A new business advisor has been appointed to support ambitious entrepreneurs in Tamworth.
Under a partnership between Tamworth Borough Council and the Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire Growth Hub, Jayne Egerton will be on hand to support SMEs in the area looking for expert advice to help plot a growth curve for 2024.
In the role, supported by the Government’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF), Jayne will draw on her expertise as a business coach to work with companies across the district looking to tap into new revenue streams and make the leap into global markets.
Sarah Simpson, Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire Growth Hub spokesperson, said: “Jayne’s appointment is one of a series of initiatives and programmes delivered with UKSPF in the borough, which have been developed to help businesses to thrive.
“By joining forces with Tamworth Borough Council, we have been able to create a window of opportunity for businesses in the region to access additional expert support.”
Jayne’s expertise includes providing a clear analysis of the challenges and opportunities faced by individual businesses.
She said: “I’m looking forward to building relationships and networking.
“As part of the service in Tamworth, businesses can benefit from a diagnostic report, which can clearly set out challenges and opportunities, making it easier to set goals and identify routes to growth.”
Jayne’s appointment is one of a series of UKSPF funded initiatives and projects provided by Tamworth Borough Council focused on business support.
Earlier this month, the council held its first business support breakfast for 2024, attracting established, new and early-stage businesses from across the area.
Held at the Tamworth Assembly Rooms, guests met a variety of experts offering free business advice and grants.
Councillor Paul Thompson, Tamworth Borough Council’s Portfolio Holder for Town Centre and Assets, said: “Small businesses are the backbone of our communities. We really want to reach out and offer additional free business support by working closely with business partners.
“We are committed to helping businesses grow, with the help of fully funded, practical support and the opportunity to join our free ‘Get Started and Grow’ and ‘Ignite – Tamworth Start-up Support programmes.”
To find out more about the business advisor initiative in Tamworth contact the Stoke-on-Trent & Staffordshire Business Helpline on 0300 111 8002.
Notes:
The UK Shared Prosperity Fund is a central pillar of the UK government’s Levelling Up agenda and provides £2.6 billion of funding for local investment by March 2025. The Fund aims to improve pride in place and increase life chances across the UK investing in communities and place, supporting local business, and people and skills. For more information, visit https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-shared-prosperity-fund-prospectus
Growth Hubs and the Growth Hub Network
Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire Growth Hub is delivered by Staffordshire County Council to provide local businesses of any size and operating in any sector, with access to advice and support via an impartial, free to access, single point of contact.
Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire Growth Hub works with partners in the public and private sector as well as delivering national and local business support schemes under contract.
For more information visit: Business Support in Stoke on Trent and Staffordshire - Stoke on Trent Staffordshire Growth Hub (stokestaffsgrowthhub.co.uk)
The first port of call for local businesses seeking advice or support is the Stoke-on-Trent & Staffordshire Business Helpline: 0300 111 8002.