Welcome from Mark Ryder

New Warwickshire Business Growth Service to launch

"The new service will provide a single, connected route for business support across the county for growing businesses to navigate opportunities, access expertise, and unlock growth potential."

Warwickshire businesses will soon be able to access dedicated support through a new Warwickshire Business Growth Service.

Xcalibre broadens its global reach

“The future is exciting and the business support we have received has been brilliant and encouraged us to move into new areas of work."

Xcalibre, based in Longford on the Warwickshire and Coventry border, specialises in diamond core drilling equipment. They export to 40 countries a range of trailers which operate predominately on highways and airfield runways to test the integrity of the surfaces and drill significant numbers of holes required for the installation of runway lights.

This expertise helps protect and facilitate travel all over the world. The business has many clients many across Europe (they are the market leader in France), as well as Australia, the  USA, UAE and Africa. Xcalibre trailers are used by the MoD working on RAF Airfields and a trailer has undertaken work on Port Stanley Airport in the Falkland Islands.

Xcalibre was born in 1987 and then in 2009 Christian Molbech, who was born in Denmark, but now a UK Citizen, became the owner, establishing the business in Coventry and Warwickshire. Christian is passionate about the heritage and legacy of engineering and manufacturing in the area and will always tell you that the name Coventry is held in high esteem across the world for its quality precision engineering. 

Xcalibre employee David Platts said: “We moved here two and a half years ago and, a bit like when you move house, we brought all our old furniture with us! We soon realised we needed some assistance and found there was brilliant support available from the County Council, the Borough Council, the City Council, and both the Growth and Skills Hubs. They have all been really helpful and that encourages you to grow.”

Among the most important support was an energy audit and grant from Warwickshire County Council’s Business Energy Advice Service.

“The BEAS grant went towards a new fork-lift trick,” said David. “Our old truck was so outdated it was on charge every minute we weren’t using it, sometimes all weekend. The audit identified that modernising it would save us money. The new fork-lift goes on charge for about 20 minutes every three weeks!

“The audit was brilliant. It also helped us look at the way the business operates. We work a compressed hours four-day week and the new truck and its constant availability allowed us to look at all our business processes.”

Xcalibre is a great example of a small Warwickshire business whose excellence resonates across the world. After benefiting from the business support – the Business Ready and Manufacturing Growth Programmes before the BEAS - the company is looking very much to the future and its ever-evolving needs.

“We are working with Innovate UK and Stakeholders such as Universities in the area on a research and development project exploring opportunities around EV technology,” said David. “At the Bauma Exhibition in Munich we were approached by customers from  France, Italy, Scandinavia and America to see if we were developing an EV version of our trailers. This has real potential so it’s so helpful that we can work locally with partners stakeholders and local universities.

“The future is exciting and the business support we have received has been brilliant and encouraged us to move into new areas of work. The BEAS grant and audit led to so much improvement and helped us get a very effective and comfortable working environment. It has really helped the business to grow and we are really grateful.”

Visitors flock to wonderful Warwickshire

"Canals, reservoirs, market towns linked by greenways and Warwickshire’s expansive countryside remain powerful motivators for visitors who seek environmentally conscious, nature rich travel experiences." 

Warwickshire’s green and open spaces are behind a recent surge in tourist visits to the county, according to a recent survey.

Skills Show is an inspiring success

“This event is a fantastic opportunity for our young people. There is a wide range of business here showcasing the different types of roles they have available."

The first Warwickshire Skills Show, a dedicated careers event for young people aged 11-18, was held on March 3 to support their future careers choices. 

Over 1500 Warwickshire students attended the Warwickshire Skills Show, organised by Warwickshire County Council’s Skills Hub, and had the valuable opportunity of gaining hands on experiences and being able to talk directly with over 80 local employers, helping to learn more about the range of employers, roles and routes into future employment.  

With a range of employers in the room, the event allowed local businesses to demonstrate what they do, ignite interest amongst the young people and help them discover their future careers. 

The event aligned with the Warwickshire Skills Strategy, focussing on working with young people throughout their education to inspire their future career opportunities and working with businesses to understand the labour market and create multiple pathways into employment. 

Over 25 schools from across the county were welcomed throughout the day. Emma Mitchell, Careers Lead at Higham Lane Schools, said: “This event is a fantastic opportunity for our young people. There is a wide range of business here showcasing the different types of roles they have available.  

“The interactive elements allow our young people to get hand on experience of the roles, and it also gives the students direct access to employers to ask specific questions. Overall it’s a great way for them to expand their horizons while thinking about their next steps.” 

You can watch the video below to see more from the day:

Businesses across Warwickshire are invited to get involved in future events, helping to inspire and shape future talent. To find out more about getting involved explore more of the Skills Hub and the work they do with local businesses and schools, visit skillshub.warwickshire.gov.uk/  

Nuneaton hosts its first Teenage Market

“Warwickshire County Council is committed to creating opportunities that help young people develop skills and aspirations. The success of this first Teenage Market reflects the power of collaboration and the enthusiasm of young residents who are keen to try something new."

Joaquin seizes his Fair Chance

"Pledging to become a Fair Chance Employer helps your business access a wider talent pool, make a positive social impact and receive support to make onboarding as smooth as possible.”

Leamington residential care home Beddoe Court is setting a powerful example for inclusive recruitment, supported by Warwickshire County Council’s Fair Chance employment programme and Connect to Work.

Project Warwickshire strengthens Pilates studio

"There was a focus on what could help us to scale up, rather than just adding new services in a random way and that has been really rewarding."

A Pilates studio in Rugby is in good shape to expand this year after celebrating its 20th anniversary in business by growing its client base. 

Anne Simonsen established Shape It Up Pilates in 2005 offering classes in local village halls and community centres.  Then, in 2015, Anne moved to her own studio in Churchside Arcade in Rugby town centre to offer a permanent base for all of her classes.  

The business has continued to grow and, in her 20th anniversary year, Anne decided she wanted to expand further and enlisted the help of the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce. 

The fully funded support through the Chamber was part of the Project Warwickshire programme which saw Shape it Up Pilates receive one-to-one help from adviser Russell Grant, who supported with guidance on financial and business planning. 

Project Warwickshire forms part of Warwickshire County Councils, Business Growth Warwickshire Business Support programme. The Project Warwickshire strand is delivered by Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce on behalf of Warwickshire County Council. It is funded by UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and Warwickshire County Council. 

Having started as a one-person business, there are now nine teachers offering a range of classes which have increased from 22 per week to 32 per week over the last 12 months. The customer base has also grown from 120 members to 190, with a retention rate of 85 per cent, with a community starting to build around Shape It Up Pilates. 

Anne said: “I started up in 2005 and it was mainly in village halls. We’ve grown quite a lot since then including moving to our own studio ten years ago and we’ve invested in our equipment over that time. The past year has been really positive and I am absolutely delighted that we started working with Russell at the Chamber. 

“He’s helped us plan financially because that was something we had been struggling with and also provided general support with business planning. It was exactly what we needed. There was a focus on what could help us to scale up, rather than just adding new services in a random way and that has been really rewarding. 

“On top of that, Russell was just really knowledgeable, kind and generous with the advice and help he gave. He put me at ease and that made it so much easier to take on board the information and advice he was giving. 

“The results have been amazing and now we’re looking to grow again in 2026, which could see us investing even further in the equipment for the studio.” 

Russell added: “Anne is a real expert when it comes to Pilates having spent more than 20 years honing her teaching methods. It was a simple case of the business needing support in some areas where they were lacking expertise and I am so pleased to see that it is paying off. It looks like they are in great shape to grow even further.” 

Project Warwickshire Business Support for Tourism, Leisure, Retail and Hospitality SMEs is funded by UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and Warwickshire County Council. Responsibility for the planning and delivery of UKSPF was part of the Level 2 Devolution Deal secured by Warwickshire County Council in 2024. Warwickshire’s allocation of UKSPF is supporting a package of communities & place, business support, and people & skills activities in 2025/26. 

* To find out more about the programme and others available to your business, including eligibility please go to https://www.cw-chamber.co.uk/business-support/  

Celebrating award-winning Warwickshire

Warwickshire continues to shine as a leading UK destination, with several local attractions recognised at the West Midlands Tourism Awards, which celebrate excellence across the region’s visitor economy.  

The awards highlight world‑class venues and unforgettable experiences with Warwickshire contributing multiple winners and highly commended finalists across categories including:  

• Gold award for experience of the year – Cotswolds in a Day Tour (Go Cotswolds) 

• Gold award for large visitor attraction of the year – Compton Verney  

• Gold award for pub of the year – The Howard Arms Ilmington 

• Silver award for experience of the year – The Shakespeare Express (Vintage Trains Ltd), Stratford upon Avon 

• Silver award for small visitor attraction of the year – Shakespeare Distillery  

• Silver award for tourism event/festival of the year – Art in the Park, Leamington   

• Bronze award for experience of the year – RSC Tours (The Royal Shakespeare Company) 

• Bronze award for large visitor attraction of the year – British Motor Museum, Gaydon 

• Bronze award for small visitor attraction of the year – The Lord Leycester, Warwick 

With such strong recognition across the sector, this half‑term is the perfect moment for families to discover (or rediscover!) the county’s impressive mix of events, experiences and days out.  

To offer ideas for days out or to help plan itineraries, Visit Warwickshire provides a calendar of local activities or themed days out for a range of budgets, helping to explore the breadth of the county. To find out more, visit visit.warwickshire.gov.uk/  

To find out more about the West Midlands Tourism Awards, visit https://visitbirmingham.com/westmidlandstourismawards/  

*Photo showing The Lord Leycester, Warwick. Photo credit to Sara Beaumont 

Fitness studio hones marketing

"It’s given us that extra confidence and knowledge to help us grow and we’re looking forward to 2026 with real positivity.”

A fitness studio in Kenilworth has more than doubled its client base after working with an adviser who helped to get the business into shape.

Food & Drink Network events

Businesses gather to build skills plan

"Warwickshire has been a standard bearer when it comes to skills and employability over many years and the LSIP is the next phase of that."

Businesses in Warwickshire have been helping to devise skills provision for the region as part of a Government plan to meet the needs of employers.  

More than 130 businesses, training providers and education specialists attended a series of workshops across Warwickshire to help inform the Local Skills Improvement Plan (LSIP), which has been designed by Government to ensure that training providers listen to, understand and deliver on the needs of local employers.  

In Warwickshire, the LSIP is being developed in partnership with Warwickshire County Council through the Warwickshire Skills Hub and is being delivered by Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce, with support from Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce.  

It is building on the early success of the initiative which has helped Warwickshire to meet current and future skills needs in the region over the past two years by producing key priorities and actions for those responsible for training and education.  That includes the UK Government, Skills England, Warwickshire County Council, district and borough councils, colleges, independent training providers, adult education services, universities, chambers and other regional stakeholders.  

The three workshops at Ashorne Hill, Warwick Racecourse and Weston Hall focused on different topics and, as well as discussing the barriers to better skills provision, business leaders were asked to discuss solutions too. They were asked to give feedback on what would work better for their organisation and their staff and offer guidance on what might encourage more people to take up training and development.  

The first workshop at Ashorne Hill covered Leadership Development and was followed by a session covering Digital Skills, AI and Adoption of New Technologies at Warwick Racecourse.  The series was rounded off at Weston Hall and looked at the Workforce of the Future – but the work doesn’t stop there.  

The Warwickshire LSIP team will continue to engage with employers through surveys, over the phone interviews and face-to-face conversations to help inform a new report that will submitted to Government and written in to statute for local providers to follow.  

Fay Winterburn, Head of Employability and Skills at the Warwickshire Skills Hub, said: “We have been so pleased to see the level of turnout but also the really positive engagement with what we are trying to achieve.  Warwickshire has been a standard bearer when it comes to skills and employability over many years and the LSIP is the next phase of that. We’ve heard some brilliant ideas around solutions and we look forward to taking these forward to make sure we continue to meet the needs of employers and individuals in the future.”  

Corin Crane, Chief Executive of Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce, said: “Businesses are very passionate about skills and it’s something we talk about a lot, especially at our Local Business Forums.  

“The real beauty of these sessions is that we’ve really been able to tease out of employers – of all sizes and sectors – what they’d like to see as solutions to the issues in an ideal world.  

“Colleges and training providers want to put on courses and invest in facilities that meet the local economy’s needs and, through the LSIP, that’s exactly what we are bringing together.”  

The final LSIP will be published in summer 2026 but employers still have time to engage via Meaningful Engagement Surveys before March 6, using this link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/GSTHPFP  

The inspiring impact of women on business

"Women belong at the heart of our families, our communities, and our economy."

Women in Coventry and Warwickshire have been told that the ‘world needs what they have to offer’ at an inspiring event in the region. 

Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce held a special Women in Business lunch, sponsored by law firm Alsters Kelley, at the Sunday Warwickshire Walton Hall Hotel to mark International Women’s Day. 

The event – attended by more than 70 people – heard from chamber president Sandra Godley OBE, Taiwo Owatemi MP, Alsters Kelley director Julie McGarrigle and Skewb co-founder Indu Seshadri. It was based on the International Women’s Day theme of Give to Gain and heard how businesswomen in the region make a positive impact on the local economy. 

Sandra Godley OBE said: “We know that women belong in every space where decisions are made. Women belong in leadership. Women belong at the heart of our families, our communities, and our economy. And when women rise, remarkable things happen. Businesses grow. Communities thrive. And the next generation begins to see new possibilities for themselves. 

“Small businesses are the heartbeat of our community, and so many of them are led by remarkable women – women who had an idea, chose courage over comfort, and built something meaningful. Because of that, jobs have been created, communities strengthened, and opportunities opened for others.  

“But perhaps the most meaningful part of International Women’s Day is remembering that there is someone at the beginning of their journey. Someone who may still be finding their confidence or their voice. And to those people I say: your voice matters; your ideas matter; your leadership matters; and the world needs what only you can bring.” 

Indu Seshadri told the gathered audience that more than 55 per cent of Skewb’s core team are women – a rarity for a company working in the utilities sector. 

She said: “International Women’s Day isn’t just about the conversations we have, it’s about the actions we take together. When women come together with purpose, we create momentum for real, lasting change. I grew up in a small community in southern India where generosity, responsibility and looking out for one another were everyday values. Those early lessons shaped my belief that leadership begins with service. 

“When you give someone an opportunity, you give them momentum. When you support someone, you give them strength. And when you invest in someone, you give them a second chance. That’s what inclusion looks like in practice. Giving back isn’t a tickbox exercise. It’s a mindset. It’s about creating space, support and confidence so people can build the futures they deserve.” 

Julie McGarrigle of Alsters Kelley added: “Women often underestimate themselves, or don’t immediately recognise the opportunities in front of them. Sometimes we need others to see our potential before we can see it ourselves. That’s why days like today matter so much. 

“International Women’s Day is a celebration of the achievements and contributions of women everywhere. But it’s also a reminder that equality is still not universal. In many parts of the world, women remain unheard, undervalued, or restricted. And that is why we must continue to push for change, not just today, but every day.” 

Significant growth at Sucham Park

“Sucham Park is already proving its value to Warwickshire’s economy. The rapid progress made by businesses based here shows how the site is enabling new jobs, investment and confidence in the local area."

A pair of businesses based at a Southam industrial park have expanded their operations, highlighting the strength of the site’s collaborative environment and its role in supporting sustainable growth just two years after completion.   

Green Tech Industries Ltd and RMF Installation and Services have both reported significant growth since launching at Sucham Park, a scheme from Warwickshire Property & Development Group (WPDG).  

Green Tech Industries has increased its footprint to accommodate a growing team and rising demand, while fellow occupier RMF has boosted operational capacity. 

Both businesses have a strong commitment to the circular economy, with Green Tech Industries recycling and repurposing batteries and motors from electric vehicles, and RMF Installation and Services being the world's largest supplier and installer of reclaimed raised floor systems. 

Green Tech Industries was founded by CEO Tony Booth after he identified a gap in the expanding green economy to support businesses with electric vehicle parts for service and waste recycling challenges. 

He opened the site at Sucham Park as a base to disassemble and test battery components before selling them back into the industry to be used for servicing and repairs.  

Since opening at Sucham Park just one year ago, Tony has secured a number of contracts with large companies and has taken on 11 new members of staff to support increased demand, with more positions on the horizon.  

The business has also expanded its footprint, taking on additional office space from RMF on Sucham Park.  

Tony said: “Since opening at Sucham Park, the business has gone from strength to strength. We’ve secured new contracts, grown our skilled team and have also taken on additional space thanks to RMF.  

“The site is in a fantastic location and has provided us with a professional base, something which is incredibly important for a start-up, and has really supported our growth.  

“Green technology is one of the fastest growing industries in the UK, but businesses like us are needed to ensure that parts – some with more than 10 years of life in them – are properly repurposed. As the technology is only set to evolve further, we’re incredibly excited for the future.” 

RMF, headquartered in Leamington Spa, is a leading supplier and installer of raised access flooring for commercial office interiors and opened its base at Sucham Park to provide storage capacity to support the expansion of its reclaimed flooring “Eco Range”. 

As a result, the business has been able to take on a number of large-scale projects that would not have been possible without the additional storage capacity.   

This includes a 28,000 sqm project at the landmark 105 Victoria Street office scheme in London. 

Rebecca Marsh, Sales Director at RMF, said: “Having the additional space at Sucham Park has been massively beneficial for us, allowing us to take on greater volumes of reclaimed flooring and strengthen our operational capacity. We’ve also welcomed two new members of staff as part of that growth and have a healthy pipeline of work for 2026. 

“The location works extremely well for us too being just 20 minutes from our head office and with good motorway links, which is essential given that the majority of our projects are in London. 

“It’s also a space we’re genuinely proud to bring clients to, and it’s fantastic to also be able to sub-let our office space to Green Tech Industries to support their growth.  

“As a business, we’re fully committed to the circular economy and doing the right thing. The continued demand for reclaimed flooring shows the construction industry is moving in the right direction, with clients increasingly focused on reuse and sustainability, which is incredibly positive for the business.” 

Rob Andrews, Head of Development at WPDG, said: “Sucham Park was designed to provide high-quality space where businesses can grow, expand and thrive, and it is extremely encouraging to see both Green Tech Industries and RMF going from strength to strength. Their continued growth and the way they are working collaboratively on site demonstrates their ambition, innovation and shared values, and we are extremely proud that Sucham Park is supporting this.” 

High quality careers support

Warwick based business, Career Seekers Direct (CSD), has been accredited for the matrix Standard in recognition of the high quality of its Careers Education, Information, Advice and Guidance services for young people who are in education, and adults in employment or seeking work.

Owned by the Department for Education, the Standard ensures the delivery of high-quality information, advice and guidance services that enable people to reach their full potential. It covers a wide range of education and workplace settings.

To be accredited for the Standard, CSD had to demonstrate to an assessment panel how its services fully meet a set of national standards by providing a range of evidence including feedback from customers and partner organisations.

To find out how CSD could support your organisation contact CEO and founder, Eva Harrison eva@careerseekersdirect.co.uk

Help to Grow leads to awards shortlisting

“It’s been rewarding to see all kinds of businesses – about 300 of them – come through the programme since we started, and then go on and do amazing things.”

Three Coventry and Warwickshire leaders have seen their organisations shortlisted for major regional awards after completing a short course to help them develop as managers. 

Rene Wheeler, of SolaaS Ltd; Paul Scanlon of The Herd; and Alpesh Mistry of Harp Place, were all part of the latest cohort to complete Coventry Business School’s Help To Grow management programme. 

The course, which is a blend of online and in-person learning – as well as one-to-one mentorship, supports senior managers of small and medium-sized businesses to boost their resilience and long-term business goals. 

Rene, Paul and Alpesh have all spoken of the benefits of completing the course – which is delivered over a three-month period – and their organisations are all now on the shortlist for the Coventry & Warwickshire Business and Community Awards, presented by Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce. 

Solaas Ltd is shortlisted alongside four others in The Global Player category, sponsored by Lawton Tubes, while Harp Place is competing with five others for The Community Champion award, sponsored by Coventry College. 

The Herd completes the hat-trick of nominees to have come through the Help To Grow programme as it goes up against five others in The Rapid Riser category, sponsored by Warwickshire County Council. 

And, as an added awards link, Coventry University – which is home to Coventry Business School – is in the running for The Planet Saver award, sponsored by North Warwickshire and South Leicestershire College. 

They will all find out if they have won in their categories at the celebration event hosted at the Belgrade Theatre on Thursday, April 23. 

George Akomas, who leads the course for Coventry Business School, said: “We are delighted that the course has been so well received by Rene, Paul and Alpesh and it really is an added bonus that their organisations are now all in the running for a Coventry & Warwickshire Business Community Award. 

“The course is designed to fit in around busy managers’ working lives and to deliver practical support that they can implement straight away. The mentorship element means they can bounce their thoughts off someone with experience and also have someone who can help them to keep on track when it would easy to be distracted by the day-to-day running of an organisation.” 

He added: “It’s been rewarding to see all kinds of businesses – about 300 of them – come through the programme since we started, and then go on and do amazing things.” 

It is the fifth year that Coventry Business School has successfully delivered the programme, and new cohorts will be advertised soon starting in spring 2026. 

The value of the course is £7,500 but is 90 per cent funded by UK Government and delivered by the Small Business Charter. Bursaries may be available from the Business School to cover the remaining £750 cost. 

Alpesh said: “As the manager of a small business I didn't realise that there are so many other SMEs in a similar position and it was a great opportunity to share experiences. So much of what was presented feels like common sense but the challenge is then trying to be able to put that into practice into your own organisation with the continuing stresses of running a business. My mentor had a corporate background, so different to mine, but it was great to have that alternative perspective.” 

Rene added: “The course was the perfect blend of online and in-person for me and being part of the programme has given me a much better understanding of business, even in a short space of time. There is also a little bit of confirmation that what you are doing is correct and that some of the processes and policies you have in place are right. As a small business, you can sometimes think that bigger organisations are doing things better, but the course actually showed we’re already getting quite a lot right, which was great.” 

Paul said: “The course landed right at a point when we were rebranding and the course really helped us to look at our positioning against the competition, what gave us an edge and what made us unique. One part of the course also looked at how we could move into new areas and, it comes full circle, because that’s when we started working with the Chamber on looking to grow overseas, which we’ve done really successfully!” 

For more information on the course email HelpToGrow@coventry.ac.uk 

For more information on the Business and Community Awards, head to www.cw-chamber.co.uk/awards  

Black Canvas adorns its first town centre

"Blank Canvas is a great project for our towns, creating artwork representative of the local community and adding vibrancy to our town centres.

A Kenilworth business - Fossato Lounge - is benefiting from the first mural from the Warwickshire County Council Blank Canvas project.

CWX Expo 2026 on April 23

CWX Expo 2026 – Showcasing creative & immersive innovation - Thursday 23^rd April

The CWX Expo will be an afternoon dedicated to showcasing the innovation and talent within the Creative and Immersive Technology sector across Coventry & Warwickshire and the wider West Midlands.

This event is about bringing people together to share ideas, discover emerging technologies, and build your connections.  From next-generation AI tools to immersive AR and XR experiences, exhibitors will be demonstrating how creative technology is transforming sectors such as mobility, learning, media, healthcare and education.

Whether you're looking to collaborate, invest, adopt new technologies, or simply see what’s emerging from the region’s creative tech ecosystem, this event offers a unique opportunity to meet the people behind the ideas.

Who should attend?
Creative and immersive tech businesses, start-ups, designers, developers and engineers, investors, university innovation leads, corporates, public sector procurement teams, and anyone interested in the future of creative technology.

Event details

• Date: Thursday 23 April 2026
• Time: 1pm – 6pm
• Venue: Delia Derbyshire Building, Faculty of Arts, Coventry University
• Cost: Free to attend but please do register

Join us for networking, an open expo space of 20+ exhibitors and support services, short demos and presentations throughout the day, plus entertainment and a moment of celebration.

Register:
https://www.tickettailor.com/events/coventrywarwickshireexchange/2058623

Share your views on the draft Council Plan

Warwickshire County Council has published its draft Council Plan, setting out priorities for the next four years - including improving services, building a better form of local government and supporting safe, healthy and thriving communities.

Unique sports car crafted by Warwickshire skills

“The guys we recruited through WSES are brilliant."

A Warwickshire-based motor enthusiast has turned his dream into a booming small business and, at the same time, given great career opportunities to a range of young people.

Robin Wells created Wells Motor Cars in the heart of the Warwickshire countryside to chase that dream and it has been emphatically fulfilled with order books that are full.

This success is thanks to Robin’s talented team, whose recruitment was supported in part by Warwickshire Skills Hub, just one element of the “fantastic” support the business has received from Warwickshire County Council.

Wells Motor Cars is a true Warwickshire success story with a large proportion of the cars’ components sourced from within 30 miles of their factory in Bishops Itchington.

“I always liked cars and built my own little car at school as a school project,” said Robin. “My career went in another direction when I worked in health consulting, but I always drove and bought sports cars. In 2015, I sold the business and suddenly was in a position to follow my dream.

“That was to create the prefect sports car. I had an idea of how the perfect sports car would feel. I wanted to take all the good bits of the cars I’d had and put them together. I had a clear vision but no idea how to do it. I knew a guy called Robin Hall in Southam, who previously worked at BMW and Jaguar, told him about it. When he stopped laughing, he said, ‘do you know how many people have had this idea?”

Robin was deadly serious, however and ten years later, the car – the Wells Vertige - is on the market and the order book full. Launched to the public at the 2021 Goodwood Festival of Speed, the unique product is making ripples in the global prestige car market while, back at base, the business is underpinned by talented young people building their careers.

“Within six months of the launch we had sold out the entire first production run of 21 cars. I had all these orders and no team, so in 2022 I started looking for a place. I drove around a ten-mile radius of Gaydon, bought this old farm and began to recruit. We moved in in January 2023 and started to build customer cars with the nucleus of a team – three people. Now we’re up to ten. I don’t know what I’m doing, so I need a high quality team!”

That is where Warwickshire Skills Hub came in. They provided support and advice on recruiting an apprentice and also introduced Robin to Warwickshire Supported Employment Service (WSES). Wells Motor Cars has also become a Fair Chance Employer.

“Some roles were taking the engineers away from the most skilled elements of their role,” Robin said. “The guys we recruited through WSES are brilliant. Fin does surface and sub-assembly prep. We need parts to go on the car and fit first time and what Fin is doing, sanding and cutting, makes sure that happens. It’s vital stuff. George is learning all about glass fibre work, like bonding the rear wheel arches, which is also vital.

“The support from the Skills Hub has been fantastic. After they told us about the Skills Escalator, our senior technician, Sam, went on a three-day upholstery course which was invaluable.”

Further support came from an energy audit and grant from Warwickshire Business Energy Advice Service.

“I worked for a conservation charity so we are very committed to energy efficiency. We need the unit to be clean, dry and comfortable - good for the employees but also for quality of work. When I heard about the BEAS grant, at first I was reluctant because I feared it might be difficult and time-consuming to access support. But it has been really easy working with Louise, Robert and Steven at the County Council. My time is limited but Louise and her team have made it as simple as possible.”

Wells Motor Cars is a success story powered by the passion of one man and driven by the skills of his team. The brilliant location in Warwickshire has also played a big part, says Robin.

“It’s in the centre of the country and the Golden Triangle of Gaydon, Silverstone and Brackley. There is enormous motorsport expertise here and we have access to so much human capital. Being close to JLR and AML there is a certain halo effect, and there’s also the British Motor Museum which has one of our cars in it.

“I am very proud of what the team has achieved so far but we are very much looking to grow further. We plan to develop two other buildings with a dedicated space for each person to go with their role. We aspire to produce 24 cars a year.”

Louise Stolz, Future Skills Business Support at Advisor at Warwickshire Skills Hub, said: It’s been a pleasure working with Robin and his team over the last two years and watch his business go from strength to strength. Robin has created a fantastic environment, and it’s been a real privilege to be able to support him on that journey.” 

WMG championing women in engineering

Dan looks ahead to "exciting times" in Rugby

A leading business organisation has appointed a ‘solid’ new chair of the forum that represents companies of all sizes and sectors in Rugby. 

Dan Mann has been announced as the new chair of the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce’s Rugby Local Business Forum after Karen Shuter stepped down from the role last October. 

Dan is the corporate affairs manager at major Rugby employer Cemex UK and has been a regular at the forums over the past few years, making him a natural successor to Karen. 

The forum meets three times a year to discuss any issues local firms are facing and to also hear updates from key decision makers and figures in the borough, including MP John Slinger, representatives from local authorities and business leaders. 

Dan said: “I know I have very big shoes to fill replacing Karen in this role, who chaired this forum over many years. I have seen first-hand the work the Chamber does for Rugby and the wider region and there are exciting times ahead with the launch of our manifesto later this spring. 

“We have very good links with our local MP John Slinger and the local authorities and that two-way dialogue is absolutely vital because understanding the issues that might be holding back growth and how we overcome those together can help to strengthen our local economy.” 

He added: “I’ve been with Cemex for around five years. It’s a brilliant company and we are genuinely committed to Rugby and Warwickshire, and playing our part in the growth of the area. I also know how highly regarded this area is globally because even in our head office in Mexico there is an ongoing reference to Rugby excellence.” 

Corin Crane, Chief Executive of Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce, said: “As a regional Chamber, we ensure that the voice of business is heard at a local and national level. We do that through our Quarterly Economic Survey (QES) that takes the pulse of our economy every three months but we are constantly speaking to companies on the ground. 

“Our Local Business Forums are vital to that and we are thrilled that Dan has come on board as chair in Rugby. He has a great understanding of how businesses can interact with Government, at all levels, to ensure the local area benefits. And, having a name such as Cemex playing its part at a local level shows the vital role the Chamber has in bringing together firms of all sizes and sectors to overcome the issues that matter.” 

Positive signs for Rugby economy

Latest news-in-brief from the county and region...

https://chalmersnewspr.co.uk/distiller-launches-experience-where-you-can-inspire-their-next-product/

Tudor country house is reopens to the public 

Coughton Court, in Alcester, will welcome visitors from next month following a change in management during its winter closure. It is now being run by the Throckmorton family after being handled by the National Trust since 1946.

Coughton Court ex-National Trust site to open with new management - BBC News

EFG supporting businesses with Net Zero and Nature Recovery

"In Warwickshire and the wider Central England region, farmers have already mobilised more than 60,000 hectares to map opportunities and bring forward new carbon, biodiversity and water quality projects."

Environmental Farmers Group (EFG) is a national, 100% farmer‑owned cooperative covering more than 400,000 hectares of UK farmland to deliver credible, landscape‑scale environmental outcomes alongside sustainable food production.

With farmers managing 72% of UK land, they are uniquely positioned to drive the transition to net zero and nature recovery. By coordinating environmental delivery across hundreds of farms, EFG ensures that businesses can work through a single, reliable point of contact whether they are sourcing carbon credits, securing BNG units or supporting wider environmental outcomes. 

Central England Spotlight  

In Warwickshire and the wider Central England region, farmers have already mobilised more than 60,000 hectares to map opportunities and bring forward new carbon, biodiversity and water quality projects. This offers corporates and developers a local, transparent and impactful route to meeting environmental goals while directly supporting the farming communities who care for our landscapes. 

Whether you are a business seeking traceable carbon credits, or a developer navigating BNG requirements, EFG provides the scale, confidence and integrity needed to deliver long-lasting change. 

Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) - Delivering Credible, Local Solutions for BNG 

As the planning system tightens around environmental requirements, developers and infrastructure organisations are increasingly seeking trusted, scalable partners to help deliver BNG and wider natural capital commitments.  

EFG brings together thousands of hectares of farmer-owned land to offer developers a simple, transparent route to BNG delivery, with projects shaped around local priorities and long-term environmental improvement. 

EFG’s farmer members are already bringing forward habitat creation and restoration projects designed to deliver measurable ecological uplift. For developers, this means access to ready-to-go, technically robust units, strong governance, and a partner committed to delivering impact at landscape scale. 

Carbon - Driving Landscape-Scale Climate Action Through Soil Carbon 

By changing farming practices, such as reducing cultivations, increasing cover cropping and enhancing soil health, EFG members are increasing the amount of carbon stored in soils. Through EFG, businesses can confidently purchase verified, UK-based soil carbon credits backed by rigorous sampling methodologies and long-term monitoring. This provides organisations with a credible, high‑impact way to reduce their climate footprint while directly supporting rural resilience. 

If you would like to discuss and of these opportunities for working in partnership with EFG members then please do not hesitate to contact Zoe Bell zbell@gwct.org.uk   

Library warmer and more cost-effective thanks to BEAS

"The audit process meant we were able to also ask a lot of questions and work together to really understand the building and our requirements."

Keresley Community Library is becoming more energy efficient following an audit and grant from the Business Energy Advice Service (BEAS) in Warwickshire.