Media and music were the theme of last week’s Nottingham Means Business (NMB) lunch, which was kindly sponsored and hosted by Eversheds.
Following a drinks reception and the opportunity to network, members and guests were treated to a delicious lunch courtesy of the Eversheds’ team and a formal welcome from Mark Fletcher.
L-R: Sean Akins (NMB), Mark Del (NUSIC), Sean Childerley (Notts TV), Mark Fletcher (Eversheds) and Simon Gray (NMB).
The presentations were a slight move away from the more usual business focused content and emphasised Nottingham and Nottinghamshire’s media and music offering.
First up was Sean Childerley, commercial director at Notts TV. In less than two years Notts TV has established a strong brand presence both in Nottingham and across the region and now available on Sky (channel 117) is set to go from strength to strength.
As part of the presentation members and guests were given an exclusive glimpse of footage from the new film about Nottingham Forest and the legendary Brian Clough. I Believe in Miracles will be on general release later this year and judging by the preview is a ‘must see’ film. Over 30 years may have passed, but when you think of Nottingham, memories of the glory years of Nottingham Forest are not far behind.
Sean Childerley from Notts TV, addressing a packed house at Eversheds.
Mark Del took to the stage next, founder of NUSIC he has been instrumental in putting Nottingham’s music scene on the map. Nottingham is now heralded as having one of the most vibrant music scenes in the UK with exports including Jake Bugg, London Grammar and Indiana. Mark’s unique presentation style captured the audience’s attention and was extremely well received. His passion for Nottingham and determination to promote Nottingham’s music scene was plain to see.
Watching the presentations I felt very proud of the energy and passion we have here in Nottingham and of the fantastic work being done by Notts TV and NUSIC to share this buzz far and wide.
After the presentations I gave a quick update on the PMO (Place Marketing Organisation), namely Marketing Nottingham and Nottinghamshire. The PMO is an initiative to unite business, inward investment and tourism under one roof and in doing so will combine the activities of NMB, Invest in Nottingham and Experience Nottinghamshire. The aim is to better promote Nottingham and Nottinghamshire to the outside world to boost our local economy and attract inward investment. As the economic landscape changes in the UK through regional devolution deals, it’s never been more important to clarify the Nottingham message and what’s great about living and doing business here.
Since the announcement of the PMO a few months ago, things may have been visibly quiet, but in the background things are starting to take shape. The first Board meeting is set for the end of October and I have written a proposal on behalf of the NMB Board exploring options as to how NMB will be involved to best serve the strategic objectives of the PMO.
One thing is certain – business engagement will be critical to the success of the PMO and NMB will be leading the way.
I was also pleased to announce the pending arrival of NOW: Pensions to Nottingham. A collaboration between Invest in Nottingham and NMB members will see the Danish company put down roots on Park Row in November in a move that will create up to 250 jobs. Congratulations to Lorraine Baggs and the Invest in Nottingham team on this great success.
Our next lunch takes place on 20 November at Nottingham Racecourse and is being kindly sponsored by Arup. Speakers will be Mark Fahy from the London Stock Exchange and Paul Southby from Marketing Nottingham and Nottinghamshire who will provide an update on the PMO.
Thank you to Neil Hoyle for the excellent photos. To view them online, please visit: www.neilhoylephotography.com
Click on the green Client Area icon towards the foot of the first page and then on job 250915-1. The password is EVER (case sensitive).
A big thank you to Mark and Eversheds, Sean from Notts TV and Mark from NUSIC for making the lunch such a great success and of course to NMB members and guests for attending.