SUPPORTING NORTHAMPTONSHIRE
BUSINESS
at
Northamptonshire
enterprise partnership we are COMMITTED TO making a real difference to businesses
Northamptonshire Enterprise Partnership is about business. Led by business, the Partnership is specifically targeted with supporting business growth. Working with new and existing businesses, a dedicated support structure is in place enabling local businesses to innovate, realise IN Northamptonshire opportunity and achieve sustainable growth through a range of business support initiatives.
Successful, growing, new and established businesses are the key to unlocking jobs growth and supporting Northamptonshire’s economic recovery and its contribution to the UK economy. Northamptonshire Enterprise Partnership works with, champions and supports existing businesses and business networks whilst at the same time collaborating with partners to develop and strengthen the county’s proposition for new investment.
BUSINESS ANGELS Investing in Northamptonshire Entrepreneurs and helping businesses to access finance
“ The challenges faced by businesses are numerous in today’s economic climate. Improving access to finance opportunities is vital to support the growth of businesses in the county. At NEP we are keen to develop initiatives that support businesses and contribute to the wider prosperity agenda for the county.� Access to finance remains a key concern for new and established businesses. Northamptonshire Enterprise Partnership is exploring new initiatives to help remove barriers to finance and developing new opportunities for investment. An example is the stimulation of an Angel Investment network for Northamptonshire, through which the Partnership will harness expertise and secure investment to support the growth of local businesses. Business Angels, generally private individuals seeking a return on their investment, tend to look for high growth potential products or services and invest at the start up or early growth stages of a business. In addition Business Angels offer considerable expertise, good contacts and credibility to the businesses they support through their investment. This initiative will boost prosperity in the county by helping existing businesses to develop, supporting entrepreneurship and new business start-ups, and creating jobs for local people. For more information please contact: Sajeeda.Rose@northamptonshireep.co.uk
James Saunders Watson Owner of Rockingham Castle Estate, Head of Investment Trust Marketing at JP Morgan Asset Management and NEP Board Member.
INVESTMENT FUNDs Supporting the growth of Northamptonshire businesses INV-ENT Working collaboratively with the County Council, the Partnership has developed the Innovation and Enterprise Fund (INV-ENT), a new locally funded initiative to establish conditions that will enable businesses to grow and to create private sector jobs. INV-ENT provides a business rate rebate to eligible businesses enabling funds to be released for reinvestment in the business, specifically to stimulate development, growth and innovation. For more information about INV-ENT please contact: Cathy.Martin@northamptonshireep.co.uk
Fit for Market Fit for Market (FFM) is an innovative funding stream which aims to overcome barriers to commercial development in Northamptonshire. FFM projects support the construction and refurbishment of commercial premises, employment land remediation and other initiatives to enable high value jobs growth and the creation of high quality floorspace in Northamptonshire. For more information please contact: Stacey.Davies@northamptonshireep.co.uk
“Supporting businesses to develop and grow is vital to the creation of jobs within the county. We as a County Council are pleased to be launching the INV-ENT fund, which we are sure will play an important part in developing the economy of Northamptonshire.� Cllr. Jim Harker Leader of Northamptonshire County Council
WORKING IN PARTNERSHIP
Apprenticeships Can help businesses in Northamptonshire across all sectors, by offering a route to harness fresh new talent. Apprenticeships stand at the heart of national plans to develop the skills necessary for the growth of UK businesses and the economy. At NEP, our role is to ensure that the opportunities are maximised for Northamptonshire businesses. Our campaign to promote apprenticeships will ensure a ready supply of talented young people for apprenticeship vacancies and will develop an apprenticeship offer that meets the training needs of Northamptonshire businesses.
Corporate Social Responsibility The Partnership is working with businesses to help support their corporate social responsibility agenda. The Environment and Corporate Responsibility Group meets regularly to exchange good practice, share information on working with the community, report corporate responsibility and engage with the charitable sector. The group is developing a virtual platform where businesses can advertise and look for volunteering opportunities for their staff, promote resource giveaways, offer skill support for local groups, donate online to local causes and engage with local philanthropic ventures. For more information please contact: Helen.Miller@northamptonshireep.co.uk
For more information please contact: Fiona.Galbraith@northamptonshireep.co.uk
Enterprise Hubs The Partnership recognises the importance of supporting businesses from the earliest stage in their development. Enterprise Hubs will provide access to information and support in local communities for those interested in starting a business. This initiative will be launched in December 2011 offering face-to-face mentoring through workshops and advice surgeries. For more information please contact: Fiona.Galbraith@northamptonshireep.co.uk
“ Northamptonshire Enterprise Partnership has an objective to make this region very attractive to young people and also very skilled people to live here and work here. Having the right people for our businesses will ensure our businesses do better and people have a higher quality of life.� Dr. Isaac Sheps CEO, Carlsberg UK and NEP Board Member
A CONNECTED COUNTY Working with business for business – Northamptonshire Enterprise Partnership is committed to making a real difference.
TOURISM FORUM The Partnership works tirelessly on putting Northamptonshire on the map. The Tourism Forum enables over 100 businesses from the visitor economy to meet each quarter to share best practice, develop networks and do business. The Forum also provides a much needed platform for engagement with our partners and for alignment of activity with Northamptonshire’s world leading brands.
BUSINESS SUMMIT Delivered in partnership, the Summit is an annual event which brings together 200 delegates from the Northamptonshire business community to debate key issues facing business in today’s challenging economic conditions.
PROPERTY
& CONSTRUCTION FORUM The Property and Construction Forum is a long established platform for the construction and property sector in Northamptonshire. Held monthly, the Forum enables businesses to network, update on current activities and promote best practice in the field.
BUSINESS PARKS The Partnership’s established support for ten Northamptonshire Business Parks and Estates is focused on supporting and improving strategic centres of employment and business activity whilst unlocking barriers to growth. Our work enables businesses to meet, share knowledge and best practice, and consider local developments and future improvements to the estates.
Innovation
FOOD AWARDS & MADE IN NORTHAMPTONSHIRE
and Enterprise Centres Network Providing much needed office space, workshops and incubation units, Northamptonshire has developed a number of high quality and award winning enterprise and innovation centres which are vital to supporting growing, new and established businesses. Working together as a network, the centres are equipped to provide a cross county integrated solution and to better position themselves for business investment.
Made in Northamptonshire offers support to the county’s growing and vibrant local food and drink sector, facilitating connections and real business development whilst at the same time strengthening the industry’s reputation for quality. Aimed at producers wishing to find new markets; and chefs, eateries and retail outlets looking to source good local produce, this new integrated programme of activity builds on the success of the Carlsberg UK Northamptonshire Food and Drink awards, which recognise excellence and reward those who work so hard within the county’s culinary sector.
MAKING A REAL DIFFERENCE Northamptonshire Enterprise Partnership develops and strengthens the county’s proposition for new investment and provides a strong ‘front of house’ enquiry response service, working with and supporting businesses through each step of their investment decision making. The Partnership continues to grow a ‘virtual sales team’ of Ambassadors and other partners to assist with the strong presentation of Northamptonshire and its offer.
Among those who gathered at the latest Made in Northamptonshire meeting was first time attendee Aldo Gallone of Northampton ice cream makers Gallones. “In chatting to just some of the other members, we’ve found four potential new retailers who seem keen on stocking our products, including Booker,” enthused Aldo, “so we’re really excited about taking those conversations further. I thought the event was brilliant and would recommend that anyone with an interest in promoting good quality on our doorstep should join.” Aldo Gallone Gallones, Northamptonshire
“ Silverstone uses its brand and facilities to act as a catalyst for the HPE and motorsport industry in Northamptonshire. Working with NEP we help to attract new investment, to create new jobs, enhance educational opportunities and maintain awareness of the importance of the sector to the whole of the UK and across the world.”
“ I arrived in the UK for a fact finding mission and was given a very warm welcome from NEP. Prior to arriving they had organised with several Real Estate agents for me to view potential properties to lease for the business and once in the country they chauffeured me around to each property, with a running commentary on the surrounding area and what it had to offer me and my business. I was also provided with contact details of other organisations and businesses in the local area who provided services critical to the set up and running of my business and appointments arranged to meet with representatives of them whilst I was in country. The support we received from NEP didn’t stop once we had launched our business, they have constantly been in contact with us giving hints, tips and suggestions to help our business grow.’” Australian Food and Drink company following investment in Northamptonshire
Richard Phillips Silverstone, Northamptonshire
“ After a lengthy search we came across a well supported enterprise area of Northamptonshire. The area is logistically ideal to service all our customers throughout the UK as well as the various B2B hubs that are also situated centrally. An important consideration was also the retention of key staff that would have to either relocate or commute to the new area. At Full Support Healthcare (FSH) our staff are central to our success and it was crucial to ensure that key members were happy with the move. Some senior members of staff relocated to the area and found the schools, amenities and local villages to be of excellent quality. Another key factor for FSH was the focus on Corporate and Social Responsibility and especially our commitment to ensure we are as ‘green’ logistically as possible. Being centrally based meant we could utilise back hauling with our main suppliers and B2B customer base. We were also supported generously by the Northamptonshire Enterprise Partnership team in terms of local suppliers and focus groups. The community at Park Farm Industrial Estate is supportive and inclusive, with regular meetings to discuss shared issues. Overall, the move to Northamptonshire has been beneficial to FSH and it’s customers and we would recommend the area to other perspective businesses.” Full Support Healthcare, Wellingborough, Northamptonshire
CONTACT Want to find out how Northamptonshire Enterprise Partnership can help your business?
Northamptonshire Enterprise Partnership Enterprise House 30 Billing Road Northampton NN1 5DQ
Tel: +44 (0)1604 609 393 Fax: +44 (0)1604 627 401 Email: info@northamptonshireep.co.uk www.northamptonshireep.co.uk
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Northamptonshire Enterprise Partnership
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