Pictured above: (l-r) Leader of Leicestershire County Council, Cllr David Parsons CBE, CC handed over the keys of Merus Court to EMB's Chief Executive Stephen Smith at an official opening ceremony on Thursday 21 October 2010

The new Leicester office of EMB Ltd, the enterprise and economic development company that delivers a range of business improvement services including Business Link, UK Trade & Investment and Leadership and Management training, has been officially opened in Leicestershire.

Leader of Leicestershire County Council, Cllr David Parsons CBE, CC handed over the keys of Merus Court to EMB's Chief Executive Stephen Smith at a ceremony on Thursday 21 October 2010.

Cllr Parsons said he was delighted that EMB had chosen to consolidate its position in Leicestershire. "As an organisation that operates in a number of counties, I am pleased that the team at EMB continues to feel that Leicestershire offers a flexible and accessible base from which to co-ordinate its activities.  Highly skilled, knowledge based business are vital to the future of the county"

Since 2007, EMB has achieved a 70% increase in business clients, being involved with over 100,000 in 2009-10. In that same year the regional Business Link service helped over 22,000 Leicestershire businesses and entrepreneurs to receive the help they needed to start, survive and grow. 

The organisation is recognised as one of the leading business improvement providers in the UK, with a number of external studies making particular note of EMB's cost efficiencies, direct business benefits and return on investment. 

The quality of organisation has recently been further reinforced with the award of the Investors in People Silver standard, an accolade achieved by only 400 companies in the country.

Merus Court provides EMB with 4,200 sq ft over two floors and is situated to provide good transport links to the surrounding areas as EMB's Stephen Smith explains. "Leicestershire has a vibrant economy and is a great place to be in business. We set a tough brief for the premises we required and Merus Court provides the ideal solution to our needs and those of our customers. It is easily accessible to clients, partners and advisers. 

Stephen continues, "We only moved in a short time ago and already people are saying how pleased they are with transport and parking provisions, journey times, and overall facilities such as meeting rooms and hot desks.

"The building is very energy efficient and we should be able to save around 25% on our fuel bills. Being at the heart of Meridian Business Park it also further endorses EMB's corporate business credentials."

EMB employs 270 people (80% of them working directly with companies at the front line).  A total of 55 local staff are based at Merus Court. Of these, 17 work in finance, HR or staff development, with the remainder being responsible for delivering such front line services as Business Link, UK Trade & Investment, Leadership and Management, Investor Development, plus an additional 70 other business improvement initiatives since 2007.