New peer networking initiative unveiled at major Coventry and Warwickshire event

Plans for a new peer networking initiative which will support businesses in Coventry and Warwickshire have been unveiled at a major regional networking event.

Coventry and Warwickshire Champions, which is part of the CW Growth Hub Group, held its first bi-monthly meeting of the year at Warwick Trident College, which is part of WCG (Warwickshire College Group).

More than 140 delegates attended the breakfast meeting and heard from a programme of speakers, including Craig Humphrey, CEO of the Coventry and Warwickshire Growth Hub, who introduced the new initiative being launched under Scale Up CW.

Scale Up CW aims to boost businesses seeking to grow through a range of peer learning opportunities, including facilitated networking events, roundtable discussions to address business challenges and opportunities, expert-led workshops on topics such as tax, and also events with motivational and industry-leading speakers.

Craig said: “Scaleups contribute £1.3 trillion to the UK economy every year. We want Coventry and Warwickshire to be the ideal location to start and scale a business.

“Scale Up CW will seek to support people across the region to take their business to the next level and continue their growth trajectory.

“Coventry and Warwickshire Champions attracts many of the most innovative businesses in the area and it marked the perfect opportunity to reveal the initiative.”

The meeting was hosted by Adam Dent, a consultant for PR agency PLMR Advent, and Daniel Szor, founder of Cotswold Distillery, was the first speaker on the morning.

Daniel discussed his journey from a 26-year career with a major hedge fund in New York to setting up the distillery in 2014 near Shipston-on-Stour, Warwickshire.

Cotswold Distillery now exports to more than 40 countries, is England’s largest whisky producer and saw Berry Bros & Rudd acquire a minority stake last year.

Peter Husband, interim CEO and Principal at WCG, spoke at the event about the role the college group has in providing a pipeline of skilled talent to support businesses in Coventry and Warwickshire.

He also highlighted how the college delivers more than 2,000 apprenticeships, across over 60 occupations, and how Warwick Trident College is at the heart of its engineering apprenticeship delivery.

The event closed with a presentation from Oliver Boakes, Chief Engineer at Jaguar Land Rover, to discuss the company’s Reimagine strategy and how sustainability sits at its core.

Oliver discussed how the company is reimagining its product portfolio and opening the Future Lab, a £250 million state-of-the-art electric vehicle test facility at the engineering centre in Whitley, Coventry.

Nic Erskine, Executive Director of CW Champions, said: “This was another fantastic Champions event. The room was full and it was a great opportunity for businesses from across the region to catch-up for the first time this year.

“As always, we were pleased to be able to put on a wide array of speakers, touching a range of key sectors in our regional economy, including engineering, education and tourism.

“This marked a great start to a big year for Champions, as we continue to expand our proposition as part of CW Growth Hub Group.”

For more information on joining Coventry & Warwickshire Champions, email nic.erskine@cwgrowthhub.co.uk

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Nuneaton Roof Truss,

Over the past few years, Armstrongs has built up a fantastic relationship with Gary Thyeson from the Growth Hub. His advice on grants and funding has been really valuable to both Armstrongs and some of our clients. His knowledge of local business support has been helpful in signposting us to relevant support agencies as required. We look forward to working with Laura Delahunty moving forwards.

Armstrongs Accountancy LTD,

In the short time since first engaging with the Warwickshire Growth Hub we feel that Laura has understood our vision and has been so very supportive in linking us to the specialist teams who are now supporting us with training, finance and recruitment. A great service that every growing organisation should connect with

MES Systems Limited,

I have had an excellent experience working with Laura from the Growth Hub, from day one, she was taking detailed attention to my concerns and ideas. She was able to put me in contact with different organisations and people to find out answers to my questions and help me to solve some inquiries I was having. I feel this support definitely had a positive impact in my plans.

PALACIOS LTD,

It’s been a fantastic inaugural eight months for the TalentTech Recruitment team and, although the reality of setting up and running a company can be a somewhat daunting experience, we have been extremely grateful for the superb help, advice and guidance given to us along our journey by Gavin Barnett and the team at CW Growth Hub. Gavin’s introductions to both Warwick & Coventry Universities and his wider business network have been absolutely invaluable.

TalentTech Recruitment LTD,

For many individuals out there, it is very hard to figure out ways and know which direction to go when it comes to setting up a business. The challenges of taking your idea and bringing it to life and not knowing where to go and who to speak to for advice. it can get very frustrating..

King of Saffron LTD,

This grant [which we received with the help of the Growth Hub and Coventry City Council] will really help us get on track for business growth and succeed with our vision. Personally, I would also like to thank the team for supporting me through the grant application process. You have been very approachable and attentive throughout.

Exeter Analytical (UK) Limited,

Thank you for the comprehensive and professional guidance

Burbidge & Son Ltd,

Over the years since the Growth Hub was set up we have habitually gone to our Account Manager as a one-stop shop for all business-related information. It has been a really convenient way of finding suppliers, advisors and, on one occasion, we even asked for assistance with finding customers. We are invited to a wide range of business events including business development workshops, Brexit roundtable discussions, seminars on various topics and have also been asked to speak at some events. When we have needed additional information, for example, finding finance sources or help with selecti

Marchantcain Design Limited,

Thanks to CW Growth hub getting us access to grant funding we have been able to invest in the latest computer monitoring system, which will enable us to compete with the national companies within our industry.

Comrie Leisure Limited,