EMEC appoints new consultancy director
East Midlands leaders examine growth prospects at regional conference
Business leaders, academics, and public sector representatives gathered at De Montfort University for the East Midlands Future Flux Economic and Innovation Conference. This event assessed the region’s economic performance in 2025 and identified areas for growth.
Hosted by the university and supported by RandalSun Capital, the programme featured keynote sessions and panel discussions centred on innovation, productivity, and workforce development. Delegates reviewed the challenges highlighted in recent economic data, including weakened business investment and ongoing uncertainty following last year’s Budget. Speakers noted the need for a more stable policy environment to support future planning.
East Midlands Chamber Director of Policy and Insight Richard Blackmore shared key asks to political leaders from the Chamber’s recently launched Framework for Growth, alongside research data gathered from firms across the region. Speaking afterwards he said: “Research carried out by the Chamber across 2025 has continually shown a sense of fragile confidence among businesses in the region and getting firms, the education sector, economic experts together in one place starts conversations, builds ideas and helps navigate the economic pressures collectively faced.
“Holding this conference in the same week that the Chamber’s Framework for Growth for the East Midlands was released – a landmark document setting out key asks to political leaders across are areas like infrastructure, innovation, skills investment and planning – made the event all the more timely.
“That document outlines what the region needs to enable growth and a conference that unpicks the economic challenges and explores opportunities firms have identified with sharing of research data, insight from academics and from the Bank of England is extremely useful in achieving growth as we go forward.”
The conference brought together SMEs, large corporations, voluntary organisations, universities, and funding bodies to strengthen collaboration across sectors. Participants discussed how unified regional action could help address inflationary pressures, labour shortages, and slow productivity gains. Insight was also shared on national economic headwinds and their implications for the East Midlands.
Panellists examined the structural barriers facing the region, including limited political coordination and historic underinvestment. There was broad agreement that stronger collaboration, clearer regional advocacy, and greater confidence among firms will be essential to unlocking growth opportunities in 2026.
Sessions also explored how businesses are responding to real-world market conditions, with contributors highlighting the value of sharing practical approaches to innovation and enterprise across the region.
Cooper Parry snaps up digital transformation consultancy
Council secures heritage funding for Cleethorpes regeneration
North East Lincolnshire Council has received £236,000 from The National Lottery Heritage Fund to support the next phase of heritage-led regeneration in Cleethorpes. The funding, provided through the Heritage Place initiative, will help build an evidence base for future investment to protect and enhance historic assets within the Cleethorpes Central Seafront Conservation Area.
Cllr Philip Jackson, Leader of the Council, said: “Thanks to both The National Lottery Heritage Fund with their Heritage Places initiative, and to building owners, the first round of works have seen some significant changes to buildings, such as the refurbished cast-iron balconies on Alexandra Road, as well as exterior work to buildings like The Mermaid and The Dolphin.
“What we have learned from the Townscape Heritage project is that working with the property owners is really the key to delivering successful changes. This first stage of work, will help us to identify eligible properties and interested parties, so that our officers can shape the next phase of the project.”
In 2026, the Council will appoint a heritage building surveyor and a heritage consultant to assess the condition and potential of priority sites. Their findings will guide future capital bids to secure restoration funding. A business and community information event is planned for early in the New Year to outline the programme’s aims and upcoming opportunities.
The grant also supports the return of the Heritage Skills event in summer 2026, offering young people the chance to learn traditional craft techniques. The new programme follows the earlier £3.8 million Cleethorpes Townscape Heritage investment, which delivered improvements to several landmark buildings, including the RAFA club and properties along Alexandra Road.
Procurement for the heritage building surveyor and heritage consultant roles is now open, with tenders closing on 15 December.
Cultural attractions deliver major economic value for Lincolnshire
Lincolnshire’s cultural venues and library network delivered a combined economic and social uplift worth tens of millions of pounds over the past year, according to new council figures.
The county’s main heritage sites recorded around 1.5 million visits and generated £15 million for the local economy. Lincoln Castle was the largest contributor, adding £11 million through visitor spending and a busy calendar of events that continue to attract national and overseas audiences.
Other venues managed by the council, including Lincoln Museum, the Usher Gallery, the Museum of Lincolnshire Life, and the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Visitor Centre, played a central role in strengthening local engagement and education. More than 20,000 schoolchildren took part in workshops and learning activities across the portfolio.
Cllr Natalie Oliver, our executive councillor for culture, said: “From exploring 1,000 years of history at our stunning castle, to honouring the brave heroes who defended our country from Lincolnshire’s airfields at The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Visitor Centre, our cultural attractions do an incredible job of celebrating Lincolnshire’s proud heritage.
“While we know how loved the sites are by schoolchildren, local residents and tourists alike, this report goes further, underlining the vital economic and cultural benefits they bring to our great county.
“Generating £15 million to Lincolnshire’s economy is a great achievement, but there is even more to come. I know lots of people are as excited as I am to see Lincoln Museum re-open next year, with a brand-new gallery inviting visitors to explore our incredible heritage like never before.”
The county’s libraries also contributed strongly. Between April 2024 and March 2025, the network of 15 core libraries and 34 community hubs generated more than £25 million in social value by supporting wellbeing, learning, and community participation through a wide programme of events and services.
Further growth is expected as the £1.7 million redevelopment of Lincoln Museum progresses. Scheduled to reopen in 2026, the upgraded attraction will feature a new archaeology gallery with interactive displays. The findings will be reviewed by councillors at the Children’s and Culture Scrutiny Committee on 5 December 2025.
Topps Tiles appoints new CFO
Topps Tiles Plc, the Leicestershire-based tile specialist, has appointed a new CFO following the announcement of Stephen Hopson’s resignation from the business.
The company has appointed Caroline Browne to the position, who will join in Spring 2026 as an executive director.
Caroline is currently the group finance & investor relations director at Watches of Switzerland Group Plc, where she leads the finance function and was part of the team that successfully executed the Initial Public Offering on the London Stock Exchange in 2019. Caroline is also the treasurer and audit & risk committee chair for the NGO War Child UK.
Prior to Watches of Switzerland, she was the group financial controller at Next Plc and held several senior finance positions at Boots.
Caroline’s career began at Baker Tilly before moving into audit at Ernst & Young in the UK and internationally. Caroline has extensive retail experience and brings with her strong skills in commercial finance, financial control, governance and investor relations.
The company has recently appointed an interim CFO, Rob Swales. Until recently Rob was group commercial finance director at Pepco, having helped deliver its IPO on the Warsaw Stock Exchange. Prior to that he spent several years at Marks and Spencer.
Commenting on Caroline’s appointment, Paul Forman, chair of the board, said: “We are delighted to welcome Caroline as Chief Financial Officer. She has significant financial and investor relations experience in high quality retail organisations and a consistent track record of delivering strong results and I look forward to working with her as we build upon our growth ambitions and create continued long-term value for our customers, colleagues, and shareholders.”
Alex Jensen, CEO designate, added: “I’m very much looking forward to Caroline joining the business. Her extensive retail experience and proven ability in commercial finance, risk management, governance and investor relations will be invaluable as we continue to execute our growth strategy and strengthen our market position.”
Planes, trains and automobiles dominate list of top 200 businesses in Derby and Derbyshire
- Toyota Motor Manufacturing (UK) Limited
- Bloor Investments Limited
- Breedon Group PLC
- Rolls-Royce PLC
- Bowmer and Kirkland Limited
- Motorpoint Group PLC
- Alstom Engineering and Services Limited
- Miller Homes Group (Finco) PLC
- Refresco Beverages UK Limited & Refresco Drinks UK Limited
- Healthnet Homecare (UK) Limited
Plans lodged for major development at Dove Valley Park
DMU impact report highlights major economic contribution
De Montfort University Leicester has published new analysis showing the scale of its economic role in the region and across the UK. The assessment, produced by Hatch Associates, examined the activity of students, graduates, staff, research, and operations over 12 months.
The university recorded £266 million in annual income and channelled this into education, skills development, and local investment. The report attributes approximately £290 million in yearly economic value to DMU’s presence in Leicester and estimates the institution indirectly supports 4,600 jobs across the city.
Student spending generated around £90 million for the regional economy and sustained 2,700 jobs in Leicestershire. DMU’s procurement activity totalled £12.5 million with East Midlands suppliers, including £9.9 million awarded to businesses based in Leicester and Leicestershire. Nationally, the university contributed an estimated £690 million to UK economic activity and supported more than 9,000 jobs.
Helen Donnellan, director of Research, Business and Innovation, said the university would use the findings to strengthen ties with business networks, employers, and public service partners.
She said: “DMU is proud to be deeply rooted in Leicester. The value we generate is felt in local businesses, in our hospitals and schools, in the cultural life of the city and in the careers our graduates build here. Our region is changing fast, and we know we can and should play an even bigger role in driving skills, innovation and inclusive growth. We want to work side-by-side with companies, public services and civic partners to turn our strengths into even greater impact for the East Midlands.”
The findings were presented at the East Midlands Chamber’s Future Flux economic conference.
Solar upgrade boosts Markham Vale distribution centre
A large-scale rooftop solar array has been completed at the bilstein group distribution centre in Markham Vale, delivering a significant increase in on-site renewable generation for the facility.
SDE Energy Solutions, part of the SDE Group, installed 1,555 panels across more than 3,000 square metres of roof space. Early performance data show that most of the electricity generated is consumed directly on site to support warehouse operations and office activities.
The investment strengthens the company’s wider sustainability plans and provides a clear example of how energy-intensive firms at Markham Vale can reduce grid demand through on-site generation. The project positions the site to cut operating costs while lowering its environmental footprint, offering a practical benchmark for other businesses planning long-term growth in the region.
