Packed house for day of Branding Brilliance at FSB Bootcamp
Thank you to all stakeholders and partners that attended or exhibited at our Bootcamp and Networking event held on 25th April at the Peak Edge Hotel, near Chesterfield.
This was a packed day and saw small businesses from Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire and further afield come together alongside stakeholders to share knowledge, learn something new, network and connect. The theme of ‘Branding Brilliance’ saw a variety of different speakers on the agenda, helping to create a dynamic programme with content to inspire and motivate. If you missed the event, you can download our event programme here and keep an eye out for news of our 2025 Business Bootcamp!
Local Events in May
Tuesday 7th May:
University of Derby and Chesterfield Brough Council are holding an employer engagement event titled ‘Bridging the Gap with Apprenticeships, Skills and CPD’. The event will show participants how they university’s dynamic offerings in apprenticeships, skills development, and Continuous Professional Development can help businesses unlock the potential of their workforce and address skills gaps. The event runs from 9.00am-12.30pm at University of Derby, St Helena, Chesterfield. You can book a place here or contact Callum Greener at [email protected] for more information.
Tuesday 7th May:
Buxton and Leek College, part of the University of Derby, are hosting an ‘Invested Employer’ session from 5.00-7.00pm at the Devonshire Dome in Buxton. The event will summarise the programme and it’s benefits for new attendees, members of the college’s leadership team will attend to highlight the actions and plans the college are involved in and will open up to a round table discussion with the attending employers.
This is your forum to tell the college about local training needs, economic challenges, and developments to help them respond to your needs as an employer.
For more details, or to book your place, please email Tom Malpass at [email protected]
Wednesday 15th May:
FSB In Person Networking at Aldern House Baslow Road, Bakewell, DE45 1AE. 5.30pm-7.00pm. Hosted by our good friends at Destination Digital, this month’s guest speaker is Paul Dolan, Independent Financial Advisor, who will explore the role financial planning plays in helping us fulfil our life adventures, but also in preparing us for the unexpected adventures life throws at us along the way. More details and booking.
Friday 17th May:
Rushcliffe Business Partnership’s ‘Networking @ The Ruddington Arms’, 56 Wilford Road, Ruddington. NG11 6EQ. 8.00am. More details and tickets.
Thursday 23rd May:
ewark and Sherwood District Council are hosting a ‘Marketing Masterclass’ for businesses in Newark & Sherwood. The event runs from 9.30am to 3.30pm at Newark Beacon, Beacon Hill Office Park, Cafferata Way, Newark, NG24 2TN and is predominantly aimed at businesses operating for under 3 years. This is being delivered by NBV as part of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund funding. You can book a place via the NBV events page.
Friday 24th May:
FSB Nottinghamshire In Person Business Networking Dryden Enterprise Centre, Nottingham Trent University, Dryden Street, Nottingham NG1 4FQ. 9.30am-12noon.
Join your local FSB team for a morning of fun, informal networking. Meet up with fellow business colleagues, swap business tips, make connections and enjoy a tea or coffee in a relaxed environment.
There will also be a short presentation entitled ‘Demystifying AI’ from Ian Campbell-Cole, Small Business owner and Senior Lecturer in Product Design at Nottingham Trent University, and attendees will also get the chance to visit the Nottingham Trent University School of Art and Design Final Year Student Degree Show. Tickets are limited. More details and book here.
Tuesday 28th May: Chesterfield Borough Council are working in collaboration with DWP to facilitate an apprenticeship focused recruitment event. The event is taking place between 10am-12pm in Committee Room 1 and 2 at the Town Hall (Rose Hill, Chesterfield, S40 1LP), targeting school leavers to attend - hence the event taking place in half term.
For any questions, or to attend the event promote your current Chesterfield-based apprenticeship vacancies, please get in touch with Max Denton at [email protected]
Other Support Available During May*
*If you or your business are based in other districts than those listed below, please contact the Business Support Service of your local district council to discover what support is available to you. If you work in business support in Derbyshire or Nottinghamshire, and want your events featured in future months, please email FSB Development Manager for the region at [email protected] with the details.
Ashfield District:
- Ashfield Accelerator – provides support to SMEs on a wide range of topics such as: Digital Technologies, Innovation, Trading Overseas (Importing and Exporting), Workforce Capabilities, and Energy Costs. There is quite a lot that this project can provide including access to a decarbonisation grant. – see here
- Enterprise Development Grant – Up to £6K or 75% of eligible costs to help grow your business. its available to established SMEs in Ashfield from all sectors and it can be used to cover a wide range of expenditures. If you would like to know more then please contact our business support team and request an online video meeting. See business grants web page
- Hucknall Shop Front Improvement Grants – Up to £9,600 or 80% of eligible costs – see business grants page
- Ashfield's Adult Skills Strategic Partnership – this consists of members from local governmental departments, educational organisations, and medium-large businesses from Ashfield’s high priority sectors that meet three time a year. Being involved in this partnership will give your organisation a voice and help shape the education and skills plan and how its delivered. It will also help to raise your profile in the local area and allow you to make meaningful connections that will support your growth and success within the Ashfield district. If you would like to be involved please contact [email protected]
- Aspiring Careers Ashfield Programme – this programme is designed to support local schools and Ashfield District Council are looking for businesses who would be willing to give their time to inspire the next generation. There are lots of ways in which businesses can get involved, such as: hosting students for a visit, going into schools to give talks and workshops or providing students with work experience opportunities. So, if you or any of your staffs would like to get involved with this programme, then please contact [email protected]
- Ashfield District Council - have created a series of webpages designed to help small businesses. A few of these pages are listed here but we have 36 pages full of useful information so please take a look at what help you can access or email our business support team and let us find solutions for you.
- Ashfield Business Support Group on LinkedIn - local businesses can join to connect with other local businesses and be kept up to date with any available grants and support opportunities.
Bassetlaw District:
Rural England Prosperity Fund (REPF) is now open for applications, but they close at 12 noon on Wednesday 15th May.
The fund is to support new and existing rural businesses to develop new products and facilities that will be of wider benefit to the local economy. This includes farm businesses looking to diversify income streams, support new and improved community infrastructure, providing essential community services and assets for local people and businesses to benefit the local economy.
For full details of the scheme, including eligibility criteria, see Bassetlaw District Council’s REPF page and contact [email protected] with any questions, or to request a REPF application form.
Rushcliffe District:
People & Skills Programme
As part of the delivery of UK Shared Prosperity Funding, Rushcliffe Borough Council have a launched a range of business support offerings to help businesses upskill their staff and create new employment opportunities, while removing some of the financial burden of these investments.
- Skills Development Fund – businesses can apply for up to £5,000 to go towards covering the cost of course fees to upskill their staff.
- Internship Programme – businesses can apply for up to £1000 to help cover the salary cost of an intern for a 4 or 6 week placement
- Low Carbon Bursary – any businesses attending FREE low carbon training through East Midlands Chamber or Rushcliffe District Council will be eligible for a £300 bursary to help towards the cost of installing energy efficiency measures in their premises
- Learn with Rushcliffe – Rushcliffe based small or micro businesses or sole traders are eligible to attend a range of FREE training workshops across digital and low carbon themes.
Information on all of the above can be found via our website here - Employment and Skills - Rushcliffe Borough Council
Rushcliffe Business Partnership
Rushcliffe Business Partnership (RBP) is a not for profit organisation celebrating its 25 year anniversary. RBP connects businesses with each other, as well as to relevant training, support and funding. The partnership also hosts monthly networking events in West Bridgford and Ruddington, as well as quarterly workshops covering a range of topics which our member base request and feed back on. Becoming a member is free, and can be done by visiting the RBP site here - Rushcliffe Business Partnership