Case Studies from February 2025

Sector: Marketing

Location: Gedling

Socials For Creatives is a specialised social media marketing agency dedicated to helping heart-led small/medium business owners enhance their online presence through management, coaching and strategy.

The agency now offers AI-enhanced social media strategies and AI-driven marketing coaching, leveraging cutting-edge technology to optimise content and audience engagement. Its primary aim is to help clients gain more leads through social media marketing and move them to dedicated campaign landing pages with clear, data-driven strategies.

Challenges faced

As a small business with limited resources and time, it has been difficult to expand without additional support such as training and investment in the right tools and technology. In particular, there was a gap in some necessary skills, especially in areas like AI-driven marketing and SEO optimisation which are needed to help create a more competitive business model. The business also needed better software and equipment to expand its Social Media coaching.

Solution and Impact

Business owner, Lexie Barker has attended Accelerator workshops on AI, automation, and financial management. Accelerator is funded by Gedling Borough Council’s share of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) and delivered by East Midlands Chamber.

Lexie has also tapped into one-to-one business support from Chamber Business Adviser, Lisa Baggott who has encouraged creative thinking through brainstorming and has helped Lexie explore the best ways to move forward, including through signing up to available courses and exploring funding options. This has led to securing business growth grant funding for coaching on AI and marketing, enabling the business to better leverage technology for growth. It also covered subscriptions to essential services, such as Zoom Pro, Zapier, Laxis, and Descript Creator Plan, which help streamline operations and improve the overall client experience. Additionally, the grant funded the purchase of a new microphone to enhance audio quality for virtual sessions and content creation, and it supported website optimisation, ensuring a more professional and user-friendly online presence.

The networking events have enabled Lexie to stay informed about local and national developments, as well as connect with other local business owners.

While not certain of the exact figure, Lexie hopes that by streamlining her sales process, integrating AI, offering an effective coaching programme, and expanding her team as her business grows, she could save around two days per week.

“The support I’ve received has been phenomenal. Lisa’s ongoing support has helped me stay focused and on track. Without guidance from Lisa and her fellow business adviser Alison North, I wouldn’t have secured the grant or gained valuable knowledge from the courses and networking events I’ve attended.”

- Lexie Barker, Owner

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This initiative is funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) and delivered by East Midlands Chamber on behalf of Gedling Borough Council.

Sector: Office Supplies

Location: South Derbyshire

Based in Willington, Derby in purpose-built offices, Kings Office Supplies was launched in November 2014. With over 30 years of industry experience, Managing Director, Laverne King leads an enthusiastic team of four employees (soon to be five) with passion and professionalism.

It offers a one-stop shop for office and business supplies including stationery, bespoke print, promotional gifts, workwear and PPE products, on a next-day delivery service.

Challenges faced

Kings Office Supplies operates in a highly competitive market which is a constant challenge. With over 1 million products available they also needed to drive more traffic to their website to boost sales but lacked the necessary marketing know-how. With a new product category about to launch, they also wanted to build brand equity and take on new employees.

Solution and Impact

The business heard about the fully funded Accelerator project through Sonny Lakhani, Business Adviser at East Midlands Chamber.

Accelerator is funded by South Derbyshire District Council’s share of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) and is delivered by East Midlands Chamber. Sonny is providing one-to-one support to Laverne including a diagnostic to see where the business is now and create a plan for future growth.

Accelerator offers Growth Vouchers up to the value of £2,000 for specialist consultancy or training. The business successfully applied for a Growth Voucher which funded support from marketing consultant, Lindsey Newman-Wood.

Lindsey is helping to create a marketing strategy including brand development of the new product category, Bespoke Printed Merchandise, with a focus on Derby and the surrounding areas.

Kings Office Supplies recognised that all businesses need extra support, especially in the current climate. One of its biggest challenges has been reaching and engaging with new clients.

Laverne commented: “The guidance and support provided by Lindsey have been invaluable. Her insightful questioning and strategic suggestions have been highly productive, helping us think outside the box and identify key marketing challenges within our business.

“With Lindsey’s expertise, we have successfully structured a comprehensive marketing strategy, focusing on the areas most critical for business growth. More importantly, this plan has given us a clear roadmap for the future, ensuring a strong and sustainable path to success.”

Two new job roles have been created - Derby based Field Sales Executive and a Sales Manager, Furniture Division - because of this support.

“I am really excited to be able to work 1-to-1 with an adviser to help build the Kings’ strategy and increase sales turnover. I’m also delighted to have the confidence to be able to offer two new job roles.”

- Laverne King, Managing Director

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This initiative is funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) and delivered by East Midlands Chamber on behalf of South Derbyshire District Council.

Sector: Arboricultural Consultancy

Location: Derbyshire Dales

Thompson Tree Services is an arboricultural contracting and consultancy company based in Wirksworth, Derbyshire. They offer professional, high quality tree care and vegetation management services throughout the United Kingdom and across all industry sectors.

The business was looking to grow, reduce overheads and cut CO2 output by installing solar panels. It has been working with East Midlands Chamber Business Adviser, Andy Bunn who has supported them in several areas through the Accelerator project.

This includes arranging a funded premises energy audit which highlighted where the business could save money and reduce consumption. Andy also helped them successfully apply for the Derbyshire Dales District Council’s decarbonisation grant which has enabled them to install the solar panels and reduce their energy costs. These solar panels will provide 98% of the company’s electricity requirements and removes two tonnes of greenhouse gases from the environment.

A £25,000 Business Development Grant from the Council has also part-funded a tracked Mobile Elevated Working Platform (MEWP). These are used by the arboricultural teams to provide safe and efficient methods of working, removing the risks posed by putting a climber physically in a tree.

The MEWP adds to the extensive range of modern, specialised equipment used by the company’s team of qualified and experienced staff. Management systems satisfy the requirements of ISO 9001: 2015, ISO 14001: 2015 and ISO 45001: 2018 and the company is accredited by the Arboricultural Association as Approved Contractors for both amenity and utility arboriculture.

A word from the business:

“As we continue to secure new contracts and expand our services, the acquisition of the MEWP exemplifies our commitment to remaining at the forefront of the arboricultural sector.

We are grateful for the support of Derbyshire Dales, which enables us to further our mission of delivering professional, high-quality tree care services for our clients while prioritising the safety and well-being of our team members."

- Gary Moorehouse, Commercial Director

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This initiative is funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) and delivered by East Midlands Chamber on behalf of Derbyshire Dales District Council.