Category: Business

Opportunities for businesses in Cumbria to diversify into the space industry are being brought to the region next month.

iSH, the Industrial Solutions Hub, is hosting Space Week across West Cumbria from June 26-30.

Businesses, schools and individuals are invited to a range of events throughout the week to see how they could be inspired by the UK’s fast-growing space sector.

The first two days of the event are devoted to a business audience with a wide range of speakers from the space industry addressing delegates at Lakes College on Monday and Tuesday, June 26 and 27.

Leaders of the UK Space Agency, the Satellite Applications Catapult and businesses operating in the Space Sector will share information on how the market works. The Space Skills Alliance will also deliver a workshop to present the skills needs of the space industry.

The event will also include discussions on how to develop Research and Development in the space sector and how to attract funding to work collaboratively with universities and other organisations to grow a space cluster in West Cumbria.

Miranda Kirschel, iSH Regional Representative, said: “We have been working with partners to explore opportunities for businesses in Cumbria to diversify into other sectors. 

“The innovation, expertise and skills we see day in day out in Cumbria mean businesses are well positioned here to transfer that capability into different industries.

“The space industry has been identified as one of a number of sectors where West Cumbria’s industry can offer transferable, and directly applicable, skills and capability.

“Through discussions with those in the space sector it has become clear that there are many synergies with industries and businesses here.

Miranda Kirschel, iSH Regional Representative

“Space is an exciting industry for so many reasons and by bringing experts from the sector to the region to talk about its viability as a market we hope we can help businesses access those opportunities.

“iSH is an enabler, acting as a catalyst to help businesses diversify and grow, creating more employment and training opportunities for the local population and helping to regenerate our communities.

“We are confident that people from a wide range of businesses will find Space Week insightful. We also hope that it will lead to tangible business opportunities for companies and organisations in the region.”

iSH is delighted to be hosting a series of events and activities, including business-facing events, R&D focused events and educational activities with

schools, to explore developing a space sector cluster in West Cumbria.

In conjunction with Cumbria Chamber of Commerce’s Business Bites initiative, businesses are also invited to attend an event on Thursday, June 29, 5pm-7pm, in the grounds of St Nicholas Church, Whitehaven.

“Let’s Talk About Space” features Alan Cross, North West Space Cluster Development Manager from the UK Space Agency, who will lead a discussion designed for local businesses and organisations on space, satellites, the data they gather, how it affects and benefits our lives, and what it could mean for West Cumbria. 

To book tickets for iSH Space Week’s business events visit: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/636442435457

*AS well as business events, iSH Space Week will also include a series of events aimed at inspiring schoolchildren about future careers in space. 

Tim Gregory from the National Nuclear Laboratory, BBC Bitesize, and The Sky at Night, will be hosting three sessions of activities for Year 5 and 6 students at Lakes College on Wednesday, June 28. This event is now full but you can add yourself to the waiting list here https://www.eventbrite.com/e/634742159887

Whitehaven Council is hosting a day of Science Shows led by BBC television presenter, author and broadcaster Stefan Gates in the grounds of St Nicholas Church, Whitehaven on June 29.

iSH is also giving schoolchildren the opportunity to “Design a Robot” to help clean up space as part of a national ambition to support sustainability in space.

Find out more here: https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/LQG6F89

*iSH Space Week is supported by Cumberland Council, Sellafield Ltd, Jacobs, National Nuclear Laboratory, Cumbria Chamber of Commerce, Whitehaven Council, and the Beacon Museum.

Editor’s notes

iSH (Industrial Solutions Hub) is an initiative of regional, national and international significance which will create jobs, opportunities for businesses and organisations to collaborate, enhance skills, provide business support, and bring a range of economic and social benefits to the community through projects which will have a positive impact on people, the economy, and the environment.

Facilitating a diverse commercial cluster that harnesses the unique skills of the region, iSH creates sustainable opportunities for the direct benefit of the people of Cumbria and the UK economy.

Supported by Cumberland Council, the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority, Sellafield Ltd and Cumbria Local Enterprise Partnership, iSH provides an investment climate that drives networking, fuels collaboration and promotes innovation which acts as a catalyst for sustained business growth. It also expands the breadth of the regional economy, anchoring diversification towards new markets, sectors and industries.

iSH Space Week is supported by Cumberland Council, Sellafield Ltd, Jacobs, National Nuclear Laboratory, Cumbria Chamber of Commerce, Whitehaven Council, and the Beacon Museum.

Thanks to funding through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund the Cumbria Chamber of Commerce has a great range of programme/support on offer, fully funded in your area.

1. A two-day immersive deep dive for business leaders which will provide tangible actions to build resilient business models with your peers.

Business deep dive, challenge your business model to get fit for the future, let’s get creative and innovate with Lego Serious Play

1. Entrepreneur & young business programme

• Are you in the early stages of your business life?
• Did you see an opportunity to start your own business during the pandemic?
• Are you now working on how to take it to the next level?
• Are you an ambitious entrepreneur?

If you answered Yes to those questions then you will find no better support to take your business to the next level than our fully-funded Entrepreneurs and Early Years business programme. Our programme will support early years (1 to 3 years) businesses and their ability to grow.

1. Tourism/hospitality training delivered by Cumbria Tourism

1. Low carbon/green support delivered by Cumbria Action for Sustainability

Do you want to do your bit to protect the planet, but are not sure where to start?

We can help you plan what to do, and find energy and cost savings in the process. We are offering an energy advice visit plus up to 5 hours of support to identify other opportunities to become a more sustainable business.

1. Funded training/webinars/workshops

Training already booked in:

Branding and marketing for established SMEs – 30^th May

How to accelerate business growth – 6^th June (just awaiting timings then details will be added)

TikTok & Instagram for Business – 20^th June

AND coming soon an online benchmarking tool

Funding ends on 30^th June so if you’re interested in any support please get in touch asap. lesleyr@cumbriachamber.co.uk

The Bus Station turns 2 on the 25^th May.

To mark the occasion we are having an ‘Open Day’ between 12 and 4pm.

An opportunity for you to visit the space, chat to residents and the speak with the Eagle Labs Team.

Our resident businesses will have the opportunity to chat to visitors and showcase their businesses.

A must see is our unique to the area ‘Maker Space’ which has many different types of 3D printers with varying capabilities. Zoe can show examples of what she has been working on and what she may be able to assist with for any future projects. Whether that be assisting with CAD and prototyping or design led thinking.

There will be celebratory cupcakes available made by a local baker and also a glass of fizz or orange juice.

If you would like to pop along, could you please click the link below to register to give us an idea of numbers.

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-bus-stations-2nd-year-birthday-celebrations-open-day-tickets-609409318677

Exciting plans for iSH Space Week – which takes place June 26-June 30 – were revealed at today’s iSH Business Engagement Event at Cleator Moor.

Miranda Kirschel, iSH Regional Representative, shared with more than 60 attendess at the event held at Cleator Moor Celtic Football Club, first details of the initial Space Week programme which will bring opportunities in the space industry to businesses, schools, and individuals across West Cumbria.

iSH Space Week Programme

Barclays Eagle Labs Programmes for May

Scaleup programme

In collaboration with Cambridge Judge Business School, this programme is Designed for high-potential scalable businesses. This programme addresses six core components that are key to business growth. Focusing on peer to-peer learning with custom support to drive growth plan development.

Applications close 31st May

Find out more and apply here

Product Builder Programme

In collaboration with Plexal we have created a new programme, Product Builder which is designed to fit around the busy lives of budding entrepreneurs. This online programme will teach you how to develop, test and validate a digital product.

Applications open 2nd May

Register your interest here

AgriTech Bridge Programme

In collaboration with CodeBase, we have developed a new programme, AgriTech Bridge, that brings together some of the UK’s leading corporations and most promising startups. This programme allows some of UK’s biggest firms to share experiences and connect and learn both with peers and startups working in the industry.

Applications close 5th June

Find out more and apply here

Care and Healthtech Bridge

In collaboration with CodeBase, we have developed a new programme, Care and HealthTech Bridge,  a 10-month programme that is designed to encourage collaboration and innovation among corporates and startups involved in healthy ageing and the care sector.

Applications close 5th June

Find out more and apply here

Ecosystem Partnership Programme

Through the Ecosystem Partnership Programme we’ll be allocating funding to organisations who are already embedded in their local entrepreneurial ecosystem so that they can amplify their on-the-ground support for tech and digital businesses to increase the impact of their activities.

Applications close 31st May

Find out more and apply here

Black Founder Accelerator

We’ve partnered with Foundervine to run the Barclays Black Founder Accelerator, a programme especially designed to champion diversity in entrepreneurship and showcase Black Founder-led businesses. Foundervine is an award-winning social enterprise with a strong track record of helping entrepreneurs from under-represented communities to start their own business.

Applications open 2nd May

Register your interest here

Flyers to all programmes attached

Reports

Unlocking Growth: Creating Tech Ecosystems to Stimulate Local Economies

We’ve refreshed the data we used to create our Creating Tech Ecosystems to Stimulate Local Economies report in 2021 to highlight the ecosystems in, Belfast, Cardiff, Glasgow, Manchester and Southampton.

Our original report takes a deeper look at the vital role that local authorities and government initiatives outside of London play in creating thriving business communities and explores the importance of public and private sector partnerships in creating strong local ecosystems.

Read both the reports here

Events

Digital Growth Grant

We recently launched the Digital Growth Grant to boost the support we provide to the UK’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. In Southampton, Cardiff,  Belfast, and Glasgow we shared information on what we are delivering as part of the grant including the launch of new programmes and will continue this at an upcoming event in Manchester.

Upcoming Digital Growth Grant launch event:

Eagle Labs DiSH Manchester – 11 May 2023

Register here

High Growth Live: Access to finance

Join our panel of experts live at our Eagle Lab in Cardiff, or via our livestream, to hear first-hand about growth solutions, finding specialist expertise, education opportunities and how to broaden your network to build your business to the next stage.

11 May 17:30 – 20:00

Sign up here

Developing your startup’s brand

In this session we will discover why the startup stage of your business is vital to the development of your brand and learn how to supercharge your marketing strategy from the very beginning.

24^th May 13:00-14:00

Sign up here

Barclays Games Frenzy 2023

The Barclays Games and Creative Team invite you to join them for, leading games industry expert panels and exhibitors from Creative UK, local games uni students, mobile games studios, Code Coven and much more. The event will be followed by drinks and food and an opportunity to network and make new connections.

25 May 15:30 – 20:00

Sign up here

A CHANCE for residents and businesses to hear regular updates about the Cleator Moor Town Deal as it moves forward is to take place every month.

Cleator Moor secured a Town Deal worth £40.9m last year – with £22.5 million coming from the Government’s Towns Fund and a further £18.4m from match funders.

Now, Bob Metcalfe, Chair of the Cleator Moor Town Deal Board, is to provide monthly updates at an iSH and Town Deal Community Meeting.

The iSH meeting, which has been taking place every month, provides updates on iSH (Industrial Solutions Hub), a wider project of international significance designed to create jobs and opportunities for businesses and organisations to collaborate and enhance skills while harnessing a range of economic and social benefits on behalf of the community. 

From now on the meeting will also include a Town Deal update so the community is kept up to date on developments. The first iSH and Town Deal Community Meeting will take place between 9.30am and 11am on Thursday, April 20 at Cleator Moor Civic Hall.

Bob Metcalfe said: “As a board we want to make sure the Town Deal and its projects are rooted in the community – and we hope this monthly meeting will help to make the programme as accessible as possible to everyone.

“It will offer an opportunity to hear about how things are progressing as well as for people to ask any questions they have.

“Everyone is welcome to attend and I look forward to meeting those who come along.”

The Cleator Moor Town Deal will oversee the delivery of four projects that will provide a long term boost to levels of health and economic prosperity in Cleator Moor, as well as employment opportunities and inward investment.

With the funding secured, work has been ongoing in recent months to satisfy Government assurance requirements and to procure the specialist sector skills required in order to develop the plans in more detail.

The four projects included in the Town Deal are: 

• Enterprising Town – the redevelopment of the existing Leconfield Industrial Estate to create an iSH Enterprise Campus, providing employment and training opportunities for residents in Cleator Moor as well as helping to diversify the local economy. The proposal will create new buildings on site including an iSH Enterprise Campus Hub, the refurbishment of existing units and extensive landscaping. The development of the site forms part of the wider regeneration programme being delivered across West Cumbria by iSH.

• Revitalised Town – to increase activity and footfall around the Town Square by bringing vacant and under-utilised buildings back into active use while creating an attractive new public realm. Uses will include a new cultural community hub and enhanced business space.

• Healthy Town – To enhance existing sports and leisure provision to create a modern multi-purpose centre including an indoor sports hall, flexible studio space, gym and café, alongside wider health and well-being provision. This will improve population health and generate more reasons for people to visit and spend time in Cleator Moor.

• Connected Town – this scheme will deliver a high-quality integrated and sustainable transport network which improves connections between employment, education, amenities and leisure and transforms the accessibility and attractiveness of Cleator Moor.

For more information about Cleator Moor Town Deal visit cleatormoortowndeal.org.uk

We are delighted that Paul Foster, Chair of the Solway Community Power Company, will be sharing with businesses from across the region at our next Business Engagement Event on May 4:

 What SMRs really mean for the region?

 When will it happen?

 What will be needed?

 And how will it work?

Plus businesses will have a chance at the event to help shape the iSH Enterprise Campus Hub. 

THE UK’S LARGEST SPACE EVENT

With the UK contributing 6.5% of the global space market, and ambitions to grow this to 10% by 2030, Space-Comm Expo is where the industry meets, learns, networks and does business.

Dedicated to showcasing the commercial opportunities available within an industry worth £14.8bn to the UK economy, this free-to-attend event is designed to encourage growth across this highly innovative sector.

Supported by key industry associations and influential bodies, Space-Comm Expo showcases the manufacturing supply chain for products, services and solutions supplying commercial enterprises and developments in space.

Held at the Farnborough International Exhibition and Conference Centre, the Home of Pioneering Spirit, this innovative event brings together the entire sector for two days of face to face business and networking.

2023 IS GOING TO BE A LANDMARK YEAR FOR THE UK SPACE INDUSTRY

Join the UK’s largest event focused on the commercial future of space for business, defence and aerospace.

• It’s the most important date in the UK space industry calendar
• It’s the only event that covers the whole of the space supply chain
• Discover new technologies, innovations and applications from over 150 suppliers
• Learn from keynotes and case studies
• Hear influential space industry and government speakers
• Gain knowledge from world-leading authorities & technical experts
• Source new products, services and suppliers with specialist expertise
• Save time finding new suppliers with our 1-2-1 Meet the Buyer sessions

Plus

• Meet the next generation of innovators and disruptors in the Start Up Zone
• Join our invitation-only roundtables
• Save time by meeting our phenomenal exhibitor line-up in one place
• Over 30 hours of free-to-attend high level conference sessions

REGISTER FREE

Enquiries:

T: +44 (0) 1483 934381
E: spacecomm@hubexhibitions.co.uk
W: https://www.space-comm.co.uk/contact/

AN engineering business behind a striking Covid memorial is investing in young people as it looks to build a bright future.

R.A.F Engineering, like many businesses, put its expansion plans on ice to ensure it could deal with the economic impact of Brexit, Covid, war in Ukraine, and increased energy bills.

Now the company, based in Workington, Cumbria, is setting its sights on the growth and diversification which it previously planned.

Rafal Gibki and Aneta Gibka took over the company, formerly Hudson Swan, five years ago, with ambitious plans to develop the business.

Having successfully steered the company through a turbulent economy, Rafal and Aneta are fully focused on building the company.

They are already ahead of schedule on their revised plans after reaching a £1m turnover target last month.

Aneta said: “We had a vision five years ago when we bought the company. Brexit put a hold on a lot of things, then Covid and war in Ukraine.

“We had to fight to survive. We had to reassess what the situation meant for us as a business and manage our cash flow. Now we have stabilised, we can grow. 

“This year we set a target of reaching £1m in turnover and we already reached that last month so we are ahead of where we set our sights on being.

“It helps that even during difficult times we have continued to invest. We have bought five new machines and we have digitised the business through support from the Made Smarter initiative.

“We have also continued to recruit young people and apprentices from Lakes College and have trained them up ourselves.

“Raf has a lot of experience in engineering so young people and apprentices who come here are gaining expertise and knowledge which is standing them, and the business, in good stead.

“We do also want to recruit more experience into the business as well but recruiting young people the way we have has meant that we have been able to continue to grow the company and, with Raf being such a good person to learn from, it has worked well.

“We have also continued to focus on manufacturing quality products and giving good customer service by the speed of our turnaround and delivery times.

“That gives clients trust and confidence in doing business with us and we have managed to grow the company through building this reputation.

“We are very much open to collaboration with other businesses and organisations and are part of the Swimming With The Big Fish initiative with Solomons Europe.”

R.A.F, which employs 15 people, mainly from the Workington and Whitehaven areas, manufactures quality precision engineered and machined steel parts to a range of industries.

Approximately 60 per cent of its customers are in the nuclear industry. It also supplies engineering, food and agricultural clients and plans to supply renewable and defence industries.

Iggesund, TSP, and James Fisher in Cumbria, and Tata Steel in Port Talbot, are among R.A.F’s customers.

Most recently R.A.F Engineering manufactured a striking memorial to commemorate the victims of Covid which has been installed in a garden of remembrance at Workington’s Vulcan Park.

The steel sculpture, designed by Steven Marshall, depicts a pair of hands around the world and was unveiled on March 23.

The business also tries to support other initiatives in the local community including sponsoring sports teams, first aid programmes, and internet safety initiatives for young people.

iSH Managing Director John Maddison said: “I was delighted to meet with Aneta and the team at R.A.F Engineering recently.

“It’s another company in West Cumbria which is doing great things, open to collaboration, looking to diversify into new markets, investing in young people and new technologies and, with its success, looking to help the local community by supporting a range of initiatives.

“Hearing what businesses like R.A.F are doing is another reason why the future is so bright for West Cumbria and why at iSH we are so excited about what can be achieved by further building the area’s capability and showcasing this expertise to new markets regionally, nationally and internationally.”

Adam Turley is an intellectual property specialist based in Carlisle. He is a Director and head of the Carlisle office for McDaniel Law, a specialist intellectual property law firm, and the largest dedicated intellectual property law firm in the North East and Cumbria. Adam has particular expertise in helping businesses identify, secure and protect their intellectual property and commercialising intellectual property as an asset

Adam will be sharing his knowledge at a Brunch and Learn Event at Eagle Labs Cumbria  The Bus Station, Bransty Row Whitehaven CA287XE on April 25, 9.45am onwards.

09:45-  Join us for a Breakfast Buttie

10:00 – Adam will give a presentation

10:30 – Q&A

11:00 – onwards – Drop in one-to-one sessions available with Adam

Please click below to Register

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/brunch-and-learn-protecting-your-intellectual-property-tickets-600294826987

A CO-FOUNDER of a trailblazing initiative brings her far-reaching experience and innovative thinking to an organisation focused on creating more than 700 jobs.

Miranda Kirschel, who set up and led the Women in Nuclear UK (WiN UK) initiative and received an MBE for service to equal opportunities in the nuclear industry, has joined iSH (Industrial Solutions Hub) as Regional Representative.

Miranda, who was also Head of European Business Development for Atkins, an Executive with EY, and Head of Business and Innovation with Cumbria Local Enterprise Partnership, is excited to be joining iSH, which aims to transform communities across West Cumbria through employment opportunities which increase the region’s capability.

Miranda, who lives in West Cumbria, said: “I am excited by the opportunity to be part of a regeneration programme which is supported by Government and key stakeholders in Cumbria and to have the opportunity to help put West Cumbria on the map for business, innovation and technology.

“iSH will engender collaboration and innovation, production of technology and manufacturing. We will be creating jobs, helping with training and skills and raising visibility of the capability in the region, nationally and internationally.

“It is my job to join the dots, to bring businesses and stakeholders together to enable programmes to happen which will promote the capability of West Cumbria and attract inward investment. This will lead to more diversity and less dependency on one sector and one client for the long-term benefit of the region.” 

iSH aims for opportunities it creates to be open to all so its programme positively impacts on society, from the businesses and organisations who collaborate on opportunities, to the way it improves people’s lives across communities.

Miranda will be a strong advocate for delivering on that mission. “A lot of people out there have a lot to offer. We need to be more open about how we talk about capability and see a person for their strengths and what they can do, not focus on what they can’t do.”

Miranda, who started in her new role with iSH on Tuesday, March 14, said: “I am here, ready and driven, to do a fantastic job for Cumbria and to serve, and deliver for, West Cumbria. I am very excited about the opportunity and am 100 per cent committed to making this a success.”

John Maddison, iSH Managing Director, said: “We are delighted to have attracted a candidate of Miranda’s calibre and are very excited about what she will achieve with the iSH team as our Regional Representative through collaborating with a broad range of businesses and organisations locally, regionally, nationally and internationally.

“Miranda brings skills and expertise which immediately add to iSH’s capability and, equally importantly, she shares the values and ethos which are so important to all the team at iSH in terms of what, why and how we are delivering for the region of West Cumbria, including for the area’s people, communities and the environment.

“We have already identified lots of exciting opportunities to collaborate with businesses, industry, research and development organisations, academia, communities, and stakeholders which will help increase the region’s capability and deliver on iSH’s mission.

“I am delighted that, as Regional Representative, Miranda will be helping to bring those opportunities to fruition.”

iSH is also recruiting for an Operations Director, Investment Lead and Senior Project Manager. There will also be future roles for a Project Controls Officer, Business Liaison Officer, Community Liaison Officer and a Project Management Apprentice.

Earlier this year £20m of Levelling Up Fund investment was awarded by government to Copeland Borough Council for the iSH Enterprise Campus, to fund phase two of redevelopment at Leconfield, Cleator Moor.

iSH is also supported in its activity by funding from Cleator Moor Town Deal Board which, working with Copeland Borough Council, secured a provisional offer of £22.5 million from the Government’s £3.6 billion Towns Fund initiative last year. 

As well as being supported by Copeland Borough Council, iSH is also backed by Sellafield Ltd, the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority and Cumbria Local Enterprise Partnership.

Cyber Security awareness is essential for SMEs in 2023.

Substandard cyber security could negatively affect a company’s ability to function, its reputation, and legal obligations to keep business, client and supplier data safe.

UK businesses face an ever-increasing cyber threat, with four in ten businesses (39%) having had a cyber security breach or attack in the last 12 months,.

31% of businesses and 26% of charities estimate they were attacked at least once a week.

Join Gary Martin of David Allen IT Solutions and Tony Wilson of Indelible Data in this focused session to find out some simple steps you can take to help protect your business, learn how to minimise the risk of cyber-attacks, keep your business operating and keep data safe.

Discover more about Cyber Essentials certification, the advantages of pen testing and how they can improve your business. 

By attending this event you can aim to increase your understanding of cyber security, ask questions and take steps to protect your all-important data, with the opportunity for one-to-one security advice and guidance.

This is a FREE event and lunch will also be provided.

Register here:-  https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/lunch-learn-cyber-security-with-indelible-data-and-david-allen-it-solutions-tickets-511851972027

A global, multi-billion-pound design and engineering firm has opened the doors of  a new workspace in Cumbria.

Stantec, a global leader in sustainable engineering and design, has chosen Cleator Moor to be the home for its new Cumbrian office.

Stantec employs more than 27,000 people, with over 3,000 based in the UK. The firm plans, designs and delivers iconic projects around the world which help communities develop and grow sustainably.

The move into its new office on Earl Street is a culmination of Stantec’s longstanding commitment to the Cumbrian region and the people who live and work there. 

In the past, Stantec has supported improving connections and investment in the region’s infrastructure. The company has also worked closely with Sellafield, helping this important Cumbrian site maximise the value of its portfolio.

Stantec will have a new home in the same office as React Engineering in Phoenix Court. The two companies will collaborate, supporting each other on local and national business opportunities. 

Stantec’s Neil Crellin, who leads the new Cleator Moor office, commented: “Our new office space in Cleator Moor will allow us to lay down roots and firmly establish our presence in the region while deepening ties with local clients and partners.

“My family has long been a part of Cumbria’s past, it’s good to think that I can be part of its bright future. I’m very much looking forward to building on our commitments to communities in and around Cumbria, but also enjoying the incredible countryside in this beautiful corner of the world.”

Phil Redfern, Managing Director of React Engineering added: “We’ve been collaborating with Stantec for several years and it’s fantastic to see such a prestigious global organisation establish a local presence in the town of Cleator Moor. I’m excited about what the future holds in terms of supporting each other on new business opportunities and I am looking forward to further strengthening our working relationship.” 

Skills Bootcamps – part of the Government’s Lifetime Skills Guarantee, helping everyone gain skills for life – offer bespoke training solutions to bridge existing skills gaps within high demand sectors.

Cumbria LEP has teamed up with experts in the field to run of skills bootcamps in Cumbria in March.

Applications are now open for all of the Skills Bootcamps.

These include Green Skills, Technical and Digital, Welding, Logistics, Construction Trades and Management, Certificate in Tourism and Visitor Economy Management, Certificate in Upland Management and Certificate in Project Delivery Bootcamps.

Details of the some of the Skills Bootcamps which can be booked today are:

3D360: Intro to Additive Manufacturing and 3D CAD Skills Bootcamp (Level 3)
Date: Inductions throughout March
Course teaches learners the ability to design, 3D Print and understand how to design for Additive. Each learner builds a Creality Ender 3 to take away and keep.

INFO@3D360PRINTER.CO.UK 01942 901 360

Skillsfix: NEBOSH National General Certificate in Occupational Safety & Health

Date: Inductions throughout March

NEBOSH National General Certificate is ideal for managers, supervisors and anybody with health and safety management responsibilities.

INFO@SKILLSFIX.CO.UK 01539 563458

BTP Cumbria: Construction Skills Bootcamp

Date: Inductions throughout March

Opportunities on successful completion could include:

Full-time employment;
Skills for life;
Wage ranging from £10 to £25 per hour;
Self-employment;
Travelling the world;
Running your own business

INFO@BTP-CUMBRIA.CO.UK 01229 826262

3D360: Digital Manufacturing and Industry 4.0 Skills Bootcamp (Level 3)

Date: Inductions throughout March

Course teaches learners the ability to design, 3D Print and understand how to design for Additive. Each learner builds a Creality Ender 3 to take away and keep.

INFO@3D360PRINTER.CO.UK 01942 901 360

FUNDED TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES

100% funded for self employed or unemployed.

Employers contribute to the cost of training if they want to use Skills Bootcamps to train their existing employees – large employers (over 250+ employees) contribute 30% of the cost, and small or medium employers (SMEs up to 250 employees) contribute 10%.

Existing employees may need time to study and attend classes depending on their working hours and status and the flexibility of the course.

Book today to secure your place.

MORE CONTACT INFO:
skillsbootcamp@thecumbrialep.co.uk
https://www.thecumbrialep.co.uk/skillsbootcamps/

IT’s a freezing, frosty, early March morning, yet spend a few minutes with James Long and Jo Iles and there’s a warm, welcoming light in the world.

Let’s be clear James and Jo’s business ambitions burn bright. They have expansion plans which would excite any entrepreneur. But they are doing it all in the right way – the ethical way – and bringing with them the supportive community from the place they now call home.

London, Hong Kong, Cleator Moor might not be everyone’s obvious career journey. But with respective recruitment and teaching careers in two of the world’s most vibrant cities behind them, family circumstances brought James and Jo to Cumbria.

Like many who fall in love with Cumbria it was a holiday trip to the Lake District that sparked their own business venture. 

As visitors, they couldn’t find a suitable gift which was designed and manufactured in the county that they felt was sufficiently ‘of the place’ – hence the Lakeland Lights Company was born.

James and Jo had spent some time in Iceland and found the scenery, the place, the people of Cumbria suited them in a similar way.

They were no strangers to dark winters and lighter summers, and they set about creating candles and scents which would embody Cumbria’s unique locations.

That’s why you will find a candle named after the Cleator Moor community, alongside such Lakeland icons as Crummock and Coniston, and Whitehaven, Whinlatter and Wasdale.

James and Jo use the most environmentally friendly methods that you’d expect from a couple so in tune with the landscape around them. Their candles are handmade in small batches using the highest quality natural ingredients. They also have a story behind every candle.

Jo, brought up in Southport, and James in Peterborough, have travelled and lived all over the world. 

Their varied work and life experience have given them a perspective of UK and worldwide business that, when it comes to Lakeland Lights, helps them make objective, strategic decisions while also protecting the authentic place brand they have created.

They started with three products in 2019 – Buttermere, Whinlatter and Honister. Three years later they have 25 scents and Lakeland Lights candles are in 35 outlets across Cumbria, mainly in independent businesses who have been mutually supportive.

That further expansion ambition is never far from the surface. They long since found out their kitchen wasn’t big enough to keep up demand. They now have a bespoke production operation in Phoenix Court in Cleator Moor.

James said: “We heard about the Towns Fund investment coming to Cleator Moor and it made us think that this would be a great place to be and to start a business.”

It was an astute business move. The Cleator Moor Town Deal Board, with the support of Copeland Borough Council, was successful in its application to the Government’s Towns Fund last year which resulted in an award of £22.5m, and an additional £18.4m secured from match funders, for four exciting projects in the town. In January this year a successful bid by Copeland Borough Council to the Government’s Levelling Up Fund also resulted in a further £20m being awarded for the development of the nearby iSH Enterprise Campus at Leconfield, only about half a mile from Lakeland Lights’ front door. Cleator Moor is definitely a community on the up.

But long before the investment for the area was confirmed, Jo and James said it felt like home.

Jo said: “We immediately felt part of the community here and everyone has welcomed us. There’s a real kindness and warmth to the people here. Basing our business in Cleator Moor was absolutely the right thing to do.”

The West Cumbria community supported them from the beginning, buying their products at local markets and retailers. And it was that community support which was to prove so priceless, and a lifesaver in many ways, to James and Jo during the pandemic.

“When 90 per cent of your business is wholesale for the retail market, and those retail outlets are shut for the best part of a year, and you are a new business, you know you are going to need something special to survive and come out the other side,” said James.

Jo stresses what a tough time it was for any start-up: “Because we didn’t have two years of accounts history, we had no access to furlough, self-employment benefits or any other government support schemes during the pandemic.”

The couple did receive grant funding from Cumbria Chamber of Commerce to revamp their website and they quickly pivoted to an online business with kerbside delivery drops within a 10-mile radius. The community of Cleator Moor and surrounding area backed them so much that their car was full of candles every day!

“By the end of lockdown, thanks to the community’s support, we had switched to a 60% wholesale, 40% website business which was much healthier,” said James.

They also had to completely change their supply chain in everything from fragrance to wax, glass to boxes.

Quite an environment for their daughter Robin to arrive into in June 2021. Now 20-months-old she looks very at home by the kitchen table where so many family-owned operations have their business discussions.

In October 2021 and committed to being a Living Wage employer, James and Jo took on their first recruit, Emily Bryan, from Ennerdale, who started out as a workshop assistant and is increasingly taking more responsibility in the manufacturing process

Jo said: “Emily has been brilliant for us. We want to employ more people. We are passionate about bringing manufacturing and industry back – in a new way – to this part of the world.

 “People think there’s nothing made in Cleator Moor anymore. It feels good to be playing a role in changing people’s perceptions and options about the town.

“Cleator Moor is a very positive place to be. We feel very fortunate to have found this place. It’s a home away from home and we want the community to be proud of what we are doing here.

“It gives us a real sense of pride that people really value what we are trying to achieve here. That’s where the satisfaction comes from.”

For Christmas 2022 James and Jo chose to give back to the community which has been so supportive to them by donating 10% of their profits from their special Robin’s Brow candle to 365-marathon man Gary McKee’s charities – Hospice at Home West Cumbria, and Macmillan Cancer Support. So far £1,000 has been donated to the cause.

They have also started 2023 with exciting expansion plans which have to stay under wraps for the time being. Definitely a case of watch this space. You get the feeling James and Jo’s business story has only just begun.

UK Research and Innovation (UKR) is offering a funding opportunity with this pre-announcement: Prosperity Partnerships: early-stage collaborations (pilot).

Status: Upcoming

Funders: Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC)

Funding type: Grant

Total fund: £10,000,000

Award range: £250,000 – £750,000

Publication date: 2 February 2023

Opening date: 2 March 2023 9:00am UK time

Closing date: 9 May 2023 4:00pm UK time

Last updated: 9 February 2023

Apply for funding to support ambitious early-stage research business-academic collaborations on their way to becoming strategic partnerships.

Proposals will:

• be business-led but co-created and co-delivered by the industrial and academic partners
• address research areas and challenges based on EPSRC’s strategic delivery plan

We encourage micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (SME) involvement.

Industry contribution will be at least 50% of the total grant value.

EPSRC will fund 80% of the full economic cost of the project, which can be up to £750,000, with a maximum duration of 3 years.

We will hold a webinar for this opportunity.

This is a pre-announcement and the information may change.

More information will be available in early March 2023.

For further details visit:

Pre-announcement: Prosperity Partnerships: early-stage collaborations (pilot) – UKRI

Don’t miss out on Eagle Labs next Lunch and Learn event with Amentum on February 27 at noon.

These free sessions have been very popular with some great feedback – places are limited, so please be quick to register.

Business cases and risk management

Business Cases are used to evaluate up the costs and benefits of a suggested course of action or present the argument for a new investment, product, or way of working. 

The business case is therefore often at the core of the decision-making process within an organisation. Learn about the critical elements that make up a successful business case and how risk management tools are used to understand, analyse and mitigate the threats and opportunities to achieving these objectives.’

Food is provided at the event.

Register below:-

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/essential-business-skills-lunch-learn-with-amentum-tickets-529368825407