Enterprise Strategy 2022 - 2026

Enterprise Strategy

People

Business Enterprising Community

Our Vision

To see Ballymena become a thriving and vibrant economic area driven by innovation, enterprise and entrepreneurship.

Chief Executive Foreword

Melanie Christie Boyle MBE Chief Executive, Ballymena Business Centre

Ballymena Business Centre has provided enterprise support to the local community for over 30 years. During this time we have helped individuals and businesses navigate through political unrest, economic uncertainties and advances in technology The coronavirus global health pandemic has, however, resulted in an unprecedented environment in which both established and start up businesses have had to operate. As we emerge from this pandemic Ballymena Business Centre acknowledges the contribution by so many organisations in the Ballymena area which has allowed for the continuing growth of new business opportunities.

As we embark on our new 5 year Enterprise Strategy it is hoped that there will be significant opportunity to contribute to the development of new business opportunities in the area. This new Enterprise Strategy 2022 2026 will help to provide direction, focus and above all much needed encouragement to our local community Ballymena Business Centre will continue to work in partnership with those organisations and agencies which share our values in contributing to a vibrant local economy.

NHS on the Frontline

by Jacque McNeill, Artist 2021 Exhibition Midtown Makers Shop

Contents Introduction Vision, Mission and Charitable Purpose Charity Trustees and Executive Team Company Values and Unique Selling Point Pillars of Support Performance 2018 2021 Enterprise Themes and Priorities 2022 2026 Enterprise Actions 2022 2026 Conclusion

Photo: James Perry MBE, Vice Chairperson; Alderman Audrey Wales MBE, Trustee; PJ McAvoy, Chairperson; Melanie Christie Boyle MBE, Chief Executive and Sir William Wright CBE, Founding Chairperson

Introduction

Ballymena Business Centre Ltd was established in 1989 and incorporated in 1990 as a Local Enterprise Agency to work at the grass roots of the Ballymena community promoting enterprise and entrepreneurship. As a non profit taking Social Enterprise, approval was granted in 2005 to be recognised as a Northern Ireland Charity and subsequent approval was granted under the Northern Ireland Charity Commission in 2015 [Charity Number 101472]

In preparing this Enterprise Strategy, the Board of Directors has reflected on the challenges faced throughout the Coronavirus pandemic, the needs of our local community and has been informed through economic reports and strategies focusing on innovation, enterprise and entrepreneurship.

Ballymena Business Centre is a Northern Ireland Charity and a founder member of Enterprise Northern Ireland

Vision, Mission and Purpose

Our Vision

To help Ballymena become a thriving and vibrant economic area driven by innovation, enterprise and entrepreneurship.

Our Mission

To promote enterprise and entrepreneurship by delivering innovative projects to support economic and community regeneration in the greater Ballymena area of Mid and East Antrim.

Our Charitable Purpose

To focus on reducing poverty and promoting wealth creation through the public benefits that flow from:

Urban and Rural Regeneration Enterprise and Entrepreneurship

Northern Regional College Enterprise VITAL Erasmus Project

Photo: Gregorio Martinez, Chief Executive, Mudinmar; Mary Laverty, Client Executive, Invest NI and Stephen Scullion, Ballymena Business Centre Manager

Charity Trustees

Ballymena Business Centre has a Board of Directors, who as Trustees of the Charity, give of their time on a non commercial basis and has a diverse mix of skills providing strong leadership, high standards of corporate governance and are entrepreneurial in their vision

JAMES PERRY MBE DL CHAI

MARY HAMILTON CHARITY TRUSTEE

WILLIAM CARSON CHARITY TRUSTEE

JOHN STUART MBE CHARITY TRUSTEE

AUDREY WALES MBE CHARITY TRUSTEE

PAUL LIVINGSTONE CHARITY TRUSTEE

JIM BRIGGS CHARITY TRUSTEE

PJ MCAVOY CHAIRPERSON

ALDERMAN

Executive Team

The Board of Directors is supported by an Executive Team led by Melanie Christie Boyle MBE, Chief Executive. The experienced team has long standing record of employment with Ballymena Business Centre and has served the Ballymena community with professionalism and high standards of customer care

Ballymena Business Centre is an ISO 9001 Quality Registered organisation supported by professional membership and accreditation held by the Executive Team

JIM STEVENSON MANAGER TOWN CENTRE

ADELINE WRIGHT ADMISTRATION OFFICER

MELANIE CHRISTIE BOYLE MBE CHIEF EXECUTIVE

STEPHEN SCULLION CENTRE MANAGER

YVONNE MARKS

OFFICER

HILARY MCMILLAN MANAGER BALLYKEEL

Launch of Enabling Enterprise in partnership with The Gallaher Trust

Photo: Melanie Christie Boyle MBE, Chief Executive, Ballymena Business Centre and Pat McCallion, Trustee, The Gallaher Trust

Company Values

Integrity: we build open, honest and trusted relationships with stakeholders

Respect: we promote equality, diversity and respect for all within our everyday working environment

Professionalism: we seek to maintain and improve our skills in all areas of our work

Quality: we deliver a high quality service focused on customer need and innovation

Community Involvement: we adhere to the principles of social enterprise for the benefit of all our community Enthusiasm: we work positivity with enthusiasm and willingness to help others

Our Unique Selling Point

Connected: long established partnerships and community networks

Respected: embedded and trusted within the local community

Knowledgeable: extensive knowledge of local business needs

Entrepreneurial: willing to explore new ideas

Innovative: keen to experiment with new concepts

Responsive: flexible and responsive to market demand

Approachable: friendly and welcoming to all within our community

Pillars of Support

Ballymena Business Centre supports 500 individuals and businesses each year under three enterprise pillars:

1. Business Support

Supporting entrepreneurs at a pre start, start up and growth stage of their business journey.

2. Business Space

Property solutions through light industrial workspace, town centre retail space, office and meeting space.

3. Community Regeneration

Promoting enterprise and entrepreneurship at a local level through engagement with education, financial, statutory, private, voluntary and community sectors, including non commercial representation on a range of voluntary committees

Non-Commercial Contribution

In addition to our core business activity the organisation contributes to a range of enterprise and regeneration committees including: Neighbourhood Renewal Employability and Skills Group; Manufacturing Task Force; Ballymena Tourism Cluster; Michelin Development and Mid and East Antrim Innovation Partnership

James Perry MBE, Vice Chairperson, Ballymena Business Centre welcoming Deborah Fitzsimmons, Enterprise Manager. Deborah was employed by Ballymena Business Centre February 2019 to February 2022 responsible for the management and delivery of Enabling Enterprise supported by The Gallaher Trust.

Performance 2018 to 2021

400 business plans prepared for start up businesses

25 businesses supported through Innovation

53 local students learning new Enterprise skills

£60,500 start up seed funding approved

622 seminar attendees learning new Enterprise skills

109 business space properties managed

370 jobs supported through business space

£90,720 non commercial value given by Trustees and Executive Team

£3,900 community sponsorship

During the term of our previous Enterprise Strategy 2018 2021 we successfully managed the following enterprise projects and business space:

SERVICE LEVEL AGREEMENTS

The Gallaher Trust

Enabling Enterprise

4i Innovation

Mid and East Antrim Borough Council

COVID 19 Business Support Kickstart

World of Enterprise

Enterprise Northern Ireland

Co Innovate Programme Go For It Programme

Neighbourhood Renewal Business Space

Ballykeel Business Development Ltd

and Harryville Community Enterprise Ltd

OF WORK PARTNER

Supported by Northern Regional College [Erasmus]

4D Entrepreneurship

Owned Business Space

Ballymena Business Centre: Galgorm

Business Centre: Town Centre

Enterprise Themes and Priorities

Ballymena Business Centre will build upon the existing Strategic Themes People, Business and Community.

The following Priorities have been identified under each Theme:

Enterprising People

Priority 1: Inspire individuals to be enterprising

Priority 2: Ensure enterprise is accessible to all within our community

Enterprising Business

Priority 3: Encourage the creation of new business and social enterprise

Priority 4: Support growth within existing businesses including our tenants

Enterprising Community

Priority 5: Promote a nurturing environment for businesses to start and to grow within our business space

Priority 6: Promote our enterprise hub model through the management of existing and new business space

Launch of 4i Innovation in partnership with The Gallaher Trust and Innovate NI

Photo: Dr Vicky Kell, Director of Innovation, Research and Development, Invest NI; Stephen Scullion, Ballymena Business Centre Manager and Lauren McAteer, Trustee, The Gallaher Trust

Enterprise Actions

Ballymena Business Centre has developed this five year action plan ensuring best use of company resources. Actions will embrace the latest knowledge in enterprise and innovation and will be designed to meet the needs of our customer. Ballymena Business Centre will seek opportunities to further develop strategic partnerships with those organisations which share our values in order to best contribute to a vibrant local economy

Showcase local entrepreneurs as positive role models and inspiration for others

Grow our network of entrepreneurs to share knowledge and support each other

Promote enterprise opportunities across the greater Ballymena area including those hard to reach

Promote enterprise opportunities to all within our community

Design and deliver innovative prestart and start up projects

Design and deliver innovative business growth projects

Manage business space at property owned by Ballymena Business Centre at Galgorm and Town Centre

Pursue development opportunities for Midtown Makers

Manage business space under service level agreement for Ballykeel Business Development Ltd and Ballee & Harryville Community Enterprise Ltd

Actively seek opportunities to promote our enterprise hub model with organisations which share our values

Seek opportunities to invest in the future to help address the need for additional start up and grow on business space

Conclusion

Ballymena Business Centre Enterprise Strategy 2022 2026 for the greater Ballymena area remains focused on Enterprising People, Enterprising Business and Enterprising Community. This is a living document designed to be adaptable to new opportunities with flexibility to manage unforeseen circumstances through our risk management strategy. This Enterprise Strategy contributes to our Vision by making best use of company resources, meeting customer needs and being informed by the latest reports focusing on innovation, enterprise and entrepreneurship

To learn more about Ballymena Business Centre or for more information on our Enterprise Strategy 2022 - 2026 contact:

Melanie Christie Boyle MBE Chief Executive, Ballymena Business Centre

T: 028 2565 8616

E: melanie@ballymenabusiness.co.uk

Ballymena Business Centre Ltd 62 Fenaghy Road

BT42 1FL