1284 Communications joined the panel for a Charnwood Borough Council event celebrating local business success.

More than 100 representatives of the local companies gathered at Charnwood Campus for the half-day event on Wednesday 5 March.

Organised by inCharnwood, Charnwood Borough Council's economic development and regeneration team, it was a morning of networking, knowledge-sharing, and signposting to local business resources.

And 1284 Managing Director, George Oliver, was one of four local entrepreneurs invited to describe their growth story as part of a dynamic panel discussion focused on business development in the region.

Former Small Business Commissioner, Martin Traynor OBE, hosted proceedings.

The Loughborough Town Deal Chair opened with networking opportunities before introducing presentations from Charnwood Borough Council representatives on economic development initiatives.

Charnwood business panel

The morning's event centrepiece was a panel discussion entitled 'From Start Up to Scale Up: Stories, Strategies & Success' which provided attendees with practical insights from local business leaders who have successfully navigated growth challenges.

Chaired by Leanne Bonner-Cooke MBE, the panel comprised George alongside:

• Maz Patel, MD of Scope Construction, and George's fellow East Midlands Chamber Board member
• Tara Marshall, MD of These Hands Academy
• Owen Jones, MD of EngiComposting

The venue was the same as that which hosted a round table during a visit from the Business Secretary last year.

1284's Charnwood growth story

Speaking to the audience, which included council leader, CllrJewel Miah, and Cabinet Lead Member for Economic Development, Regeneration and Town Centres, Cllr Jenni Tillotson, George described how 1284 was founded in Loughborough in 2020.

And he went on to summarise some of the ways the company benefited from business services available in Charnwood, including:

• Founding the company while completing his MSc at Loughborough Business School
• Initial growth through the Loughborough-based LUinc. startup accelerator programme‍
• Early receipt of an interest-free startup loan from Sir Thomas White Loan Charity
• Use of membership benefits from East Midlands Chamber and Federation of Small Businesses
• Expansion into larger premises on the LUSEP campus in 2024
• Grants and training from growth programmes operated by Leicestershire Business Advice Service and AI+
• Incorporating the nCourage (Midlands) CIC spin-out social enterprise within the borough
• 1284's upcoming participation in Charnwood's new Business Board in 2025

"Events like these are a useful way of showing businesses what is available on their doorstep," George said after the event.

"The growth of 1284 and nCourage have been supported by virtue of accessing programmes and funding made available through our local council, college, university, and chamber of commerce.

"I spoke about being an active participant in local business - we were pleased to be invited to the event to share with others the benefits we've received from that participation."

1284 Communications has grown from a solo venture to employing four team members plus several freelance associates.

Its work tells the story of East Midlands innovation, using communications to support business growth, with expertise in communications planning, media relations, and development.

1284 Communications now provides B2B and G2B campaigns for innovative start-ups, high-growth SMEs, local authorities, and nonprofits across the Midlands.