A Loughborough-based marketing manager has lent his support to a campaign to highlight the benefits of employing people who are neurodivergent. Barry Aldridge, who is himself neurodivergent, works at Flotec Industrial where he uses his condition to create new ideas, bring a different perspective and energise his workplace. Barry has shared his story with the Business Gateway as part of their campaign to highlight the fact that people with a neurodivergent condition such as dyslexia, dyspraxia, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism can be valuable assets to a business, particularly when challenging times mean different types of thinking are needed. Barry explained: “From an early age I could tell that my classmates considered me to be different. I always had a sense of humour and my comedy routines always made people laugh. But I could also draw and design to a very high standard and that’s something that I still use in my marketing role today. “When I was younger, I absorbed myself in reading and very often felt far too shy to join in conversations. It felt confusing. I enjoyed being the centre of attention but was also enclosed and introverted. When reflecting on my school life, I don’t think that conditions such as autism, ADHD, dyslexia, or dyspraxia were at all recognised. “In adult life, I have found coping mechanisms and know which social situations I enjoy, and which ones are best to avoid. I have had to overcome negative comments in my career, but on the flipside, a colleague once told me that I am special, unique and have a wonderful mind. At Flotec I’m appreciated for my energy, ideas and creativity.” Chloe Smith, purchasing executive for Flotec Industrial Limited, added: “Barry’s neurodivergent way of thinking brings really creative ideas to life which not only promotes our company and its products but humanises us as a team where Barry communicates our stories and successes to the world. “One great example is the recent #sharetocare campaign where Barry invited employees to raise awareness about charities and good causes which are important to them and provided a marketing platform and voice for us to raise awareness to an external audience.” Rachel York, manager of the Business Gateway, concluded: “This year we have a special focus on neurodivergence and disability in terms of the benefits they can have on Leicestershire’s business community when it starts to understand more about these issues. “The so-called ‘purple pound’ (the spending power of the UK’s disabled community) is worth £249 billion each year so we want to help businesses get a share of that.  Neurodivergent people bring ideas, creativity and a different perspective which is what we need now more than ever. Our own team includes a person with ADHD and we’re encouraging other businesses to appreciate neurodivergent people for the benefits they can bring.” You can read Barry’s blog at the Business Gateway website: www.bizgateway.org.uk/news If you are a neurodivergent person working in Leicestershire and would like to share your story, please contact the Business Gateway team: peter.allen@bizgateway.org.uk

Ambitious entrepreneurs and SMEs will be able to access advice and support to scale up and innovate thanks to a new partnership between De Montfort University Leicester (DMU) and Barclays Eagle Labs. A new Eagle Lab will open in DMU’s Innovation Centre on campus later this year, offering co-working spaces, mentors, business advice and events. It will be the first Barclays Eagle Lab in the East Midlands. The Barclays Eagle Lab network is one of the largest co-working and incubator networks for start-ups and scale-ups in the UK. They aim to help entrepreneurs and businesses collaborate, innovate and grow. Today (Wednesday July 6) DMU and Barclays are set to host a VIP networking event to welcome key players from Leicester’s entrepreneurial networks to find out more about the Eagle Lab and how it will link up with the city’s current offers for businesses. Last year, Leicester was named one of the most popular cities in the UK to be an entrepreneur after figures showed there were some 5,345 new businesses registered in the city – a rise of 72% on the previous year. Vice-chancellor Katie Normington said: “We are proud to have the region’s first Eagle Lab here at De Montfort University. We know there is so much entrepreneurial talent in Leicester who will benefit from the expertise of the Barclays team as they scale up their businesses. “At DMU we are committed to driving forward a culture of collaborative innovation and we are excited to see this addition to Leicester’s thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem.” John Corbett, head of SME for Central England at Barclays, said: “We are excited to be partnering with De Montfort University to extend the support offered by Barclays Eagle Labs to entrepreneurs in Leicester and the surrounding East Midlands area. Barclays Eagle Labs is committed to supporting entrepreneurs and has a mission to inspire and educate ambitious founders and start-ups across the UK to help them succeed.” Businesses will be able to access banking experts, a network of co-working spaces, mentors and learning tools, as well as events and growth programmes for ambitious entrepreneurs and businesses. It will operate alongside DMU’s existing Innovation Centre, which is home to tenants, a co-working space and The Crucible, the university’s business incubation programme for final-year students, alumni and SMEs which offers masterclasses and training. Details of the opening date and events will be announced nearer the time.

Cawarden has completed the sponsor line up for the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2022, supporting the Excellence in Design category. Speaking with Business Link, William Crooks, Managing Director of Cawarden, said: “Cawarden was crowned the Contractor of the Year at the 2021 East Midlands Bricks Awards and we are excited to be returning as a category sponsor. We are backing the Excellence in Design award – helping to recognise others for their hard work over the last 12 months. “As a specialist demolition engineering contractor, we work closely with developers to clear the way for new schemes. It’s great to be able to play our part in regeneration projects throughout the UK, not least in our home city of Derby. Whilst we enjoy demolishing buildings, we also love to see new buildings going up, breathing new life into places and meeting the needs of the communities that use them. “The Bricks is a real showcase for the regional property and construction sector. We thoroughly enjoyed last year’s event which provided an opportunity to catch up with some familiar faces as well as meet new ones with the wonderful Trent Bridge Cricket Ground as a backdrop. “This award is an exciting opportunity to recognise the developers who have shown originality in design excellence.” The awards, which will take place on Thursday 15 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 submit a business or development, please click on a category link below or visit this page.

Derby has taken a step closer in its bid to becoming the new home of Great British Railways (GBR). The city is one of 6 to be shortlisted from 42 expressions of interest from towns and cities across the nation keen to be the HQ location for the new organisation created to deliver a simpler, better railway for everyone in Britain. The other shortlisted cities are Birmingham, Crewe, Doncaster, Newcastle and York. Great British Railways will be the new public body responsible for running Britain’s railways. It aims to deliver the most ambitious changes to our railways in a generation, working with the Government, across the rail sector and beyond. In October last year, the Secretary of State for Transport Grant Shapps announced a competition to find a location for the GBR headquarters outside of London. Historical ties with railways and good train connectivity to other places were among the criteria used to decide the shortlist. As the centre of Europe’s largest rail cluster, Derby is a front runner in the competition. There will now be ministerial visits to all the locations on the shortlist followed by a non-binding but influential public vote to measure the level of public support for each location. The public vote closes on 15 August, 2022. The result will be considered as part of final decision making and the winner will be announced later this year. Councillor Chris Poulter, leader of Derby City Council, said: “We’re absolutely delighted that Derby has been shortlisted to become the new home of Great British railways. This shortlisting is a testament to the hard work of our team, alongside our key rail partners based across the city – we couldn’t have done it without them. “As well as having a long 180-year plus rail history, what sets us apart is we remain home to a thriving rail ecosystem – Europe’s largest rail cluster. “I’m thrilled that Derby’s rail credentials are being recognised by the Government.” GBR will integrate the railways across the country, owning the infrastructure, collecting fare revenue, running and planning the network, and setting most fares and timetables. Derby’s bid already has the support of councils across the East Midlands including Derby, Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Nottingham, Leicester and Leicestershire, representing over three million people from across the region. Dozens of businesses from within the rail sector and beyond are also backing Derby’s bid to be the home of Great British Railways. East Midlands Airport, East Midlands Railways, Sperry Europe, Costain, Deutsche Bahn ESG, Toyota, Loram, Serco, Derby College Group, Resonate, Train FX, Alstom and the University of Derby are just a few of the East Midlands organisations that have endorsed Derby’s bid. Will Rogers, Managing Director, East Midlands Railway, said: “We are proud to support Derby’s bid to become the new home of Great British Railways and welcome their inclusion in the national shortlist. Derby is our home, an historic centre of railway excellence and well located in the heart of the Midlands, providing excellent transport links to towns and cities across the country. We look forward to the public vote, formal visit and the opportunity to showcase why Derby would make an excellent home for Great British Railways.” Kate Martin is deputy principal at Derby College Group (DCG) whose estate includes the iconic Roundhouse in Pride Park – part of the former loco works. She said: “The shortlist announcement is great news for Derby. As the city’s FE college with strong employer and curriculum links to the rail industry, we are fully behind Derby’s bid to bring the headquarters of Great British Railways to the city.  This will create high quality jobs for many, including our alumni, and act as a catalyst to further inward investment.” Richard Kelly, Managing Director at Loram, said: “Loram is delighted to back Derby’s bid for the new headquarters of Great British Railways. Our US parent company made a conscious decision to base Loram UK in Derby, which is at the heart of the railway. With unrivalled access to a dynamic and diverse supply chain, as well as a highly skilled talent pool, it makes perfect sense to base GBR in this City.” Justin Stroud, Managing Director, Europe at Sperry Rail said: “Derby is the location of Sperry’s European Headquarters because of its connectivity. After 20+ years of conducting very successful business from Derby, I would personally say GBR would be mad not to use the centre of the United Kingdom as the location to grow the Great British Railway.” Professor Kathryn Mitchell CBE DL, vice-chancellor at the University of Derby, said: “It is fantastic news that Derby has made the shortlist and we are delighted that the University of Derby is a partner in this important bid. Through our Rail Research and Innovation Centre we support collaborative research and innovation projects, helping to modernise the railway through digital and low carbon solutions. We are also ideally placed to provide the key skills needed to support the anchor employers and supply chain, as well as business support dedicated to the rail and transport sector that will enable growth and create more jobs in the region.” Michael Hulme, site engineering director at Alstom, said: “As the UK’s leading designer, builder and maintainer of trains, we’re proud to call Derby home. The city has been building trains for Britain and the world since 1839 and continues to do so today.  We’re delighted to support the city’s bid.” Councillor Chris Poulter continued: “This is a fantastic boost for Derby, and we urge all residents, businesses and stakeholders from across the whole of the East Midlands to take the time to back the bid and vote for Derby.” You can vote for Derby online.