CHAMBER NEWS
Love Business Expo 2017 – a great day for the region’s businesses
Love Business Expo 2017 has been heralded a success, with close to 4,000 delegates passing through the doors at Donington Park for the region’s largest free business expo. Once again, the Chamber was headline sponsor of the annual Love Business Expo, and, as well as launching its 2017 Business Awards, it hosted three sector zones: Innovation, Technology and Sustainability, Manufacturing & Engineering and Transport & Logistics. The day also saw a presentation
from Jon Egley, Manager of the Chamber’s eBusiness Club, who talked about seizing the opportunities associated with the digital growth programmes the Chamber are delivering in partnership with D2N2 in Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire and LLEP in Leicestershire, as well as local authorities. He told delegates that the part
ERDF-funded project had been tasked over two years to engage with 3,662 small and medium-sized
enterprises, offering further support to 1,534, to help create 170 new businesses. The day included a strong
presence from the region’s local enterprise partnerships (LEPs), with D2N2 Growth Hub and LLEP Business Gateway combining to provide a one-day only ‘one stop venue’ helping businesses get answers to the support available. A particular highlight saw Dean Jackson, founder of award-winning Chamber member HUUB Design, speak passionately about the company’s globally-successful triathlon wetsuits – worn by the Olympic gold and silver medalists Alistair and Jonathan Brownlee – offering an inspiring take on how he launched the business from scratch to become a leading brand in the sport. Steve Megson, Managing
Director, Quiet Storm Sales and Marketing Solutions, which runs Love Business, said: “As the creator of this unique East Midlands event, I feel a tremendous responsibility to ensure we build on the
A few of the 3,800+ delegates at Love Business
successes of each year. Love Business Expo has become the platform to provide the region’s businesses and business networks, with a launch pad for the year ahead. “The overwhelming feedback I’ve
received reflects that Quiet Storm, in partnership with our sponsors
and zone hosts, has once again delivered this platform at Love Business 2017. Now the planning starts to make it even better in 2018.”
For news of 2018’s Love Business Expo, stay tuned to
www.lovebusinessexpo.co.uk
Slight rise in unemployment for Q4, 2016
The number of people unemployed in the East Midlands increased over the three months to the end of 2016 compared with last year, but remains better than the national average, according to recent figures released by the Office for National Statistics. The unemployment rate for
October-December 2016 increased by 0.2% to 4.7%, compared to a UK rate of 4.8%. At 75.7% the employment rate in the region remained above the national average of 74.6%. The rise in unemployment was
accompanied by growth in the number of people claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance across Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire and Leicestershire. In January 2017 there were 29,510
Jobseeker’s Allowance claimants across the three counties, including the cities of Derby, Nottingham and Leicester, compared with 28,240 in December, 31,885 in January 2016 and 38,990 in January 2015. Average weekly earnings in the
East Midlands have risen to £536, up from £526 one year ago.
20 business network March 2017 “Our own survey work tells us
‘What these figures tell us is that we must not be complacent about the strength of our labour market’
that issues remain, for those that are recruiting, in sourcing staff with the right skill levels. According to our Quarterly Economic Survey, of the 56% of our members that tried to recruit in the final quarter of last year, 58% experienced difficulties – and this was seen at all levels within the organisation, from lower- skilled roles through to highly- skilled positions. “While the economy will
eventually balance itself, we are going to see more movement in employment markets in the coming months. “What these figures tell us is that
Scott Knowles Scott Knowles, Chief Executive at
the Chamber, said: “While there will be some seasonal factors at play in the figures, it’s no real surprise to see employment rates in the region begin to level off or fall slightly in the last quarter of 2016. “Businesses are still adapting to
recent changes in the value of the pound and the uncertainties that go with it, with many reviewing their strategies for growth, including increasing investments in training existing staff and buying newer equipment to meet changing demand levels.
we must not be complacent about the strength of our labour market. Policy decisions to be made in the coming months in areas such as recruitment from EU countries, the promotion of apprenticeships and technical roles in the workplace – alongside any broader announcements that might dent business confidence – will all have an impact on the shape of our workforce in both the near and long-term future.”
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