The East Midlands Chamber and the University of Derby have formalised a new strategic partnership focused on supporting entrepreneurship and high-growth business activity across Derby and Derbyshire.

The agreement deepens their long-standing collaboration, expanding into areas such as decarbonisation initiatives, innovation development, and joint applications for public sector business support. A key element will be designing and delivering funded programmes tailored to local businesses aiming to scale.

The University remains the headline partner of Generation Next, a Chamber-led initiative aimed at professional development for individuals aged 18–35, reinforcing its role in building the region’s future talent pipeline.

This partnership also supports broader regional objectives through involvement in Chesterfield Champions, a collective of over 230 organisations committed to promoting Chesterfield and North Derbyshire’s economic development.

Cyberattacks are no longer limited to major corporations, small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) across the UK, including here in the East Midlands, are increasingly being targeted.

New research from Vodafone Business reveals that UK SMEs lose a staggering £3.4 billion annually due to poor cybersecurity. And closer to home, the East Midlands is far from immune; 29% of SMEs in the region reported experiencing a cyberattack last year, with the average cost per incident reaching £1,559.

This week, high street giant M&S confirmed it has been managing a ‘cyber incident’ for several days. While details remain scarce, customers reported Click & Collect disruptions and temporary issues with in-store returns, suggesting a serious internal systems compromise.

Though M&S quickly reassured customers that stores remain open and that its website and app are functioning normally, the attack highlighted a stark truth: even well-resourced organisations with dedicated IT teams can be vulnerable.

Nationally, over a third (35%) of SMEs suffered at least one attack in 2024 alone, and 6% experienced up to 10 breaches. Yet despite the clear threat, many businesses remain underprepared. Joe Burns, Co-Founder of Reformed IT, says:

“The financial loss is just the tip of the iceberg. The real damage is the erosion of customer trust, reputational harm, and operational disruption. In some cases, businesses never fully recover. M&S, with its extensive resources and immediate access to cybersecurity experts, is likely to recover quickly. But most SMEs aren’t so lucky.”

And the threat landscape is evolving fast. Artificial intelligence is increasingly being weaponised by cybercriminals, allowing them to scan for vulnerabilities, breach defences, and launch ransomware attacks with little effort or expertise. According to Burns:

“AI may be transforming industries for the better, but in the wrong hands, it becomes a serious threat.”

Rural broadband provider Quickline has partnered with the Centre for Digital Innovation (C4DI) to support digital transformation among small businesses and entrepreneurs across East Yorkshire and Lincolnshire.

The three-year initiative is designed to help 60 rural enterprises adopt digital tools and technologies. It forms part of Quickline’s social value contribution to the UK government’s Project Gigabit programme.

The partnership will deliver a series of innovation days, training sessions, mentoring, and workshops tailored to the specific needs of rural businesses. The goal is to enhance digital capability, drive innovation, and create new growth opportunities outside urban centres.

C4DI will lead programme delivery, offering access to its network of experts and support infrastructure, while Quickline provides the digital connectivity and strategic backing necessary to enable long-term adoption.

RDCP Care Holdings, a care provider based in Smethwick, has acquired the Mansfield-headquartered Monarch Care Group in a multimillion-pound transaction. The deal signals a significant expansion for RDCP in the UK residential care sector.

All shares in Monarch have been transferred, with previous owners Angela Bir, Amit Bir, and Hiten Shanghavi exiting the business entirely. The acquisition adds to RDCP’s growing portfolio of care homes, aligning with its broader strategy of consolidating high-performing providers in the sector.

The deal involved multiple professional advisers. Wilkes advised the outgoing shareholders on both corporate and property aspects, with legal support led by Kiran Munawar and Charlotte Keys. Grant Thornton provided corporate finance guidance, and Brindleys acted as accountants.

Barclays Bank, represented by Pinsent Masons, was involved in financing. Kent Finance, Sheridans, and HCR Law advised the buyer.

Nottingham will be the host destination for the 2025 World Outdoor Tug of War Championships on 4 – 7 September 2025, and Nottingham Venues is proud to be a supporting partner.

The four-day competition will take place at the University of Nottingham’s Highfields Sports Complex. As part of the partnership, competitors will be housed at the main University Campus, with family, friends and support teams having access to special rates at The Orchard and The Jubilee hotels, as well as being able to enjoy the Bramleys and Spokes Café at the respective venues and events at the East Midlands Conference Centre.

The event is also expected to benefit other hospitality venues across the City, attracting teams and supporters from all over the world.

At a recent Congress of The Tug of War International Federation (TWIF) the event was upgraded from a European competition to an annual World Championship with immediate effect, meaning that Nottingham will now be host to the World Tug of War Championships.

Christine Bailey, Assistant Director of Sport at the University of Nottingham, said: “University of Nottingham’s Highfields Sports Complex offers a perfect location for the World Championship, with its world class facilities and easy access for spectators, with direct trams available from the City Centre to the venue.

“The University of Nottingham and Nottingham Venues has a strong track record of hosting major sports events, and we are delighted to play our part in bringing this World Championship competition to our city for the first time in over 50 years.

“As a global university, we are proud to welcome athletes and supporters from around the world to our campus and the city of Nottingham. This event will bring with it significant social and economic benefits to our local community and further enriches the vibrant sporting scene here.”

Tug of War is contested between teams of 8 people, and events are held in weight categories for men’s teams, women’s teams, junior teams and mixed teams.

It was last held in Nottingham in 1973. This year’s tournament will be open to men’s teams, women’s teams, and mixed teams who will be competing for gold, silver and bronze medals in different weight categories. The event will also stage junior and under 23 competitions, where again, there will be weight classes for men’s, women’s and mixed teams in these age categories.

Melissa Sobo, Director of Sales at Nottingham Venues added: “We are delighted to partner with University Sport to host this exciting event later this year, and we look forward to welcoming teams and spectators to campus. This will be a fantastic opportunity to showcase our broader offering and demonstrate how our diverse range of spaces and accommodation can support major events — bringing real benefits to both the university and the wider city.”

TWIF President Dan McCarthy (Ireland) added: “With member countries from all over the world voting to hold a world championship annually from here on in shows the positivity, enthusiasm and passion for global growth.”

“This is a very exciting development” commented Tug of War Association spokesman and organising committee member Alan Knott.

“It’s not very often that you get the opportunity to host a World Championships. The last time England hosted one was back in 2000. Not only that, but the event will also draw a bigger number of countries, teams, competitors and supporters to the event. It will be a great atmosphere, and we encourage everyone to come along and support the event”

“It is a great opportunity for people to see a top-level tug of war competition, something which people in the area may not have seen before – there is certainly a lot more to tug of war than what people normally think, and preparing for this event takes weeks, months and years of hard work and preparation”.

Contestants at the event will begin to arrive from 1 September, will weigh in on 3 September, and will then spend four days battling it out at international club level on the Thursday and Friday (4 and 5 September) with full international competitions taking place on the Saturday and Sunday of the championship (6 and 7 September).

For more information on Nottingham Venues collection of independent venues specialising in meeting and events, visit https://nottinghamvenues.com/.