New research from leading business and financial adviser Grant Thornton UK finds that the vast majority of businesses in the East Midlands believe that adopting a hybrid working approach has boosted their people’s productivity and wellbeing, yet many are still keen for their people to spend more time in the office than they do currently.
The firm’s latest Business Outlook Tracker*, which surveyed mid-sized businesses across the East Midlands region, finds that 68% of companies are currently adopting a hybrid working approach. Of these, the majority believe that the approach is adding significant value to their business and their people, including:
78% believe that it has boosted their people’s productivity
81% believe that it has positively impacted their people’s wellbeing
81% believe that their people prefer a hybrid working approach
70% believe that hybrid working is beneficial for their business
Despite these benefits, the majority (78%) of these respondents are still keen that their people spend more time in the office than they are currently. This may be due to a recognition that in-person interactions can often be more beneficial for specific activities – in fact, 74% of the businesses who are currently adopting a hybrid approach say that it is impacting their ability to provide adequate support and development for younger or trainee employees.
Matt Buckingham, Practice Leader for Grant Thornton UK in the Midlands said: “Across the East Midlands, we’re seeing businesses embrace hybrid working while still valuing crucial in-person connections. This flexible approach boosts wellbeing and productivity, yet many organisations recognise that activities like mentoring younger talent thrive with face-to-face interaction. Finding the right balance is essential for businesses.
“At Grant Thornton, we believe in empowering our people to make sensible decisions about where and when they work. A trust-based approach with clear guiding principles allows employees to deliver high-quality work while enjoying a better work-life balance. Implementing a supportive framework helps ensure everyone’s needs are met – from businesses and clients to employees balancing family commitments or seeking enhanced wellbeing.”
The UK’s food and drink manufacturing industry is crucial to the national economy, contributing £37bn and employing nearly 500,000 people. According to the latest Food and Drink Federation (FDF) report, the sector has seen significant growth over the past decade, expanding by 17.9%. It now makes up 24.2% of the UK’s total manufacturing turnover, with widespread impact across regions, from Scotland to Northern Ireland.
While the sector’s contribution to regional economies is clear—accounting for nearly a third of manufacturing in Scotland, and a fifth in both the East Midlands and Northern Ireland—some challenges could hinder future growth. The FDF highlights a slowdown in food and drink exports, particularly to the EU, where trade has dropped more than 30% since Brexit, rising inflation and increased costs due to new packaging regulations. These factors have led to a decline in business confidence within the sector.
Despite these challenges, the FDF sees substantial growth potential, particularly with advances in automation, robotics, and product innovation. The sector is also poised to tap into a £14bn productivity opportunity by embracing digital technology and AI. However, the FDF warns that maintaining this momentum depends on overcoming barriers, including limited investment in innovation, a shortage of skilled workers, and bureaucratic hurdles.
The FDF urges the government to take action by prioritising food and drink manufacturing in national policy. Key recommendations include increasing R&D funding for the sector, simplifying tax credit systems for innovation, and addressing trade barriers, particularly with the EU. The FDF also calls for a more strategic approach to workforce development and the streamlining of regulations, particularly for the 12,000 small and medium-sized businesses that form the industry’s backbone.
Multi award-winning Derbyshire business Hoe Grange Holidays has won the first-ever Green Growth Awards, a national competition recognising the top small businesses across the UK using sustainability to innovate and drive business growth. The Awards are organised by Small Business Britain in partnership with BT.
Hoe Grange Holidays was crowned joint winner at a ceremony at BT’s London HQ in March and awarded a £5000 sustainability grant, which they’ve already spent on further enhancing their impressive green credentials.
Run by family team David, Felicity and Caroline Brown, the business amazed judges with its commitment to sustainability and driving positive change through innovation, showcasing how green practices can benefit both the planet and the bottom line for the UK’s small businesses.
Hoe Grange Holidays has a well-earned a reputation for sharing its stunning Peak District surroundings responsibly with visitors. Based on a working farm between Bakewell and Ashbourne, the business offers eco-friendly and accessible log cabins and glamping holidays.
Caroline said, “We’re over the moon to win at the first-ever Green Growth Awards. Sustainability has always been at the heart of our small family-run business. We know our guests value it, but it’s incredibly rewarding to be recognised by the business community too. We hope our story inspires other small businesses to innovate in sustainability.”
Sharing the announcement of the award, BT and Small Business Britain have congratulated Hoe Grange Holidays for “setting the standard for eco-friendly tourism”.
Using the latest technology, the Hoe Grange team ensure they have a positive impact on the environment without compromising guest experience.
Their log cabins and glamping pods are kept warm and cosy all year round by wind and solar power, heat pumps and eco-friendly natural insulation.
In 2024, the business also installed a battery storage system to store surplus electricity generated for use at night or during less favourable weather conditions.
But little things can make a big difference too – the team are proud of their commitment to community engagement, local business partnerships, and sharing their passion for sustainable farming and biodiversity.
The green approach at Hoe Grange not only attracts eco-conscious travellers but significantly reduces costs too. They’ve reduced their carbon footprint by 77% in the last three years and are well on track to achieve Net Zero before 2030.
Michelle Ovens CBE, founder of Small Business Britain, says: “Hoe Grange Holidays are true pioneers in sustainability. Their commitment to integrating eco-friendly practices into their operations showcases how small businesses can make a profound impact—not only on the environment but also on their profitability. Hoe Grange Holidays is setting the bar for others to follow, proving that sustainability isn’t just a trend, but a smart, long-term business strategy.”
The digital marketing landscape continues to evolve rapidly – to the extent that marketing strategy advice provided even as little as five years ago may now be obsolete, or at least far less effective.
Just in recent times, we have for example seen the introduction of Google’s AI Overview in search results, which has brought into play the need for Zero-Click SEO. Accordingly, it is now proving more and more essential that you understand how to connect with your audience in authentic, creative and highly strategic ways.
With this in mind, here are some of the most effective marketing strategies and tips available to businesses in 2025.
Story-Driven Content Marketing
Consumers are overwhelmed with generic content. In 2025, the brands that are winning are those that tell compelling stories. This goes beyond blog posts or social media captions – it’s about using storytelling to humanise your brand, highlight your values, and build a deeper emotional connection with your audience. Story-driven content increases engagement, builds trust, and makes your message stick.
Using Professional-Quality Marketing Videos
There’s no room for “just okay” video content in 2025. The first few seconds of a video often determine whether your audience stays or scrolls – and poor visuals, bad audio, or amateur editing can instantly damage your credibility.
This is where high-quality, professionally produced video content becomes a game-changer. Whether it’s a branded explainer, a product demo, or a client case study, the difference between DIY and professionally produced videos is night and day. Low-budget videos create a subconscious impression that your business cuts corners – whereas polished, intentional video communicates professionalism, trustworthiness, and attention to detail.
We’ve seen how investing in professional video boosts engagement, improves conversion rates, and helps businesses stand out in saturated markets.
Glowfrog Video, based in the East Midlands, provide businesses with high quality video production and award-winning service, from as little as £599. (www.glowfrogvideo.com)
Micro-Influencers for Niche Audiences
Micro-influencers with loyal, niche followings are proving more valuable in 2025. These influencers offer higher engagement rates and a stronger connection with their audiences, so partnering with one can be incredibly effective and much cheaper for your business, as compared with more broad-reach influencer campaigns.
Zero-Click Search Optimization
More people are finding what they need directly on search engine results pages, without clicking through to websites – primarily due to Google’s introduction of their ‘AI Overview’ in search results. Optimising your website content for zero-click searches—like featured snippets, answer boxes, and Google’s “People also ask” section – is critical to remain visible in 2025. This means structuring your content to directly answer questions and provide value upfront.
Hyper-Personalized Email Campaigns
Email isn’t dead, it has simply evolved. Generic newsletters are out, and hyper-personalized, behaviour-triggered campaigns are in. Using customer data to tailor content, offers, and timing has become a crucial strategy in maintaining engagement and increasing lifetime customer value.
Interactive Content That Encourages Engagement
From interactive quizzes and polls to choose-your-own-adventure videos, interactive content is a major trend in 2025. It’s no longer enough to just broadcast your message—you need to pull users in. This approach increases time-on-site, boosts sharing, and provides valuable insights into your audience’s preferences and behaviors.
Sustainability Messaging with Substance
Today’s consumers care about what your brand stands for – and it’s no good pretending either. Sustainability and ethical messaging must be backed by real action. Brands that can communicate genuine, transparent efforts toward sustainability are seeing increased loyalty and trust from values-driven consumers.
While trends come and go, the underlying principles remain the same: marketing must be thoughtful, intentional, and built around providing value to your audience. The strategies above reflect some of the most effective ways businesses are doing just that in 2025.
Considering Using Professional Quality Marketing Videos?
If you’re ready to take your marketing to the next level, a high-quality video is one of the most effective tools you can invest in. Glowfrog’s showreel below highlights the kind of impact they help businesses achieve. Like what you see? Get in touch:
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Bleckmann, a logistics company specialising in fashion and lifestyle brands, has taken over the 1.1 million sq ft warehouse in Daventry previously operated by Boohoo. Once fully operational, the facility is expected to create up to 1,500 new jobs, as Bleckmann increases its UK presence by over one million sq ft, bringing its total UK logistics space to 3.2 million sq ft.
The warehouse, built initially for Arcadia Group in 2019 and acquired by Boohoo in 2021, was sublet to Bleckmann after being vacated in early 2023. The facility is well-equipped with key features such as 68 dock doors, 88 HGV spaces, and 40,294 sq ft of office space. It also benefits from automation systems, including an Automated Storage and Retrieval System (ASRS) shuttle system, designed to improve operational efficiency.
This move is part of Bleckmann’s ongoing UK expansion, which now includes managing logistics for over 60 brands across eight locations. With this new lease, the company aims to support its continued regional growth.
Lindum Group, a construction contractor based in Lincoln, has recorded a turnover of £198.8 million for the year ending November 2024, reflecting an increase of £12.6 million from the previous year. Pre-tax profits rose significantly, reaching £10.3 million, up from £8.1 million.
The company attributes its success to a culture of close teamwork and a decentralised management approach, which continues to drive performance. Lindum employs 633 staff, 507 of whom hold shares in the company.
The results follow the leadership transition after David Chambers’ retirement as chairman, with Freddie and Edward Chambers now at the helm. The company is committed to long-term growth, prioritising employee involvement and a client-focused, value-driven service.
DPD has partnered with MAN Truck & Bus to trial electric heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) as part of its commitment to reduce supply chain emissions. The company is testing the MAN eTGX, an all-electric truck designed to integrate into its last-mile delivery operations. With a range of up to 800km and fast-charging capabilities, the vehicle is being tested at DPD’s UK hub in Hinckley, Leicestershire.
These trials are part of DPD’s broader goal to transition its fleet towards net zero by 2040. The company has reduced emissions by 27.5% since 2020 and operates nearly 40% of its fleet with electric vehicles, contributing to over 6,000 tonnes of CO₂ savings. Integrating electric trucks is crucial in helping DPD and the UK transport sector meet its carbon reduction targets.
The MAN eTGX trials will assess the feasibility of using electric trucks in regular operations, focusing on a larger-scale rollout from late 2025. Additionally, DPD is exploring how to adapt the eTGX for use with double-decker trailers, which are key to its logistics model. These trailers allow the company to consolidate shipments and reduce the number of trucks on the road. Tests for this adaptation are expected to begin in 2025.
The transport sector, the UK’s largest emitter of greenhouse gases, plays a significant role in DPD’s sustainability efforts. The company’s collaboration with MAN is one of several initiatives aimed at decarbonising its operations and contributing to the UK’s net zero objectives. The eTGX, with its modular battery design and quick-charging system, could help further reduce downtime and enhance the efficiency of DPD’s operations.
March’s NatWest Regional Growth Tracker showed improved business growth in more regions of the UK at the end of Q1 – but the majority are still being affected by wider economic uncertainty.
The Tracker – which surveyed businesses operating in the manufacturing and services sectors across 12 regions of the country from March 12 to 27 – showed London and the South West led business growth last month, with improvements seen in the South East and Yorkshire and Humber.
As witnessed in January and February, most regions in March experienced a dip in business activity as inflationary pressures remained elevated, with Scotland and Northern Ireland the worst affected.
The NatWest Regional Growth Tracker Business Activity Index is the first fact-based indicator of regional economic health published each month. A reading above 50 signals growth, and the further above the 50 level the faster the expansion signalled.
Of the 12 UK regions, only five posted above 50. The average across the UK for March was 51.5.
Commenting on the Tracker’s findings, Sebastian Burnside, NatWest Chief Economist, said: “According to March’s report, London continued to lead in March, with the South West also making a sizeable contribution to UK economic growth. We saw growth broaden out slightly, as both the South East and Yorkshire & Humber enjoyed renewed upturns in business activity.
“Market conditions remain challenging and recent tariff announcements suggest we could see continued challenges in the coming months.
“Firms up and down the country are looking to control costs, which is feeding through to staffing decisions.
“Price pressures remain high across the board, though they did at least subside slightly in most areas in March, on the eve of the changes to national insurance contributions and national minimum and living wages.”
Bradley Hall, a property firm established in Newcastle in 1988, has opened a new office in Birmingham as part of its strategic expansion into the West Midlands. The company, which already operates in various regions including the North East, Yorkshire, and the North West, aims to strengthen its presence in the commercial and residential property sectors in this growing market.
The Birmingham office will initially focus on RICS Red Book Valuations, with plans to broaden its services to become a full-service agency. Phil Bartleet, a commercial property expert with extensive experience in the sector, will lead the branch.
Bradley Hall’s recent performance includes valuing £1bn worth of residential property from March 2024 to March 2025. The firm has also been appointed to several major valuation panels, including HSBC, Handelsbanken, NatWest, Yorkshire Building Society, and Lloyds, providing services for lending, legal matters, and commercial property transactions.
The Birmingham expansion is part of Bradley Hall’s broader strategy to increase its footprint in key UK markets. Supported by a central infrastructure covering marketing, operations, HR, and finance, the firm aims to continue attracting top talent as it expands across the country.
A solar farm will be developed next to Donington Park services, located off junction 23A of the M1, to support the expansion of electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure. The 6.36-hectare site will generate 7.15 megawatts of electricity, enough to power 42 new EV charging bays at the service station.
The project, approved by North West Leicestershire District Council, addresses the increasing demand for charging stations as the UK transitions to electric transport. The new solar farm will help meet the broader goal of providing more charging points across key transport routes, with the service station operator aiming to roll out 4,000 new chargers by 2030.
Local ecologists initially opposed the development, concerned about its impact on a nearby wildlife area. However, the plans were revised to include comprehensive measures for environmental protection, which led to a shift in support. The site is expected to operate for 40 years, after which it will be restored to its previous agricultural condition.
This project is part of a broader initiative to improve the availability and reliability of EV charging infrastructure, particularly for heavy goods vehicles (HGVs), which will require increased energy provision as they shift to electric power.
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