hamber partners with one of the UK’s largest universities

The East Midlands Chamber has commenced an exclusive strategic partnership with Nottingham Trent University (NTU).

The multi award-winning institution with more than 36,000 enrolled students – will be able to use its insight to help shape policy with the East Midlands business community, joining Chamber discussions with leaders and decision makers.

The university will also be a partner of Generation Next – a Chamber network aimed at inspiring future leaders, entrepreneurs and young professionals in the 18-35 age bracket. NTU has supported students and graduates to create over 500 new businesses since 2001, with over 85% of them surviving for more than three years.

Named ‘University of the Year’ 5 times in 6 years by multiple bodies; awards and rankings gained by Nottingham Trent University in recent years include:

• 1st in UK for Employability (Uni Compare 2025)
• Best University in the UK (Uni Compare 2025)
• GOLD in the 2023 Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) assessment
• The most sustainable university in the UK and 2nd in the world (UI Green Metric University World Rankings, 2024)

Chamber Chief Executive Scott Knowles said: “Engaging with leading education providers is conducive to growth, helping provide insight through research and building the workforce of the future.   I look forward to furthering our longstanding collaboration with Nottingham Trent University and the benefit that strategic partnership will bring, whether at the table with policymakers, addressing shared challenges and opportunities for the region or in partnership with Generation Next – the Chamber’s network for young professionals.”

Nottingham Trent University Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Provost Professor Sarah Speight said: “We value the chance to build on our relationship with the East Midlands Chamber through this strategic partnership. At Nottingham Trent University, we believe that strong collaboration with business isn’t just important—it’s essential.

“Our students gain real-world skills that prepare them for the workplace from day one, and our research is focused on creating tangible impact for the organisations we work with. Partnerships like this allow us to stay connected, relevant, and ambitious in delivering what our region needs most.”