Midlands launches data platform to map £31bn innovation economy

April Lara
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Midlands launches data platform to map £31bn innovation economy

A new digital platform has been launched to strengthen the Midlands’ innovation network and improve access to data on the region’s growing tech and research economy.

The Midlands Ecosystem Platform, introduced during Birmingham Tech Week, compiles data on nearly 6,000 startups and 400 university spinouts. It connects users to more than 50 science and technology campuses, accelerators, corporate partners, and over 1,000 investors across the region.

The initiative was developed by Midlands Innovation, Forging Ahead, Midlands Mindforge, and the Invest in UK University R&D Midlands campaign, with support from data provider Dealroom.

The free, open-access tool aims to help founders update company profiles and identify funding opportunities, while investors can monitor emerging ventures. It also enables universities to highlight commercial spinouts and assists government bodies in analysing regional investment trends.

By mapping business, academic, and investment activity in one place, the platform is intended to provide a clearer view of the Midlands’ £31 billion innovation landscape and to encourage stronger collaboration between its research institutions and private sector.

Marketing leader launches new strategic advisory business with cycle challenge

Tess Egginton
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Marketing leader launches new strategic advisory business with cycle challenge
After more than two decades leading and delivering the marketing strategy for one of the UK’s fastest-growing accountancy firms, James Pinchbeck has launched a new venture, Pinchbeck Marketing & Advisory, offering strategic marketing consultancy, fractional marketing leadership and non-executive and board advisory services to ambitious businesses and organisations. James, formerly Chief Marketing Officer and Marketing Partner at Streets Chartered Accountants, played a key role in helping the firm grow from a regional £5 million practice to a £40 million, 35 office group with an international footprint. Prior to joining Streets, James worked in marketing and business consultancy, supporting clients across professional services, food and drink, manufacturing, engineering, technology and the public sector. Alongside his executive career, he has held and continues to hold numerous board and chair roles in business, enterprise and education, including past Chair of Lincoln College Group, Chair of the University of Lincoln International Business School Advisory Board, and Chair of the Greater Lincolnshire Growth Hub Business Advisory Board, as well as leading enterprise agency The Growing Enterprise Group, which supports enterprise across the East Midlands, East of England and London. Pinchbeck Marketing & Advisory provides strategic marketing consultancy, fractional CMO leadership and non-executive advisory services to scale-up enterprises, owner-managed businesses, professional firms and the third sector. Alongside marketing leadership and brand strategy, the consultancy helps boards and leadership teams enhance governance, improve decision-making and align marketing performance with organisational purpose and accountability. James is particularly keen to help organisations navigate the opportunities and challenges of AI in marketing, ensuring performance is measured, meaningful and aligned to long-term sustainability. When asked about what he believes is different about the business James said: “I saw an opportunity to combine my two main areas of expertise – strategic marketing and board governance – into something distinctive. Pinchbeck Marketing & Advisory brings those worlds together, helping organisations strengthen both their market performance and their boardroom effectiveness. “We aim to help organisations grow with clarity, confidence and purpose through expert marketing leadership, strategic consultancy and non-executive board support.” To mark the launch, James will be cycling from Hull to Cambridge in aid of Prostate Cancer UK. The route symbolically follows the regions where he has built lasting relationships and will continue to work: Hull and East Yorkshire, Lincolnshire, the East Midlands, Cambridge and the East of England, as well as London. Commenting on the ride, James said: “I was due to take part in Sir Chris Hoy’s Tour de 4 in Glasgow in September, a ride organised to raise funds for Prostate Cancer UK and promote awareness of stage 4 cancer. Unfortunately, I was unable to take part, so it seemed even more fitting to undertake this ride instead. “The route reflects not just a fundraising challenge, but the geography of my career and network – places where I’ve worked with businesses, boards and professional firms over the past 25 years. It feels like a fitting way to start this new chapter – with purpose, challenge and momentum.”

Pegasus Court redevelopment to bring new industrial capacity to Kettering

April Lara
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Pegasus Court redevelopment to bring new industrial capacity to Kettering

Redevelopment is underway at Pegasus Court in Kettering after planning approval was granted for the site’s conversion into industrial open storage.

The five-acre site, located beside Junction 9 of the A14 and neighbouring Symmetry Park, was acquired by Augur in early 2024. It previously housed an Odeon cinema, two restaurant units, the Hobsons Choice pub, and a KFC drive-thru, all of which operated on expired leases.

Following the departure of Odeon and the non-renewal of the pub lease, the site was largely vacant. The KFC property at the front was sold to its operator in July 2025, leaving the remaining land available for redevelopment.

Planning consent for the industrial scheme was secured in September 2025, and construction has now begun. The project is expected to deliver new open storage facilities before the end of the year, expanding Kettering’s logistics and industrial capacity.

Earlier plans had assessed alternative uses such as light industrial space and new drive-thru units, but the final approval marks a clear transition for the site from leisure and roadside retail to logistics-focused use.

Promethean Particles appoints first CFO

Tess Egginton
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Promethean Particles appoints first CFO
Nottingham chemical manufacturer Promethean Particles has strengthened its senior leadership team by appointing its first chief financial officer, Paul Denney. Paul brings a wealth of financial management and leadership experience to the role having built an impressive career starting with IT outsourcing business, Electronic Data Systems Inc. (now part of Hewlett Packard), before managing in-house M&A teams at both Experian plc and Callcredit Information Group. Most recently, Paul, who is a CIMA-qualified accountant and has an MBA from the London Business School, was CFO for six years at Xeros Technology Group plc, an AIM-listed green tech business, and at an early-stage life sciences spin-out from Newcastle University. His role at Promethean Particles will involve acting as a key strategic partner to the firm’s chief executive officer, James Stephenson, balancing the management of day-to-day finances with seeking new investment and taking on legal, procurement, and HR responsibilities. Paul described his new role as the right opportunity at the right time, thanks to the significant investment Promethean Particles has attracted and its position as a market leader in the manufacture and supply of metal-organic frameworks. Better known as MOFs, the materials are capable of trapping and storing huge quantities of molecules, meaning they could hold the key to reducing the effects of climate change by capturing carbon dioxide from industrial gas streams before they are emitted into the atmosphere, alongside a host of other decarbonisation applications. Paul said: “Promethean Particles has the capacity to manufacture MOFs at a scale few other companies are capable of, thanks to its unique technology and the investment it has been able to make in the team and its manufacturing equipment. “That combination makes it an exciting company to be joining and I am looking forward to using my expertise and experience to help drive it forward. “I’d never heard of MOFs before coming here, but what I have learned about them is absolutely mind-blowing. I now find myself asking why I have never heard of this amazing class of materials before. Their potential is astonishing.” James Stephenson said: “We are extremely fortunate to have appointed somebody of Paul’s calibre to the position of CFO and I have no doubt that he will help us to achieve our ambitious growth plans. “This has already been a hugely significant year for Promethean Particles with several key milestones achieved in terms of product shipments and revenue growth. I am looking forward to Paul’s experience and his contributions strengthening our team as we prepare for the challenges and opportunities that await us in 2026 and beyond.”

East Midlands firms brace for Budget as inflation holds at 3.8%

April Lara
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East Midlands firms brace for Budget as inflation holds at 3.8%

Inflation in the East Midlands remained steady at 3.8% in the 12 months to September 2025, according to the Office for National Statistics. The rate has now stayed unchanged for three consecutive months, remaining above the government’s 2% target and continuing to strain business costs across the region.

Data from the East Midlands Chamber’s Quarterly Economic Survey shows inflation and corporate taxation are the main concerns for regional businesses. Many firms have held back on investment, citing sluggish economic growth and uncertainty ahead of the Autumn Budget. National GDP increased by only 0.1% in August, signalling weak momentum across key sectors.

East Midlands Chamber Director of Policy and Insight Richard Blackmore said: “Stagnant inflation keeps the cost of doing business high and puts pressure on firms to consider price rises. The 3.8% level inflation has held at for three months in a row is still far too high and even if it hasn’t risen, it is far above the government’s 2% target. Business rates need reform, firms need to be given incentive to invest and there must be no tax increases applied to them. The Budget is a clear opportunity for the Chancellor to be fully supportive of business.”

With inflation stuck at nearly double the target rate, firms across the East Midlands are looking for a Budget that prioritises stability, productivity, and long-term investment confidence.

Female founders lead the way as £75m lent to East Midlands start ups

Tess Egginton
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Female founders lead the way as £75m lent to East Midlands start ups
Female founders from the East Midlands are paving the way when it comes to securing start up loans, according to the latest figures from the British Business Bank’s Start Up Loans programme. Since its launch in 2012, the Start Up Loans programme has backed entrepreneurs from across the East Midlands with £75m of funding. Of that, 3,000 loans totaling more than £28m – 40% of the total – have supported female business owners. From equestrian training services to physiotherapists, lingerie for cancer survivors to SEND support – alongside many more high street stores and services – the region’s female founders are bringing their business visions to life. Louise McCoy, Managing Director, Start Up Loans Products at the British Business Bank, said: “The British Business Bank is committed to supporting entrepreneurs from underrepresented groups across the UK. “These figures demonstrate how, with the backing of the Start Up Loans programme, female founders from the East Midlands are making their dreams a reality and building their own firms from scratch. “Being able to support the region’s entrepreneurs with £75 million of Start Up Loans since 2012 demonstrates just how much ambition and potential the East Midlands has. We look forward to helping many more who might be thinking about starting their own business.” As well as supporting an above-average number of female founders, the East Midlands is also supporting young entrepreneurs. Since the programme started, 16% of borrowers were aged 18-24, and within this group 38% were not in education, employment or training (NEET). The average across the UK is 13%. Daniel Carrico, Executive Director at First Enterprise, a Start Up Loans programme business support partner, said: “We’ve seen firsthand how access to finance, mentoring, and guidance can empower individuals, especially for those who have been historically underrepresented or excluded from traditional funding routes. “The £75m is a brilliant milestone, but so too is the £28m delivered to female founders in the region. This achievement highlights the region’s entrepreneurial spirit and reinforces our commitment to supporting inclusive, sustainable growth across every community we serve.” Since its inception, the Start Up Loans programme has delivered more than 125,000 loans to business owners across the UK, amounting to more than £1.3bn of funding.

New generation takes the helm as Charles Bentley marks 165 years in business

Tess Egginton
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New generation takes the helm as Charles Bentley marks 165 years in business
One of Leicestershire’s oldest family-run businesses, Charles Bentley & Son Ltd, is marking 165 years of trading, with a new generation taking the helm. James Bentley steps up to take the reins of the business, becoming the sixth generation of the Bentley family to lead the firm. James’ promotion signals a new era for the company, blending fresh ideas with the values and traditions that have guided the business for over a century and a half. James Bentley said: “Celebrating 165 years is an extraordinary achievement and a moment for us to reflect on how far we’ve come as a family and a business. “What began here in Loughborough with my great-great-great-grandfather making brushes for chimney sweeps in the Victorian era has grown into a company that now produces and supplies a wide range of products for households across the country. “I’m proud to be continuing our family’s legacy, and equally proud of the loyal team of colleagues who make Charles Bentley what it is today.” James added: “Our roots will always be at the heart of what we do. As we look to the future, we want to honour the values that have shaped the business over the past 165 years while also embracing new opportunities. “We have some big plans in the pipeline, including an expansion of our site here in Loughborough and the launch of an exciting new product range in spring. Watch this space!”

The Derbyshire Brain Game brings together business leaders and community figures to raise £60,000 for Marie Curie

Tess Egginton
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0
The Derbyshire Brain Game brings together business leaders and community figures to raise £60,000 for Marie Curie
The Derbyshire Brain Game returned to Pride Park Stadium on Thursday 9th October, raising over £60,000 in support of Marie Curie. Almost 300 guests gathered for the black-tie quiz night, helping to fund expert care and support for people living with terminal illness and their families. A highlight in the region’s charity calendar, The Derbyshire Brain Game continues to blend high-energy entertainment with meaningful fundraising. Held at the home of Derby County Football Club, this year’s event brought together business leaders, community figures, and long-time supporters for an evening of fine dining, fierce competition, and moving testimonies from those impacted by Marie Curie’s vital work. Matthew Nickson, Marie Curie’s community fundraiser for Derbyshire, said: “The continued generosity and enthusiasm of everyone who attends The Derbyshire Brain Game is truly overwhelming. “Every pound raised helps ensure no one faces end of life alone. We are incredibly grateful to all who contribute, especially our sponsors, donors, and volunteers. This year we have raised over £60,000, which will fund approximately 2,640 hours of specialist nursing care. With this year’s total, the event has now raised over £500,000 since its inception in 2012.” All funds raised go directly to supporting Marie Curie’s range of services, including in-home nursing care, hospices, bereavement counselling, and a free information and support line, all of which provide comfort, dignity, and expert guidance to those navigating the challenges of terminal illness. While the evening centres around fundraising, the quiz remains highly competitive. After seven tough rounds, Smith Partnership claimed victory and took home the winners’ trophy, a unique design created by Jowita, a Derby College student. The Derbyshire Brain Game will return in 2026, with the date confirmed for Thursday 8th October, once again at Pride Park Stadium. The Derbyshire Brain Game is organised entirely by a volunteer committee made up of local business professionals from companies such as PKF Smith Cooper, Work Wallet, Bowmer and Kirkland, The Red Olive Catering Co., Co-op Group, and Clowes Developments, along with passionate individuals dedicated to supporting Marie Curie’s mission.

Northampton logistics professional takes home award for groundbreaking project improving workplace accessibility

Tess Egginton
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Northampton logistics professional takes home award for groundbreaking project improving workplace accessibility
Ashleigh Page has taken home an award for leading a pioneering project while on the graduate scheme at GXO, to improve workplace accessibility for disabled colleagues – driving meaningful change across the company and sparking wider conversations in the logistics sector. Identifying barriers faced by deaf colleagues and a team member with a limb difference in Material Handling Equipment roles, Ashleigh independently initiated a programme at a GXO site to make these roles safer and more inclusive. Her work included developing accessible safety protocols, establishing buddy systems and delivering awareness training to the team – all in close conjunction with the affected colleagues, who fed in directly to shape the initiatives. Ashleigh’s initiative didn’t just change the work environment at GXO – it started a ripple effect, influencing company-wide practices and inspiring others across the logistics sector to reimagine how roles can be made more accessible for everyone. Her work was recently recognised at the 2025 Generation Logistics Awards, a national awards celebrating talent who are helping to shape the future of the sector. “I didn’t want to wait for someone else to fix it,” said Ashleigh Page. “I spoke to colleagues who felt like certain roles weren’t open to them because of accessibility issues, and I knew we had to do better. It’s not just about compliance – it’s about confidence, dignity and making sure everyone feels like they belong. “To be recognised with this award is a huge honour – but what really matters is that people feel included and empowered to do their jobs as well!” Bethany Windsor, programme director at Generation Logistics, added: “Ashleigh’s story is a powerful example of how the next generation is not just entering the logistics sector – they’re actively improving it. Her initiative, empathy and drive have created real impact and she represents the kind of future this sector needs. We were proud to highlight her work as part of this year’s awards.” Ashleigh is now working at Unipart as a business development manager, multisector. In her new role, she will continue to show her support to wider initiatives across the business, maintaining the same curiosity shown throughout her project work.

New affordable housing makes progress in Leicester as demolition date set for block of flats

Tess Egginton
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New affordable housing makes progress in Leicester as demolition date set for block of flats
A disused block of flats in Beaumont Leys is to be demolished to make way for new affordable housing. Contractors have been appointed to carry out the demolition of The Leys building, off Upper Temple Walk, with work due to begin from Monday 27 October. The demolition will be carried out by O’Connell Contracting. The seven-storey building will be dismantled floor-by-floor due to its proximity to neighbouring buildings, with the demolition expected to take around five months to complete. Leicester City Council intends to develop the site, and adjoining land at John Calvert Court, to deliver 52 new council homes and a toddler playground for use by the wider community. Deputy city mayor Cllr Elly Cutkelvin, who leads on housing, economy and neighbourhoods, said: “The demolition of The Leys building will be the next step of our ongoing ambitious plans to deliver more than 1,500 new affordable homes across the city. “Leicester continues to face a housing crisis. It is essential we do everything we can to address the growing demand for high-quality affordable housing in the city. Our plans for The Leys site would see 52 new, high-quality council homes that will help meet the needs of local people and provide a boost to the area.” The city council bought The Leys after it had stood empty for a number of years. Previous attempts at attracting a developer to refurbish and bring the existing building back into use as housing were unsuccessful.
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