Case Studies

A clear commitment to CPD

Sector: Independent training provider

Location: Nottingham City

Support Accessed:

• Digital Upscaler
• Peer Networks
• Workshops

Access Training provide high-quality training, apprenticeships and recruitment support to businesses and individuals throughout the Midlands. With offices in both Nottingham and Derby, they specialise in training for individuals seeking to embark upon or develop their careers in sectors such as Housing, Construction, Childcare and in industry-wide topics like Business Administration, Customer Services and Management.

“Where we’ve found East Midlands Combined County Authority Growth Hub’s support most helpful is in upskilling our team, particularly when transitioning to new roles. East Midlands Combined County Authority’s Peer Networks are a great form of learning for anyone experienced in post but new to director level. For us, it’s been an extra layer of support that has brought in new ideas to our business.”

- Corrina Hembury, Managing Director, Access Training

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This case study was part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund.

Reaching new heights

Sector: Design and manufacture of lifting & handling solutions

Location: Clowne, Bolsover

Support Accessed:

• Grant Funding:
  • Business Investment Fund
  • Capital Growth Fund
  • Digital Upscaler
  • Green Entrepreneurs Programme 
• East Midlands Chamber Member services
• Peer Networks

Penny Hydraulics is a family-owned business that designs and manufactures vehicle-mounted lifting equipment, goods lifts, winch systems, nuclear equipment and tyre presses. Its end-to-end services also include installation and aftercare.

Its 100-strong team work on projects as far afield as Australia, the Middle East and South America.

As a regular supplier of chandelier and baggage lifting systems to the Royal Households, it proudly carries the Royal Warrant of Appointment.

“Since 2014, we’ve secured no less than £265,000 in grant funding. The support that the East Midlands Combined County Authority Growth Hub partners have offered is immeasurable. Not only in pointing us to the right funding at the right time, but in their training and guidance on practical matters such as setting up letters of credit, and completion of post-Brexit import and export documentation.”

- Ashley Holmes, Finance Director, Penny Hydraulics

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This case study was part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund.

An enterprising approach to support women’s health

Sector: Producer of eco-friendly, non-toxic sanitary products

Location: Derby City

Support Accessed:

• Kickstart Wage Subsidy
• Business advice and support
• Fully funded webinars and workshops

Gift Wellness Ltd is a producer of eco-friendly, non-toxic sanitary products. It was set up by founder, Dr Zareen Roohi Ahmed in an attempt to heal from the tragedy of losing her daughter, Halimah, whose life was cut short when she was brutally murdered.

Choosing to channel her grief into goodness and charity work, Zareen set about developing a line of sanitary products providing high quality, affordable sanitary wear, while at the same time restoring dignity to women and girls living in crisis.

In less than a decade, Zareen’s charity, the Gift Wellness Foundation, has delivered over six million period products across the world.

“With the support of East Midlands Combined County Authority’s workshops and webinars, we’ve really taken the steps we need to develop as an online business, and have built up a healthy bank of monthly subscribers as a result. This programme of support has also undoubtedly built the confidence and ability of our staff, three of whom first joined us on the Chamber’s Kickstart scheme and who are now in permanent employment with us.”

- Dr Zareen Roohi Ahmed, Founder, Gift Wellness

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This case study was part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund.

Peer learning at its peak

Sector: Translation and interpreting services

Location: Whaley Bridge, High Peak

Support Accessed:

• East Midlands Chamber Member services
• Peer Networks
• Fully funded webinars and workshops

Peak Translations Ltd is a business with a 45-year standing in translation and interpreting services. Offering support to businesses looking to grow in overseas markets and to communicate in different languages effectively and precisely.

“When you’re the MD, everyone expects you to know all the answers! That’s clearly not the case and East Midlands Combined County Authority’s Peer Networks have been such a wealth of information to tap into. I know my Digital Marketing Assistant, Emily, has found the East Midlands Combined County Authority marketing workshops equally as useful. Overall, it gives me the reassurance that we are keeping up to date with the latest trends and are learning from the experiences of others.”

- Helen Provart, Managing Director, Peak Translations Ltd

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This case study was part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund.

A blast to last

Sector: Powder coating, wet paint spraying and shotblasting

Location: Ilkeston, Erewash

Support Accessed:

• Business Adviser support
• Business Investment Fund grants
• East Midlands Manufacturing Network
• Webinars

Goldbury Paint and Powdercoat Ltd is a third-generation family business specialising in powder coating, wet paint spraying and shotblasting. Established in 1995 and serves a variety of industries from rail and aerospace through to independent artists and the general public.

“I’ve come to really rely on the support I receive from Erewash Partnership, East Midlands Combined County Authority Growth Hub and now the Chamber. As a relatively new director, I want to get my hands on as much advice and learning as possible, in the shortest space of time. Whether it’s learning about new funding opportunities, joining the East Midlands Manufacturing Network or joining Growth Hub webinars, I know there’s so much at my disposal.”

- Tom Hough, Director, Goldbury Paint and Powdercoat Ltd

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This case study was part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund.

Based in Nottingham, Flame UK are one of the UK’s leading independent waste management service providers.

Providing sustainable waste and recycling collections to a range of businesses across the UK. Their customers are environmentally focused, with most having Net Zero targets which Flame UK are pivotal in attaining.

With help from the East Midlands Combined County Authority Growth Hub, they’ve been able to install video conferencing and webinar facilities directly into their office. With UK wide customers, they meet with them monthly to help drive improvements to their business. Previously, this involved a great deal of travelling which didn’t fit with their plan to become more sustainable. The new conferencing facilities that have been installed means that they can connect with clients virtually, more regularly and cut down travel by around 70%. This has helped them reduce their carbon footprint and move towards a more sustainable future for Flame UK.

"We’ve been able to make some brilliant changes to Flame UK that have helped us work towards our business goals. None of this would have been possible with-out the help of Sonny or the Growth Hub. They’ve given us all the tools we could possibly need to get things moving at the pace we need. Thanks to the support received from the Growth Hub, we’re now able to connect with our customers in a more sustainable and personal way.”

- Daniel Pegram, Director Flame UK

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Victory Design Ltd began trading in 1987 and specialise in bringing the very best sign making, garment personalisation, digital printing and vehicle safety marking products to clients throughout the UK.

Victory Design were looking to continue their success in producing vehicle wraps, large format banners, digital prints and signage for their trade clients, however, in order to achieve their growth targets, they needed to invest in the latest in print technology. With support from Cheryl Staples, a East Midlands Combined County Authority Growth Hub Business Adviser, they were able to obtain a grant towards the costs involved. Allowing them to implement their plans quickly. 50% more jobs were also created, they reduced their waste material and also managed to greatly benefit from the extensive webinar programme by attending sessions on marketing and social media.

"Over the last 2-3 years, Cheryl Staples and the East Midlands Combined County Authority Growth Hub have supported us in our expansion plans, including support throughout the pandemic, improving efficiencies with investment in better machinery and helping us to reduce waste as well as reducing our carbon footprint.

We would not hesitate in recommending local businesses reach out to The Growth Hub – the variety of support on offer means there’s something for all local businesses."

- Justin Hines, Sales Director

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Positive ID Labels is a label printing company based in Melbourne, South Derbyshire. Employing 26 staff, the company has grown to a £2.2m turnover since starting label production 16 years ago.

Having invested £235k buying a Xeikon 3030 digital print engine and finishing unit in 2019, the company approached the Growth Hub to help finance an upgrade to the machine, increasing overall efficiency. The cost of the work was just under £25k of which East Midlands Combined County Authority contributed 30%.

"Working with the East Midlands Combined County Authority team was made easy by regular and effective communication and ownership by the facilitating staff at East Midlands Combined County Authority. This encouraged the company to work closely with East Midlands Combined County Authority on other projects to help support the business and in turn create jobs in the local area."

- Pete Howells, Technical Director

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O’Connor & Co is a multi-award winning removals and storage company operating in Mansfield, Chesterfield and Sheffield.

The East Midlands Combined County Authority Growth Hub in conjunction with North East Derbyshire District Council, has been able to support the business through a whole range of dedicated adviser support. Our Adviser Manager was able to carry out an information, diagnostic and brokerage (IDB) service with Sean which allowed for analysis of several aspects of the business including culture, marketing, finances, KPIs and more. The adviser was then able to work closely with Sean to help improve these areas to enable business growth. O’Connor’s has also benefited from in depth support on business strategy and signposting to funding options.

"We’ve worked hard looking at our vision, looking at our culture, our retention, our marketing, finances, KPI’s, kaizens, I could go on, we’ve done everything-setting goals and hitting them. We’ve started fighting back after the deficit of Covid had on our company. I certainly cannot thank the East Midlands Combined County Authority adviser team enough (even on the guidance on books). Truly helped us through the hardest of times. A personal message to you all: thank you."

- Sean O’Connor, Director

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Zaremba Marsden is a serene retreat set in Matlock, on the edge of the beautiful Peak District National Park. Offering luxurious bed and breakfast accommodation set in a peaceful and calm environment, guests can relax away from the fast pace and distractions of everyday life. 

Stuart and Marta have been on the entire East Midlands Combined County Authority support journey. Initially supported by the D2 Business Starter Programme, serving as a springboard for the launch of this business. The East Midlands Combined County Authority Growth Hub were able to provide a business adviser who enrolled them on to the new programme and tailored their support needs to match their business outcomes.

"We've been blown away by the expertise, structure, content and overall delivery of the East Midlands Combined County Authority offering. They have provided us with a solid foundation for establishing and securing a successful and profitable business."

- Marta Zaremba-Marsden, Co-Owner

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Crystal Clear Consultancy Ltd is a recruitment agency based in Nottingham City, specialising in the Care, Education and Construction sectors with over 25 years experience.

Clear Crystal Director Linda Redmond, worked closely with a number of Business Advisers at the East Midlands Combined County Authority Growth Hub in order to apply for funding to help develop and grow the business further. After winning a national contract delivering B2B services, the business has now been able to establish the systems needed to meet the demands of the contract. The adviser team also worked hard to enable Clear Crystal to achieve a successful grant application for a Business Consultant to help them put new systems in place.

"Richard and the rest of the East Midlands Combined County Authority Growth Hub team worked quickly to enable us to have a successful grant application for a Business Consultant to help us put new systems in place and a new member of staff. East Midlands Combined County Authority worked effectively and quickly to ensure we received a positive outcome for the grant which we received."

- Linda Redmond, Director

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The Compatriot is an authentic Nigerian restaurant based in Nottingham. Priding themselves on serving freshly made, traditional dishes based on family recipes, passed down between generations.

The East Midlands Combined County Authority Growth Hub were able to offer a diagnostic business review, strategic planning and one on one mentoring and support. The Compatriot were also able to access key funding from their local authority during the Coronavirus pandemic, allowing them to keep on trading.

"The tailored and personal support that we received from our East Midlands Combined County Authority Growth Hub adviser has been invaluable during what has been a challenging time for most businesses."

- Isaac Oyeyiola, Co-Owner

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