Apprenticeships more feasible for East Midlands firms says Chamber
Iconic property in Nottingham’s Old Market Square acquired
Free marketing course to help small businesses grow in 2025
Small Business Britain is partnering with Adobe Express to launch a free six-week marketing programme aimed at helping small businesses improve their branding and sales strategies. The initiative comes in response to research showing that over 60% of small business owners prioritise sales and customer acquisition, while nearly half want to enhance their social media marketing skills.
Starting on February 25, 2025, up to 500 small businesses across the UK will have the opportunity to join the Small Business Britain x Adobe Express Marketing School. The programme will focus on key marketing areas such as brand identity, social media strategies, and video marketing. Participants will gain hands-on experience using Adobe Express, a design tool that allows users to create professional-quality marketing materials without prior design expertise.
Each week, Adobe’s Senior Manager of Product, Andy Lambert will lead interactive workshops designed to provide practical marketing insights. The course will include live demonstrations, showing how businesses can quickly create standout content, from social media graphics to branded materials. Participants will also have access to a LinkedIn group to connect with peers and share learnings.
The programme aims to give small business owners the tools and confidence to elevate their marketing efforts, making professional design and content creation more accessible.
Plan to expand Derbyshire Business Park could create 600 jobs
A proposal to expand Dove Valley Park in Foston could bring up to 600 new jobs if approved by South Derbyshire District Council. The plan, submitted by Dove Valley Park Limited, seeks to extend the business park by 35 acres into surrounding land near the A50.
Council officers have recommended approval at a meeting on February 18, where councillors will make the final decision. If given the green light, the project would add four warehouse units of varying sizes and an innovation centre designed to support workforce training. Burton and South Derbyshire College would oversee the centre, which aims to train up to 100 apprentices annually.
A market assessment by Cushman and Wakefield highlights strong demand for warehouse space in the East Midlands, identifying potential tenants such as an online retailer, a pharmaceutical distributor, a local manufacturer, and a builders’ merchant. The report also highlights the region’s importance to the UK’s logistics sector.
The proposal has drawn objections from local residents, with concerns about the loss of agricultural land, increased traffic, and noise pollution from heavy goods vehicles. Critics argue that available sites within the current business park should be used first.
To address transportation concerns, the developer has pledged £185,000 to support public transit, enhancing the Burton-to-Uttoxeter bus route and adding links to Derby. Council planners acknowledge the project would alter the landscape but emphasise the potential economic benefits, job creation, and training opportunities.
Councillors will decide whether to approve the expansion at the upcoming meeting.
Digital ID strengthens networking, enterprise mobility and supply chain visibility with acquisition
ID card company, Digital ID has acquired Connected ID, a leader in Networking and Enterprise Mobility solutions.
With sites in Corsham and Leicester, Connected ID has built a reputation for the supply of Handheld Devices, Mobile Computers and Wireless Network Solutions. By integrating their expertise with Digital ID’s Photo ID and Security Solutions, Digital ID says it is “creating a technology powerhouse that enables organisations of all sizes to seamlessly identify both People and Products – faster, smarter, and more securely than ever before.” Recognising the synergy between Digital ID and Connected ID, Digital ID’s owners at Levata saw an opportunity to merge the two businesses, bringing best-in-class Identity, Authentication, Automatic Identification and Data Capture (AIDC) technologies under one roof. This collaboration unlocks new opportunities for Digital ID customers by offering a single-source, end-to-end solution for identity management and product tracking. “Connected ID has an outstanding reputation, backed by a highly skilled team and loyal client base,” said Stephen Dodd, Vice President of Digital ID Europe. “This acquisition is a major milestone for us. By combining our expertise, we can deliver an unparalleled suite of Identity, AIDC and Networking solutions, ensuring businesses operate more securely and efficiently. I’m thrilled to welcome Jamie and his team into our growing organisation.” Jamie Dickinson, Managing Director of Connected ID, said: “From the start, it was clear that Digital ID and Connected ID share a commitment to innovation and customer success. This acquisition strengthens our solutions, expands our market presence, and enhances the overall customer experience. I’m excited to be part of this next chapter and look forward to driving new growth and opportunities together.” The acquisition boosts Digital ID’s headcount to 200 employees across five key locations in the UK and Europe.Mansfield’s new specialist school reaches construction milestone
Event helps construction industry on journey to decarbonisation
Nationwide Platforms empowers employees through apprenticeships
This National Apprenticeship Week (10th – 16th February 2025), Nationwide Platforms is championing the value of lifelong learning through employees like Yetunde Adefila, a 40-year-old HR Business Partner who’s using an apprenticeship to sharpen her leadership skills and shape company HR strategy.
With an engineering background and a degree in computer science, she began her career in the technical sector. However, she soon realised she missed the human interaction element in her work, leading her to transition into HR in her late 20s. Since joining Nationwide Platforms as an HR Advisor three years ago, she has progressed rapidly, being promoted to HR Business Partner within a year.
While transitioning into her new role, Yetunde sought guidance from a mentor outside of work who recommended an apprenticeship to strengthen her leadership and strategic HR skills. Already holding a Level 7 qualification in HR Practices, Yetunde opted for a career-adjacent route, enrolling in a Level 5 Coaching Professional apprenticeship through KnowledgeBrief. Her apprenticeship is focused on coaching and influencing and takes 12 months to complete, involving online learning, bi-monthly meetings with a skills coach, portfolio development, and a final exam. Now two months in, she is already seeing improvements in her approach to HR strategy. “I absolutely love my role,” says Yetunde. “Every day is different, and I enjoy the gentle strategising that comes with it. HR is often the first place people turn to when they’re struggling at work. I want to be able to guide them effectively, balancing emotional support with strategic decision-making. I’m incredibly thankful for the opportunity to level up. I describe myself as a ‘certification freak’, but this apprenticeship is more than a qualification. It’s about applying frameworks in real-time and developing the soft skills that make a real difference. Balancing work, studies, and family life is no small feat, and Nationwide Platforms’ hybrid working policy has been crucial to maintaining this balance while still enjoying precious family time.”Charlie Stanley, HR Director at Nationwide Platforms, said, “Nationwide Platforms champions internal career development through apprenticeships. By providing employees with the tools, flexibility, and support to advance their careers, the company is fostering a culture of continuous learning and growth. As we celebrate National Apprenticeship Week, Yetunde’s experience is a testament to the power of lifelong learning and the impact of investing in people. Nationwide Platforms is proud to play a part in helping employees reach their full potential, proving that career growth is always within reach.”
New Procurement Act set to reshape business operations
The UK government will implement the Procurement Act 2023 on February 24, 2025, introducing changes to increase small business participation in public contracts. The government spends £400 billion annually on public procurement and has set a target to direct over £120 billion to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Only 11% of contracts are awarded directly to SMEs, rising to 24% when subcontracting is included.
A key change under the new Act is the introduction of a Central Digital Platform to replace and enhance the Find a Tender service. The platform will centralise supplier registration, store core business details for multiple bids, and improve visibility into public procurement opportunities. Suppliers can manage profiles, track procurement notices, and set up tender alerts. The platform will also capture procurement data for future analysis.
All suppliers seeking public sector contracts must register on the new platform, regardless of previous registration on Find a Tender or Contracts Finder.
Robin Hood Energy’s final liquidation report shows £50m unpaid debts
The final liquidation report for Robin Hood Energy has confirmed that more than £50 million in debts remain unpaid, according to a report from the BBC’s Local Democracy Reporting Service.
The Nottingham City Council-owned energy company, established in 2015, collapsed five years ago. It left 347 claims from individuals and businesses totaling £67.1 million. Only £13.7 million has been repaid, with most creditors unlikely to recover their money.
An independent review showed significant governance failures, and the losses were a key factor in Nottingham City Council’s economic crisis. In November 2023, the council issued a Section 114 notice, signaling its inability to balance its budget.
