From pre-start to established businesses, New Anglia Growth Hub’s team of 10 business advisers have given 20,000 hours of their time to guide ambitious business owners to sources of funding, grants and services to enable expansion.
The Hub was set up in June 2014 by the LEP, as a one-stop-shop for business support. To date, it has engaged with nearly 5,000 businesses across Norfolk and Suffolk as well as individuals looking for help to start-up.
Suffolk Chamber of Commerce run the contract to deliver the Hub, on behalf of the LEP. John Dugmore, Chief Executive said: “The team has recorded an impressive number of hours between them and the service they offer is of the highest standard. To further ensure we are providing the most effective advice and support to local businesses, all advisers are working towards their Level 7 Diploma in Professional Business and Enterprise Support – nationally recognised by the Secretary of State for the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills.
“With the excellent support of our colleagues at the New Anglia LEP, we look forward to continuing to provide the local business community with this successful and much needed service in 2016.”
Chris Starkie, managing director of New Anglia LEP said: “We set up the Growth Hub following significant demand for guidance from local businesses on how to navigate through the complex opportunities for funding and support. Our primary goal has always been to ensure business owners have access to a straightforward and professional service, regardless of size, industry or stage of development.”
Growth Hubs are a core part of Government’s plan to support businesses, with the closure of the national Business Growth Service (incorporating the Manufacturing Advisory Service and Growth Accelerator), New Anglia Growth Hub is now the primary gateway for business support across Suffolk and Norfolk.
Anna Soubry, Minister for Small Business, said: “Where taxpayers’ money is used to provide support, this is best done at the local level which is why we’re providing further funding to Growth Hubs and away from Whitehall.”