Seventeen companies in the UK that participated in a six-month trial of a four-day working week have decided to make the model permanent, following notable gains in staff well-being, mental health, and productivity. The trial, which involved nearly 1,000 employees across various sectors, was organised by the 4 Day Week Foundation and studied by Boston College.

During the trial, participating businesses reduced work hours without cutting pay. Twelve companies adopted the four-day week permanently, while five opted for a “nine-day fortnight,” offering employees every other Friday off. The companies ranged from housing associations to professional bodies, with team sizes varying from under five employees to more than 400.

Research showed significant benefits for workers, with 62% reporting less frequent burnout, 41% seeing improved mental health, and 45% expressing greater life satisfaction. Businesses also saw positive changes in recruitment, retention, and employee morale.

The success of the trial has led to the permanent adoption of the model by over 235 UK businesses, supporting more than 6,000 employees. Advocates believe the growing interest signals a shift towards wider acceptance, with businesses balancing productivity gains against improved work-life balance.

On Thursday 2nd October, East Midlands Business Link’s prestigious Bricks Awards will take place at the famous Trent Bridge Cricket Ground, celebrating the region’s property and construction industry. The annual event recognises development projects, businesses, and people in commercial and public building across the region – from office, industrial and residential schemes, through to community projects such as leisure schemes and schools. With nominations closing on Friday 15th August, 10 categories are available to enter. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to showcase your projects and team, reward their hard work, and boost morale. Amongst this year’s categories is Responsible Business of the Year, which can be entered here. The winner of this award will have demonstrated corporate responsibility in their field, working in harmony and for the betterment of the local community in which it operates and setting a shining example for the rest of the supply chain. It’s completely free to submit a nomination and making the top three finalists in your category also wins you free tickets to the awards ceremony. Last year the award was won by Stepnell Ltd, with Cawarden and Cora runners up. Tom Sewell, regional director at Stepnell, said: “Winning the Responsible Business Award at the 2024 East Midlands Bricks Awards was an incredibly proud moment for the Nottingham team at Stepnell, recognising our dedication to responsible practices and commitment to sustainable development in the region. “The awards are a fantastic opportunity to connect with others in the industry and celebrate regional excellence. I would wholeheartedly encourage business from across the East Midlands property and construction landscape to get involved.” With this year’s Responsible Business of the Year award sponsored by Wright Vigar, Tom Maxwell, marketing manager at Wright Vigar, said: “We’re proud to be sponsoring the Responsible Business category at this year’s Bricks Awards. Supporting this initiative reflects our belief that long-term success in business goes hand-in-hand with integrity, sustainability, and community impact. “We’re looking forward to celebrating the outstanding achievements of property and construction professionals across the region and encourage businesses of all sizes to put themselves forward.” Submit your nominations for Responsible Business of the Year here, before entries close on Friday 15th August. Winners will be revealed at a glittering awards ceremony on Thursday 2nd October, at the Trent Bridge Cricket Ground (4:30pm – 7:30pm) – an evening also offering an opportunity to establish new connections with property and construction professionals from across the region, and hear from keynote speaker Councillor Nadine Peatfield – Leader of Derby City Council, Cabinet Member for City Centre, Regeneration, Strategy and Policy, and Deputy Mayor of the East Midlands. Other award categories open for entry include: Most Active Agent, Developer of the Year, Sustainable Development of the Year, Commercial Development of the Year, Contractor of the Year, Deal of the Year, Architects of the Year, Excellence in Design, and Residential Development of the Year. All entry forms can be accessed here. The Overall Winner award will also be presented at the event. This award cannot be entered, with the winner selected from those nominated for the event’s other awards. The Overall Winner of the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2025 will also receive a grand prize of a year of marketing/publicity worth £20,000, with the opportunity to split or gift the marketing to a charity of your choice.  

The East Midlands Bricks Awards 2025

What: The East Midlands Bricks Awards 2025 When: Thursday 2nd October (4.30pm – 7.30pm) Where: Derek Randall Suite, Trent Bridge Cricket Ground, Nottingham Keynote speaker: Councillor Nadine Peatfield – Leader of Derby City Council, Cabinet Member for City Centre, Regeneration, Strategy and Policy, and Deputy Mayor of the East Midlands Tickets: Available here Dress code: Standard business attire Thanks to our sponsors:                                                                                          

To be held at:

A total of 4,790 businesses across Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, and Leicester have received support from an initiative designed to foster innovation, growth, and sustainability. The programme, launched in 2023 by East Midlands Chamber and funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF), aims to help firms scale and navigate the challenges of modern business environments.

The initiative, which operates on behalf of local authorities in Derby, Leicester, and Nottinghamshire, has already led to the creation of 143 new businesses, the safeguarding of 505 jobs, and the creation of 598 new roles. Additionally, 401 companies have introduced new products, technologies, and processes, significantly improving their competitive edge. Several firms have also increased their export capability as part of the programme.

The Accelerator Programme, which offers expert business advice, grants, growth vouchers for technology investment, decarbonisation support, and sustainability workshops, has been extended until March 2025. Erewash businesses will also be included after joining the initiative.

For businesses looking to scale, the High Growth Accelerator provides tailored support, while those with international trade ambitions can benefit from the Export Accelerator. Businesses interested in the programme can register online to access one-on-one advice and explore the various support services available.

Chesterfield’s visitor economy continues to grow, but business leaders are calling for further investment in skills and innovation to ensure its long-term success.

At a recent roundtable event hosted by Destination Chesterfield, local business, tourism, and heritage leaders met to address challenges and explore how the region can nurture the next generation of hospitality and cultural professionals.

A key issue discussed was the shortage of skilled workers in certain areas of the sector, particularly in technical roles like chefs and kitchen staff. Industry leaders emphasized the importance of encouraging more young people to pursue these roles as a rewarding career path.

Regional efforts are being made to support local businesses through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, which provides mentoring, coaching, and practical support. Over 100 Chesterfield businesses have benefited from this initiative, with significant results including the creation of new jobs and the adoption of new technologies.

The roundtable participants also highlighted the importance of early work experience opportunities for young people, which can serve as a powerful recruitment tool. Many agreed that connecting businesses with schools before students make career choices could help build a pipeline of talent for the industry.

Additionally, the conversation turned to the role of digital tools and AI in supporting business growth. While AI holds potential for marketing, customer insights, and data-driven decision-making, industry leaders noted that human connection remains irreplaceable in hospitality and tourism.

The event concluded with a consensus on the importance of collaboration and continuous support for training and development to help businesses thrive in an increasingly competitive environment.

A new social venture has been launched by the University of Nottingham and the University of Bristol aimed at reducing food waste and addressing food insecurity. Circular Agriculture Hub connects small-scale farmers with community buyers, including food banks, social supermarkets, and small food producers, to sell surplus produce.

The venture was established with £40,000 in seed funding from ImpactU and is the outcome of a long-term academic collaboration between Dr Lucy McCarthy of Bristol and Professor Anne Touboulic of Nottingham. Research shows that seven per cent of food intended for consumption is wasted on UK farms each year. Meanwhile, millions of people face food insecurity. Circular Agriculture Hub aims to mitigate this issue by facilitating the redistribution of surplus or imperfect produce, such as misshapen vegetables or cosmetically damaged fruit, to those in need.

Initially operating offline in a brokerage-style model, the platform will evolve into a digital tool to enhance its national, and potentially international, reach. This social venture reflects the universities’ dedication to impactful research, social good, and sustainable food practices. The launch and initial investment funding align with the universities’ broader goals of addressing key societal and environmental challenges.

Huxloe Group, a third-party logistics provider from Kettering, has teamed up with Shipster, a provider of advanced shipping integration software, to create a smarter parcel management system tailored for eCommerce retailers. This new collaboration integrates Shipster’s sophisticated shipping rules engine with Huxloe’s delivery and multi-carrier management systems, providing a comprehensive solution for retailers seeking to enhance their logistics operations.

Retailers using Shipster’s platform can now access Huxloe’s expansive network of fulfilment and carrier management services, while maintaining the flexibility of Shipster’s customisable shipping rules.

Huxloe handles over 50 million parcels annually for major clients, including eBay and Amazon, and the partnership enhances its offering with greater shipping customisation for complex needs.

This alliance also gives retailers access to a broader range of couriers, including Evri, Yodel, Royal Mail, and FedEx, without being tied to a single provider. As the delivery sector evolves, the collaboration ensures that retailers can remain responsive to market shifts and optimise their logistics operations.