giving a platform to survivors at the conference to have their voices heard, impact on the shape of future services and inspire change. There will be panels and interactive workshops on how the criminal justice process, holistic therapy and the language of trauma impacts survivors of child sexual abuse and domestic abuse. Imara CEO Cath Wakeman said: “It is hard enough to have to recognise that children are abused, however it is made worse when we know that they are still falling through gaps in support either because they haven’t been helped to find a way to talk about the abuse, or because those services don’t exist. “However, it is only when we notice that we can start to do something about it. Join us in ongoing conversations about how we can best bridge the gaps that exist and make a real difference for all children affected by abuse.”

Chesterfield solicitors BRM has raised thousands for North Derbyshire’s Blythe House Hospice in their latest Wills Month campaign. The announcement of the campaign’s success coincides with national Hospice Care Week, which runs until 12^th October and celebrates hospice care throughout the UK. Run in partnership between the legal firm and the hospice, Wills Month saw BRM’s professional will writing services offered in exchange for a voluntary donation to Blythe House. The initiative raised £7,400 for services supporting those affected by cancer and other life-limiting illnesses across the High Peak, Hope Valley, Derbyshire Dales, Chesterfield and North-East Derbyshire. Since the start of the partnership in 2017, the annual Wills Month campaigns have raised almost £76,000 to help fund the hospice’s vital services. BRM executive directors Rob Woodhead and Paul Berresford lead the Blythe House Hospice Wills Month campaign from the firm’s Chesterfield office. Rob said: “We are incredibly grateful to everyone who supported our annual Wills Month for Blythe House Hospice – helping us to raise an amazing amount of money for their important work. “We are proud to have raised almost £76,000 since the start of our partnership in 2017, in addition to sponsoring the Blythe House Hospice Chatsworth 10K, which took place at the end of September. “It is a privilege to support Blythe House each year and, as a local business, we know many families affected by cancer in our community who have benefitted from their services, including home care, therapies, counselling, and more. “We also want to take this opportunity to raise awareness and celebrate their important work, alongside the work of all hospices throughout the UK, as part of national Hospice Care Week.” Shane O’Reilly, CEO at Blythe House Hospice, said: “We are sincerely thankful to BRM for their incredible support and the staggering amount raised through Wills Month. “This partnership makes a real difference to the lives of local patients and their families: seven in every 10 of our patients receive care because of support from our local community, including BRM. “The money raised will help to fund vital services such as specialist hospice care in the comfort of patients’ homes, counselling, and bereavement support.”