Successful business support scheme to be expanded

A leading business support scheme which helps innovative businesses access finance, mentoring, and more will continue after a contract award by Warwickshire County Council on behalf of Warwickshire’s six local authorities.

University of Warwick Science Park tendered successfully to extend and expand Business Ready, which helped create more than £19 million in value and 175 jobs for businesses in the county between 2016 and 2023 as part of the £4.6 million Business Growth Warwickshire Programme which is funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and Warwickshire County Council.

High-growth, innovative businesses in need of support will be referred to Business Ready through the programme, and will be provided with free, tailored advice, including access to sector-specific expertise, specialist mentors, advice around finance or grant funding, and dedicated business workshops.

The team of advisers at Business Ready has great expertise across most business disciplines. They have recently recruited and added to their resources to meet the needs of those areas where demand is greatest; particularly around marketing, tech, and e-commerce. The extended team of around 40 advisors is able to deliver informed, bespoke support to the businesses they work with.

Business Ready will be delivered by University of Warwick Science Park on behalf of Warwickshire County Council and Warwickshire’s five District and Borough Councils following a procurement exercise to appoint a specialist organisation to deliver a programme for high-growth businesses.

Cllr Martin Watson, Portfolio Holder for Economy at Warwickshire County Council, said: “We are delighted to be able to continue with the Business Ready programme and to expand its successful delivery model across the county.

“Many local businesses have benefited massively from the help provided by Business Ready advisers. This has led to growth and new jobs, helping to grow the regional economy, particularly in sectors that are crucial to our future which has a positive knock-on effect for everyone.”

Ian McFarlane-Toms, Business Ready Programme Manager, said: “It’s great news that Business Ready, which achieved so much success over the last eight years, is being brought back as part of the Business Growth Warwickshire Programme.

“It is rare to find a business support scheme like Business Ready which offers longer-term, fully-funded, tailored advice to individual businesses.

“We’re really looking forward to helping more forward-thinking Warwickshire businesses take the next step in their growth once again, and we’re confident we can bring similar levels of success to those that come through the scheme.”

The Business Growth Warwickshire Programme, developed and commissioned jointly by Warwickshire County Council, North Warwickshire Borough Council, Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council, Rugby Borough Council, Stratford-on-Avon District Council and Warwick District Council, is designed to engage with over 2,000 businesses, more than 500 of which will receive intensive, bespoke support.

The programme, funded by the UK Government (through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund via the five District and Borough councils) and £500,000 from Warwickshire County Council, will play a major role in strengthening small and medium sized businesses across Warwickshire in the short to medium term.

To find out more, please visit www.business-ready.co.uk.

Find out what other support is available to your business by calling Coventry and Warwickshire Growth Hub on 0300 060 3747.

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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.

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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.

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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,

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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.

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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

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Comrie Leisure Limited,