Category: Success Stories

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Colchester Institute Celebrates Outstanding Apprenticeship Achievement Rates

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Colchester Institute is celebrating a fantastic set of apprenticeship results for 2024/25, achieving an impressive 72.9% apprenticeship achievement rate. This means nearly three-quarters of apprentices successfully completed their apprenticeship programme, placing Colchester Institute 7.5% above the national average and marks an 8.1% improvement on last year’s performance.

Colchester Institute also recorded outstanding results across several individual subject areas including Construction, Engineering, and Mechanical and Electrical Services. Most notably, the Plumbing and Domestic Heating Technician apprenticeship achieved the highest outcomes in the country, with a 90.3% achievement rate, significantly outperforming the national average of 44.2%.

These achievements mean the College is now ranked 6th nationally among large FE colleges for apprenticeship achievement, a significant milestone for the region.

Image credit: Colchester Institute

Read more: Outstanding Apprenticeship Achievement Rates – Colchester Institute

View of Firstsite gallery from the air

Colchester arts venues awarded £1.5m from Arts Council England

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Colchester venues have received a £1.5m government boost for the arts from the government as part of a £127.8m package from the Creative Foundations Fund to address urgent infrastructure needs and the Museum Estate and Development fund to help museums undertake vital infrastructure works and improve the visitor experience.

Firstsite has received the most money out of any Colchester organisation securing £995,000 in capital investment from Arts Council England.

Stagetext, based at the Mercury Theatre, has also been awarded £183,356 to continue its work making culture accessible and Colchester Museums’ Natural History Museum has been given £499,477.

Image credit: Colchester City Council

Read more: https://www.gazette-news.co.uk/news/26019823.colchesters-firstsite-reveals-plans-995k-funding/

Colchester Institute's Alison Andreas, Principal and Chief Executive with Mark Emerson, Vice Principal, Curriculum Innovation and Transformation

Colchester Institute designated a Clean Energy Technical Excellence College (CETEC)

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Colchester Institute has been given a share of £175m by the Government to transform it into a centre of technical excellence.

The government has awarded the Technical Excellence Colleges (TECs) status to 19 new colleges across the country but Colchester Institute is one of only five colleges to receive clean energy designation.

The funding aims to help deliver high-quality training in the sectors driving Britain’s growth such as advanced manufacturing, clean energy and defence, as well as digital and technologies.

Picture credit:  Colchester Institute

More follows: https://www.gazette-news.co.uk/news/26018112.colchester-institute-technical-excellence-college/

 

 

Colchester recognised as a City of Sanctuary

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Colchester City Council has been officially recognised as a Council of Sanctuary by the City of Sanctuary Local Authority Network. This recognises the council’s commitment to fostering a culture of welcome, inclusion, and integration support for people seeking sanctuary.

Colchester has a history of providing support to people seeking safety from conflict and persecution. Today, the city is home to a range of communities who play a valued role in local life.

Read more … https://tinyurl.com/3xesy33d

CBC null Colchester awarded City of Sanctuary status City20Sanctuary700
Image credit: Colchester City Council

 

University of Essex in UK top 20 for driving innovation in business

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The University of Essex is once again in the UK top 20 for using research to drive innovation in businesses, charities and public services.

Essex became the first higher education institution in England to work on 50 active Knowledge Transfer Partnerships. It also celebrated success in the UKRI AI & Robotics Awards, where the team won the Best Demonstration Award after showcasing their work to revolutionise the agriculture sector by applying their expertise in robotics and AI.  In a demonstration of its breadth of scope it also held an AI Summit for a variety of public services.

Essex is one of the very best for knowledge exchange | University of Essex

University of Essex 12th in UK and ahead of many Russell Group Universities

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The University of Essex has moved up to 12th place in the latest Guardian University Guide – its highest ranking ever.

Ranking 1st for Drama in the Guardian University Guide 2026, Essex is also in the top 10 for many other subjects, including 3rd for anatomy and physiology, 6th for biology, 6th for nursing, 6th for mathematics and 10th for sports science.

In addition, Essex is in the UK top 10 for three social science subjects – criminology, economics and international relations, which are all 9th in the guide.

The overall ranking of 12th means Essex is ahead of many Russell Group universities and second in the East of England, only behind the University of Cambridge.

University of Essex 12th in Guardian University Guide 2026 | University of Essex

Colchester-based Ovivo wins multi-million Pound Contract with Sizewell C

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Ovivo UK, based in Colchester, is the latest company in the region to have been awarded a multi-million Pound contract on the Sizewell C project in East Suffolk.

The company designs and manufactures water filtration technology which is being commissioned at the Hinkley Point nuclear power station in Somerset.

This significant contract marks a transformative chapter for Ovivo and will create new local jobs.

https://www.sizewellc.com/news-views/ovivo-uk-is-latest-east-of-england-business-to-secure-contract/

 

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The Gateway to Growth – Make North Essex the home for your business

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Why North Essex is the Perfect Place to Call Home for Your Business | Gateway to Growth Looking for the ideal location to grow your business?

Discover why North Essex is the Gateway to Growth – where innovation thrives, talent is abundant, and sustainability is at the heart of progress. Whether you’re a startup, a scaling enterprise, or an established brand, North Essex offers everything you need to succeed:

    • A skilled and dynamic workforce
    • Cutting-edge innovation hubs
    • Robust business support networks
    • A strong focus on the green economy and sustainable development

 

From coastal towns to countryside innovation parks, North Essex provides the perfect blend of lifestyle and business opportunity. It’s not just a place to work – it’s a place to thrive.

Call North Essex home and watch your business grow, and build your future in a region that’s as forward-thinking as you are.

https://www.neeb.org.uk/ 

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Fairfields Farm Crisps – Sustainable Innovation in Snack Production

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Business Name: Fairfields Farm Crisps
Sector: Food & Drink / Agri-Food Manufacturing
Location: Wormingford, near Colchester, Essex
Innovation/Investment:
In 2024, Fairfields Farm invested over £2 million in its Wormingford facility just outside Colchester, including the installation of a state-of-the-art fryer. This upgrade increased weekly crisp production by 90%, meeting growing consumer demand and enhancing product quality.
What They Did:
As a family-run farm, Fairfields grows its own potatoes and hand-cooks crisps on-site. The recent investment modernized their production capabilities, supporting both branded and private label growth strategies.
Why It Matters:
The company’s commitment to sustainability includes generating energy through anaerobic digestion and solar power, reducing carbon emissions by over 21,000 kg annually. Fairfields also maintains over 10% of its land as wild bird habitats and has implemented water management systems to store excess water for summer use.
Key Partners:
  • East of England Co-op
  • European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development
Outcomes So Far:
  • Achieved a 56% increase in turnover between 2022 and 2023.
  • Expanded product range with limited-edition flavors like Chorizo & Red Wine.
  • Received the Silver Award from the Suffolk Carbon Charter for sustainable practices.
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Arma Karma – Ethical Insurtech Disruptor

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Sector: Insurtech / Digital Services
Innovation/Investment:
Arma Karma offers a flexible, subscription-based insurance model tailored for renters, allowing users to insure up to five personal items with ease. Distinguishing itself with a strong ethical stance, the company donates 25% of its commission to partner charities such as YoungMinds and ShelterBox. Recognized for its innovation, Arma Karma was acquired by Bspoke Insurance Group in 2025, aiming to broaden its impact in the digital insurance sector.
What They Did:
Founded by University of Essex alumni Ben Smyth and Chris Frogner, Arma Karma launched in 2021 to address the gap in contents insurance for renters. The company developed a user-friendly platform that allows subscribers to insure personal items like phones, laptops, and musical instruments on a monthly basis. The service includes coverage for loss, theft, and damage, both at home and abroad.
Why It Matters:
Arma Karma’s approach simplifies insurance for a demographic often overlooked by traditional providers. By integrating charitable giving into its business model, the company appeals to socially conscious consumers. Its acquisition by Bspoke Group indicates the scalability and appeal of its innovative model.
Key Partners:
Outcomes So Far:
  • Secured £1.5 million in funding from angel investors in 2022.
  • Won “Young Achiever of the Year” at the 2022 British Insurance Awards.
  • Achieved B Corp certification, emphasizing its commitment to social and environmental performance.
  • Acquired by Bspoke Group in 2025 to expand its reach and capabilities.