Wenta 2022-2023 Annual Review

Annual Review 2022-2023

Contents

2

Our Mission

03

Our Chair’s Annual Review and Directors Report

04

Wenta - Our Impact

06

Free support delivered nationally during 2022-23

08

Finance Report

11

Wenta Partners

12

Wenta Staff team awayday, November 2022

Our mission Inclusive support making it easier and greener to start and run a successful business.

Our Values We’re supporting your dreams.

• Every day we enable someone to realise their business dreams • We share your dreams by collaborating, listening and responding with the best business advice possible

We’re passionate, energetic and committed.

• Always driven to go the extra mile for clients and each other • We have fun celebrating clients and our successes

We’re ambitious.

• To maximise opportunities to help grow your business • To challenge ourselves to learn, to innovate and to adapt; realising even more dreams.

3

Chair’s Review and Directors report 2022/23 Last year we set out Wenta’s new strategy of “REACH. IMPACT. GROWTH.” along with our commitment to support SMEs with their climate change challenges.

Our key focus areas are: • Revolutionising the way Wenta and small businesses can tackle the Net Chairman, Dom McKenna Zero challenge; • Making it easier for businesses to access the new skills they need to start and grow; • Growing new inclusive digital services to reach more people; and • Developing sustainable property assets through acquisition, partnership and development.

As well as being a year of huge challenge for SMEs (energy prices, inflation, record employment figures and skills shortages) it has also been a year of opportunity and optimism. As SME’s left the pandemic, a huge emphasis was placed on agility, adaptability, new knowledge, new skills and finding new customers.

Our strategy has focused on making it easier for businesses to access the new skills they need to start and to grow. As our clients were reimagining their businesses and starting new ones, so have we responded with a major emphasis on widening the accessibility of our skills development services to support that growth.

This year we have added CPD accreditation to our skills training and this has helped us improve both quality and client experience. Demand for new knowledge has led us to widen the range of training we offer to more than thirty subject areas (including twelve subject areas supporting Action Zero). To be more flexible and to broaden our inclusivity and accessibility we now offer recordings so that clients can choose the time and place that best suits them to learn.

Our social impact in figures: 607 businesses started, that’s around £9.1M of gross value added to the UK economy 614 jobs created, and £38M in the value of jobs created 24,119 delegates increased their skills, confidence and impact on their SME 43,622 hours of inclusive business support nationally 71 average net promoter score from advice clients £128,000 grants paid to SMEs 6,460 clients signed up to learning more about Action Zero

4

Our Climate change progress Our strategy to revolutionise how SMEs tackle net zero is backed up by our own organisational commitments.

Having made our pledge to the UK SME Climate Hub, our experience in this area over the last two years has proved invaluable. We have re-accredited our staff and now our Board in their climate change commitment. Wenta has now completed two Carbon Footprints and published our learning and experience on our website. Starting the journey is a great first step to take for any SME. We have reduced our carbon footprint by more than 50%. It has been a challenge and no doubt there is more we can do. The key areas for Wenta were: • Supporting staff with knowledge, skills and then some experience of the climate change arena; • Moving to renewable energy; • Spending wisely on our buildings, energy, waste and services, always taking a perspective on the long term, potential carbon reducing benefits of decisions; • Collecting data to evidence where our carbon footprint was growing or shrinking; and • Following relevant technology and innovation changes that could benefit our progress.

From our organisational experience and from our Action Zero clients, we know there are barriers for SMEs to reduce their carbon footprint: time, money, knowledge and access to support are just a few. We also know that SMEs are resilient, adaptable and will look for the ways in which Action Zero can benefit them and their customers.

Wenta’s 40th year; A year of celebration, reflecting and looking forward.

Wenta celebrate our 40th year in 2023. We recognise that our current Board, staff, partners and clients are all building on the work of those who have gone before us in the fortyyear history of Wenta. I would like to reflect and to pass on our thanks to our founding members and to everyone who has participated in our rich history of continuously adapting to the business environment, while doing so with a social view that enterprise can benefit us all.

Happy 40th Birthday to clients past, present and future!

Looking ahead We have made a strong start in delivering across our new 2022 2027 Strategy and the key areas which we encapsulate into REACH. IMPACT. GROWTH. We are able to deliver our mission, deliver free services and subsidise others due to the support from our partners, and provide careful management of our resources.

I would like to thank all those that have supported us to deliver free services to clients, so that our reach and impact across all communities can continue.

“ I’ve engaged with the Action Zero service and the really good intro to Silver.

I’m so fascinated with all this. So, to update what I have done for my new range, it’s even more sustainable! I have changed all the labels and packaging to be recycled fabrics and on the yarns.

The polyester is all recycled and the cottons and viscose are all organic. Thanks to Action Zero, I’ve managed to do this earlier than I had anticipated!

”

Sarah-Jane Hingorani, uberemama.co.uk

5

Delivery of Wenta’s free, national services 43,622

hours of business advice and support delivered

31,842

hours of confidence building, skills training

96%

skills training satisfaction rate

3,371

3,534

live chats

on-demand sessions delivered

607

total business starts

6

3,041 hours of one-to-one sessions delivered

Our Impact £9.1m GVA in start-ups

614

jobs created

42%

from BAME communities

£128,000 in grants paid to small businesses

£40m value of jobs created

24,119

people supported with skills training

£474,000 in grants paid over the past 3 years

1st April 2022 - 31st March 2023 7

Free support delivered nationally during 2022-23 Rutherglen, Scotland

2022-23 clients.

Free support delivered nationally*

“

They are full of helpful information, the advisors always make you comfortable to ask questions, even if you think it may be a silly question. Massive thanks to them.

Action Zero support delivered** Action Zero Academy support delivered***

” Manchester

“

*40-years of free and inclusive national business support through training and 121 advice

Very professional presenters, who are very approachable. I like the hands-on attitude and openness. Wenta reduces the barrier to ask questions.

**Action Zero is a subsidised provision for SME’s wanting to address sustainability and reduce their carbon footprint ***Action Zero Academy is a subsidised training course created in response to the UK Climate Emergency and Wenta’s Net Zero commitment, designed to build staff knowledge, and promote climate action at work, at home and in the community.

Centre Locations: The Business and Technology Centre, Stevenage Chells Industrial Units, Stevenage The Wenta Business Centre, Watford The Wenta Business Centre, Enfield The Enterprise Centre, Potters Bar 8

” NORTH HERTFORDSHIRE COLLEGE: ACTION ZERO ACADEMY

“

The conference was thought-provoking, insightful, motivational and, at times, a very sobering reminder of what’s actually happening on our doorstep and across the world with regards to climate change and the impact on our lives.

The conference was the first activity on the roadmap to becoming a more sustainable organisation – a journey which will take time, money, perseverance, and commitment – but nonetheless, one which we must start now, even if it’s with small steps.

Thank you to Michael Martin, Wenta, and Lynne Ceeney for joining us for our Staff Development Conference and helping to start important conversations.

”

Kirklees, West Yorkshire

“

The call was extremely helpful and moved me forward in my business.

” Caddington, Central Bedfordshire

“

Wenta is an incredible resource for new start-ups. The advice I’ve received to date, through workshops, webinars, and a 1:1 call, has been invaluable. I feel thankful that a resource like this exists locally, to help people like me navigate the pitfalls, opportunities and responsibilities that come with starting a business.

Thanks to all the Wenta team.

NEWCASTLE

” Pairio: Action Zero Stevenage Borough Council support

“

LEEDS

LIVERPOOL

BIRMINGHAM

NORTHANTS

SOUTH EAST MIDLANDS

BUCKS

BEDS HERTS

To date, we have attended webinars on various topics and taken part in online training in the form of the Action Zero course, where we are currently up to the Silver accreditation and working towards Gold. What really stands out to me with Wenta is the 1:1 business support, Michael Martin one of Wenta’s Business Advisors has been invaluable in his support for our business, he has been there to answer all the questions that we have had to date.

We are currently going through a funding round and his knowledge and wisdom has made the whole process much easier than it would have been without his support. I now see Michael as more of a friend and mentor and I look forward to every single meeting with him.

ENFIELD

Lewes, East Sussex SOUTHHAMPTON PORTSMOUTH

BRIGHTON

”

“

Informative and engaging.

Great follow-up advice provided afterwards too.

” 9

“ As an inclusive manufacturer, designing and manufacturing net zero PPE for more people in society, we learned a great deal from our business advisor, Michael. I’ve worked so long with him and I trust him completely as an expert in his field.

”

The Helloface thehelloface.com

“ Since starting the business in 2012, Wenta has provided helpful support in numerous ways such as: allowing the expansion of our office space; providing support and guidance through the Covid pandemic and, more recently, helping us on our path to Net Zero via their Action Zero Programme. Wenta also foster a sense of community amongst the centre clients by organising social gatherings and are a good opportunity for everyone to get to know each other.

”

Oxhey Hall Consulting Ltd oxheyhall.com

10

“ It is crucial for businesses to consider their sustainability and carbon footprint to ensure they can work on reducing the impact on our climate. This is particularly true when considering how larger entities already have regulations they must comply with in relation to contributing towards achieving the net zero target. This is likely to reach SME’s in the near future.

”

Finance

Director of Pearldrop, Denise Austin

Financial report

Year to 31/07/2019

8 Months to 31/03/2020

Year to 31/03/2021

Year to 31/03/2022

Year to 31/03/2023

Turnover

3,308,677

2,088,777

3,161,444

3,503,933

3,465,277

Administrative Expenses

-2,664,193

-1,538,028

-2,013,532

-2,109,091

-2,283,268

Interest / Other Charges

-112,829

-69,725

-140,848

-674,601

-4,880

Surplus on Ordinary Activities

531,655

481,024

1,007,064

720,241

1,177,129

Total Assets Less Liabilities

10,432,750

10,766,171

8,633,019

13,080,968

14,258,097

Long Term Liabilities

-3,779,765

-3,632,162

-491,946

-1,089,654

-1,089,654

Total Net Assets

6,652,985

7,134,009

8,141,073

11,991,314

13,168,443

11

Affordable Net Zero? It’s here. wenta.co.uk/actionzero

Thank you

With thanks to everyone who is featured in this Annual Review, especially our wonderful community of clients, who we have the privilege of working with every day.

Wenta Partners ACAS Allan Smith Accounting & Tax ASA Business Consulting Bedford Borough Council Bedfordshire Chamber of Commerce BEIS Brasier Freeth British Business Bank Broxbourne Borough Council CACI Cheeky Munkey Central Bedfordshire Council Cobweb Information Clearchannel UK Clearhead Media Communities 1st Communicorn UK Dacorum Borough Council Deyton Bell DWP East Herts District Council Eastleigh Council Enfield Council Enterprise Research Centre Exemplas Finpoint FSB Google Digital Garage Great Ormond Street Hospital Habit Action Hertfordshire Chamber of Commerce Hertfordshire County Council Hertfordshire Libraries Herts for Learning Ltd Hertsmere Borough Council Hertfordshire Growth Hub Hertfordshire LEP HM Revenue & Customs Ian Martin Consulting Iceni

Additionally, our thanks to the Board of Directors for their continued support during 2022-23.

Dom McKenna Graham Lane Samantha Chaney

Leath Al Obaidi Louise Parkes Ian Martin

Ingeus Ixion Holdings Iyadoor Marketing Jamcrackers JETS Programme Jobs 22 Kent Growth Hub Kent Ivicta Chamber of Commerce L33 UK Letchworth Garden City Heritage Foundation Luton Borough Council Luton Rising Manchester City Council Machins Solicitors LLP Maximus MCR Pathways MCS Creative Mentors Me MHCLG Michael Hadi Associates Ltd Music Myers Clark Chartered Accountants NatWest North Hertfordshire College North Herts District Council Oaklands College Ocean Outdoor Media Reed in Partnership Richmond Planning Rothamsted ROCRE Santander Scott & York Seetec SEMLEP SEMLEP Growth Hub Shaw Trust Sky Media (AdSmart) Social Jooce South Hill Centre Sparg Legal St Albans District Council Start Up Loans

Tony Silcock Kit Davies Ed Jordan

Stanta Stevenage Borough Council Stevenage Community Trust Teevan Consulting The Princes Trust Three Rivers District Council UENI Ltd University of Bedfordshire University of Hertfordshire University of Northampton Veale Wasbrough Vizards Vibe FM Waterstons Watford Borough Council Watford Chamber of Commerce Watford Community Housing Trust Webb Strategy Ltd Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council West Herts College

Supported Charities Alzheimer’s Research UK Breast Cancer Cherry Lodge Cancer Care Centre Citizens Advice Cooking Champions Garden House Hospice Haven First Home-Start Watford & Three Rivers LAPKA Macmillan Make A Wish Foundation Marie Curie Mountbatten North Middlesex Hospital Peace Hospice Potters Bar Food and Drink Prostate Cancer Rennie Grove Stevenage Community Trust Stevenage Vineyard Foodshed

And finally, the Wenta staff team for their ongoing commitment and exceptional efforts throughout the year.

01438 310020

marketing@wenta.co.uk

wenta.co.uk

@TheWentaGroup