BRITISH Indian Sanjeev Gupta's Liberty Engineering Group started construction of its £10 million global technology centre in Leamington Spa on Monday (25).
The state-of-the art 50,000 square feet centre will become the UK hub for Liberty’s research and development and engineering expertise when fully operational.
Located off Tachbrook Road, Leamington Spa, the new centre is expected to open in early 2020. It will house more than 100 highly-skilled technical professionals, including 40 new engineering posts that will be created by the investment.
The centre will also house Liberty’s vehicle technologies, 920Engineering (920E) and Shiftec businesses, known for their lightweight braking and control systems.
The company, which employs 5,000 in its UK industrial operations, is a Tier 1 supplier to several major automotive manufacturers domestically and overseas.
The new global technology centre is being built adjacent to the original plant as part of the third phase of the showpiece Spa Park being developed by Stoford Developments and Blackrock.
Executive chairman of the Liberty House Group and the GFG Alliance, Gupta said: “...this investment will put Liberty at the heart of automotive’s exciting evolution and deliver cutting edge innovations that builds on our status as a world-leading supplier in the sector.”
Anthony Blackwell, chief technology officer for Liberty Engineering, added: “This facility will help us to play a pivotal role in the next generation of vehicles, symbolically on a site that has had such a prominent and proud history in UK engineering...”
The flagship centre will support Liberty’s plans to grow its market share in the automotive and other sectors by providing solutions ranging from design and prototyping all the way to volume manufacturing.
Diwali celebration tomorrow kicks off business with ticketed workshops and networking.
Model taps into growing demand for inclusive, heritage-focused experiences.
Platform targets not just south Asians seeking cultural connection, but everyone.
Creating cultural belonging
Priyanka Patel, curator of The Empowered Desi, a new events platform for south Asians seeking cultural connection, is here with a Diwali celebration on Saturday (18) at Fargo Village in Coventry. The venture was born from personal experience – Patel felt "isolated and neglected" growing up without many south Asian friends. Spotting a gap in the market, she's now building a business around creating inclusive spaces for south Asians regardless of religious or regional background.
Diwali-themed , Paint N Sip event in Coventry marks the venture's next partnership with local business Sugar and Spice, Patel is offering a ticketed experience featuring diya decorating workshops, Indian grazing boards with chai, and jewellery stations where guests can take home jhumkas and bangles. The Diwali format combines cultural celebration with networking opportunities, with south Asian attire preferred.
Empowerment through experience
I couldn't talk about the festivals we celebrate, the type of Indian food we have, and also the clothes we wear for special occasions," Patel told BBC."I felt that I couldn't express my individuality, which in turn affected my confidence and self-worth." She realised that lack of cultural belonging represented an untapped market.
The business model centres on experiential events that blend tradition with social connection. The first workshop held on September (20) focused on bento cake decorating, a trendy format paired with south Asian networking. Patel aims for attendees to "feel empowered and inspired."
With South Asian Heritage Month highlighting the importance of cultural spaces, The Empowered Desi positions itself at the intersection of community building and commercial viability. Patel's betting that others share her experience and are willing to pay for a sense of belonging.
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