Affinity Workforce Solutions Ltd. has expanded its portfolio with the acquisition of The Protocol Group, based in Nottingham. This strategic move will enhance Affinity’s service offering to education sectors across the UK. The Protocol Group’s three established brands (Protocol FE, Bookmark, and eSafeguarding) will continue to operate independently, now benefiting from Affinity’s expanded national network and resources.

This acquisition enhances the group’s capacity, enabling the placement of approximately 30,000 candidates annually. Affinity’s presence in the East Midlands is strengthened, while its compliance services are further bolstered, primarily through the integration of eSafeguarding, a secure platform for managing DBS checks.

As a Crown Commercial Service-approved supplier, Affinity is known for its managed recruitment solutions for schools, colleges, and Multi-Academy Trusts across the UK. The addition of Protocol’s expertise in further education and digital compliance tools enhances this offering, particularly for public sector clients seeking cohesive recruitment and safeguarding services.

The acquisition is a key part of Affinity’s growth strategy, enabling it to serve its existing clients better while upholding the high-quality standards they expect.

The latest Quarterly Economic Survey from East Midlands Chamber paints a challenging picture for businesses in the region, as companies continue to grapple with economic pressures. Survey responses from 354 firms across various sectors indicate a decline in confidence, with fewer businesses expecting profitability improvements or turnover growth in the coming year.

Despite a modest 5% rise in UK sales and 4% increase in orders, overseas performance has been weaker, with sales down 10% and orders down 3%. Inflation has surpassed corporate taxation as the biggest concern for firms, highlighting rising operational costs and the added challenges of trading internationally post-Brexit.

Approximately 40% of businesses are considering raising prices in response to these pressures, a slight decrease from earlier in the year. Recruitment figures show a slight improvement, with half of businesses attempting to recruit new staff, though the struggle to find skilled candidates persists. However, a majority expect their workforce to remain stable, marking a slight decrease in expectations for job cuts compared to previous months.

The survey’s findings underscore the region’s fragile economic climate, with businesses looking to the upcoming Autumn Budget for policy measures to support recovery without adding further. 

East Midlands Chamber has entered into a strategic partnership with Nottingham Trent University (NTU), one of the UK’s largest and most successful universities. With more than 36,000 students, NTU will contribute valuable insights into shaping policy for the East Midlands business community. As part of the agreement, the university will also collaborate with Generation Next, a Chamber initiative designed to inspire young professionals and entrepreneurs in the 18-35 age bracket.

NTU has a strong track record of supporting students and graduates in launching businesses, with over 500 new companies established since 2001, and a notable 85% survival rate after three years. The partnership will strengthen the connection between academia and industry, ensuring that both sectors can work together to drive regional growth.

The university’s recent accolades include being named ‘University of the Year’ five times in six years and ranking first for employability in 2025. It is also recognised as the most sustainable UK university and second globally in the UI Green Metric University World Rankings for 2024.

This collaboration will provide both the Chamber and NTU with a platform to address shared challenges, create opportunities, and foster the next generation of talent and leadership in the East Midlands.

Cost-cutting measures at Northamptonshire’s NHS services are putting hundreds of jobs at risk as the local Integrated Care Board (ICB) seeks to reduce its running costs by nearly a third by the end of the year. The Northamptonshire ICB, which manages the region’s health services, has been tasked with saving £16.7 million from its £53 million budget.

To meet the required savings, Northamptonshire, Leicestershire, and Rutland ICBs are considering merging their management functions to streamline operations without impacting core services. However, this restructuring is expected to lead to significant job losses across both areas. The Northamptonshire ICB, which employed over 200 staff as of March 2025, has not provided further comment on the matter.

Industry experts, including NHS managers’ union Managers in Partnership (MiP), have expressed concerns that the pace and scale of the cuts may harm local economies and undermine efforts to retain skilled NHS workers. The unions argue that the cuts were implemented without sufficient planning or assessment of the new organisational structure needed.

Proposals for a Leicester, Northamptonshire, and Rutland ICB cluster have been submitted to NHS England. If approved, this would not be a full merger but would involve shared management and resources, aiming to achieve savings while maintaining services. However, the plan continues to spark uncertainty among staff members facing potential redundancies.