Funding and useful resources - Cumbria Growth Hub

How digitalisation is the answer to decarbonisation

Digital Transformation Specialist Sarah Woodhams discusses how Made Smarter is helping SMEs manufacturers turn their biggest challenge into opportunity.

Click here to read more

New funding for farmers in England

Farmers and landowners in England will receive funding and support for projects to create new habitats for wildlife, help protected sites and boost efforts to reach net zero. The fund will also support sustainable food production for the first time. The funding will be available via the second round of the Landscape Recovery Scheme.

New patents application service

The Intellectual Property Office (IPO) has set out changes to the process for applying for a patent as part of the One IPO Transformation Programme. A new patents application service will be available from spring 2024 which will allow providers of intellectual property software to link directly to the IPO’s new systems.

Read more about the changes at:
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-patents-service-one-year-to-go

Package to reduce regulatory burden

The Department for Business has announced a package of reforms that will reduce unnecessary business regulation. The package includes simplifying the reporting requirements under the Working Time Regulations, ensuring regulation is the last rather than first response of Government, improving regulators’ focus on economic growth and limiting the length of non-compete clauses for workers to three months.

New support for farmers

The Government has announced a package of support to help farmers boost domestic fruit and vegetable production and investment in technologies. The support includes cutting red tape that prevents farmers from diversifying, boosting trade and export opportunities, and improving transparency in the pork and dairy markets.

Industry Impact Fund

UKRI have recently launched their impact fund offering businesses between £10,000 and £100,000 worth of support through access to STFC facilities, skills and expertise. Funding is available to specifically help companies overcome difficult product, manufacturing or process performance issues by leveraging STFC’s unique capabilities and world class diagnostics.

To find out more click here

NatWest Accelerator open for applications

What is the NatWest Accelerator?

The NatWest Accelerator supports and empowers UK entrepreneurs to scale their businesses to the next level.

Our free Accelerator programme specialising in wrap around support provides:

one-to-one coaching with our experienced Acceleration Managers
a programme of thought leadership and events
access to a network of like-minded peers, supported by our Ecosystem Managers
focused support with access to experts from across your specialism
use of our modern co-working spaces in one of our nationwide hubs

Click here to find out more and apply now

Serving up Action to Plate Waste webinar

The Hospitality and Food Service sector team at WRAP are holding a webinar on 22^nd June from 2pm to 3pm – Serving up Action on Plate Waste.

Containing the latest research and insights from DEFRA and WRAP into Out of Home food waste and bringing leaders from across the sector together this session will:

Outline why customers waste food and what businesses can do to reduce it
Unveil NEW research about the causes and possible solutions to plate waste from the perspective of people working in the HaFS sector
Share the benefits of food waste measurement and trialling interventions to tackle food waste in your business
Offer tangible actions to protect your business’ profits

Registration is via Eventbrite, where you will find a full list of contributors.

CITB grants and funding

This year CITB are investing in training grants, supporting employers to train their workforce and make sure they are skilled and safe.

Short course grant rates have doubled to help more people get trained to a high standard.

To find out more click here.

MSc in Project Leadership

The University of Cumbria has developed an MSc (Masters) level qualification for graduate project professionals. As well as providing insights into complex project planning and management techniques, the course tuition aims to develop a broad range of leadership and management skills which are of direct utility in a project leadership role. The MSc will be taught online with a cohort from multiple employers, allowing students to compare experiences and share their learning. The assessments which will be used are job relevant and include submission of portfolios, presentations and reports. It is a two year programme with the next intake starting in September 2023.

There’s an information session on Wednesday 28^th June from 1pm to 2pm. For more information email ibil@cumbria.ac.uk

DBT are sponsoring the Lloyds British Business Excellence Award for Exporting

Have you achieved significant international growth with your product or service? Has a relationship with a business partner overseas delivered significant growth in your company’s sales and profits?

This award recognises successful British businesses that have achieved the highest and most sustainable levels of international growth through exporting products, services and solutions.

Open to any enterprise demonstrating sustainable export growth or an increase in revenues from overseas operations, judges will look for the following:

Significant growth or expansion overseas
Plan for sustained international growth
Innovation in products, services or processes to enable export growth
In-depth knowledge of overseas markets & customers
Effective management of overseas risks and regulations
Effective leadership and management
An ethical and sustainable approach to business
Strong business results

To find out more click here – the closing date for entries is 16^th June.

Tender opportunity

Chamber Member Cumbria Cricket Ltd have put out a request for submissions for a marketing and communications plan and potential further support to promote cricket as an inclusive sport and inspire people in Cumbria to take up the game. Closing date: 23rd June – https://www.cumbriachamber.co.uk/news/37390-request-for-proposals-for-marketing-plan-from-member-cumbria-cricket