Industrial strategy and EU relations seen as priorities for next government
Manufacturers in the region believe the new government’s priorities should be delivering on an industrial strategy and improving relations with the EU, according to a second quarter outlook survey of firms in the East of England by Make UK. More than two thirds of firms (69 per cent) identified an industrial strategy and more than half (54 per cent) wanted better EU/UK relations. Lower taxes, more national infrastructure investment and Apprentice Levy reforms also featured on firm’s wish-lists. It also showed East of England manufacturers are seeing a much stronger picture with business confidence at its highest since the survey started a decade ago and the sector forecast to outpace the overall economy this year. Both output and orders have picked up substantially on the first quarter and are set to strengthen in the next three months, helped by growth across the region’s large food and drink sector. Hiring intentions are also strong. Chris Corkan, region director for the Midlands at Make UK, said: “After the economic and political shocks of the last few years there is now strong confidence among manufacturers in the East of England. At long last, companies can see concrete signs of growth and a much better economic outlook ahead. With prices cooling and, potential cuts in interest rates to come, the next Government must capitalise on this scenario by delivering a modern, long term industrial strategy which goes beyond the 2030s and has cross Government support.” Make UK is forecasting that manufacturing will grow by 1.2 per cent in 2024 but moderate to 0.8 pc in 2025. GDP will grow by 0.9pc in 2024 and 2 pc in 2025.
Scaleup tech businesses shortlisted in ‘disruptor’ competition
Ten scaleup businesses from across the East of England have been shortlisted from nearly 400 applications to pitch to a panel in KPMG’s annual competion looking for the UK’s next big tech disruptor. Salvatore di Maggio, who leads KPMG’s emerging giants practice locally, said: “We had a high level of entries this year and our final ten shortlisted businesses represent the best of the tech talent from our region. Our tech ecosystem continues to grow, and this competition is a great way to shine a spotlight on some of the amazing teams and exciting innovation that are being developed and nurtured here.”
The ten are: Cambridge spinoutBit Bio (synthetic biology); Norwich-based Virilitas Labs (fertility tests); Norwich-based Developing Experts (learning technologies); Voltquant (energy grid intelligence); Cambridge-based Paragraf (graphene-based electronics); Chelmsford-based Graphene Trace (pressure mapping); ED Hub (recruitment tech); Herts-based business The Hub (educational portal); DeepMirror (drug design software); UEA spin-out Cellexcel (sustainable biomaterials); Ediform (bespoke 3D food printer for dementia sufferers). The winners of each of the eight regional stages will go on to the national final in London in July.
Cambridge company invests in new knowledge centre
Cambridge company Domino is opening a new Print and Apply Knowledge Centre in Malmö, Sweden, to provide a designated space for product testing and demonstrations. The new facility will support manufacturers from the food and beverage, pharma, industrial and logistics sectors, to ensure that new products, solutions and support meet indvidual customer requirements. Print and apply labelling allows users to create and apply labels directly onto a product and its packaging accurately and cost-effectively. The new knowledge centre will also be used for product development and support for Domino’s regional distribution centres with the roll out of its latest generation of Print and Apply machines, the Mx-Series. Tony McNulty, chief product officer at Domino, said: “Our new Print and Apply Knowledge Centre is the latest example of our ongoing commitment and continued investment in helping our customers achieve their goals.”
Photo: Per Henriksson, technical support group manager and Mia Lindén, business support group manager, both from Domino Sweden’s office
Ipswich-based software firm expands team after passing milestone
Ipswich-based Inform Direct, which creates award-winning company secretarial software, is making a major expansion to its team having passed a key business milestone – with more than 400,000 companies now on its platform. Inform Direct has added new members to its team, enabling it to continue enhancing its software which helps accountants and business owners to comply with company secretarial requirements. To help accelerate product development, Andy Ellis has joined as business analyst with responsibility for designing new features and improving functionality. Stuart Noble has been appointed as senior software tester. A team of eight, including recent additions James Mortimer and Ollie Gillespie as customer support executives, deliver technical support to both new and existing customers. The sales team has been joined by Anna Shephard as business development manager, also with responsibility for onboarding new users. Henry Catchpole, Inform Direct CEO said: “We are delighted to welcome our new members of the team – bringing the total to 23 – and look forward to their contributions in both enhancing our product with new features and functionality, as well as supporting users. Ensuring our software meets current and emerging customer requirements has always been key to our offering.”
Photo: New joiners (l-r): Stuart Noble, Ollie Gillespie, Anna Shephard, James Mortimer and Andy Ellis.
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Developers Trebor and Hillwood have reached practical completion on Access @ Eastern Gateway in Ipswich. Main contractor Magrock completed the scheme on programme and units ranging from 12,897-52,491 sq ft are available on the site which is part of the wider Eastern Gateway park, a prominent industrial and logistics site. Greg Dalton, development director for Trebor, said: “It has been a pleasure working with Ipswich Borough Council on furthering their vision for the site, as well as Magrock to ensure the units are delivered on progamme and to the quality we expect.” Occupiers already on the site include Amazon and La Doria. Lambert Smith Hampton and Savills are retained as the marketing agents.
Law firm raises funds for charity will-writing campaign
Bury St Edmunds law firm Atkins Dellow has raised a further £1,960 by taking part in an annual charity will-writing campaign – which will help to fund different causes in the UK and overseas. Atkins Dellow has taken part in the campaign since 2012 and has raised a total of £35,396 by volunteering to write wills and instead of charging their usual fees, inviting clients to make a donation to Will Aid. The suggested donation for a basic single will is £100, and £180 for a pair of mirror wills. Partner Nicola Clayton (photo, right) said: “The entire team is very proud to take part, and we’re delighted to have given so many people the reassurance of knowing they have a professionally written will.” Donations are shared between Will Aid’s partner charities: ActionAid, Age UK, British Red Cross, Christian Aid, NSPCC, Save the Children, Sightsavers, SCIAF and Trócaire.
Resort aims to make delegate experience ‘positively memorable’
Wyboston Lakes Resort, west of Cambridge has launched a new initiative involving more leisure and social activities to make delegates’ experience at the venue more memorable. “We’ve launched Experience More to focus on the delegate experience, to make events at Wyboston Lakes Resort even more of an experience and even more memorable,” said chief commercial officer Richard Smith (photo right). The resort is working with event organisers to integrate experiences into the core of event planning, recognising that outdoor activities and natural surroundings are becoming essential components of event programmes. The Nature Reserve at Wyboston Lakes is now part of the resort’s offerings and it has a fully-equipped gym and Y Spa. Meanwhile, the Aqua Park offers water-based thrills while for golfers of all standards there are both the new Pinseekers driving range and the 18 hole golf course. “Our new corporate packages for Pinseekers, Sparty and the Nature Reserve offer event organisers the opportunity to turn their business conference or meeting into a truly memorable experience for their delegates,” added Richard Smith….Read more
See Profile Wyboston Lakes Resort
Award-winning almshouse development gains royal seal approval
A Cambridge charity hosted a royal visit to its new award-winning almshouse development in the centre of Girton last week. The Duke of Gloucester, who is vice royal patron of The Almshouse Association, met Girton Town Charity trustees and residents at Dovehouse Court where he was shown around the Passivhaus-accredited almshouses, the first of its kind in the UK. The duke said: “It is very impressive that your charity, which has a 500-year history, is now looking to the future with these inspiring homes which have preserved the principles of traditional almshouse design with shared gardens and a community courtyard.” Earlier this year, Dovehouse Court was ‘highly commended’ in the best new building over £2 million category in the 2024 Greater Cambridge Design and Construction Awards.
Photo (l-r): Ann Bonnett, chair of Girton Town Charity with The Duke of Gloucester during his visit to Dovehouse Court in Girton.
Norfolk businesses offered free marketing consultation during general election
Norfolk agency Nurture Marketing is offering business owners the chance of a free 30 minute marketing consultation to help counteract the effect of a business slowdown during the general election. Rechenda Smith (photo, right), MD of Nurture Marketing said: “With the waves of uncertain economic outcomes being caused by the forthcoming general election, business owners are heading into a period of turbulence. “To help create a smoother landing, we wanted to create some short marketing sessions for business owners in Norfolk to be able to access initial professional marketing advice for free to help guide them through the next few months and beyond.”
To book, visit https://www.nurturemarketing.co.uk/post/free-marketing-consultation-
