Leicester businesses are putting into practice expert insight on Digital and Decarbonisation thanks to support from the Leicester Accelerator project.
Fully funded training and bespoke consultancy from the Leicester Accelerator project is helping Leicester businesses to grow, innovate, embrace digital and become more sustainable. Delivered by East Midlands Chamber on behalf of Leicester City Council, the project runs until 31st March 2026, and has received £119,110 from the government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
To date, 101 businesses have engaged with the project, including attendance at a series of action planning workshops on subjects such as Harnessing AI for Business, Mastering Video Content for Social Media and Making the Most of Google Analytics. The project also offers specialist consultancy and training Growth Vouchers, valued at up to £2,000, to implement digital technology & processes and AI platforms. The workshops and financial support are complemented by one-to-one advice from dedicated Digital & Sustainability Adviser Prashant Gandabhai and sustainability support through free energy audits.
East Midlands Chamber Deputy Chief Executive Diane Beresford said: “I’m delighted that the support offered by the Accelerator project has been so well received by businesses in Leicester. We’ve worked with the Council to deliver the right type of interventions to help businesses address common challenges that present themselves when it comes to growth and sustainability. Often, businesses simply need a sounding board for their plans. Once we know what they’re trying to achieve, we can explore the options for bringing in expert support – whether that be the fully funded training, consultancy and sustainability audits through the Accelerator project or by signposting them to national support. An exciting journey of growth inevitably follows.”
Leicester City Council Tourism, Culture and Economy Director Peter Chandler said: “I am delighted to see the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) project empowering a diverse mix of Leicester businesses with the tech knowledge they need to thrive – support we hope will spark lasting growth and success.”
Leicester businesses that have so far benefitted from Accelerator support include:
This family-run business providing high quality coaching and education in movement, sport and leadership including professional development for teachers in SAQ (Speed, Agility, Quickness) and holiday clubs for young people.
The Accelerator project funded a business review with a Business Adviser from East Midlands Chamber which led to successful application for a Growth Voucher to cover the cost of 20 hours of digital consultancy advice. The business was supported in implementing a new CRM system and how to make better use of AI to improve efficiency.
A fully funded premises energy audit also provided several recommendations for improvements to help reduced energy usage and bills, and a decarbonisation plan was also completed to guide the business on reducing carbon emissions.
Aim Strong Support Managing Director Harry White said: “It’s hard to put a figure on it but the guidance and CRM system support has been incredible. I can now log and track all outreach work and monitor our pipeline. It’s helped to increase my productivity with various tasks including emails, quoting and social media.”
Unimed Procurement Services (Unimed) is an International Development Organisation specialising in global health procurement and technical assistance. The business works alongside aid and development agencies, charities, NGOs and governments to project manage, source and deliver medical commodities.
As well as a business diagnostic, the Accelerator project made a fully funded energy audit possible. As the result of the recommendations received, the business has changed energy suppliers; a decision that has not only enabled it to meet its target of having a renewable energy source but has secured an annual saving of approximately £8,000. A decarbonisation plan was also introduced to support the business’s goals towards reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Unimed Head of Quality Claire Harrington said: “It’s been very helpful to have an adviser to signpost us to the best specialist contacts for further assistance. I’m happy that we are much better informed and focused after the support we have received.”
Parker Plant is a market leader in the manufacture and supply of reliable solutions for asphalt, crushing, screening, sand and gravel, concrete and material handling equipment throughout the world. From its humble beginnings beneath a railway arch in Leicester, the business that Frederick Parker established in 1911 has gone on to achieve success around the world with products sold to over 150 countries.
The business sought to expand its operations and modernise its processes while integrating sustainability into its core strategy. A business diagnostic carried out by East Midlands Chamber resulted in the creation of a Sustainability Action Plan outlining actionable steps to build a state-of-the-art facility and achieve energy efficiency to align with the company’s vision of growth over five years.
A fully funded Energy Audit provided tailored recommendations for the company’s new building. Instead of replicating systems from the old, now-demolished site, it proposed more sustainable solutions to be integrated from the outset. This proactive approach ensures energy-efficient measures are built in from the start, avoiding the need for costly retrofits later.
Parker Plant Group Health and Safety Manager Jason Standley said: “The energy audit meant that when we went to the tendering stage, we could specify what we wanted for the new building. We had that bit of expert support behind us on what would work for our business.”
The upcoming schedule of workshops in Leicester can be accessed here.
Businesses wishing to sign up for dedicated Digital & Sustainability Adviser support or apply for a Growth Voucher or energy audit can do so at: www.emc-dnl.co.uk/services/accelerator.
