What Sets Us Apart
Supporting business across the region
What we do:
- Accelerator Programme
- International Trade Team
- Employment Services
Driving Business Growth and Innovation
The Chamber is a trusted and effective entry point for business support, securing £12.1 million in publicly funded contracts over the past three years and supporting over 13,000 employees from engaged businesses.
We deliver a comprehensive portfolio of services helping local businesses to:
- explore new business opportunities
- introduce ‘new to the firm’ technologies
- improve the skills of their leaders and workforce
- adopt new or improved products or services
- innovate and create sustainable growth
- trade internationally
- help people find new jobs
International Trade Impact
The Chamber’s International Trade team facilitated £1.3 billion in goods movement and processed nearly 13,000 export documents and customs declarations in the past 12 months – helping businesses overcome barriers such as complex paperwork and associated costs.
Accelerator Programme
Our flagship Accelerator programme is a series of projects designed to offer impactful support to help businesses to grow and innovate:
- EMCCA Export Accelerator – offering expert guidance and funding to help businesses research or introduce a product or service into new international markets. Continued peer-to-peer support is delivered through our newly established East Midlands International Trade Network.
- EMCCA High Growth Accelerator– helping high-performing businesses with specialist support, training and funding to create jobs, enhance productivity, and adopt new or improved products or services.
- EMCCA Accelerator Workshops – designed for managers and senior leaders, offering a comprehensive programme of workshops focused on business growth and digital transformation topics.
- Derbyshire, Leicester and Nottingham Accelerator – helping businesses adopt new technologies or processes through expert locally-based adviser support and Growth Vouchers to fund consultancy and training.
Since 2022 the Accelerator project has engaged over 16,000 enterprises, delivered 926 events supporting 14,034 registrations and created or safeguarded 1,169 jobs
For businesses ready to innovate and scale our locally based Innovation and Growth Specialists offer tailored support funded through Innovate UK Business Growth.
To find out more click the links below:
Driving Workforce Inclusion and Employment Opportunities
The Chamber’s Employment Services department tackles economic inactivity through Department for Work and Pensions-backed programmes, helping 977 individuals into employment in 2024.
Since 2023, the Chamber has partnered with Nottingham City Council to deliver Working Well East Midlands as part of DWP’s Individual Placement and Support in Primary Care (IPSPC) initiative. This programme enables employees to access health services to remain in work and supports individuals with long-term health conditions into sustainable employment.
In 2024, the Chamber joined the UK Fair Chance Alliance, promoting workforce inclusion by encouraging businesses to employ ex-offenders.
Through its flagship publication, Business Network, the Chamber champions business growth by exploring emerging technologies such as AI and sharing best practices on Equality, Diversity & Inclusion, Corporate Social Responsibility, Sustainability, and Governance.
Accelerator Impact: 2022-2025
Chamber Adviser Team
Frontline Business Advisers
Locally based Business Advisers
Digital Specialists
49,000+
Support Interactions
16,256
Businesses Engaged
7,367
Businesses receiving intensive support
3,234
Eligible members supported
£12.1m
Private Sector Investment secured
£1.6m
Total Investment / Grants Awarded
1,169
Jobs created / Safeguarded
428 New business Starts
Sir Richard Arkwright’s Cromford Mills
Built in 1771 just outside Matlock, Cromford Mills holds a pivotal place in industrial history. As the world’s first successful water-powered cotton spinning mill and the birthplace of the factory system, it was key to the rise of mass production.
The Grade I listed building, situated in the heart of the Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site, continues to celebrate Britain’s industrial heritage. Today, it attracts around 200,000 visitors annually and is home to more than 37 business tenants, from architects and web designers to retailers and construction firms.
Despite its rich history, Cromford Mills faces modern challenges. One significant issue emerged in late 2023 when it became clear that the site’s ageing IT infrastructure was no longer meeting the needs of tenants, staff and visitors.
In October 2023, the Arkwright Society Charity, which owns and maintains Cromford Mills, sought expert advice from the Chamber on a major upgrade, and following its recommendation – and after securing funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund – Freeman Clarke IT Consultants were commissioned to conduct a full audit of the site’s IT infrastructure. This audit also provided the foundation for inviting tenders for the IT upgrade.
Thanks to continued support and guidance from the Chamber, Cromford Mills secured further funding and backing which has been vital for completing the first phase of the project – a fibre optic network upgrade and improved IT support for tenants. A UKSPF grant reflects the urgency and importance of the project in securing the long-term success of Cromford Mills as both a heritage site and a business hub.
The works have been carried out by Peak Support/Dynamic, whose professionalism and expertise have ensured the project has run smoothly and efficiently. Their exceptional support has been integral to the seamless progression of the IT upgrade.
As the charity receives no core funding from Government or elsewhere, its greatest challenge has been, and remains, maintaining its very existence. Rising energy costs have had a massive impact and electricity bills have increased four-fold. The site has a proud heritage as one of the world’s great enablers of water energy. It stands to reason, therefore, that renewable energy should once again sit at the heart of Cromford Mills’ ambition to become a net zero site.
The charity secured Accelerator support in three key areas: one-to-one sessions with a business adviser, specialised energy consultancy and training. Dedicated time spent with the Chamber’s Head of Business Support Services Paul Stuart enabled the charity to consider what priority actions it needed to take to fulfil its long-term strategic ambitions. Bringing in a fresh pair of eyes to the charity’s operations enabled Chief Executive Éilis Scott to identify best practice.
One particularly relevant area of Paul’s operational expertise is his management of the Chamber’s Friars Mill premises in Leicester. As a site that combines industrial heritage, iconic architecture and a waterside setting, there are many similarities between it and the managed workspaces offered at Cromford Mills. The charity has also been given support in developing opportunities around hosting larger-scale events. Fully funded specialist consultancy was provided in the form of an energy audit. Environmental experts Loreus undertook a detailed analysis of the charity’s energy usage, identifying where it might reduce its energy costs and carbon footprint and presented its findings as a decarbonisation plan. There has been benefit too from training, with the charity’s marketing officer attending an Accelerator one-day workshop on Blogging with Authority.
Cromford Mills is one of over 700 members of Business Peak District (BPD) which is a free membership organisation for businesses in the area covered by the Peak District National Park, High Peak, Staffordshire Moorlands and Derbyshire Dales. Its principal supporter is East Midlands Chamber, and it works closely with councils, the Peak District National Park Authority, Visit Peak District and Derbyshire and the University of Derby.
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- Annual Business Awards
- Working with strategic partners and patrons
- Enterprising Women Awards
- 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