STRATEGIC PARTNERS AND PATRONS
Funding scheme promotes jobs growth in the region
The University of Derby has supported the creation of more than 1,000 jobs in key growth sectors across the East Midlands since launching its Invest to Grow funding scheme in 2014. New jobs include roles in
transport equipment manufacturing, life sciences, construction, food and drink manufacturing, logistics, engineering and low carbon sectors. It is a major milestone for the
fund which, through a re-circulating finance scheme, provides a combination of loans and grants to SMEs to support specific projects, typically related to businesses growing, developing or improving products and services, as well as creating sustainable jobs. Mr Hari Punchihewa, Deputy
Chief-Executive and Finance Director of the university and a Chamber board member, said: “I’m delighted that the scheme managed by the university with an independent panel has reached this impressive milestone.
The University of Derby’s Kedleston Road Campus
“The funding from Invest to
Grow provides much needed financial support to businesses across the East Midlands and has had a significant economic impact over several key growth sectors. Alongside the ongoing scheme and additional support to SMEs from the university, we can expect further job creation and growth in the wider business community.” The university was originally awarded a total of £16.35m in
funding by the Regional Growth Fund (RGF) for the scheme. This is not the end however. As this is a re-circulating finance scheme, there is still recycled loan funding to be repaid into the scheme and recirculated to new projects. Mark Wheddon, Head of Delivery
for Invest to Grow at the University of Derby, added: “In addition to job creation, managing the Invest to Grow fund has enhanced links between businesses and the university. There are several examples of ongoing collaboration, and an increased awareness of the university’s wider role as an economic anchor institution supporting the region’s businesses. “The funding has directly
enabled many businesses to recruit new staff and bring in new skills or contributed to training and upskilling existing employees. Many of our funding recipients have also continued to work with the university through employing PhD students to undertake research.”
Utility Alliance shortlisted for national award
Utility Alliance (UA), which trades, monitors and uses the latest technologies to save businesses time and money, has been shortlisted for a national award. It has been shortlisted in the
Consultancy of the Year category at the EDIE Sustainability Leaders Awards 2018, beating off competition from some of the biggest names in its sector to get to the final stages. The awards are open to all
businesses and organisations across the public and private sectors and of all sizes from the largest multi-nationals to the smallest micro- organisations. Ian Willis, Utility Alliance’s
PR and Marketing Manager, said: “We are very pleased to have been nominated for such a high profile national award. Considering we have only been going just under three years this is a real achievement.”
A thoroughly modern home for Blueprint
Blueprint Interiors has completed a move to new purpose-built premises in Ashby. Blueprint is a workplace design and fit out specialist. The move from its
previous base, near Derby, ensures it can service its extensive network of customers across the Midlands and accommodate its rapidly-growing team. Blueprint's new premises, WorkLife Central, has been designed following
the same processes used when working with clients. The result is a living showroom where staff have a range of areas in which to work, while showcasing the many aspects of the modern workplace and the solutions available, such as technology, lighting, break-out areas and acoustics. Creative Director Chloe Sproston said: “To unlock the productivity gains
of modern, flexible working, you must create an environment that nurtures the physical, cognitive and emotional wellbeing of your staff. “We believe staff are your most important asset, so the thinking behind
the design of our new office was to showcase the various solutions available to tackle some of the common issues faced by staff in the workplace.”
Blueprint’s new premises in Ashby THE CHAMBER IS HONOURED BY THE SUPPORT OF ITS STRATEGIC PARTNERS AND PATRONS
business network March 2018
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