Business Advantage 13

incorporating: propertyadvantage

businessadvantage

Issue 13

It’s good to talk Focus on the new service provided by Business Link West Midlands

T h e b u s i n e s s m a g a z i n e f r o m A d v a n t a g e We s t M i d l a n d s

The Regional Development Agency (RDA) for the West Midlands Region

businessadvantage The business magazine from Advantage West Midlands

Nick Paul Chairman of Advantage West Midlands

Business Link West Midlands A new era in business support 0845 113 1234 – the only number you need Minority ethnic enterprise

Cover Shot:

Women in enterprise

Glenda McAvinue, a regional information officer at Business Link West Midlands

Young people in enterprise The specialist manufacturing brokerage Finance for enterprise

businessadvantage

Learning & Skills Council’s Train to Gain

3 Priestley Wharf, Holt Street,

Sustainable development

Aston Science Park,

how it can make you money

Birmingham B7 4BN, United Kingdom

Access to finance Investing in innovation

CONTACT

Investbx gets green light Phil Brown Tel: +44 (0) 121 380 3500

Science City

Email: philbrown@advantagewm.co.uk

Establishing a knowledge base economy

Wolverhampton University

PUBLISHERS Open Box Publishing Limited

Links with Business

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32–35 Hall Street, Birmingham M18 6BS

Staffordshire University

Tel: +44 (0) 121 608 2300 Email: stuart.walters@openboxpublishing.co.uk

Positive changes for the region

Email: sam.skiller@openboxpublishing.co.uk Design: Paul Roebuck, Open Box Publishing

London 2012 Olympics £30 billion of business opportunities

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SALES

Working for you

Open Box Publishing Limited Tel: +44 (0) 121 608 2300

Advantage West Midlands

Email: businessadvantage@openboxpublishing.co.uk

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The publishers wish to emphasise that the opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect the policies of Advantage West Midlands. Open Box Publishing Limited and Advantage West Midlands accept no responsibility for views expressed by contributors.

Text-only versions of this publication can be provided on request in large print, Braille and other languages.

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ENTERPRISE • INNOVATION • SKILLS • ECONOMIC ACTIVITY • QUALITY OF LIFE • INFRASTRUCTURE

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A turning point in the region’s economic fortunes

Welcome to the Spring 2007 edition of Business Advantage.

In April, more than two years of intensive preparation, planning and hard work reached fruition when the new Business Link West Midlands service started operations.

This, I believe, will mark a major turning point in the economic performance of our region and it is fitting that business support is the theme of this edition of Business Advantage.

These are exciting times for business support and it is worth reminding ourselves how we got to where we are now.

Back in 2005, the Government took the decision to transfer responsibility for the Business Links from the DTI’s Small Business Service to the regional development agencies.

This gave us the chance to really listen to the voice of business in our region, to ask them what they wanted from Business Link and the support offered through the service.

Through the West Midlands Enterprise Board, we did exactly that, consulting with representative groups, such as the CBI, Engineering Employers Federation, Federation of Small Businesses and the West Midlands Business Council about their members’ needs and aspirations, everybody sensing that this was a one-off chance to change forever the way business support was delivered. The message came back

loud and clear.

Businesses wanted to see a regionally consistent service focused on regional priorities and equipped with experienced and skilled advisors who can add value to companies’ bottom-line – and therefore to the region’s GDP.

Nick Paul Chairman of Advantage West Midlands

And they wanted to see a reduction in the vast number of confusing and duplicative schemes, initiatives and funds that

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have all the right intentions but generally serve only to push businesses away from accessing the support available.

Quite simply, a company, wherever they might be in the region, whatever their size, whatever their sector and whatever their need, must be able to pick up a phone or log onto a website and be able to access quality advice and support.

If this was just to access advice on an issue such as tax returns or health and safety legislation then this information had to be quickly and easily accessible.

But if they needed an advisor to come and spend time with them and work on making improvements to the way the company operated, then they needed to have the faith in the fact that this would also be available and of the highest quality.

The new service will increase the number of companies each year that get in-depth support from a business advisor from around 6,000 currently to 18,000 by 2010 as a result of greater investment in front-line services.

Indeed, we forecast that the new service will generate £400 million by 2010 towards the bridging of this productivity gap.

As with most things worth doing, the road to the launch of the new service has not always been a smooth one and, as with any restructuring exercise of its type – and I have been through several in my time – this has not been without its fair share of challenges.

While we were not exactly reinventing the wheel, we were making significant and beneficial changes to the structure and focus of the service.

Earlier this year, the National Audit Office published its first independent assessment of the Agency’s performance.

Naturally, as a result of the reorganisation, we expect to see significant benefits for the region.

The focus on skills development, manufacturing and enterprise as key components of the new service – all in line with our regional priorities and featured in this issue – will help us make strides towards closing the £10 billion productivity gap faced by the West Midlands.

It’s probably fair to say that – at first at least – the move from five sub-regional Business Links to a regionally-managed and locallydelivered service was not an entirely popular one with those with vested interests in maintaining the status quo.

Doing nothing was the easy option, but was not the one that the West Midlands’ businesses deserved.

Aside from awarding Advantage West Midlands the highest possible ranking, it also underlined the support the region’s business community has for our efforts in transforming business support.

And the launch of Business Link West Midlands will be the first step towards the reduction of the number of projects offering business support, replaced by more targeted and relevant support.

Transforming and simplifying business support is, I believe the one single thing that we can do that will make a massive difference to our region.

I believe it will leave a legacy that we can be especially proud of and, when we look back in ten years time, I am convinced we will recognise our decisive action in making the changes that we did as a turning point in our region’s economic fortunes.

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Business Link West Midlands –

a new era in business support

The evolution of the West Midlands economy is gathering pace and with it comes an urgent need for local companies to work smarter and become more competitive in the pursuit of domestic and international growth.

Akin to this new desire is the urgent need to create a climate that encourages enterprise, attracts inward investment and supplements the physical regeneration taking place.

In fact, it would be fair to say that the region's business community has never faced so many challenges and opportunities, as it looks to strengthen traditional industries and cultivate emerging sectors that will be crucial to future employment markets.

At the heart of this approach will be Business Link West Midlands, the new organisation formed by Advantage West Midlands in response to these challenges and opportunities following extensive consultation with the region's business community.

Business Link West Midlands is responsible for providing the information, advice and support needed to start, maintain and grow a business. The new regional service replaces the five individual operations previously in place and is immediately giving individuals and companies a single access point for all business and skills advice.

This provides easy access to a wide range of high quality support services, information that is tailored to specific customer needs

“

By 2010, this means that over 70,000 businesses every year will be helped with basic information, with a further 16,000 receiving intensive support from experienced advisers.

Tony Lucas

”

and advisers who are selected because of their expertise and experience.

“The West Midlands currently suffers from low enterprise rates and underperformance in productivity, two challenges that equate to a £10 billion productivity gap,” explained Tony Lucas, Chief Executive of the Gateway, part of Business Link West Midlands.

“These facts were the driving force behind the transformation of the original Business Link service and have been fundamental in helping us shape the new offer that looks at placing the customer at the centre of every aspect of our service, from the minute the first phone call is made to when intensive support is delivered.

“There are so many different organisations out there, so one of the key considerations was to develop a regional gateway that could identify the most appropriate source of help

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for businesses. We also wanted to make sure the support was more in-depth and responded to the demand for specialist manufacturing, enterprise and skills support.”

With this in mind, there will now be greater collaboration with the Manufacturing Advisory Service – West Midlands and the Learning and Skills Council's 'Train to Gain' programme, which is aimed at improving the skills of the region's workforce.

The enterprise offer has also been developed so that it provides more advice to people thinking of starting a business, greater access to specialist expertise and increased engagement in the target areas of women, young people, ethnic minority groups and social enterprise.

“In layman's terms, the vision is simple. We want to give everyone in the region who is serious about starting a business the chance to do so; we want to help 75% of start-ups survive and we want to make businesses at least five per cent more productive. There is also a real desire to give every entrepreneur the skills needed to achieve these goals,” added Tony.

This level of support is expected to generate a £400 million improvement to the economic performance of the West Midlands.

The first point of contact for Business Link West Midlands is 0845 113 1234.

Tony Lucas Chief Executive of the Gateway, part of Business Link West Midlands

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Business Link West Midlands –

0845 113 1234 - the only number you need

Boost for business support (left to right): Ann Thompson, Joy Brassington and Annie Mander celebrate with members of the ‘Gateway’ contact centre

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The experience starts with the regional contact centre (0845 113 1234), where specially trained members of staff will assess a client’s initial business support, skills and manufacturing requirements.

This could be a simple case of sending out information, signposting them to different support organisations through the state-ofthe-art 'Knowledge Bank', or helping businesses identify the right training for staff.

If further support is deemed necessary, the client will be transferred to a specialist business adviser, who will work with a relationship manager to develop a plan of action to meet the needs of the company or individual.

“One of the biggest criticisms of support in the past is that it has not really been in tune with what businesses required. This is set to change,” explained Tony Lucas, Chief Executive of the Gateway, part of Business Link West Midlands.

"Access to up to 140 advisers will be in place within the brokerage division of Business Link West Midlands. These have been selected to ensure that the advice provided will be tailored to each customer's needs and in addition cover specialists areas, such as marketing and intellectual property.

“From there, businesses will work with their adviser and relationship manager to identify how the action plan can be delivered and where external expertise

“

One of the biggest criticisms of support in the past is that

it has not really been in tune with what businesses required. This is set to change

”

could be brought in to add value to the offer. This is where one of the service's innovative new products comes into its own.”

The West Midlands Supplier Register, which will feature over 1,000 organisations, can be searched using a range of criteria that includes expertise, experience, skills and location.

All suppliers on the register will be quality assured and, where available, at least three choices will be offered to the customer, who will pick the one that best suits their requirements.

Tony concluded: “This is a very exciting time for business support in the region and we want all individuals and companies to make the contact centre the first call they make. We are in an excellent position to more than treble the number of firms we can help, which has got to be good news for the West Midlands.”

The first point of contact for Business Link West Midlands is 0845 113 1234.

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Open for business six days a week • The single access point (0845 113 1234) will be manned from 8am to 6pm weekdays and, for the first time ever, will be open Saturdays from 9.30am to 1pm • By 2010, over 70,000 businesses every year will be helped with basic information, with a further 16,000 receiving intensive support from experienced business advisers in a variety of sectors • The Contact Centre, which will be manned by 30 fully-trained staff, will be able to handle up to 250,000 calls every year, a 20% increase from previous operations • One of the UK's first ever 'Knowledge Banks' will provide information on over 1500 e-factsheets, industry reports, business support organisation and funding schemes • The West Midlands Supplier Register will provide access to 1000 of the best consultants and suppliers in the UK • Particular focus will be provided for minority ethnic businesses, pre-starts, high-growth enterprises, woman run/owned business • It is anticipated that Business Link West Midlands will contribute an additional £400 million per year to the West Midlands economy by 2010.

Business Link West Midlands –

a focus on minority ethnic enterprise For minority ethnic owner-managed enterprises in our region, the new business support network heralds an enhanced era of opportunity, especially as this part of the business community will form a key theme for the new Business Link West Midlands service.

Today, there are more than 47,200 minority ethnic owner-managed businesses in the region and the number is still growing which is a positive indication of the sector's significant contribution to the economy. Indeed, Professor Monder Ram, a director at The Centre for Research in Ethnic Minority Entrepreneurship, believes that the modern West Midlands “would now be unimaginable without the presence of its variegated minority ethnic enterprises.”

Many businesses, it has to be said, still operate in the traditional sectors of retailing, transport and catering, the latter being an area where food and drink businesses across the region are now supporting a new mentoring scheme launched by Heart of England Fine Foods.

Backed by the Agency, Business Link West Midlands, The Learning & Skills Council and the West Midlands Minority Ethnic Business Forum, it offers director level support to SME food and drink enterprises through the matching of experienced mentors to entrepreneurs wishing to progress their growth and explore new markets.

“

The minority ethnic business community sector plays an important role in the development of the economy of the West Midlands and initiatives that can encourage and stimulate further growth are to be applauded

”

“More and more minority ethnic ownermanaged businesses are exploring national and international opportunities.

Now the mentoring scheme will enable them to tap into a new source of free, expert consultancy so they can get to where they want to be in less time and with a greater all round understanding of today's business issues,” said Mohammad Nazir, Forum Chairman, in an endorsement of the scheme.

Despite the continued appeal of the food and drink sector amongst the minority ethnic business community, there is now an ever-increasing presence in public health, financial services, and other areas.

However, in order to compete in today's fiercely-competitive marketplace, enterprises are also being urged to

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diversify into higher value added activities and grasp the advantages which stem from modern business practices such as Information & Communications Technology (ICT).

The West Midlands Minority Ethnic Business Forum will play a key role in the new Business Link Service, by evaluating its performance in relation to the support it is providing to minority ethnic businesses and recommending areas for improvement.

By identifying the specific needs of minority ethnic entrepreneurs, and working in conjunction with other support networks and community groups, the Forum will help to identify barriers to enterprise and good practice.

Mohammad Nazir, chairman of the Forum, which provides strategic advice to the Agency, concluded: “The minority ethnic business community sector plays an important role in the development of the economy of the West Midlands and initiatives that can encourage and stimulate further growth are to be applauded.”

The first point of contact for Business Link West Midlands is 0845 113 1234.

Wade Lyn, managing director of Cleone Foods, Nick Houghton, of New English Teas, Karen Davies, Chief Executive of Heart of England Fine Foods and Neal Harris, of Heart of England Fine Foods, at the launch of a new mentoring scheme which aims to support SME ethnic minority food and drink businesses.

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Business Link West Midlands –

a focus on Women in Enterprise

Women In Rural Enterprise (WiRE) has been offering business support since 1996 and is now a trusted national organisation which helps rural women develop and grow their businesses.

“If you're doing something in your life and you're not happy, or doing something that you don't like, stop doing it and do something that you do like. This is not a rehearsal - this is it!” says Dawn Thomas. “These words encouraged her to re-organise her life and “clear out the clutter”, she says.

Dawn turned to WiRE for business support and advice when she decided to set up an alternative therapy business treating animals and their owners.

From April 2006, WiRE is now working with the Women in Business Development Association in Coventry and PROWESS, the UK Association of Women's Organisations.

Regardless of age, culture or their location, The Regional Women's Enterprise Unit (RWEU) is proactively going out to speak to women who have never accessed any kind of start up business support before.

Funded by Advantage West Midlands, the European Social Fund and the DTI’s Small Business Service, RWEU is a pilot scheme and first of its kind in the UK. Planting the seeds of self employment, RWEU takes them through a process which hopefully will turn each and every one into successful business women.

Gill Edwards, Operations Manager for WiRE said: “Some women may never have worked before. When we first established this service we were mainly approached by women who wanted to start up bed and breakfast establishments or a catering service.

“Times have moved on and it is very different now. Not everyone we help is from a farming background.

“People are opting out of city-based business organisations to find a less stressful way of life. They are moving into rural areas and starting up a business from home; using the skills and experience they have already gained in whatever profession they have worked in.”

Amongst its other services, WiRE offers a two-day 'Opening Doors' programme.

Applicants spend the first day with sessions from a life coach and learn about personal development. On the second day they concentrate on a business plan, cash flow forecasts, the market and who their clients are going to be.

After taking these first steps to establishing their own business, clients return for a series of free workshops. Subjects are exactly what clients ask for, such as using the telephone as a marketing tool, learning about IT and how to access finance.

“We provide a flexible programme of learning to fit in with women's childcare or other commitments,” said Gill.

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“We are only able to offer new businesses, our support in the first twelve months but now, with the establishment of the new Business Link West Midlands service we will be able to feed our clients back into the system, through the Gateway Service. This will enable them to continue to access further business support.” she continued.

WiRE covers the entire West Midlands area and its aim is to raise awareness of the support and advice that the organisation can offer to women entrepreneurs. “Attending workshops gives women a chance to network and work with each other to obtain new business,” said Gill.

A prime example of how this worked was 'A Swanky Affair' which was co-ordinated by WiRE and took place at the Darwin Shopping Centre in Shrewsbury in April. This event was held to showcase the products of a new group of Shropshire women who are launching their network, 'Swanky Events and Occasions'.

There was a diverse range of exhibitors over the four-day period, covering everything to plan the perfect wedding or party.

Dawn said: “By following my dream and with help of WiRE, I now do everything I love and which brings benefits to many people.”

The first point of contact for Business Link West Midlands is 0845 113 1234.

Dawn Thomas Started up her company Healing Animals and Owners

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Business Link West Midlands –

a focus on young people in enterprise Enterprise and innovation are key components of business success. Here in the West Midlands there is plenty of evidence to suggest that ambitious ideas are being turned into reality to create the goods and services that contribute to our economic prosperity.

And, encouragingly, for the future, the region is at the forefront in harnessing the energy and bright ideas of our nextgeneration entrepreneurs and business leaders.

Leading business entrepreneur Sir Alan Sugar is one who believes that in today's fast-moving world the earlier that young people grasp the essential skills for business, the better. And indeed, one of the aims of the new enterprise agenda in the region is for Business Link West Midlands to focus on young Entrepreneurs - with a “catch 'em early” strategy.

Currently in its formative stages, the idea is that Business Link West Midlands will recruit enterprise mentors to work with young people to create personal enterprise action plans, showcase inspirational role models, and embed enterprise within schools, colleagues, universities and youth agencies.

The service will also establish links with organisations such as the Prince's Youth Business Trust, which last year helped more than 12,700 entrepreneurs through its business start-up programme, and

“

As an industrialist we look for people with a sparkle those who have a receptiveness to change. Sir Richard Branson called it 'Pixie dust' but I prefer to think of Jackie Stewart's phrase: Having the ability to look around the corner

”

Young Enterprise, which every year reaches more than 320,000 youngsters through a range of programmes, some of which offer students direct experience of running their own real company.

doing it so successfully that its achievements are now being recognised nationwide.

Ex-industrialist Alan Ward, who in the late 1990s was appointed to the DTI Innovation Unit with a brief to roll-out innovation and best practice, has been working together with Chris Mead, deputy headmaster at Waseley Hills High School, Rubery, to compile an innovation tool kit. Now the concept has just been launched as a CDROM and is being distributed to secondary schools throughout the country.

Mr Ward said: “As an industrialist we look for people with a sparkle - those who have a receptiveness to change. Sir Richard Branson called it 'Pixie dust' but I prefer to think of Jackie Stewart's phrase: Having the ability to look around the corner.

Switching on youngsters to embrace the enterprise culture early on in their education is to be encouraged, especially in view of a survey from Young Enterprise which shows that top UK businesses believe that many young employees need to bridge the business skills gap before entering the workplace. In fact, research indicated that 84 percent of respondents recommended young people to gain more experience of the business world while at school or college.

“Innovation is the way ahead and if youngsters are encouraged to enhance their enterprise skills and a 'can do' attitude while still at school they will be better equipped for life in the business world whatever career path they choose”.

Here in the Midlands, a pilot Innovation in Enterprise scheme is doing just that - and

The first point of contact for Business Link West Midlands is 0845 113 1234.

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Alan Ward DTI Innovation Unit

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MAS-WM –

providing specialist manufacturing brokerage for the region Having contracted with Advantage West Midlands to deliver the region's Specialist Manufacturing Brokerage from April 2007, MASWM has every intention of building on the 3,800 companies it has already assisted to become more competitive. It is looking forward to the opportunity of working closely with its colleagues at Business Link West Midlands.

MAS-WM tackles complex manufacturing issues on a day-to-day basis and gets results through the recruitment of qualified and experienced manufacturing practitioners that work with industry experts to deliver solutions to manufacturing issues.

The service is dedicated to making a difference and its portfolio of services to local companies is extensive. Recent projects have included plant layout activities, productivity improvement exercises, waste reduction, appropriate materials selection and product development.

The recently launched Product Innovation Consortium (PIC) pilot initiative, a service designed to help companies exploit new product ideas, focuses on developing truly compelling, innovative products and goes even further by successfully getting new product ideas to market.

One step ahead Being innovative and maintaining a competitive advantage is crucial in today's global environment. As a first choice supplier to the motorsport industry, Tamworth-based Alcon Components has successfully managed to maintain their edge thanks to assistance from MAS-WM. Sporting a prestigious customer base, the

company is at the forefront of a highly competitive marketplace, supplying brake discs and callipers for leading Formula1 and World Rally Championship racing teams.

However, improved manufacturing technology has enabled its global competitors to advance and, as a result, Alcon recently hit a difficult period when its competitors introduced competitively priced product alternatives to the market. MAS-WM were able to help the firm increase the efficiency of its brake disc manufacturing cells, highlight shop floor layout issues and played an instrumental role in encouraging process improvements that enhanced the overall working environment. The project resulted in production time savings of 14 hours per week across the manufacturing cell and overall productivity improvement by 20%.

Track record Another MAS-WM initiative that continues to go from strength-to-strength is its Sourcing Service.

Increasingly, companies outside the region are contacting the organisation to locate potential West Midlands suppliers.

materials in one off and thousand batch quantities quickly impressed.

With its pristine facilities and state-of-the-art quality control equipment, the company was considered to be ideally suited to cater for the needs of the growing aerospace market.

Through the MAS-WM LiftOff programme, RT Palmer further demonstrated their commitment to the opportunity by working towards and securing AS/EN9100.

The company has now reached a significant milestone in their aerospace journey. Not only have they successfully achieved the industry quality standard to become an approved supplier to Bulwell, but they have also subsequently delivered completed parts, ontime and to the expected standard. The anticipated value of the Bulwell business is estimated to be in excess of £1million over three years and is expected to increase the turnover at RT Palmer by 30%.

RT Palmer, a Birmingham-based sub contract CNC machining company operating predominantly in the niche automotive field, was one of four MAS-WM supplier recommendations.

David Wright, Chief Executive of MAS-WM, concluded: “MAS-WM is looking forward to assisting even more companies in the coming years. We have successfully managed to keep in touch with the changing needs of the region's manufacturers and our specialist knowledge, when combined with our working relationship with Business Link West Midlands, will ensure that we stay at the forefront of manufacturing support.”

Despite not having a track record in aerospace or the recognised AS/EN9100 quality standard, RT Palmer's ability to process a variety of

The first point of contact for MAS-WM is Business Link West Midlands 0845 113 1234.

Recently, the sourcing service helped East Midlands-based Bulwell Precision secure additional capacity to meet the increasing needs of their customer Rolls Royce.

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Left to right: David Tuller, (Operations Manager), and Chris Butlin, (MAS-WM Specialist Manufacturing Advisor)

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Business Link West Midlands –

a focus on finance for enterprise

Once directed through the new Business Link Gateway system, businesses are able to access help, advice and finance through a number of schemes, advisors and support agencies. One of these support agencies is ART (Aston Reinvestment Trust) which has been providing access to finance for small businesses and social enterprises throughout Birmingham and North Solihull for the last ten years.

The Chief Executive and two Loan Managers consider applications from ventures unable to secure all or part of the finance they need from the banks. The ART team makes a personal judgment about backing those able to demonstrate that they have a viable proposition, lending up to £50,000 for investment in expansion, diversification or simply to help a business over a short-term cashflow problem. Where appropriate, they provide finance with finance from other sources, including the banks.

Chief Executive, Steve Walker has just completed a five-year term as a member of the National Small Business Investment Task Force, which advises the Small Business Service and the Government on access to finance issues for enterprise. He is also a member of the Regional Finance Forum at Advantage West Midlands.

As a former Barclays Bank Manager Steve knows all about the traditional model which many companies seeking finance from banks fail to slot into. He said: “We have lent over £5million since start up to businesses in Birmingham and North Solihull, which needed

“

Over the past year we have lent more than ever to existing businesses having difficulty in getting their full requirement from the bank.

Our average loan size has increased to just over £20,000.

We actually lend between £10,000 and £50,000

”

an alternative source of finance after the banks had turned them down. The money has supported commercial and social enterprises engaged in a wide range of activities including manufacturing, IT, leisure, catering and other services.”

ART's loan fund is derived from investments made by companies and individuals in addition to public and private sector support. Money repaid on loans is also reinvested in more loans. Thanks to support from Advantage West Midlands, through its Advantage Small Loans Programme which is part financed by the European Regional Development Fund, ART is in a position to lend at least £1million a year for the next three years.

Throughout its existence, ART has built up strong connections with the business and finance communities in the West Midlands.

There are also a number of other independent loan providers which provide finance as part of

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'Fair Finance Consortium' which is supported by Advantage West Midlands throughout the region. Many of these providers help support businesses which have been unable to obtain their full financial requirements from other sources.

Steve continued: “Access to finance is crucial to the development of a thriving, mixed, local economy. And it isn't just an issue for businesses starting up. Over the past year we have lent more than ever to existing businesses having difficulty in getting their full requirement from the bank. Our average loan size has increased to just over £20,000. We actually lend between £10,000 and £50,000.”

Patrick Palmer, Head of Access to Finance at Advantage West Midlands, said: “ART's success demonstrates that there are many situations in which viable businesses cannot secure the finance they need from conventional sources, and ART can help fill that funding gap.”

Steve added: “As a pioneer of this type of finance in the UK, ART 'fills the gaps' in available funding, helping to create jobs, opportunity and growth.”

If businesses and social enterprises require additional help and advice to help make the case for loan support then the new business support brokerage service operated by Business Link will be available for this purpose.

The first point of contact for Business Link West Midlands is 0845 113 1234.

Steve Walker, ART Chief Executive, Martin Edmonds, ART Loan Manager, and Andy King, ART Loan Manager

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Learning & Skills Council –

Train to Gain initiative providing skills boost to the region The number of people in the West Midlands to receive a skills boost through the LSC's Train to Gain initiative has broken through the 13,000 barrier for the first time.

More than 5,000 employers are reaping the benefit of free and independent advice from Train to Gain's 40-strong regional team of skills brokers.

The service, launched last August, is designed to increase businesses' profitability by helping employers identify individuals' skills gaps and then subsidising carefully tailored training to meet their needs.

Advisors will help employers choose the most suitable training provider and identify solutions to meet their skills needs.

And as well as offering help to access other sources of funding, Train to Gain itself provides funding for free training for first Level 2 qualifications and a wide range of skills boosters for low-skilled employees through the Skills for Life programme.

Training can take place at a time and place to suit the employer and, for small businesses employing fewer than 50 people, wage compensation is available for the time employees spend in training.

The LSC has worked closely with Sector Skills Councils throughout the planning

and delivery of the programme and all qualifications gained are accredited by the employers' representative body, ensuring particular skills needs are addressed.

David Cragg, Regional Director for the LSC in the West Midlands, said it was pleasing to see so much enthusiasm among employers for the opportunity to address their employees' skills needs.

He said: “The West Midlands faces huge skills challenges as part of the wider changes to the economy.

“I'm delighted that employers in the region are embracing our new Train to Gain programme so enthusiastically.

“Even more pleasing are the levels of customer satisfaction we are achieving.

With nearly 90 per cent of employers saying the service has been of value to their business, it shows this is the right service at the right time to meet the region's needs.”

June Bakewell, Registered Care Manager at The Forbury elderly people's residential care home in Leominster, Herefordshire, has five care assistants working towards NVQ Level 2 in Care Standards through Train to Gain and a further three employees progressing towards Level 3.

She said: “The training has really built the confidence of the team here. They are getting the knowledge and skills to take

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ownership of their work, coming to me with ideas about how we could do things better.

“We are a small, independent business so, without Train to Gain, I could only have released staff one or two at a time for training. It would have taken a lot more time and I would have had to have weighed up the cost carefully.

“This is often an undervalued profession.

Train to Gain is making our carers value their own skills and, in the end, enables us to provide a higher standard of care for our residents.”

In the West Midlands, the majority of Train to Gain learners are pursuing NVQ Level 2 qualifications directly related to their employers' needs. More than 500 are working towards Level 3 qualifications while nearly 1,000 are receiving support in improving their basic skills through Skills for Life.

For further information and details of regional skills brokers, visit the Train to Gain website at www.traintogain.gov.uk or call the Skills Hotline on 08000 754557.

The Forbury manager June Bakewell with colleague Leighanne Coldman

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Sustainable development –

how it can make you money

Sustainable Development is the current buzz word on the business agenda. It is big, it is clever but what implications does it have for small businesses?

“Sustainability is a weak 'brand' but has three strong sub-brands - climate change, energy and waste,” said Dr Simon Slater, Head of Sustainability at Advantage West Midlands and author of Future Advantage, which sets out how sustainability can benefit to business.

“What we are trying to achieve as an RDA is to wrestle the sustainability agenda away from the environmentalists and instead emphasise its importance to business growth.

“First, it can help companies expand and diversify into new markets and secondly it can help business make savings through more efficient processes. At best, often the message about sustainable development is that it can save you money , by reducing your energy costs or by cutting waste but what we want to get across is the message that sustainable development can actually make you money.''

Dr Slater points to the £1 billion of orders expected to be taken by West Midlands firms in the next 18 months alone for the wind turbine supply chain, be that the design or planning of them or the manufacture of the various cogs, vanes and components that make up the turbines and generators.

Last year Advantage West Midlands invested £3 million in demonstrator projects which went onto achieve £300 million of business growth and savings.

In the West Midlands the Environmental Technology sector is growing at 12 per cent per annum. At a global level sustainable technology is expected to grow to rival aerospace or pharmaceuticals in scale.

Sue Prince Board member of Advantage West Midlands

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Sustainable development also has long-term implications that cut across economic, social and

“

If everyone switched just one

and reduces the need for transportation of goods. This is what sustainability is about.''

per cent of their spending to local products it would put £1 million a week into local economies

”

environmental issues, according to Sue Prince, Advantage West Midlands Board member and sustainability champion.

“Quite simply, it is putting everything we do today within the framework of thinking about our children and grand-children, taking a long term view and looking at the decisions we take now and how they might affect future generations.''

This might sound a noble principle but how does it translate into hard-headed reality for people trying to run a business?

Sue said: “Let us take a very basic example.

According to a report from the New Economic Foundation, every £10 spent on locally-sourced produce leads to £25.90 being reinvested in the local economy; every £10 spent in a supermarket leads to just £14 going into the local economy.

“If everyone switched just one per cent of their spending to local products it would put £1 million a week into local economies, going some way towards bridging our West Midlands £10 billion Gross Value Added gap compared to other regions.

“Buying and using local-sourced goods helps communities at an economic and social level

Sustainable Development is often seen as having a cost element, either by having to invest in greener technologies or by scaling back on our more wasteful practices and neither is calculated to find a ready audience among business leaders.

But according to Dr Slater, SD has a momentum and logic that companies simply cannot ignore.

Mr Slater said: “The business case for SD is overwhelming. At the basic level you have risk management because there is new legislation coming out which companies need to adhere to. Then there is the efficiency issue, looking at reducing the energy use and cutting waste.

There is usually a lot that can be done for not a lot of cost.

“But then you have to look at what you are producing and how you are selling. If you are a manufacturer you might have to look at diversifying into environmental technology and if you are in retail you have to think about customer loyalty.

“Just look at how Marks and Spencer is rebranding itself and its commitment to making all its UK operations carbon neutral within five years - if you are a supplier you have to accommodate this change within your business practice.

“The first two reasons, risk management and efficiency, will keep you in business a bit longer but the third, diversification, will guarantee your future success.''

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Environmental business support in West Midlands Signposting to environment related business support in the West Midlands Business Growth Agenda Want help diversifying into new environmental technology markets, contact David Terry at Technology Innovation Centre david.terry@tic.ac.uk Want help diversifying into the wind turbine market, contact Bob Dolman at Windsupply bobd@ebcinfo.co.uk Want help in identifying tools to help you develop new goods and services to respond to the changing weather and minimise the risk to your business, contact Louise Clancy at Climate Adaptation Partnership Louise.clancy@environmentagency.gov.uk Have waste that you think has a value and need a trading partner, contact Adrian Murphy at NISP 0121 766 4560 adrian.murphy@nisp.org.uk See a business opportunity in recycling or reuse, contact James Horne at Urban Mines 01274 699400 james.horne@urbanmines.org.uk Business Saving Agenda Want help with your electricity or gas bill, contact Simon Helmer at The Carbon Trust 07725 413370 simon.helmer@thecarbontrust.co.uk Need a kick start to your own programme by an assessment of savings potential, contact John Barraclough at Envirowise 07795 815522 john.barraclough@envirowise.gov.uk Think that you could use less material or energy in your business if you had some help, contact James Dennison at Groundwork 0121 507 6532 or 07970 985815 jdennison@groundwork.org.uk Have a product that could be redesigned to reduce waste, contact John Dutton at Staffordshire Environmental Fund 01785 811600 info@staffs-environmental.co.uk Employ less than 250 people and want help recycling in your workplace, Contact Claire Atkins at WRAP Claire.atkins@wrap.org.uk

advertising feature

HEATED TOWEL RAILS ARE “IN VOGUE” IN AFGHANISTAN have reached about £2m per year, accounting for 25 per cent of our turnover.

Our exports are set to rise by 30 per cent this year, and we are looking at taking on new staff to deal with the demand from overseas.”

Future target markets for the company include Argentina and Mexico.

Vogue UK completed UK Trade & Investment's Passport initiative - a flagship scheme that gives new exporters the training, planning and ongoing support they need to succeed overseas - last autumn.

International trade adviser John Pilley (left) is pictured with Chris Creasey, export manager at Vogue UK.

A Black Country manufacturer of heated towel rails and radiators is going global with help from UK Trade & Investment.

of heated towel rails at two five-star hotels in Afghanistan. These contracts look set to bring in around USDollars1.5m.

Vogue UK, of Strawberry Lane Industrial Estate, Willenhall, specialises in luxury, hand crafted products, mainly for hotels and residential apartments.

“We won the business from leads generated when I attended a trade show in Dubai in November 2005 thanks to support from our international trade adviser, John Pilley, through UK Trade & Investment's Passport scheme.

Established in 1990, the company employs 80 staff and has an annual turnover of approximately £8m.

It has been working with UK Trade & Investment's international trade team at Black Country Chamber of Commerce for four years to develop its export business.

During this time, export manager Chris Creasey, following support from UK Trade & Investment, has secured sales in markets as diverse as South Korea, Japan, Pakistan, the Czech Republic, Romania, Bulgaria, Germany, Norway and most recently, Afghanistan.

He said: “We will shortly be working on projects for a heating system at Kabul International Airport and for the installation

“I went on to visit Afghanistan in October 2006 and saw many construction projects which could provide lucrative opportunities for British companies such as ours.

“UK Trade & Investment's commercial teams at the British embassies carried out Overseas Market Introduction Service (OMIS) reports on the other countries for us.

“These reports were really useful because they gave me excellent leads to follow up, and circulated the company's name in the markets concerned.

“Before 2002, our export sales were reactive and therefore limited. Now, they

Through Passport, the company has benefited from a package of support, inclusive of: a free export health check, attending an export workshop, assistance in formulating an international trade strategy and matched funding to help implement this strategy, quality training and mentoring advice, access to the full range of UK Trade & Investment services and membership of the Midlands World Trade Forum, the regional export club.

International trade adviser John Pilley, based at Black Country Chamber of Commerce, said: “Chris Creasey is a shining example of someone who follows the three golden rules of exporting thorough research, enthusiasm and visiting the market.

“I'm delighted with Vogue UK's success, and look forward to continuing to work with the company.”

For more information about how UK Trade & Investment can help your business expand into new markets abroad, contact the international trade team at your local Chamber of Commerce, or visit the website www.uktradeinvest.gov.uk

Access to Finance –

investing in innovation Young technology-based companies needing a cash injection to clear the final hurdles before getting a new development to market are being offered support from a new venture capital fund set up in the region.

The Mercia Technology Seed Fund (MTSF) that was launched at Villa Park in March will invest between £50,000 and £250,000 but potentially will go up to £750,000 per company.

The fund is aimed at companies that typically will be less than five years old and will have already benefited from significant grant and 'proof-of-concept' funding at an earlier stage.

There will either be management already in place or the venture is founded by someone of international renown in their field.

The fund is primarily targeting five sectors: Medical Healthcare Technology (medical devices, biopharmaceuticals, pharmaceuticals and bioscience), Advanced Materials (novel, sustainable and high performance materials); Environmental Technologies (energy and resource efficiency), ICT (including digital media) and Transport Technology.

The anticipated growth of the company must depend on the development of one or more technologies and the fund will need evidence of significant technological innovation with regard to a commercial product. A further pre-condition is that it must be patented and have a protected technology base.

The timescale varies from investment request to completion, but it can typically take up to 10 weeks. Applicants must make a business case and if the proposal is accepted in principle an initial offer is made and a 'Heads of Agreement' drawn up.

“

We want people who have done the research and prototype work, who have demonstrated that the idea will really work, who have robust, credible business and marketing plans but who need finance to take the idea onto the next stage and generate revenue

”

After due diligence by West Midlands Enterprise (WME) and assuming nothing untoward is found at this stage, the legal documents will be drawn up and then onto completion.

MTSF is managed by WME, a leading provider of venture capital throughout the West Midlands, the North West and South East. WME has raised more than £90 million to date and invested £50 million-plus.

Dr Mark Payton, fund principal for the Mercia Technology Seed Fund, who has 15 years' experience in high technology sector, said he expects to invest in around eight companies a year and aims to fill the gap between 'proof-ofconcept' and significant revenues coming on stream.

He said: “It is clear there is a gap (both in terms of finance and management) between all the research having been done and money being generated as a result of the product selling. We want people who have done the research and prototype work, who have demonstrated that the idea will really work, who have robust, credible business and marketing plans but who need finance to take the idea onto the next stage and generate revenue.

“Although not a business advisory service, we are a hands-on investor playing a close role in the management of our investments as the new ventures mature. It is also important to note that this fund is specific for the seed financing of technology businesses in the West Midlands deriving from the region's universities, public sector institutions and, importantly, from the business community at large. We do not, however, fund research or proof of concept work; there are more appropriate funding sources for this.

“The Mercia Technology Seed Fund is targeting opportunities with the potential for high growth and commercial gain which need some financial assistance and sector-specific guidance to take an idea over the final hurdle and get into the marketplace.”

The fund benefits from a unique mix of private and public sector investors. At the fund's first close, investors include Advantage West Midlands, Forward Group, regional universities (Aston University, University of Birmingham, University of Central England, Coventry University, Staffordshire University, University of Warwick and the University of Wolverhampton), University of Warwick Science Park and West Midlands Enterprise.

Patrick Palmer, Head of Access to Finance at Advantage West Midlands, said: “A key priority of the Agency is the development of a diverse and dynamic business base.

This fund will play an important role in achieving that priority by providing the vital early stage investment required to exploit innovation and develop new technologies through to commercialisation.”

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Geoff Edge, WM Enterprise; Phil Extance, Director of Innovation, Advantage West Midlands and Mark Payton, WM Entrprise

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Access to Finance –

Investbx gets green light Agency has a key priority to develop a diverse and dynamic business base and appropriate access to finance is key to an enterprising region.

Virtual stock market Investbx - the first of its kind in the UK - is set for a summer launch after being given the go-ahead by the European Commission (EC) to start operating in the West Midlands.

“Investbx is an exciting and innovative solution to rectify an acknowledged equity gap in the market and I'm delighted that after two years of hard work preparing for the project, the European Commission has given us the go-ahead.

The EC has endorsed under EC Treaty State Aid rules aid of £3million to Investbx, an innovative platform for raising capital for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the region.

Investbx has also been given the seal of approval by the Board of Advantage West Midlands. The regional development agency is providing the funding to pumpprime the Investbx project.

This exciting new capital market will assist expanding SMEs to raise equity finance up to £2 million by connecting them with investors.

Neelie Kroes, the EC's Competition Commissioner, said: “This aid will help growing SMEs get access to capital.

Investbx is a very innovative project, which may be a valuable precedent for other Member States.”

“

Set to launch in the summer Investbx will help many deserving businesses raise funds for growth and contribute to the prosperity of the region.

Mick Laverty Deputy Chief Executive, Advantage West Midlands

”

“Thanks to the commitment of the region's professional services community, Investbx is set to make its mark, which speaks volumes for the aspirations of all the partners involved who are determined to make the West Midlands a world-class region in which to invest, work, learn, visit and live.

“Investbx has been created, designed and developed by some of the leading business experts here in the West Midlands and is yet another outstanding example of the region's enterprise and ability to innovate and diversify into new sectors.

This is the first case analysed by the EC using an in-depth economic assessment and concluded that the aid to Investbx can improve access to equity for small businesses.

private sector that designed it to ensure its commercial focus and future success.It will also benefit from the continued support, knowledge and understanding of the West Midlands’ business and investor community who have given their time freely in support of the project.

“Set to launch in the summer Investbx will help many deserving businesses raise funds for growth and contribute to the prosperity of the region.”

Once up and running, Investbx will be managed by the business leaders from the

Mick Laverty, Deputy Chief Executive at Advantage West Midlands, said: “The

For further information please contact Suzie Branch on 07985 594290

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advertising feature

WMG and Network Rail: WMG and its Raising the leadership benchmark collaborative style and benchstrength WMG works with international organisations to improve their performance through the application of innovation, new technology and skills deployment, bringing academic rigour to business and organisational practice. It has over 300 staff and associates and is part of the University of Warwick, one of the UK's top universities.

The strength of WMG is that it works with an organisation to understand its strategy and objectives. Drawing on 25 years' experience and its unique breadth and depth of educational, research and technological capability to develop change programmes, WMG effectively manages and delivers measurable results.

Network Rail works in partnership with two of the university's world-renowned departments - WMG and Warwick Business School - to create and deliver education programmes.

It has located its purpose-built residential leadership centre close to Warwick University in Coventry, bringing staff from all over the country for training, education and development.

To date, over 4,000 managers and supervisors have passed through its doors as the company implements the programme to strengthen its leadership capability.

The Westwood leadership centre in Coventry is a ÂŁ20m investment in Network Rail's key leaders of today and tomorrow.

That figure includes its purchase, installation of new facilities, curriculum development and running of the centre.

Iain Coucher, Network Rail's Chief Executive says: “Leadership skills are critical to the success of our company's mission to rebuild Britain's Railways. The investment in Westwood is a vital part of our long-term plans to develop a team of professionals. Strong managers will lead our company into the next decade.�

The centre delivers a programme of professional skills development including accredited MSc. level leadership and management courses based on WMG's extensive range of proven modules, customised by joint working groups to meet Network Rail's particular needs.

Science City –

establishing a knowledge-based economy When Chancellor Gordon Brown designated Birmingham as one of three Science Cities in his Budget in 2005 it was an important step in the region's journey to establishing a knowledge-based economy. It recognised the strength of the West Midlands' science base outside of London and South East England.

explore hydrogen as an energy source.

Hydrogen is seen as perhaps the best energy source for both transport and buildings in terms of sustainability and limiting environmental impact. The project will be looking at using electrolysis to separate it from water, or liberating it from biomass and at ways of storing it.

Along with Nottingham and Bristol and joining the three other Science Cities set up in 2004 (Manchester, York and Newcastle) Birmingham aims to redistribute that power and harness some of it to help create a new economic foundation for the region.

It has just been given £6.3million from Advantage West Midlands and is the first capital project to be funded as part of the Science City.

In time it could lead to the region becoming the international leader in this vital field.

Ian Rowley, Chair of the Science City Communications Group, said Birmingham and the surrounding areas are ideally placed to capitalise on the opportunities created by having Science City status. He said: “Going back to the Industrial Revolution the West Midlands has a long tradition of being an area of invention, of self-improvement and of being receptive to new ideas thanks to visionary scientists and industrialists.

“Science City status creates a lot of potential and we have the right culture to rise to the challenge.''

In concrete terms the core aims of the programme are to foster links between R & D centres in the region and to collaborate on projects, to attract funding and investment and, with an eye to the next generation, to encourage school pupils to choose science as a career path.

There is already plenty of support in terms of partners, from Advantage West Midlands, to engineering groups such as QinetiQ, the motor industry research association at MIRA, RAPRA

“

We are building on our strengths; Science City is organic and will take as its basis what is already here around us in terms of knowledge and resources and build on and develop those.

Ian Rowley, Chair of the Science City Communications Group

”

(rubber and plastics) and CERAM (agriculture) and the Universities of Warwick and Birmingham.

With the aim of exploiting the skills and knowledge already in the area and despite it still being very early days, several potentially very fruitful research areas have already been agreed.

The first of these is a collaborative programme between Warwick and Birmingham universities to

Other core strengths already established in the area and which lend themselves to the Science City development include medical technology and healthcare, advanced materials, transport and digital media.

Mr Rowley said: “The hydrogen project is an ideal examplar of the universities working together on serious scientific subjects we believe are important for the future.

“We are building on our strengths; Science City is organic and will take as its basis what is already here around us in terms of knowledge and resources and build on and develop those.

“In regional terms it takes us another step on our journey of up-skilling the workforce and I think too it plays an important role in diluting the concentration of R & D power in the South East and spreading it further into the regions.

“It is a huge challenge and we are only on the first step of the journey. The Warwick/Birmingham hydrogen venture is paving the way but funding will be coming on stream by the end of the year and we will see other projects coming on stream soon.''

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Pictured left to right are Professor Michael Clarke, University of Birmingham; John Edwards, Chief Executive, Advantage West Midlands and Professor Stuart Palmer, University of Warwick.

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Wolverhampton University –

links with business For more information on the University of Wolverhampton's links with business, please contact the Competitiveness Centre at: competitiveness-centre@wlv.ac.uk or telephone: 0800 068 5023.

In the lead for professional training Wolverhampton has one of the top universities in the country for working with business and industry, new research has found.

The Higher Education Funding Council's business and community interaction survey ranks the University in top position, out of all West Midlands higher education institutions, for delivery of continuing professional development (CPD.) Nationally, the University was ranked 12th out of 164 institutions for its CPD provision and 9th for its regeneration and development programmes.

Dr Alan Collins

Dr Alan Collins said “As Director of the University of Wolverhampton's Competitiveness Centre, I have seen our links with external organisations grow considerably over the past six years.

The University is very proud of its success in helping companies to increase their turnover, to create and secure jobs, to increase sales and to develop new products and markets.

This has been achieved through consultancy and research, by up-skilling the workforce through Continuing Professional Development and by providing incubation support and premises for new businesses.

The University has also provided access to talented students and graduates for short or long term placements as well as full-time employment.

Businesses are now more aware that the University offers not only academic courses but a range of other activities and services.”

University Scheme Successfully Taps Liquid Assets The University of Wolverhampton is in the top five institutions in the country for Knowledge Transfer Partnerships and is ranked highest in the West Midlands.

Knowledge Transfer Partnerships enable firms to recruit a high-calibre graduate or “Associate” to boost their business by getting them to work on a specific project lasting between one and three years.

Young's Home Brew Ltd, based in Wolverhampton, supplies and distributes home brew kits. The company worked with a

graduate from the University on a Knowledge Transfer Partnership aimed at developing market opportunities.

Following a marketing audit, a product development strategy was developed and a modern “Ubrew” image replaced the outdated home brew concept.

Other benefits to the company included increased knowledge and expertise in management systems and marketing, increased sales and exports and generated a larger customer base and market share.

Linda Arthrell, Business Development Manager, Young's Home Brew, Robert Young, Managing Director, Young's Home Brew and Sarah Nunn, Knowledge Transfer Partnership Associate

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Wolverhampton Incubator Company wins national award Born Communication, a graphic design company based in the SP/ARK business incubator at Wolverhampton Science Park, has recently celebrated its successful win of the 2006 “UK Business Incubation (UKBI) Incubatee of the Year Award”.

Two Graphic Communication graduates from the University of Wolverhampton, Kaye Hopkins and Mark Yorke, set up the business specialising in the education sector.

Kaye said: “We are thrilled to have won the UKBI Incubatee of the Year Award and feel that this is an important acknowledgement for Born and SP/ARK. The support we have received through our association with SP/ARK has been integral to the development and success of our business. We hope that by winning this award we will show that SP/ARK is a successful incubation project and it will encourage more creative businesses and entrepreneurs to find out about the services offered here.”

Kaye Hopkins and Mark Yorke

University scoops top business awards again The University of Wolverhampton's links with industry were again celebrated at the prestigious Lord Stafford Awards in 2006 by winning two out of the four awards on offer.

John Wood, Host and Jeremy Binnington

Kay

Alexander

fire and rescue vehicles. GSF contacted the Polymer Cluster at the University, which put them in touch with the Innovative Product Development Centre (IPDC) to help to develop prototypes.

Teardrop Technologies won the “Entrepreneurial Spirit Award” for its innovative sports equipment. John Wood, Managing Director, joined the Enterprise Fellowship Scheme after he graduated from the University and has continued to use the facilities and assistance available through the University ever since.

Jeremy Binnington, GSF Sales & Marketing Director, said “Everyone at GSF is absolutely thrilled to receive this award and I would like to thank the University of Wolverhampton for the professional input and support received during the course of this project.

Another company, GSF Ltd, won the “Achievement in Innovation Award” for its slide and tilt mechanism which is used in

The quality and delivery of technical advice and practical assistance has really been first class.”

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Staffordshire University –

positive changes for the region Staffordshire University is at the heart of a regional renaissance which will lead to a vibrant, knowledge-based economy in North Staffordshire

Training and education underpin this ambitious agenda and Staffordshire is transforming the skills base of the city while helping to boost its status as a desirable destination to work or study.

With its expertise in flexible learning Staffordshire University is ideally placed to support local people gain the qualifications and confidence they need for the fast

changing workplace and to encourage those with fresh thinking to set up on their own.

As well as a gateway to education, the University Quarter will act as a physical gateway to the city by becoming one of the most exciting learning and living environments in the UK.

University schemes help to build business community Staffordshire University is supporting its students and ex-graduates into entrepreneurship, through a variety of schemes designed to encourage them to stay in the area and create new jobs.

• EFS - Enterprise Fellowship Scheme is open to all final year students, graduates and alumni. The EFS scheme offers a comprehensive support package including a £6,000 grant and free business office space within one of Staffordshire University’s Business Villages. It has been running for four years and is becoming very popular.

• EPS - Enterprise Placement Scheme is part of a £5 million project supported by Higher Educational Innovation Fund in collaboration with various other partners. The scheme, along with the Enterprise Placement Scheme, supports any student within any level and year by providing a package which includes a £1,500 bursary, the Business Village Office Space and a comprehensive training programme to learn the basics of starting their own business.

Moves to keep crafts people in North Staffs Staffordshire University has a population of enterprise aware students and alumni and where the opportunity has been created for them to set up their own enterprises they have taken advantage of University enterprise facilities. Currently a group of recent graduates from arts and crafts courses, all have sound business plans.

Attracting graduates from the Faculty of Arts, Media and Design at

Staffordshire University to stay and work in North Staffordshire will positively contribute to diverse expertise and skills being available.

This dedicated workspace adjacent to the student workshops and studios helps local small creative businesses in the Stoke area promote their craft in the region - and get started.

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Funding boost for training in med tech sector Financed by Coventry & Warwickshire Learning & Skills Council and The European Social Fund, Med Tech SLP is based at Staffordshire University within the Research & Enterprise Department. Working with Medilink, the region's membership forum for medical, healthcare and support industries, this project focuses on up skilling the region's workforce to embrace the changing circumstances this sector demands.

The contribution to training which Medtech funded has ensured that Tekdata Interconnection's personnel continue to develop their skills in order to meet the exacting standards of performance and quality required by their customers in the medical sector.

Staffordshire University is making a major contribution to creating the next generation of entrepreneurs.

Ground-breaking approach Business Villages concept to new business start-up launched at University A lack of suitable premises for creative start up businesses is a key reason why microenterprises relocate. A major refurbishment of a Stoke campus building on the Leek Road site will provide a Business Village - on the junction of a major highway route, near to the railway station and adjacent to the University community of students and staff.

Staffordshire University is the ONLY University in the country that is offering a Foundation Degree in Business Start-Up. With the facilities of Business Villages, together with the backing of the University, any up-and-coming business will get the 'boost' it needs during the critical first two years. All students will have the support of a Personal Tutor, who will be available to provide both academic and/or pastoral advice, together with a mentor who will guide the student in their studies and business enterprise.

As well as the teaching input, Staffordshire University will arrange access to business advice and support, which is more often than not, free of charge.

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London 2012 Olympics –

£30 billion of business opportunities The London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games is already generating a collection of statistics of record-breaking proportions that will be of interest to aspiring business people. It's estimated that 75,000 litres of milk will be drunk at the event and some 15,000 km of toilet paper will be used.

initiative includes a series of regional workshops giving firms, free of charge, technical information on the bidding process. 'Prepare for 2012' business workshops have already been held in Coventry, Solihull, Walsall, Oswestry, Dudley, Hereford and will be held in Birmingham on 26 April and West Bromwich on 28 June.

Someone has to provide these commodities and in the West Midlands, businesses are being given a head start. The West Midlands Business Council, with the leadership of the Confederation of the West Midlands Chamber of Commerce and in partnership with Advantage West Midlands, is providing regional businesses with Olympic opportunities. In the race to cherry pick a slice of the up to £30 billion of business opportunities two new initiatives have been launched.

Students at Birmingham's Matthew Boulton College - Patrick Caulwell and Anthony Zizzi with the support of tutor, Adam Guy and soundtrack from lecturer, James Bateman - have devised a film that will be shown at the workshops, which highlights how bidding for Olympic related work can boost bottom lines.

The West Midlands Commerce Collaborative Market Place (WMCCM), part of the national B 2 B Centre at the University of Warwick has established the UK's first 2012 website for West Midlands SMEs. Every size and sector of business from security guards, to construction contractors, to accountancy firms, to manufacturers can now gain access to information which will allow them to form their own consortium, or bid for tenders that are directly or indirectly linked to the Games.

The web site - www.readyforbusiness-wmlondon2012.com - ensures West Midlands businesses gain access to the ultimate one stop shop to get 2012 business, free of charge and at the touch of a button.

West Midlands Business Council Executive Director, James Watkins, said: “With the support of the Confederation of West Midlands Chambers of Commerce, we are reaching out to businesses

“

Experience from previous Games shows that tourism is the industry which is most likely to benefit.

”

Jim Johnston London 2012 Olympics Business Manager at Advantage West Midlands to tell them about the enormous procurement opportunities that the Games have to offer - with everything from hinges to the high jump!”

The business opportunities included are not just from the Olympic organisers which amount to about £5 billion but also include opportunities from a host of other sources, such as the Cultural Festival, sponsorship activities and development underway in East London.

The unique website has a direct link with the London 2012 Games web site. The second

Jim Johnston, London 2012 Olympics Business Manager at Advantage West Midlands said: “We believe that these workshops are the first events of their kind to be organised in the UK, which demonstrates how determined we are to ensure West Midlands businesses are at the front of the queue when London 2012 contracts are being awarded.

“Experience from previous Games shows that tourism is the industry which is most likely to benefit, before, during and after the event.

“Whilst the main impact will of course be felt in the capital, with the West Midlands close proximity to London and its diverse and quality attractions on offer, the region has the destinations to attract visitors from around the world. And regional businesses have a very strong opportunity to benefit from the Games”.

For further information please contact Jim Johnston tel 0121 503 3299 jimjohnston@advantagewm.co.uk

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Picture credit: News Team International

Heptathlete Kelly Sotherton, of Birchfield Harriers, an Olympic and Commonwealth Games medalist, celebrates success at the 2007 European Indoor Athletics Champions, staged at the NIA

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Working for you –

Advantage West Midlands Regional Skills Partnership Summit China has now overtaken the UK in economic size and the economies of both China and India are expected to double over the next ten years. To move towards the tough new challenges that our international competitors are also facing, West Midlands businesses need to achieve lasting economic change.

Advantage West Midlands along with partners from the public, private and voluntary sector are providing a wide range of initiatives for businesses which will help to generate wealth. A recent Regional Skills Partnership summit brought together 160 representatives from both public and private sector, to discuss the problems caused by skills shortages. Training providers listened to the concerns of business and will in the future be able to ensure that content and style of delivery of training programmes meet business needs.

Mark Adlestone, of Beaverbrooks The Jewellers, Mike Beasley, Chair of the West Midlands Regional Skills Partnership, and Jayne Howle, Birmingham International Airport

Enterprising Hubs Ready made office and workshop units are now available at Rotherwas in Hereford and Battlefields in Shrewsbury and 'spoke' sites can be found at Leominster, Ross-on-Wye, Ludlow, Bridgnorth, Oswestry and Market Drayton.

The Rural Regeneration Zone and Evans Easyspace which offers premises on flexible terms to start ups and small to medium sized businesses, will develop and manage an Enterprise Centre Network across 'hub' sites. The units will be around 25,000 sq ft and will accommodate both office and workshop requirements and 'Spokes' will be around 10,000-20,000 sq ft, also providing similar units.

For more information on the Regional Skills Partnership please see: www.wmskillspartnership.org.uk

The first centres to be developed, with work beginning on site in Spring 2007, will be Rotherwas, Shrewsbury, Ludlow and Leominster. Oswestry, RossOn-Wye, Bridgnorth and Market Drayton will follow later in 2007 and 2008.

With funding of up to £5.9million the project will provide a major boost to the economies of Shropshire and Herefordshire by creating the facilities for a significant number of jobs as well as supporting enterprising small and medium sized businesses.

All centres will have flexible 'easy-in, easy-out' terms and rents that are inclusive of service charge, landlord's insurance and legal costs, together with a range of additional business support services.

For more information on how your business can get involved in the Enterprise Local scheme call 01743 246988 or send an email to info@shropshireenterprise.co.uk

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Redundant buildings generate office space Not all new business is appropriate for home working but financial help is available for those seeking premises. The Redundant Building Grant Scheme, funded by the Rural Regeneration Zone and administered by Herefordshire Council offers funding, of up to 25% of conversion costs for eligible companies in Herefordshire, Shropshire and Worcestershire.

The transformation of two dilapidated farm buildings on the Duchy of Cornwall estate, South of Hereford has safeguarded and created 17 high quality jobs for the county.

For more information about the Redundant Building Grants scheme please contact Dorothy Coleman, Programme Manager on 01432 383616.

Cutting Edge Finance Some well established companies just need business support and financial assistance. One enterprising West Midlands company, Central Scanning Ltd. has invested nearly £90,000 in cuttingedge laser scanning equipment from Steinbichler Optotechnik GmbH, Germany, with the help of a Selective Finance for Investment (SFIE) grant from Advantage West Midlands.

Operating from a facility in Fenton, Stoke-on-Trent, the new precision work has enabled Central Scanning to clinch a series of valuable contracts from customers in the region and across the UK. Patrick Palmer, Head of Access to Finance for Advantage West Midlands, said: "One of Advantage West Midland's key priorities is to make sure companies have access to appropriate finance for growth. SFIE funding can often be the last piece in the financial jigsaw to trigger capital expenditure that leads to long-term improvements in productivity, skills and employment.”

For further information on Selective Finance Grants see www.advantagewm.co.uk/finance-for-business

Voucher Innovation

But before the good ideas appear, the research and then development has to take place. In a new regional innovation, Aston University is offering local companies access to leading edge academic expertise. High growth businesses will be given 'innovation vouchers' to the value of £3,000 each to purchase academic support to improve their innovation capability.

Entitled 'Innovation Delivers Expansion' (INDEX), the two-year pilot project is supported by all of the thirteen Higher Education Institutions in the region. Eighty vouchers will be awarded with distribution in June 2007 and April 2008.

Advantage West Midlands is working closely with its public and private sector partners to provide many more initiatives which will help to create more, better jobs and an improved quality of life for all in the West Midlands.

For further information please contact Project Manager Dr Judy Scully on 0121 204 3229 or j.w.scully@aston.ac.uk

ENTERPRISE • INNOVATION • SKILLS • ECONOMIC ACTIVITY • QUALITY OF LIFE • INFRASTRUCTURE

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