Author: Paul McGinnity

CEME one of the Best Places to Work 2026

A picture of the deck at CEME campus with the Sunday Times Best Places to Work 2026 logo super imposed over the top.

We’re proud to share that CEME has been named in The Sunday Times’ Best Places to Work 2026, earning a place among the 195 Best Small Places to Work in the UK.

The recognition reflects our commitment to creating a positive, inclusive and supportive workplace culture where people can thrive, collaborate and make a meaningful impact.

As we continue to grow our work supporting innovation, skills and regional development, this achievement highlights the importance we place on our people and the culture that underpins everything we do. Find out more about CEME, our work and our values in the About CEME section of this site.

A huge thank you to every member of the CEME team for making this possible.

A team of three women work at a modern office space with dual monitors.

Congratulations to CEME-based H2CHP

The team from H2CHP with their invention in a work space at CEME.

We’re delighted to see H2CHP, a Durham University spinout and CEME-based business, secure £1.5 million in funding to scale its clean energy technology.

At CEME, we’re proud to support innovative companies like H2CHP as they grow, providing not just space, but an ecosystem for scale‑up, collaboration and innovation.

Their success highlights what’s possible when cutting‑edge ideas are matched with the right environment to develop, test and commercialise.

H2CHP is developing next-generation distributed electric generators for use in data centres, ports, construction, back-up power and microgrid development.

Its fuel-flexible technology means the high-efficiency generators can be run on hydrogen, ammonia, biofuels and e-fuels. Crucially, this helps mitigate supply-chain risk, cut carbon emissions and improve performance. In doing so, the company aims to disrupt the multi-billion-dollar global generator market, aided by rising pressure to reduce emissions and persistent grid reliability challenges.

Stephen Hampson, Co-Founder of H2CHP, said: “This support is an important step for H2CHP as we continue to develop and demonstrate our free-piston linear generator technology. We believe there is a major opportunity for high-efficiency, low-emission and fuel-flexible local power generation in applications such as microgrids, EV charging, ports and data centres, where resilience, cost and decarbonisation all matter.”

At CEME, as we continue to build our role as a hub for green tech and low‑carbon innovation, we’re keen to support more start-ups and scaleups working on solutions for the future economy.

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Join our Business Growth Academy

Businesses grow four times faster at CEME compared to the UK average. That’s because we give you more than space. We give you the support, resources and inspiration you need to thrive. 

Hughes & Associates joins CEME campus

The Hughes & Associates logo is superimposed over a blurry image of the CEME campus.

CEME is delighted to welcome Hughes & Associates Property Services Ltd as the newest tenant on site.

Hughes & Associates is a RICS‑regulated commercial chartered surveying practice, providing a comprehensive range of consultancy, contracting and compliance services across the UK, with particular expertise in building consultancy, fire risk management and project management. The company helps clients understand and manage risk, maintain and improve their assets and deliver projects efficiently and compliantly.

The onboarding of Hughes & Associates will be overseen by Mujahid Rasheed, Business Growth Director at CEME, and marks another positive step in the growth of the campus community.

CEME continues to attract businesses looking for flexible workspace in a collaborative environment that supports productivity and expansion.

“We’re thrilled to welcome Hughes & Associates to CEME,” said Mujahid. “Their expertise in surveying, compliance and asset management will add excellent skill-set diversity to our campus. We are committed to supporting their growth and success here at CEME.”

Hughes & Associates said: “We’re delighted to open our new office at CEME as we continue to grow our presence across Greater London and the surrounding counties. This move reflects our commitment to supporting expanding projects in the region and fostering closer collaboration with our clients and partners. CEME’s innovative and dynamic environment makes it the perfect base for our next stage of growth.”

The company’s arrival reflects continued confidence in CEME as a destination for growing professional services and offers tenants access to quality space, business support and connections within a thriving campus ecosystem.

An aerial view of the CEME campus with The Sunday Times Best Places to Work 2025 small organisation logo placed over

CEME to install 20 EV charging stations

A row of new white EV charging stations in an outdoor carpark.

CEME has secured a major boost to its sustainability and tenant services with the announcement of a new partnership with Blink Charging, backed by a UK Government EV infrastructure grant covering 75 per cent of installation costs.

The initiative will see 20 EV charging stations installed on the CEME campus.

Over the next few weeks, a feasibility study will explore optimal locations, technical requirements and projected usage for the new charging stations. Once completed, the network of chargers will provide tenants, visitors and staff with convenient electric vehicle charging and create a modest income stream for CEME.

The project is being delivered in collaboration with Blink Charging, a leading provider of EV charging infrastructure, which has been recommended by CEME’s EV car supplier, Octopus.

Ben Houheche, CEME Finance Director, said the project was a timely investment in both environmental infrastructure and tenant experience: “We’re delighted to be moving forward with this EV charging project. The grant support has made this possible and working with Blink Charge means we’re confident in delivering a state-of-the-art network that meets real user needs.”

With the UK aiming to rapidly increase the number of EV chargers nationwide to support the transition to electric vehicles, local infrastructure investments such as CEME’s reflect a growing market trend of workplace and community charging deployment.

“Our tenants and visitors increasingly expect EV charging as part of modern infrastructure. This scheme not only reduces barriers to electric vehicle ownership but also offers a new revenue stream for CEME and enhances the overall sustainability of our campus,” added Ben.

Photo: Irene Miller / Shutterstock.com

A successful Hydrogen Summit 2025!

A wide shot of a conference panel discussion taking place in a brightly lit room with large windows. Five speakers (mostly women) are seated on stage facing an audience seated in rows of chairs. A digital screen on the right displays text about "Developing Green Skills" for the Hydrogen economy.

CEME’s landmark Hydrogen Summit 2025 brought together industry leaders, innovators, academics and policymakers from across the UK to explore how regional initiatives are shaping the future of hydrogen.

With the theme ‘Learning from regional developments’, the summit took place on 27 November at CEME and aimed to foster collaboration, share regional success stories and identify practical steps for scaling hydrogen adoption.

The summit opened with remarks from CEME CEO Noorzaman Rashid and Margaret Mullane, MP for Dagenham and Rainham, who emphasised the importance of regional collaboration and innovation in achieving the UK’s hydrogen ambitions. They highlighted hydrogen’s potential to drive economic growth, create jobs, and support the UK’s net-zero targets.

Kate Willard OBE, Chair of the Thames Estuary Growth Board, underscored the importance of regional leadership in driving hydrogen adoption. She highlighted how local clusters can act as catalysts for innovation and investment, ensuring that hydrogen strategies are tailored to regional strengths and opportunities.

Martin McCluskey MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State in the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, delivered the keynote address, reinforcing the government’s commitment to hydrogen as a cornerstone of the UK’s net-zero strategy. He stressed the need for policy stability, infrastructure investment and strong industry partnerships to accelerate adoption.

The summit concluded with a call to action: sustained collaboration, investment and skills development are essential to realising the UK’s hydrogen ambitions. Attendees left with renewed commitment to driving innovation and building a resilient hydrogen economy.

Learning from regional developments in hydrogen

A poster for the CEME Hydrogen Summit 2025

In advance of CEME’s landmark Hydrogen Summit 2025, taking place on Thursday 27 November, we are delighted to have produced our Learning from regional developments digital magazine.

The summit will bring together industry leaders, innovators, academics and policymakers from across the UK to explore how regional initiatives are shaping the future of hydrogen. 

The UK’s hydrogen transition is no longer a distant ambition – it is taking shape region by region, through projects that combine innovation, collaboration and a deep understanding of local strengths.

Noorzaman Rashid, Chief Executive, CEME said: “Across the country, we are seeing pioneering work in every corner – from universities driving research excellence to businesses creating the technologies and skills that will power a net zero future. 

“The challenge now is to connect these efforts, share lessons and accelerate the pace of delivery. At CEME, our role is to help make those connections happen.”

This publication brings together perspectives from some of the organisations leading the way: Brunel University of London, NOCN Group, Verciti, Thames Estuary Growth Board, University of Lincoln and the Humber Industrial Cluster, Calgary Economic Development, Learning and Skills for Business and Delta H. 

Essential FREE guide to net zero for SMEs

A reader views the cover of our recent eBook on their tablet device.

Climate change, rising energy costs, tighter supply chains and new sustainability standards are making net zero more than just a “nice to have” – for many smaller businesses, it’s becoming essential.

That’s why we’ve launched our new guide, Net zero for SMEs, created by CEME to help small and medium-sized enterprises understand what becoming greener means in practice, and how to take simple, effective steps to get there.

SMEs are the backbone of the UK economy and they have a crucial role to play in the transition to a low-carbon future. But they also face unique challenges – from limited time and resources to balancing sustainability goals with day-to-day operations.

Our free guide offers practical, straightforward advice to help SMEs cut emissions, reduce energy costs and build more resilient, future-ready businesses.

The guide explores:

  • Why net zero matters for smaller businesses and how it drives competitiveness and growth.
  • How to measure and manage emissions, including tips and free tools for energy and carbon tracking.
  • Practical steps such as improving energy efficiency, switching to renewables, reducing waste and engaging suppliers.
  • Funding and support available to UK SMEs from government and industry programmes.
  • CEME’s own sustainability journey, including the installation of solar panels on our main campus and the creation of our Green Tech Hub.

At CEME, we’re committed to becoming a greener, more sustainable innovation campus. We’re reducing our energy use, expanding renewable generation and enhancing biodiversity across our site.

CEME CEO Noorzaman Rashid said: “At CEME, we see first-hand the drive, ambition and innovation that small and medium-sized enterprises bring to the economy. These businesses are the engine of growth in the UK – and they have a crucial role to play in the transition to a greener future.

“Net zero isn’t just a target for governments and large corporations. It matters to SMEs because the world is shifting fast… Net zero matters because the future of business depends on it. For SMEs, the time to act is now – and we’re here to help.”

Working in collaboration

The CEME and NOCN Group logos super imposed over a group of people putting their hands together in a teamwork pose.

CEME is proud to announce a landmark partnership with NOCN Group, one of the UK’s leading skills and education charities. 

This strategic partnership marks a powerful alignment of purpose – to equip individuals, businesses and communities with the skills needed to thrive in a rapidly evolving, green-driven economy.

This partnership opens doors to:

  • Tailored training programmes aligned with real-world employer needs
  • Access to NOCN-accredited qualifications and apprenticeships 
  • Collaborative innovation projects in green tech and sustainable infrastructure 
  • Networking with national thought leaders and industry pioneers
  • A stronger voice in shaping the UK’s skills system for a net zero future.

NOCN is also the headline sponsor for CEME’s forthcoming Hydrogen Summit 2025!

Nicola Hollands, CEME Head of Partnerships, Skills and Training, said: “This partnership brings significant value to CEME and our local community of micro, small and medium sized enterprises in specific area of skills development, green technology and sustainable growth.”

Celebrating local excellence at the Havering Small Business Awards!

A group picture of the evening's winners.

CEME was proud to be a sponsor at this year’s Havering Small Business Awards, recognising and celebrating the incredible businesses and community organisations who are making a difference.

CEME CEO Noorzaman Rashid had the honour of presenting two awards on the night:

CEME's Noorzaman Rashid presents Quantum Group's Maria Gonella with their award.

Best Sustainable Business: awarded to Quantum Group for its commitment to driving sustainable innovation.

Noorzaman presents Thames Chase Community Trust with their award.

Best Social Enterprise: awarded to the Thames Chase Trust Community Forest for their inspiring work in protecting green spaces and engaging the community.

The fourth annual Havering Small Business Awards, run by Havering Council, was held on Wednesday 24 September 2025 at Lumiere Romford, Mercury Mall, Romford, and was hosted by Mark Dover from Nation Radio London.

Congratulations to all the winners and finalists!

At CEME, we’re passionate about supporting enterprise, innovation and community impact. It was inspiring to see so many local organisations leading the way.

Access our FREE guide to cyber security

A person starts to read the CEME Cyber Security eBook on their tablet device. Text in the top right reads 'Explore why cyber security must be a strategic priority for SMEs with CEME's new guide, Cyber security for SMEs'.

Around 43% of businesses experienced a cyber security breach or attack in the past year, often coming at a cost of thousands of pounds, according to the Cyber Security Breaches Survey 2025.

SMEs can be particularly vulnerable to cyber attacks that disrupt operations, compromise sensitive data and damage customer trust.

Explore why cyber security must be a strategic priority for SMEs with CEME’s new guide, Cyber security for SMEs.

Produced in partnership with award-winning risk management firm Risk Evolves, the free guide offers practical advice on risk mitigation and the steps smaller businesses can take to protect themselves.

Cover of the cyber security guide featuring a man in a control or security room on a telephone call.
The guide is an invaluable resource for all SMEs.

CEME CEO Noorzaman Rashid said: “Cyber security is often viewed as a challenge for large corporations, but the reality is that small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are increasingly in the crosshairs of cyber criminals. With fewer resources and, in many cases, limited in-house expertise, SMEs can be particularly vulnerable to cyber attacks that disrupt operations, compromise sensitive data and damage customer trust.

“At CEME, we support businesses to innovate, grow and adopt new technologies, but we know that true progress is only possible when it is underpinned by resilience. Cyber resilience is no longer a ‘nice to have’; it is essential for long-term sustainability and success.

“This short publication explores why cyber security must be a strategic priority for SMEs. It outlines the evolving threat landscape, offers practical advice on risk mitigation, and highlights the steps smaller businesses can take to protect themselves – often without the need for major investment.”