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Midlands shows small signs of improvement in Women in Work Index
The Midlands is showing small signs of improvement in PwC’s Women in Work Index, an annual report that assesses progress made towards achieving gender equality at work. West Midlands climbed two places in the rankings to 10th place, while East Midlands fell from 11th to 12th place.
The report shows that the female full-time employment rate for West Midlands increased substantially by 4.5%, from 56.9% to 61.3%, while East Midlands saw a small 0.4% increase to 57.77%.
Both regions continue to have a gender pay gap higher than the national UK average of 14%; East Midlands saw an improvement in the gender pay gap from 17.1% to 15.9%, while West Midlands saw no change at 15%.
There was a small increase in female labour force participation in the West Midlands, shifting from 73.6% to 74.2%, while the East Midlands saw a decrease of 1.3%, to 72.1%.
Overall, the report showed that the East Midlands was the worst performing region with its index score decreasing by 6.3 points from 35.9 to 29.6 between 2022 and 2023. Notably, the region has the worst participation rate gap, of 12.7%, a decline of 4.5 percentage points from 8.2% in 2022.
Alex Hudson, PwC UK Market Senior Partner East Midlands, said: “The latest Women in Work Index shows that there is much more to be done to support women in the Midlands with better access to equal opportunities at work.
“It’s positive to see an overall increase in the female full-time employment rate, however action needs to be taken to increase the female participation rate, as we know this is essential for growth in our economy.
“To enhance productivity and drive GDP growth in our region, we must also look to reduce the gender pay gap as it still lags the UK average – the only way to do this is by working closely with business leaders and policy makers to address this.
“We know that women are underrepresented in industrial and manufacturing industries, and with the rise of AI and emerging technologies in the workplace, it’s essential that women are represented and have the right skills – this will play an important part in improving our ranking.”
From Nottingham to Cannes, unlocking regional investment at the world’s largest property event
OTTINGHAM will be represented by more than a dozen organisations from the public and private sector as it heads to next week’s MIPIM in Cannes, France.
Headlined by framework managing agent Pagabo from the private sector, Team Nottingham – working in partnership with East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA) – will fly the flag for the city, county and the wider EMCCA region at the world’s largest property event.
The four-day festival attracts thousands of investors and developers from across the globe, creating a showcase for the public and private sector to encourage further investment into the region.
The full line-up of sponsor organisations is:
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Pagabo (headline sponsor)
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Arup
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Cartwright Communications
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Chord Consult
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CPMG
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Gleeds
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Innes England
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Morgan Sindall
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Nexa Finance
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Sandbox
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Scape
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Waterman Building Services
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Willmott Dixon
Having been made up entirely of private sector businesses since 2022, this year’s event sees Marketing Nottingham and Nottinghamshire CEO Megan Powell Vreeswijk attending alongside EMCCA’s deputy mayor Cllr Nadine Peatfield.
Megan Powell Vreeswijk, CEO of Marketing Nottingham and Nottinghamshire including Invest in Nottingham, said: “MIPIM is our chance to put Nottinghamshire’s real estate potential in the global spotlight. Working with the East Midlands Combined County Authority, our Invest in Nottingham team will be championing our region’s latest opportunities, driving investment, and unlocking new avenues for growth. We look forward to making some long-lasting connections with industry leaders and showcasing why Nottinghamshire is the perfect place to invest.”
Cllr Neghat Khan, leader of Nottingham City Council said: “Although we won’t have anyone there from the council, we fully support Nottingham’s presence at MIPIM as a powerful statement of our city’s great ambition. As a Core City, we are showcasing not just the scale of our regeneration, but also our unwavering commitment to a sustainable future.
“We’re inviting global investors to be part of a city that’s building both prosperity and a greener tomorrow, and solidifying Nottingham’s position as a leading destination for forward-thinking investment.”
Futures Housing Group introduces new executive team structure
East Midlands-based housing association Futures Housing Group has brought in a new Executive Team structure designed to help strengthen the central role of customers and their needs in the running of the organisation.
The new Executive Team has four roles, each of which has been filled by existing Directors following a thorough recruitment process.
The new roles and their postholders are: Group Director, People & Change – Nicky Hope, Group Director, Customer Experience – Helena Thompson, Group Director, Homes & Communities – Sarah Wyke, and Group Director, Finance & Growth – Ian Skipp.
Explaining the change, Chief Executive Tim Mulvenna said: “Futures is a great organisation and punches well above its weight as one of the region’s main providers of affordable homes. We’re financially strong, have a great workforce and our customers are mostly very satisfied with what we provide.
“We have the basics right and now it’s time to build on that by ensuring that every action we take and decision we make will deliver even more for customers. This new top team will help ensure that customers are front and centre at every step on our journey to being truly outstanding.”
New arts venue to provide home for creativity to thrive in Nottingham
A new arts space in the heart of Nottingham is opening its doors to the public for the first time this month.
Fisher Gate Point, which is inviting people to a special launch event on Saturday 8 March – International Women’s Day – ahead of the public opening on Monday 10 March, is the brainchild of Tricia and Ian Gardiner, the founding directors, who have realised a long-held ambition to create a welcoming community-led space where Nottingham’s creative grassroots sector can thrive.
They received the keys to the building just before the UK’s first lockdown in 2020. Over the last five years, Fisher Gate Point has organically grown to provide a home to both emerging and established artists, cultural leaders, and young collectives.
Following a significant refurbishment, the space is ready to open its doors and welcome the public into its multi-use community hub.
Founding director Ian Gardiner said: “We believe in the power of the arts and community to change lives, and we recognised that individual artists, small community groups and grassroots companies delivering hands-on interactive events and workshops needed a space to feel at home.
“We think we have created a positive space for that to happen in Nottingham for now and for future generations. Everyone is welcome here and we all want to collaborate. Come and get involved!”
The two-storey multi-use venue has already become home to several key organisations in Nottingham’s creative sector, including Hockley Hustle, Nottingham Poetry Festival, Cherry on Top, Circle of Light, Sugar Stealers, The Actors Workshop, Nottingham CYF, Nottingham Music Hub and HOAM, the city’s first female-led music studio.
It offers options for live performances, workshops, rehearsals and co-working, with a downstairs capacity of 110 and an upstairs capacity of 150. Alongside the event space, the new café and bar will serve as a central gathering point.
East Midlands programme to drive digital health innovation
Health Innovation East Midlands and Health Innovation West Midlands have launched Grow Digital Health Midlands, a programme to support businesses in developing and scaling digital health solutions within the NHS.
Launched on 27 February 2025, the initiative expands on the former East Midlands Digital Health Accelerator, now covering 11 integrated care systems and a population of 11.8 million. To accelerate adoption, participants will receive business coaching, product development support, and direct access to NHS decision-makers.
The programme aligns with national healthcare priorities, with NHS and care system leaders selecting innovations that address regional challenges. The 2025 focus areas include improving NHS productivity and communication and reducing demand for hospital-based care.
Applications close on 24 March 2025, and potential applicants will be briefed on 4 March and 13 March 2025.
UK businesses warn of hiring and price pressures from National Insurance hike
Rising employer National Insurance contributions, set to take effect in April 2025, could force UK businesses to adjust hiring plans and raise prices, according to new research from the British Chambers of Commerce and professional services firm AAB.
The study found that 60% of businesses expect recruitment to be affected, while more than half anticipate increasing prices. Overall, 80% of firms believe they will feel the financial impact of the change.
East Midlands Chamber CEO Scott Knowles highlighted similar trends in the region, where 22% of businesses plan to revise hiring strategies—double the previous quarter’s figure. The chamber warns that the higher costs, combined with inflation, could hinder economic growth.
With a comprehensive spending review approaching, business groups urge policymakers to consider the impact on firms and introduce measures that support growth.
Midlands rail link could drive £400m boost and 3,000 jobs
Business and political leaders are backing calls to reinstate direct train services between Nottingham, Leicester, and Coventry, arguing it could generate £400 million for the region and create 3,000 jobs.
Midlands Connect, the transport body leading the initiative, hosted a conference on 28 February at Coventry Transport Museum to present the business case. The proposal highlights how restoring the service, which was removed in the early 2000s, could benefit regional businesses by improving connectivity, talent attraction, and supply chains.
The East Midlands Chamber has prioritised the project in its Manifesto for Growth, emphasising that poor rail links between the three cities hinder economic potential. Midlands Connect submitted a Strategic Outline Business Case to the Department for Transport in 2021 and continues pushing for government support.
Nottingham council faces £1m cost to keep Howitt Building open
Nottingham City Council must find over £1 million to address fire safety and maintenance issues at the Howitt Building, home to around 80 businesses and community organisations. The Grade II-listed site, part of the Lenton Business Centre, was ordered to close after fire risk assessments identified serious safety concerns.
The required works include £316,134 for fire safety upgrades—such as £174,000 for fire doors—alongside £341,700 for heating repairs, £350,000 for roofing, and £30,000 for energy efficiency improvements. Council documents warn of potential corporate manslaughter liability if safety failures lead to fatalities.
Businesses and community groups were given notice to vacate by early March, prompting backlash and a petition with over 11,000 signatures calling for urgent action to protect the Marcus Garvey Centre, a key cultural hub within the building.
The council has spent £520,000 on site maintenance since 2016 and implemented a new property management model last year, which identified long-standing structural issues. Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service will conduct further assessments, and the council is reviewing all options for the building’s future while assisting affected tenants with relocation support.
Manufacturing M&A rebounds
UK manufacturing M&A activity grew by 11% in 2024, rebounding to levels last recorded in 2022, despite the continued pressure of rising costs, labour shortages and geopolitical tensions, according to accountancy and business advisory firm BDO.
BDO’s Manufacturing Deals Review reveals that 782 UK manufacturing deals were completed in 2024, up from 707 deals reported in 2023. Despite this buoyancy, the sector is not without its challenges as businesses look to implement the rises to employer’s NI costs and minimum wage levels and prepare for the proposed employment law changes.
Analysis shows that deal activity slowed somewhat in the first half of 2024 but gained momentum following the Autumn Budget with 475 deals completed in the latter six months. Additionally the findings show an urgency for deal completions in view of anticipated changes to Capital Gains Tax and Business Asset Disposal Relief. Furthermore there was an increasing interest from entrepreneurs considering exit both of their ownership and the UK.
Businesses in the engineering services subsector were the most prolific deal doers seeing a 26% increase in activity and representing almost a third (32%) of all completed transactions for the year. This was followed by businesses in the packaging & materials sector which saw deal volumes increased by almost a fifth (18%), and accounting for 11% of all completed transactions.
Separate research from BDO and Make UK reveals that over a quarter (26%) of UK manufacturing business are considering a sale of all or part of their business within the next two years. This increases to over a third (35%) across the next three to five years, suggesting a positive shift in M&A sentiment as many business leaders look to implement their strategies.
Roger Buckley, UK Industrials M&A Partner at BDO, said: “Last year proved to be a busy year for manufacturing deals but upcoming policy changes are now weighing heavily on business confidence, recruitment plans and growth intentions. Many businesses will be hoping for a boost in sentiment when the Industrial Strategy is announced later this year.
“Looking ahead we expect to see a solid year of M&A activity. Valuations are holding firm and there remains a large cohort of cash-rich investors who believe in the long-term prospects and broad opportunities for growth within the sector. These businesses now need government to offer incentives that will support their investment in new technologies and onshoring or reshoring operations.”
