Case Studies from April 2025

Sector: Sports & Recreation

Location: Leicester

Aim Strong Sport is a family run business established in 2012 providing high quality coaching and education in movement, sport and leadership.

Father and son team, Steve White MBE and Harry White provide professional development for teachers in SAQ (Speed, Agility, Quickness) and run Holiday Clubs for young people. The business is based in Leicester and has four employees.

Challenges faced

Aim Strong Sport has had a few challenges over recent years including difficulties in retaining staff. There was also a need to improve marketing and promotion to bring in new business. In addition to this, the administrative burden was growing for the small team to handle and they also wanted to become a greener business.

Solution and Impact

Aim Strong Sport has been supported by the Accelerator project, funded by Leicester City Council’s share of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) and delivered by East Midlands Chamber.

Chamber Business Adviser, Joanna Moore has provided 1-to-1 business advice to Harry and conducted a business review to see where the business is now and where it wants to be.

With Joanna’s help Aim Strong Sport successfully applied for a Growth Voucher from the Accelerator project. This has enabled it to benefit from 20 hours of digital consultancy advice from Martin Broadhurst of Broadhurst Digital. Martin has helped the business implement a new CRM system and provided guidance on using AI to improve efficiency.

Harry commented: “It’s hard to put a figure on it but the guidance and CRM system support has been incredible. I can now log and track all outreach work and monitor our pipeline. It’s helped to increase my productivity with various tasks including emails, quoting and social media.”

Joanna also worked with UK Operations Manager, Anthony Raisbury to support the business with its sustainability goals. A fully funded premises energy audit provided several recommendations for improvements to help reduced energy usage and bills, and a decarbonisation plan was also completed to guide the business on reducing carbon emissions.

“The support has been fantastic. Martin was brilliant to work with and supported me to implement the CRM system and utilise AI.

I am already feeling the benefits and know that this will help the business grow and develop in so many ways! Thank you.”

- Harry White, Managing Director

Read the full Case Study

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

Sector: Human Health

Location: Amber Valley

The Caregiving Journey CIC is a start up business created in June 2024 by Dr Elizabeth Rozario, a certified coach and former GP.

Through one-to-one coaching, group coaching and interactive workshops, Elizabeth provides caregivers with the tools and strategies they need to reduce stress, enhance well being and manage responsibilities effectively. The business is based in Swanwick, Amber Valley.

Challenges faced

Elizabeth faced several challenges when starting up including how to run the business, having never done this before. She also needed help with marketing and how to promote her services to the right people, in the right place, at the right time.

Solution and Impact

The Caregiving Journey has been supported by the Accelerator project. This is funded by Amber Valley Borough Council’s share of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) and delivered by East Midlands Chamber.

Elizabeth has been helped by Chamber Business Adviser, Cat Walls who has provided impartial and confidential advice on setting up and running the new business.

Elizabeth commented: “Cat has been a fantastic mentor to me. She has belief in my business and that it’s a vital service that needs to grow. She’s given me many tips and signposted me to other support and advised me to set up a Google Business page.”

The business also took advantage of Nottingham Trent University’s digital skills coach service, funded by the Accelerator project. NTU’s students supported Elizabeth with several digital projects including how to set up and run webinars, using Canva graphics, implementing the MailerLite email marketing platform and creating Google slides. Elizabeth found this help very rewarding and would recommend it to others.

On Cat’s recommendation Elizabeth also attended several Accelerator action-planning workshops including Using AI for SEO, Crafting your Start-Up Marketing Plan, the Start Up Accelerator and How to Safely Update your WordPress Website.

The support has had a huge impact on Elizabeth. She added: “It has been invaluable. It has boosted my self-confidence and self-esteem. Cat has faith in me and so I want this business to work. It’s been good to have monthly accountability calls as well.”

“Without the support, this unique service to carers could not exist. I have every hope that it will become a flourishing business within the coming year.”

- Elizabeth Rozario, Founder

Read the full Case Study

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

Sector: Procurement

Location: Leicester

Unimed Procurement Services (Unimed) is an International Development Organisation based in Leicester, specialising in global health procurement and technical assistance.

The company was established in 2018 and works alongside aid and development agencies, charities, NGOs and governments to project manage, source and deliver medical commodities. It has delivered over 700 projects across 63 countries and won the Queen’s Award for Enterprise: Excellence in International Trade 2022. It currently employs 11 people.

Challenges faced

Political unrest, government changes and war have impacted the provision of funds for global aid, development and emergency relief projects. Instability also impacts the capability to deliver to sensitive regions. Like many organisations, Unimed also faced rising energy costs which added additional pressure to the team.

Solution and Impact

Unimed has taken advantage of support from the Accelerator project. This is funded by Leicester City Council’s share of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF). Head of Quality at Unimed, Claire Harrington worked with Chamber Business Adviser, Joanna Moore on a 1-to-1 basis to look at the business and areas for growth or improvement.

As well as a business diagnostic, a fully funded energy audit was arranged through Will Syme-Nicholson of Vision Zero Consult. Following the recommendations from Will the business changed energy suppliers securing a contract which will save them approximately £8,000 a year in energy costs. This also meets their target of having a renewable energy source. A decarbonisation plan was also introduced to support its goals towards reducing greenhouse gas emissions

“It’s been very helpful to have an adviser to signpost us to the best specialist contacts for further assistance.

I’m happy that we are much better informed and focused after the support we have received – thank you.”

- Claire Harrington, Head of Quality

Read the full Case Study

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

Sector: Manufacturing

Location: Ashfield

Ashfield Accelerator is a business support project designed to help established businesses based in the District of Ashfield find practical solutions to improve commercial operations leading to sustainable growth. This is being funded by Ashfield District Council’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) and delivered by East Midlands Chamber.

Nottingham Zinc Group is a family business established in 1982 and is based on Lowmoor Business Park, Kirkby in Ashfield.

With over 40 years’ experience, its services are an integral part of the circular economy, focusing on extending the lifecycle of steel products through repair and refurbishment, to minimise waste and maximise resource efficiency. Refurbishing steel products prevents them from ending up in landfills, reducing environmental pollution and promoting a cleaner, greener planet.

Nottingham Zinc’s services include:

• Zinc electroplating – this provides corrosion resistance, ensuring metal components stay protected against the elements.
• Powder coating – this gives a smooth, high-quality finish that meets stringent industry standards.
• Refurbishment – this helps customers reduce costs by re-using existing material to minimise waste and efficiency.

The business has an impressive customer portfolio which includes household names like Tesco, Ford, Royal Mail, National Rail and Jaguar Land Rover. There were 29 employees but that has risen to 31 with the creation of two new roles.

Challenges faced

The challenge was to modernise its electroplating plant’s infrastructure with an emphasis on process streamlining and enhanced data management. The key objectives are to improve operational efficiency, ensure tighter process monitoring and control, and streamline management tasks.

These upgrades will strengthen its competitive position further and support its expansion into new markets that require rigorous process oversight.

Energy bills were also a major factor for Nottingham Zinc, and it was constantly looking for ways to minimise costs in this area.

Solutions

Nottingham Zinc has been supported by the Accelerator project and East Midlands Chamber Business Adviser, Richard Crowden. He invited Systems Improvement Manager William Bell and Jim Doran, an external Consultant who has been advising Nottingham Zinc on their commercial operations, to attend a workshop: How to make a Successful Grant Application’. This covered Accelerator business support and top tips on completing a grant application.

Nottingham Zinc was also introduced to consultant Sophie Wragg of Be Your Best Version, who carried out a fully funded energy audit to identify energy efficiency improvements and opportunities to reduce costs.

Impact

Nottingham Zinc submitted a strong application and was successfully awarded the £16,056 grant to support an energy improvement project that invested in state-of-the-art control systems with smart capabilities. This project enabled Nottingham Zinc to adopt new technologies, employ two additional members of staff and it can now provide more consistent product quality and greater operational efficiencies across the business.

William Bell commented: “Where we have made investments, we have seen electricity usage halved in some of those areas as a result.”

“For a SME business like us, the backing and support has been invaluable.  We have been able to take the company forward which we would not have been able to do without the Ashfield Accelerator Grant award.

Richard’s support and communication has been excellent – it’s so important for us to have someone telling us what we need to do, making sure we have covered the fine detail required to secure the award.”
 

- William Bell, Systems Improvement Manager

Read the full Case Study

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

Sector: Interior Design

Location: Rushcliffe

Howson Design is an interior design practice dedicated to creating timeless, sustainable spaces.

Founded by Katy Raywood in 2020, the business was born from her passion for creativity and a desire to follow in her late father Lewis Howson’s entrepreneurial footsteps. Naming the business in his honour, Katy ensures his inspiration and legacy lives on through her designs.

Based in Rushcliffe, Howson Design offers a personal, creative service to clients across Nottingham and the East Midlands. Katy collaborates with a diverse network of designers, suppliers, and artisans - from renowned manufacturers to exclusive brands transforming homes into beautifully curated spaces.

Challenges faced

Katy's biggest challenge as a new business was marketing, primarily due to cost and time constraints, as she had to manage this herself. While she occasionally hired freelance marketers for support, budget limitations remained a hurdle.

Solution and Impact

Katy has been part of the Rushcliffe Business Partnership for the past four years, regularly attending its events and networking opportunities. At this network, Katy learned about the support available through the Accelerator project and was referred to Chamber Business Adviser, Insan Farooqi.

Accelerator is funded through Rushcliffe Borough Council’s share of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) and delivered by East Midlands Chamber. After enrolling onto the project, Insan provided tailored 1-to-1 business advice, helping Katy identify and access the right support to overcome the key challenges she was facing.

Katy accessed a £1,000 Growth Voucher, which allowed her to work with digital consultant Ian Lockwood, an expert in SEO. Through Ian’s guidance, Katy gained essential knowledge on improving SEO strategies to better reach her target audience. As a result, Katy enhanced her own expertise and successfully increased the online visibility of her business website leading to a higher search engine ranking.

The support from the Accelerator project has helped Katy streamline her marketing strategy, develop new digital skills, and gain confidence to implement effective growth strategies. With these improvements, Katy is confident in attracting new business opportunities and contributing to job creation in the future.

“It’s great to know there is support out there for new businesses. I would like to say a big thank you to the business advisers from East Midlands Chamber who have been so incredibly helpful and supportive.”

- Katy Raywood, Founder

Read the full Case Study

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