Sage SME Pulse: East Midlands SMEs outpace the UK, offering a blueprint for regional growth
East Midlands small businesses achieved 18.8% profit growth in Q2 2026, more than three times the UK average of 5.3%, with Derby ranking first nationally for revenue growth at 39.1% over two years. The region's success is attributed to local leadership, government investment (£10 million Team Derby programme), private-sector support from companies like Rolls-Royce, and increasing AI adoption among businesses.