This investment in Nottingham followed the approval by the European Commission of the East Midlands 2007-13 ERDF Competitiveness Programme’s Operational Programme. The East Midlands is to benefit from approximately £180m between 2007 and 2013, which when combined with national public match funding, provides a programme value of approximately £360m – a significant investment in the economic development of the region.

£7.3 million will be invested in Nottingham up to 2010, as a result of Nottingham being included in a list of 12 East Midlands districts, which will receive priority funding aimed at increasing levels of economic activity. Further amounts will be available for the period 2011-13.

The programme of investment in Nottingham will focus specifically on projects and activities that promote economic growth by creating jobs and improving access to employment opportunities. It particularly aims to support the city’s disadvantaged communities to:

• Increase the size and diversity of the enterprise base
• Stimulate market demand within localities and their market linkages to other areas
• Increase the level of private sector investment in disadvantaged communities
• Improve access (physical and digital) to employment opportunities
• Improve the physical (green and built) environments and attractiveness of deprived areas

This is a rolling programme so there is currently no deadline for submissions. More information on eligible activities and how to bid can be downloaded from www.eastmidlandserdf.org.uk.

For further information:

Nottingham City Council is responsible for the delivery of the Nottingham ERDF Local Investment Plan. To discuss project ideas before submission please contact Jem Woolley, European Officer, on (0115) 915 5092 or jem.woolley@nottinghamcity.gov.uk

The opportunity for companies in the bioscience sector to take up a small number of “paid-for” places represents a new initiative for the QED Bio-Entrepreneur School 2009, which is core-funded by East Midlands Development Agency (emda) through the Greater Nottingham Partnership.

The school is a three day, intensive programme designed to help delegates explore their entrepreneurial potential, develop essential enterprise and innovation skills and learn about commercialisation of IP in this very specialist sector.

Places at previous schools have been provided on a fully funded basis to life-scientists who are exploring commercialisation and entrepreneurship but this new idea extends the opportunity into the corporate sector.

Martijn Mugge, Enterprise Director for QED Consulting explains the thinking behind the new initiative.

“Entrepreneurship is not only practised in small and start up companies, it is something that larger companies are keen to develop in their staff as part of their career development. It has been suggested to us that placing individuals whom a company wishes to develop into the Bio-Entrepreneur School environment will provide them with a first class introduction to the skills of the entrepreneur.

Companies will have a variety of objectives in sending people on the school. For some it will be a way to challenge the thinking of staff, for others it might be seen as part of a “fast track” career development programme and for others in these difficult economic times, it might even be seen as part of a redundancy package, helping prepare those leaving to make the best of their bioscience skills in a new environment.

Whatever the motivation of the companies involved we are convinced that the experience will prove career enhancing for their people and will add to the exciting mix of approaches and perspectives that is always a feature of the Bio-Entrepreneur School”.

The QED Bio-Entrepreneur School 2009 runs 10th to 12th March 2009 at BioCity Nottingham. Up to five paid-for places on the school are available at £1995 plus VAT.

Companies and individuals who are interested in discussing this option further should contact Amanda Edwards on 01302 767884 or email amanda@qedconsulting.co.uk.

The 2009 Bio-Entrepreneur School will draw on the expertise of many of its sponsors throughout the programme. These include patent experts AdamsonJones, together with UK Trade & Investment, Nelsons Solicitors, Connect Midlands, the business insurance experts La Playa, Nottingham City Council and accountants PricewaterhouseCoopers.

The School runs over three days and delegates will get the opportunity to take part in:

• Knowledge sharing sessions where professionals who work closely with academics, researchers and entrepreneurs will show how they have turned their ideas into successful businesses.
• Practical Exercises to help to put the learning into practice and work on real opportunities with the support of peers and the team.
• Workshop sessions where experts will help to build skills or deal with the practicalities of business.
• Informal sessions to network with investors, entrepreneurs, sector specialists, etc.

Particularly popular with delegates of previous Schools are the opening ‘Meet the Entrepreneur’ reception, an opportunity to pitch commercial ideas to a panel of friendly ‘Dragons’ and a formal dinner at the University addressed by a leading bio-entrepreneur.

Nottingham has won European Living Lab status to develop its Connected Nottingham programme.

The award, due to be announced at the European Commission’s prestigious ICT2008 event in Lyon on 25 November, will give a further boost to Nottingham’s recognition as one of Europe’s foremost Science Cities.

The Connected Nottingham bid was developed by local organisation Accelerate Nottingham in partnership with Nottingham City Council’s Regional and International Team and based on a number of leading edge projects developing accessibility to high speed broadband access and advanced business applications.

The Connected Nottingham Living Lab will further develop projects to support Nottingham’s key public agencies, businesses and citizens to work together on innovative ICT schemes in the conurbation. Drawing on a wide range of technical knowledge, experience and leadership it seeks to demonstrate how ICT initiatives can be used to tackle economic and social challenges and acts as a partnership vehicle for the funding and delivery of integrated conurbation-wide ICT projects.

Experience and knowledge will be shared with other Living Lab members on innovative and creative ICT projects, using this enhanced know-how to further develop high quality localised sources of EU research and development funding.

Councillor Graham Chapman, Deputy Leader of Nottingham City Council said it was another feather in the city’s cap:

“Coming soon after such successful events as GameCity and the National Science Cities Summit, it shows that we are determined to build on Nottingham’s image as a forward-looking city with a dynamic science and technology sector.”

Building on the success of the East Midlands Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) Academy, launched in 2006, East Midlands Development Agency (emda) is funding a further two year Partnership Development and BIDs Academy programme.

The BIDs Academy was the first regional academy in the UK, and in its first year the pilot programme delivered four BIDs bringing an additional £4m of business investment to the region over the ensuing five years.

The academy will continue to be project managed by the Association of Town Centre Management (ATCM), who developed the academy concept and led the 2006/07 pilot programme.

The selection process to identify up to 12 suitable towns to participate will get underway in November 2008. The programme will provide East Midlands towns with a unique opportunity to work with the National BIDs Advisory Service. It will also benefit from support from other experts in partnership and BID development, and provide advice and support for up to 12 regional towns to help them develop robust business led partnerships. This will include programmes to establish strong business engagement, opportunities to network with other partnerships and training and advice on BID development.

Andrew Morgan, Skills and Communities Director at East Midlands Development Agency (emda), said:

“The BIDs Programme has been designed to enhance the economy of the East Midlands, raise the profile of the region’s urban and rural centres and demonstrate to partnerships how much can be achieved through business engagement and the creation of Business Improvement Districts. The initiative complements the Regional Economic Strategy, which aims to create a flourishing region by 2020.”

Jacquie Reilly, Director of the National BIDs Advisory Service at ATCM, adds: “The development of a Business Improvement District (BID) provides the opportunity for a self reliant and proactive business community supporting the delivery of projects and services which will make a real difference to the economic viability of the area. But the development of a BID is a huge challenge. The Academy will provide help and support which would otherwise be out of reach for many East Midlands towns.”

East Midlands Development Agency (emda) has announced that it is seeking a further 90 businesses to join High Growth East Midlands, its flagship business support scheme in 2009.

Launched earlier this year, the programme is designed to help businesses increase profits, enhance their competitive edge, and create conditions for long-term success. Despite the current economic climate, more than 70 East Midlands businesses are already benefiting from taking part in the initiative. The scheme forms part of emda’s long term strategy to stimulate high-quality innovation and accelerate regional economic growth.

HighGrowth East Midlands includes two programmes – Growth Readiness, for businesses that are ready and ambitious for growth, and High Growth, for businesses that are already growing rapidly.

The Growth Readiness programme provides a six-month package of support which includes diagnosis of the potential for development; a one-day coaching module focused on developing a strategic vision and plan and five days of individual coaching. It is designed to unlock the growth potential of the business and support the development of a strategic growth plan.

The High Growth programme provides 20 days of intensive coaching and a three-day residential masterclass for Managing Directors and Chief Executives, designed by the Nottingham University Business School. This masterclass focuses on ‘Retaining your Competitive Edge’ and the programme also provides training for middle managers within businesses on the subject of ‘Gearing up for Growth’. The High Growth programme aims to help existing high growth companies to sustain their growth in the longer term.

Retford based Rope Assemblies are one of 50 East Midland’s businesses who joined the Growth Readiness programme this year. Established in 1984, they provide custom-made assemblies and lifting equipment for a wide variety of markets, including the theatre and entertainment industry, construction and transport. The company gained the European quality mark, ISO9002, in February, which was a major breakthrough for their growth prospects, with growth forecast at 18% this year alone.

Managing Director Siobhan Hitchen said:

“Joining the Growth Readiness programme is helping the company seize the opportunities following the award of the European Quality mark. The Growth Readiness programme has made me realise just how focussed the company needs to be. The coaching provided is undoubtedly the most beneficial aspect, giving us a new look on how we operate, and the courses have been very useful.”

Mike Carr, emda’s Executive Director for Business Services, said:

“HighGrowth East Midlands aims to help East Midlands’ businesses achieve their full potential. It is designed to create long term wealth and jobs and is part of emda’s strategy to help create a flourishing region.

High Growth East Midlands can also provide the extra bit of help that businesses need to turn the challenges of the current economic climate into opportunities and help them maintain their growth into the future.”

Applications for the 2009 HighGrowth East Midlands programmes are now being accepted. Interested businesses can apply online at www.hgeastmidlands.com or call the helpline on 0845 365 4769 for further information.