Testimonials from 2025

“The WordPress Masterclass course was brilliant and a real benefit to my business. I’ve used WordPress for several years but the depth of knowledge from the tutor, his ability to make everything simple and jargon free was refreshing!

I learnt so much from the course and had so many hints and tips that have saved me time and money. I’d highly recommend the course."

- Dawn Spendlove, Founder

“All these courses were helpful and informative. Since attending, I have put into action much of what was learnt.

From How to Plan, Build and Launch a killer Website I gained a number of things, include clarity on using Shopify, understanding how to add Google Analytics to my website; focussing on my target customers and the importance of planning before jumping straight in. As a result, my website is now fully launched; it has tracking pixels and analytics added!

From the Email Marketing workshop, I learnt the benefits of different platforms, how to organise groups within my mailing list, scheduling with Buffer, what content to include and the benefits of certain features. Since the workshop, I’ve set up and am now using the MailerLite platform. I’ve established a mailing list and send out a regular newsletter. I have automations in place to follow up new subscribers, have social media posts scheduled using Buffer and use ChatGPT for writing appropriate copy.

From the Paid Social Media Marketing workshop, I gained an understanding of audiences and targeting. It helped me find my way around meta business suite and ads manager – this was invaluable to me! I can now use Creative Hub on meta. I also understand the role of tracking pixels and how to use them. The course has given me the confidence to add Facebook and Google pixels to my website, which had all seemed very scary in the past.

As a result of what I learned on this course I have just launched my first ad campaign on meta with positive results. Tracking pixels are in place and I know how to use the data generated.

I’m now using the business suite with increasing confidence. I am a newbie to social media marketing and I could not have done this without the excellent training received.

Thank you to everyone who has inputted into me and helped me on my journey to date. The training has been excellent and has definitely impacted my business journey!”

- Jan Mace, Director

Wellington Films is a film production company that has recently celebrated its 25th anniversary in helping to originate acclaimed feature films. As a business that develops projects and then sets up businesses to run them, there are many moving parts.

Support from an Accelerator Growth Voucher is enabling co-founders Al Clark and Rachel Robey to tap into expert consultancy on financial risk management systems and put in place the software to manage financial projections.

Chamber Business Adviser Richard Crowden also introduced the pair to the Export Accelerator project which led to a successful bid for grant funding to cover the cost of attending the Toronto International Film Festival.

“Support from the Chamber’s Accelerator project has been two-fold: the financial training through Growth Voucher support gives us the foresight to make sure our forecasts are as robust as possible and to take early corrective action where needed.

Attendance at the Toronto International Film Festival, which would have been too expensive for us to attend without Export Accelerator support, has enabled us to pitch a new project to potential financiers and other co-producers alike which has helped to significantly raise our international profile.”

- Al Clark, Co-founder

“It's been incredibly valuable to have Charles's support over the last couple of months. He's offered exactly what I needed. I'm pleased to report we've expanded from just me, to routinely employing 4-5 people, albeit on short term contracts for the moment.

Turnover has increased by a similar factor, so I expect to be able to move one or two to full time employment from the end of the calendar year.”

- Ben Foster, Managing Director

“Steve Phillips was very informative about how the support could make a difference to a small business. He listened and got to know Nordicana Homewares really well and made sure he knew the story of how it all started and the ethics of the shop, having a low carbon footprint and being environmentally aware.

Although the business is busy in the shop, social media wasn’t driving customers to make purchases on the website. Steve discussed social media strategies and gave advice on what could work better. He also discussed how a new website linked to social media could work.

Steve is very good at listening and understanding a business and how actions can move it forward. I’m very thankful for his help. I am now using a local company that employs local people to build a brand-new website that is more customer friendly and increases sales."

- Neil Hunt, Owner

“I would like to express my sincere appreciation for the opportunity to attend the recent Copilot workshop. As a startup business owner, I found the experience truly eye-opening. The insights I gained into Copilot AI were both informative and inspiring, and I was impressed by its practical applications—particularly in streamlining email communication, which has already saved me considerable time.

The workshop was exceptionally well delivered. The facilitator demonstrated professionalism, confidence, and a strong ability to engage with all participants. I felt fully included throughout the session, and the supportive environment made it easy to absorb the content.

Since attending, I have begun integrating AI into my business communications, and I can already see the benefits. I am confident that as my business grows, Copilot will play a vital role in enhancing various aspects of operations, including the development of care plans.

Given the chance, I would be eager to attend future Copilot workshops to build on the knowledge I’ve gained. These sessions are incredibly valuable, and I truly appreciate being part of them.”

- Tsalani Malyi, Director

(Image: Edward Nudd, Principal)

“Thanks to the support of the Nottingham Accelerator programme, delivered by East Midlands Chamber, we’ve been able to enhance our digital presence with a more sophisticated, user-friendly website.

This upgrade makes it easier than ever for prospective students interested in Musical Theatre & Dance to explore, connect, and apply to the Midlands Academy of Dance & Drama (MADD College) in Nottingham as a place of study, helping us reach and inspire more of the next generation of national and international performers. As a registered charity, this kind of support is invaluable.” 

- Edward Nudd, Principal

“The course was really informative, and I found it to be relevant and of value. What I learnt will definitely help me in my day-to-day work.  I started using MS Copilot the very next day and continue to dabble in it.

Ryan was great and the whole session ran smoothly.  The trainer was very knowledgeable, clear and concise. 

I would 100% recommend to anyone else who wants to start using AI via Copilot."

- Lottie Naylor, Investment Manager

(Image: Asma Seedat, Director and Senior Recovery Worker & Counsellor)

“The support provided by our adviser Jo, has been amazing. Her person-centred approach and her extensive knowledge and expertise enabled me to develop a plan that focused on Jamila’s Legacy short, medium and long-term goals. Jo's advice has also enabled me to access an NTU Digital Coach and a Digital Consultant for me and the team to work on IT and the systems landscape.

The training, advice and support has enabled the team to grow and implement our learning to increase efficiency and sustainability.”

- Rehana Sidat, Founder, CEO/Mental Health Advocate/Trainer

“Joanna from the Chamber was very thorough and really understood which funding would help with the gaps in knowledge we have. She supported us to apply for the Accelerator Growth Voucher.

This funding was used to access help from digital marketing agency, LikeMind Media. I found my calls with Hena really insightful, and it gave me a wonderful chance to look at various opportunities through different eyes.

Now without the need for third party companies, we can go forward and look at various marketing strategies that will bring a different perspective to Nest and the customer journey; and we can also open up our marketing channels through ways we hadn’t considered before.”

- Samantha Gibbs, Owner

“Attending the Accelerator Programme last year was one of the best decisions I made. I had a business idea but wasn’t sure where to start, and I wanted to connect with others in the same situation - entrepreneurship can feel lonely at first! 

The programme helped me refresh my knowledge of business development, understand the support available and meet inspiring people. I highly recommend it to anyone starting their startup journey! It makes it so much easier when you have a clear plan.”

- Irina Protasova, Director

(Image shows team member John Lou)

“I would like to take this opportunity to express my appreciation for the well-organised and excellently delivered workshop; WordPress Masterclass.

I found the session incredibly valuable, it has empowered us to update our website in a timely manner without relying on a third-party company. Once again, thank you for this opportunity.”

- William Lou, Managing Director