< Previous40 East Midlands Business Link www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk LAW / LEGAL SERVICES Sick Pay More topical to the majority of businesses in the region is that sick pay will be capped to 80% of the employee’s salary. The amendments suggest that, in the event of an employee on long-term sick leave, they will receive either Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) or 80% of their weekly sick pay – whichever is lowest. Employees will also have a right to SSP from the first day of their sickness. This is not only aimed at protecting people who are ill but preventing those who are sick feeling they have to go to work to make ends meet and infecting other people. This could therefore also be seen as a future preventative measure in the event of another pandemic. Fire and Rehire A practice despised by many in government and the public, the tightening of rules around this and the extension of the period for protections awarded for redundancies from 90 days to 180 days is likely to be popular in almost all circles. What this essentially means is that in the event that an employment tribunal decides in favour of the employee for an employer’s failure to meet consultation requirements, the tribunal can grant a larger award to the employee. This should go some way to removing the financial benefits from the point of view of employers toward “fire and rehire” practices. The reaction to the amendments and consultations from business groups has been predictably mixed. While many businesses have espoused support of it in public, associations and larger groups have reported that many of their members feel nervous. In many cases, this is less due to unscrupulous practices and more down to increased legal costs as HR frameworks will have www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk East Midlands Business Link 41 LAW / LEGAL SERVICES to be redone. With the changes to employment tribunals and redundancies especially, it may mean contacting law firms for advice, which can prove costly. There is also the risk of good businesses being caught because they are unprepared for the changes. Responding to the tabled amendments on the Employment Rights Bill, Helen Dickinson, Chief Executive at the British Retail Consortium, said: “The BRC supports the Government’s goal to ensure improved employment practices. We want a level playing field for responsible businesses, which means tackling unscrupulous employers and we support measures to crack down on those who exploit their workforce. While Government has been listening to the concerns of businesses, the latest amendments show that they have much further to go if they wish to reach a place which protects employees while supporting investment in jobs. We welcome the changes made around collective consultation, but further amendments are urgently needed, particularly in relation to guaranteed hours and trade unions. The focus of the Employment Rights Bill should be on unscrupulous employers who undermine confidence in the labour market, instead the current regulations risk punishing responsible businesses who provide employment. We will continue to work closely with Government on the future of the Bill to ensure a progressive approach that avoids raising the costs of employment for those already doing things well and limiting the flexibility for staff, which is so important in retail. This pragmatism and collaboration also needs to continue beyond the passage of the Bill, as the implementation detail of various areas is still to be worked through.”42 East Midlands Business Link www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk AUTOLINK Future cars There are always new motors on the horizon, ranging from entry level to business executive. Here are a few that might make it to our roads. www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk East Midlands Business Link 43 AUTOLINK Audi A6 Avant The new Audi A6 Avant sets design standards and stands for quality and comfort in the premium full-size class like no other vehicle. It impresses with a cleverly designed body concept and lots of variability, offering plenty of space for everyday life as well as for demanding recreational activities. The Audi A6 Avant models are based on the Premium Platform Combustion (PPC), powered by modern petrol and diesel engines that are more efficient and dynamic thanks to the mild-hybrid technology MHEV plus. Additional highlights include intuitive operating and infotainment concepts, new digital lighting technology, and intelligent driver assistance systems. The A6 Avant goes on sale in the UK on April 1 priced from £52,510 (OTR). First customer deliveries are due mid-June. Advanced lighting technology makes a significant contribution to greater road safety and is an essential part of Audi DNA. The new A6 Avant also plays a pioneering role in its class in this area. The design of the headlights and rear lights is all about digitalization, which gives drivers the opportunity to customize the appearance of their A6 Avant according to their own preferences. At the same time, the digital lighting display provides innovative functions that improve communication with other road users. All the while, the lighting technology reflects typical Audi aesthetics. 44 East Midlands Business Link www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk AUTOLINK Electric Volvo ES90 The ES90 is designed to evolve over time and is powered by next-generation core computers that represent an eightfold improvement over the previous generation. It’s the first Volvo car with 800V technology for a longer range and faster charging than any electric Volvo before. And naturally, it’s designed with pioneering safety tech at its core, in a package that is set to be another Scandinavian design classic from Volvo Cars. Inside, the focus is on premium comfort, authentic materials and purpose-driven design, in line with the Scandinavian identity and design principles that are the hallmark of a true Volvo. Thanks to its long wheelbase of 3.1 metres, the ES90 provides extremely generous legroom for second-row passengers, making it an exceptionally comfortable place to travel for adults as well as children. Six interior ambient light themes for sensory well-being and a variety of upholstery options further allows users to personalise the ES90. Volkswagen ID. EVERY1 Since the Beetle, Volkswagen has been enabling affordable mobility for millions of people with compact and likeable cars. Now, with the world premiere of the ID. EVERY11 show car, the German car manufacturer is presenting an entry-level all-electric model. Volkswagen will launch the production version in 2027 – with a starting price of around 20,000 euros. The ID. 2all1 will be launched in the 25,000 euro class as early as in 2026. Both models are part of the new Electric Urban Car Family with front-wheel drive, which is being developed under the umbrella of the Core brand group in the Volkswagen Group. They are based on Volkswagen’s new modular electric drive platform: the MEB with front-wheel drive. The production version of the ID. EVERY1 will be the first model in the entire Group to use a fundamentally new, particularly powerful software architecture. This means that the future entry-level Volkswagen can be equipped with new functions throughout its entire life cycle if its users so wish. Even after purchase of a new car, the vehicle can still be individually adapted to their needs. Lotus Emira Turbo SEwww.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk East Midlands Business Link 45 AUTOLINK Lotus Emira Turbo SE Lotus has revamped its Emira line-up to include the new, more powerful Emira Turbo SE next to the Emira V6, both building on the strong foundations of the previous First Editions that have captivated driving enthusiasts around the world. The Emira Turbo SE features enhanced levels of performance and design whilst building on the attributes the automotive world has come to expect, including its impressive supercar-like appearance, striking lines and thrilling dynamic performance, delivering a unique blend of ride and handling plus outstanding aerodynamics. Powered by a 4-cylinder variable geometry turbocharged engine* with an 8-speed DCT gearbox, both sourced from technology partner AMG, the Emira Turbo SE has an output that has increased to 400 bhp (+40 bhp), with a torque increase of 50 Nm to 480 Nm. The new performance figures equate to a higher top speed of 290 km/h (+ 18 km/h) 180 mph (+11 mph) and an even faster acceleration time of 0-100km/h (0-62 mph) in just 4.0 seconds. Electric Volvo ES90 Volkswagen ID. EVERY146 East Midlands Business Link www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk CORPORATE HOSPITALITY C orporate hospitality, wining and dining, team building and conferences, they all fell onto the backburner during the pandemic, and even years later a lot of people are slow to embrace them once more. That said, they’ve proven to be effective ways to increase engagement and secure business, but the complexity around their organisation often scares people away from trying it. We highlight the important steps in planning and arranging an event. The first step to learning how to plan an event is to visit a conference or networking event yourself. See how organisers are handling their guests and how everything is arranged. Also look at how they are inviting people, as it’s not enough to just host an event and hope people will show up – the way they market and promote it is just as important. There’s not much point investing into such a thing unless you and your business are going to profit from it after all. Luckily, there are plenty of b2b events going on in our region and networking groups are keen to get back into things. Don’t forget to include staff in this as well. Employees will be needed at the event to liaise and answer questions, and hopefully to secure deals, so be sure to pick out the most personable and knowledgeable members. It seems obvious but not everyone is good at talking to others, so you want your most friendly and chatty people at the event. Here are a few other considerations: Venue First and foremost, consider what type of event will best suit your needs and those of your guests. Are they keen sporting types who’d appreciate a day watching cricket, or would cocktails and canapes go down better? The great thing about our region is the variety of venues available, but you need to visit these venues and talk to the managers. Keep in mind your projected numbers as well. If you have 100 guests in a room fit for 100 then it’ll feel busy, but 100 guests in a room with space for 1,000 will make the event look poorly attended. Image is everything. Organisation Next, do you really want to organise and host the event yourself or would you be better getting in a third party? If you’re not experienced at events, would you know where to find an engaging guest speaker and how much to budget? For accountants and lawyers talking on new changes to tax or law, the speaker will inevitably be from the company itself, so decide who that might be and what the event is about. People Of course, it’s also important to get the right mix of attendees – from clients to staff and the media in attendance to ensure your event gets press coverage – so, what’s likely to draw a journalist? Just as importantly, what will your guests want to achieve from attending? Be sure to invite gregarious clients who can help keep conversation flowing. Ensure staff realise the importance of keeping business talk to a minimum too – the objective, unless it’s an award ceremony, is to create an enjoyable social event, where you can get to know clients, and they you. Think outside the box At Business Link, we regularly run awards events but we recognise that some businesses just don’t want to be out until midnight and/or paying high fees to sponsor seats or an entire table. Embracing events Running your own event is about more than just getting up on stage and speaking. You need to make sure everything is prepared in advance. www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk East Midlands Business Link 47 CORPORATE HOSPITALITY So, instead of demanding these high prices, we run more events at 4.30 - 7.00pm and we dispense with the need for a black tie. As a result, we usually draw 120 or more people, 99% of whom are decision makers in their businesses, and those who need to get back to their families can do so while those who want to stay on and network can do that. Think outside the box, don’t be afraid of smaller events – you don’t need a budget that the Great Gatsby would be proud of! In fact, people’s expectations will probably be lower than ever considering their isolation, so any gestures to bring people together and entertain will likely be appreciated. It’s less a science and more an art form, but we at Business Link do suggest everyone whet their teeth by going out and attending a few corporate events before hosting their own. It may seem obvious and it may only be a year ago that you were hosting your own, but it doesn’t hurt to practice. There’s a lot we’ve got to get used to coming out of lockdown, but the sooner we get on it, the sooner we’ll profit. 48 East Midlands Business Link www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk person at Eastwood Hall, Nottingham, from 14–16 March. It features expert keynotes, best practice sharing, and networking for leaders, managers, and directors of consumer-owned coops. The event includes a networking dinner on Friday, a full day of sessions and a gala dinner on Saturday, and a closing session on Sunday morning. More details are available on the conference webpage. Lincolnshire Women in Enterprise Forum - Grimsby 19 March Unit 1B, Wilton Road, Grimsby The FSB Lincolnshire Women in Enterprise Forum in Grimsby is a free networking event for female business leaders. Sponsored by Tillets Superstore and supported by My Credit Controllers, it features 90 minutes of informal networking with refreshments—no pitches or presentations. It’s the first event in North East Lincolnshire and offers support from FSB. Spaces are Derby Business Expo 12 March Pride Park Stadium, Derby The Derby Business Expo takes place on 12th March 2025 at Pride Park Stadium, Derby, from 10:00 am to 3:30 pm. This free event provides local businesses with a platform to showcase their products, network with industry professionals, and engage with potential clients. Attendees can explore exhibitors, learn about new services, and connect with suppliers. Derby, known for its industrial heritage and strong business community, hosts this event to support growth and collaboration among its 40,000+ businesses. Co-op Retail Conference 2025 14 March - 16 March Eastwood Hall, Nottingham The Coop Retail Conference 2025 is the UK’s key annual event for cooperative retailers, taking place in events limited. For details, contact Jacqueline Richardson at 07816 453462 or jacqueline.richardson@fsb.org.uk. National Women in Business events are also available on 12 March and 14 May. Rutland Business Summit 2025 19 March The Barnsdale Hotel, Oakham The Rutland Business Summit 2025 © stock.adobe.com/Otseira Leicestershire Innovation Festival 2025: Funding Your Innovative Business 31 March Space Park Leicester, Leicester Leicestershire Innovation Festival 2025: Funding Your Innovative Business offers insights into funding opportunities from British Business Bank and Innovate UK. Aimed at start-ups and scaling businesses in Leicester and Leicestershire, the event covers tailored finance options, expert guidance on applications, and securing investment. Attendees can engage with key funding providers in interactive panel sessions. © stock.adobe.com/kastowww.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk East Midlands Business Link 49 takes place on Wednesday, 19 March, at The Barnsdale Hotel. This event offers networking, expert talks, and workshops designed to help businesses grow. Attendees will have the opportunity to connect with industry professionals, gain insights from experts, and engage with Council officers. Cllr Paul Browne, Portfolio Holder for Economic Development, will be present to discuss how the Council can support local businesses. Whether you’re established or just starting out, this summit is a key opportunity to expand your network and knowledge. Chesterfield Business Expo 30 April Casa Hotel, Chesterfield The Chesterfield Business Expo on 30th April 2025 at the Casa Hotel (S41 7JB) offers local businesses a platform to showcase products, network, and connect with clients, suppliers, and industry professionals. Held twice a year in April and October, the event runs from 9:30 am to 3:30 pm with free entry for attendees. Exhibitors can promote their business, increase brand awareness, and generate sales, while visitors can explore new products, services, and networking opportunities in Derbyshire’s largest town. South Midlands Growth Hub - Unlock the Future of Tourism in Northamptonshire 17 March Wicksteed Park, Kettering Join the South Midlands Growth Hub, Discover Northamptonshire, and Northamptonshire Tourism Network at Wicksteed Park on Monday, 17th March for a tourism-focused event during English Tourism Week. Key topics include Access to Finance, AI, and HR, with a keynote speaker, interactive workshops, and a marketplace to connect with experts. Gain insights, practical advice, and networking opportunities to support business growth. Don’t miss this chance to explore innovative solutions and collaborate with industry professionals. © stock.adobe.com/Favio Managing Environmental Risk in the Supply Chain: Business as usual is not an option 11 March Online This webinar, led by sustainability expert James Butcher, examines emerging ESG risks beyond carbon emissions, including new regulations on biodiversity, deforestation, and chemicals. It explores the impact on supply chains, rising costs, and risks to materials like packaging, timber, and fire retardants. Attendees will gain practical strategies to mitigate risks and adapt. Relevant to manufacturing sectors, it includes a Q&A. Funded by the UK Government via the UK Shared Prosperity Fund in partnership with East Midlands Chamber. Next >