What Sets Us Apart
Championing success
East Midlands Chamber supports, represents and advocates the interests of businesses of all sizes, whether a long-established brand, forward-thinking start-up or growth-focused SME. Resilience against challenges, outstanding achievement or innovation propel the region to thrive and whether a business, an established leader or a promising apprentice, the Chamber showcases those that drive the economy, through publicity and celebration of success.
The Chamber’s Business Awards recognise the achievements of firms across Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire and Leicestershire. Hosted by ITV presenter Emma Jesson, prestigious ceremonies took place in each county, awarding those that excelled, navigated challenges or played a key part in driving growth.
The Chamber’s Derbyshire Business Awards took place at Derby County Football Club’s Pride Park Stadium on 25 October, 2024; the Nottinghamshire Business Awards were held at Delta Hotels Nottingham Belfry on 1 November, 2024; and the Leicestershire Awards were held at The Venue @ DMU on 8 November, 2024.
Awards were presented across 13 categories, which included Outstanding Growth, Commitment to People Development and Excellence in Customer Service.
The three Business of the Year Awards went to:
- Derbyshire: Kranlee Logistics, which was also awarded Small Business of the Year
- Nottinghamshire: Murphy & Son, also winning Small Business of the Year
- Leicestershire: Howes Percival, after also winning the Commitment to People Development Award
The East Midlands - a centre of trading excellence
The East Midlands provides the ideal environment for business to thrive – geographically advantaged at the centre of the UK with a proud history of innovation, making and creating.
Globally reaching headlines among Chamber members include the introduction of the East Midlands Freeport to the region, formally opened for business in March 2023, creating the country’s only inland, low-tax area of its kind. Companies within its outline get tax incentives, fewer customs restrictions and simpler planning regulations. The Freeport is expected to generate thousands of jobs and billions in economic value.
Derby-based Rolls-Royce Submarines attracted worldwide recognition when it announced it was to provide nuclear reactor plants to power attack submarines as part of a multi-billion-pound, tri-lateral agreement between Australia, the UK and US. The overall AUKUS deal is estimated to be worth £176bn over 30 years.
Leicestershire-headquartered Next continues to thrive with pre-tax profits rising almost 14% in the first half of 2025 to £515m. The group said total sales for the period were up more than 10% year-on-year to £3.25bn and anticipates profits for the full year of £1.1bn, up 9.3%.
NetMonkeys
IT company NetMonkeys has been building strong links with the Chamber in recent months.
It has sponsored the Chamber Business Awards and was headline sponsor of the 2025 AI & Digital Marketing Conference & Exhibition, which took place in Nottingham last June. It was also a partner at the 2025 Generation Next Leadership and Growth Conference which took place at Cleaver & Wake in the same city.
The business has also become a Chamber strategic partner.
The business was launched 15 years ago, and provides managed IT services from offices in Nottingham, Manchester and Derby.
Clients include heavy IT users such as manufacturers, wholesale and distribution companies, big local retailers, as well as the Chamber.
NetMonkeys works with traditional SMEs that need help with all their IT support, including cybersecurity – work which has now started to incorporate things such as AI workshops.
Turnover is around £2.5m on the back of strong recent growth.
Collaboration with strategic partners and patrons
Strategic Partners
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Patrons
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Duncan & Toplis
Duncan & Toplis was among the businesses which supported the 2025 East Midlands Chamber Sustainability and CSR conference in Derby last autumn.
The accountant and business advisory firm is a Chamber patron.
Sally-Anne Hurn, sustainability champion at Duncan & Toplis, delivered a workshop focusing on integrating sustainability into organisations during the sustainability and CSR conference.
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- Driving growth and innovation
- Backing international trade
- Driving employment
- East Midlands Manufacturing Network
- Generation Next
- Enterprising Women
- Framework for Growth
- Midlands Energy Conference
- Local Skills Improvement Plan
- Income reached £21m
- Pre-tax profits of £360,000
- Strong financial position