Firms seek greater financial certainty to invest in young talent
More than half of businesses in the East of England have recruited young people in the past year but greater certainty over government funding and simpler training schemes could encourage more employers to invest, according to research by Lloyds. The bank’s business barometer found that 51 per cent of regional firms had recruited early-career talent over the past 12 months and most expect to continue recruiting over the coming year. But just over half of businesses that had not recruited young people said they would do so if they felt able. Financial certainty was the main factor that would encourage investment, cited by a third of employers. Stronger links with colleges, universities and training providers and calls for for simpler apprenticeship and training schemes also emerged. Despite these barriers, nearly four in five businesses said they were confident of securing the funding needed for training, apprenticeships or recruitment over the next one to three years. Customer service and relationship management, alongside sales and business development, were the most sought-after skills. Almost half said internal training and upskilling existing employees would be their main approach to addressing skills gaps. Kirsty Sadler, Lloyds’ regional director for the East of England, said: “Businesses in the East are signalling a clear intent to continue providing opportunities for early careers talent, although creating a more connected system is the next step many are looking for to build on this progress.” The findings follow Lloyds’ announcement in August of a £100m investment in future skills.
Cambridge University and US tech group open quantum research centre
Photo credit: Fiona Hanson
US tech group IonQ and the University of Cambridge have opened a Quantum Innovation Centre at the university’s Ray Dolby Centre, home to the Cavendish Laboratory. The facility will be a physical base for the organisations’ research partnership, announced last March covering quantum computing, networking, sensing and security technologies. Nine initial research projects will bring together Cambridge academics and specialists from IonQ, based in Maryland, to develop quantum hardware and investigate applications across science and industry. Projects will explore investment portfolio optimisation, the response of engineering structures to forces, and biological networks to identify potential targets for cancer therapies. The programme involves Cambridge’s departments of physics, engineering and computer science and technology, alongside the Milner Therapeutics Institute and Cambridge Judge Business School. It will also support academic positions, postdoctoral researchers and PhD students. “The official launch of the IonQ Quantum Innovation Centre is an exciting milestone in our partnership with IonQ, which will help Cambridge and the UK stay at the forefront of the quantum revolution,” said Professor Mete Atatüre, head of the Cavendish Laboratory. The initiative supports the UK’s National Quantum Strategy and aims to strengthen links between academic research and commercial technology development.
Norwich-based heating firm targets £30m turnover after move to new hq
Norwich-based heating and renewables business Macbrook Group is aiming to increase its turnover from £23 million to £30 million, as it marks its tenth anniversary and seeks a new chief operating officer. The group, which employs around 60 people, works on social housing improvements, energy efficiency, decarbonisation and retrofit projects across the UK. Founded in 2016 by husband and wife directors Johnathan and Caroline Mckenna, the business has restructured over the past year and moved into a new £1.3 million hq Macbrook House, in Norwich. Opened by Lord John Bird, founder of The Big Issue, the building brings the group’s operations together and provides flexible meeting and workspace facilities for local businesses. Johnathan Mckenna said: “The past year has seen major investment across the group. Opening Macbrook House, strengthening our structure and continuing to grow our team have all been important steps. We now have the foundations in place to push towards our next target and deliver even greater impact for our clients and the communities they serve.” The planned COO appointment is intended to strengthen operational management across the group’s retrofit. activities, where demand is growing.
Photo: Lord John Bird cuts the ribbon to open Macbrook House alongside Johnathan McKenna, chief executive of Macbrook Group
Suffolk Chamber wins UK Chamber of the Year
Suffolk Chamber of Commerce has won UK Chamber of the Year at the British Chambers of Commerce Chamber Awards 2026. The award recognises the chamber’s impact across the county and the achievements of the businesses it represents. John Dugmore, chief executive of Suffolk Chamber said: “Winning UK Chamber of the Year is a tremendous honour for Suffolk Chamber and a fantastic recognition for Suffolk’s business community.
Catherine Johnson, president of Suffolk Chamber of Commerce, added: “This award puts Suffolk’s business community firmly on the national stage and reflects the strength we have here in the county. Recognition like this matters because it shows that Suffolk is not simply responding to major economic opportunities, but has a real part to play in shaping what comes next.”
Power generation specialist sold to global group
Law firm Birketts has advised shareholders John Hall, Janet Hall and David Hunt on the sale of John F Hunt Power Group, based in Grays, Essex to Finning UK & Ireland, part of global Caterpillar dealer Finning International.Founded by John Hall, the business has grown from its origins supporting demolition and construction projects to become a nationally recognised specialist in power generation and related services. The deal combines two complementary businesses and provides John F Hunt Power Group with a platform for continued growth. Following completion, the business will continue to operate as John F Hunt Power Group, a Finning company. Birketts advised the sellers throughout the transaction. Birketts partner Alex Forwood, who led the corporate team on the deal, said: “ John F Hunt Power Group has established an excellent reputation in the temporary power sector, and this acquisition presents exciting opportunities for the business as part of a larger organisation with significant scale and resources.”
Separately, Birketts, has appointed Kate Parkinson (right) as a dedicated charities lawyer to be based in its Cambridge office. She joins the firm’s specialist charities team as a legal director, having previously held roles at international law firms and in-house at a national charity. Kate Parkinson said: “ The team has built a very strong reputation in the third sector and I am looking forward to being part of its future as we continue to strive to better opportunities for our clients, and indeed the sector as a whole.”
Five lawyers recognised at ambitious Essex-based law firm
Five lawyers at Essex-based Fisher Jones Greenwood have been recognised in the latest Chambers UK Guide, with two moving up the rankings and two maintaining their positions for a third year running. Mario Mastantuono has moved up to be recognised in the associates to watch category, while Rhian Lowe has risen to band 2 in the 2027 guide. Ties Bouwmeester has entered the Chambers rankings for the first time, receiving recognition for family/matrimonial work in East Anglia. The results also see Ashton Carter retain his band 1 ranking for the third year running, while Charlotte Knappett remains band 4 for a third year running. Meanwhile, FJG’s corporate & commercial team has retained its Band 1 ranking. The firm’s family/matrimonial practice is ranked in band 3, while its litigation practice is also recognised in the guide. Doug Field, managing partner at Fisher Jones Greenwood, said: “These results tell an important story about our people: talented lawyers progressing, established leaders sustaining very high standards and teams earning recognition together.”
“Following the acquisition of Giles Wilson, we have serious ambitions for what FJG can become. Growth matters because it allows us to create stronger teams, opportunities for our people and provide even better support for our clients.”
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