CWLEP Growth Hub Adds Value with Launch of New Business Solutions Initiative

The Coventry and Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership (CWLEP) GrowthHub  - operating in one of the most entrepreneurial areas in the UK – is showing its own flair for innovation with the launch of a ground-breaking service.

In a first for the sector, the organisation has launched a new commercial arm called Business Solutions Ltd that will offer a range of enhanced services on a commercial basis to help companies take advantage of the area’s expanding economy.

Aimed at companies from start-ups to corporates, but primarily SMEs, it will cover services that fall outside the advice and support already available free of charge from CWLEP GrowthHub but which will add value to the companies.

As well as boosting the local economy through promoting entrepreneurship, the new services will benefit local companies by generating revenues that can be re-invested in services for the business community, such as providing loan stock.

Business Solutions is the brainchild of Craig Humphrey, MD of the GrowthHub and Jeremy Moore, a Business Mentor and Account Manager at the GrowthHub.

They spotted the opportunity to sustain the longevity of the organisation and ensure support for the enterprising businesses that are already contributing to the economic growth of the area and which are shaping and helping to underpin a bright economic future for it.

Craig has a wealth of experience in both the public and private sectors and has won praise for his strong and effective leadership from the then Prime Minister David Cameron. He was the first Executive Leader of a local authority in the UK when his role as Leader of Rugby Borough Council was extended to include executive functions in 2010.

Jeremy has commercial sector experience spanning more than 30 years. Working extensively for the business finance industry, as well as sports and media, he has had great success in business sales management and development.

His experience of owning and running a business himself means he readily understands the daily challenges business owners face. And as a qualified business mentor, he’s confident he can make a tangible difference to businesses with ambitions to grow.

Jeremy, Commercial Manager of Business Solutions, said: “Coventry and Warwickshire is the entrepreneurial capital of England and an exciting future lies ahead.

“Not only do we have world-class companies such as Jaguar Land Rover, Aston Martin and London Taxis International, we have a record number of business start-ups (check – is this correct?) and with Coventry being chosen as City of Culture 2021 even more opportunities are opening up.

“We want to make sure businesses make the most of the opportunities and, by launching Business Solutions, we can help to support them to grow and flourish in fast-changing and challenging times.”

Coventry and Warwickshire had the largest rise in new business start-ups of any LEP area in England, according to the latest survey of the area published by BankSearch last year. Warwick, Leamington and Coventry were particular entrepreneurial hot-spots.

Business Solutions will provide services which are distinct from those offered by the GrowthHub. Among the first will be CW Growth Toolkit, an online resource for pre-start and early growth businesses, Employment Solutions which will work to help fill the current skills gap throughout the region and CW Connect, a procurement platform to boost local businesses.

Jeremy said: “If someone wants help to apply for a £50,000 government grant, or advice about day-to-day matters, they should ask the GrowthHub, which offers free, independent, impartial advice and general assistance.

“We are being very careful not to interfere with that. Our services are outside the remit of the GrowthHub, and we will be open, honest and transparent in our dealings with clients. We will tell them what help they can get that is free, and what is not.

“We will remind them they don’t have to sign up for any chargeable help – we won’t be affronted if they say no, and stick to the GrowthHub’s core offering.”

As well as Craig and Jeremy, there are two other directors of Business Solutions – Phil Peak, a Business Mentor and Account Manager at the GrowthHub and Sean Farnell, an accountant who sits on the board of CWLEP.