The power of three – communication, collaboration and celebration, with Ammar Mirza

The power of three

Having spent years helping businesses grow and trying to come up with a simple formula that when applied could have a profound positive impact I developed the ‘power of three’ approach that I now champion.  Effective communication, collaboration and celebration are the backbone of success irrespective of whether this is in a personal or professional setting.

When the power of three is applied constantly and consistently I’m a firm believer that we can achieve anything. I attended an event recently that demonstrated just that. The Growth Hub Provider Network, organised by the North East LEP, took place in September and was a great example of business support providers coming together to offer the best possible business centred solutions for companies in our region.

Why do I think communication, collaboration and celebration are critical to creating success in the North East?

Communication

By communicating with and understanding each other more, businesses can complement one another’s activities and create a thriving, successful economy. At the Growth Hub Provider Network, this was exampled perfectly during the pitch session – where business support providers had just two minutes to describe what they do. With this quick overview, other providers could understand where each other fit in terms of the overall environment for support and work more closely together to provide the best help for North East companies

Collaboration

Good communication leads to opportunities to collaborate. We all need to work closely with our supply chain and other organisations in the same field as us to make our business a success, and exactly the same is true in business support.

One example of a really successful collaboration which I think deserves celebration is the North East LEP’s Growth Through Digital Technology programme.  This initiative is designed to help businesses achieve higher growth and increase profits through supporting them to develop and implement a digital action plan. The programme has brought together a range of companies including Microsoft, Uber, BT and Nominet who, with the support of a network of local partners, have been working with a common purpose of collaborating for local business growth.

Celebration

Events like this are a great platform for celebrating the impact of the fantastic work that’s being done here in the region through the LEP. We operate in a vibrant, supportive business community and, if we celebrate this more, it will show other regions and the rest of the world just what our great region is made of.

A hub for business

The September event centred on the latest version of the North East Growth Hub – a place where businesses can access the finance, funding and advice they need to grow. I’m really pleased to see this version go live; from what I hear it’s been a truly user-centric process with regard to the development and it certainly looks like peoples’ opinions have been taken on board. I’m looking forward to seeing the new functionality that will go live soon, including a forum and enhanced content, geared around helping businesses scale up and reach the next level. Encouragingly, the Growth Hub also helps North East businesses communicate, collaborate and celebrate more; great for helping us achieve the success we deserve.

Business support and finance providers are invited to attend the next Growth Hub Provider Network meeting, on 6 December. The event will largely focus on Scale Up, and we’re excited to welcome Sherry Coutu from the Scale Up Institute to provide useful advice and guidance on how businesses in our region can target the next level.

Ammar Mirza CBE

North East LEP Business Growth Board Member

 

 

Join us for a workshop to help businesses embrace digital technology

Delivering faster and more profitable growth is brought to you by BT in association with Uber and the SME Centre of Excellence.

The fun, fast paced and highly practical workshop is designed to provoke thought, get your creative juices flowing and introduce you to practical tools and techniques that can help you to deliver faster and more profitable growth. It’s part of our Growth through Digital Technology programme; helping North East businesses grow their business using digital technology.

Speakers include Mike Jones, an entrepreneur with a number of small businesses, formerly founding MD of BT Local Business, a BT division serving over one million SME customers; and Senior Operations Manager at Uber UK, Gemma Bloemen.
Ammar Mirza, from the Centre for SME Excellence, will facilitate a workshop using a range of practical tools and techniques that will allow you to work with other delegates to explore how you can use digital technology to deliver higher revenue and profit growth.

Register now

The event will help you be able to:

  • Develop new ideas on how digital tech can give you a competitive advantage
  • Identify new ways of capturing revenue and growing sales
  • Identify ways of delivering a better customer experience, without adding cost and complexity
  • Develop ideas on how you can make your people more efficient and productive
  • Learn about the finance and support available to support implementation.

Businesses that meet the following criteria are invited to attend:

  • Based in the North East LEP area (Sunderland, Durham, Gateshead, Newcastle, North Tyneside, South Tyneside, Northumberland)
  • Minimum of 5 employees
  • Current turnover at least £500k per annum

Register now

For more information contact [email protected]

The Rural Growth Network: in conversation with North East LEP Board Member Gillian Hall

Evaluation of the Rural Growth Network pilot programme

Since 2012 we’ve seen the Rural Growth Network (RGN) working to stimulate economic growth in the North East’s rural areas and communities. This has included identifying the key issues which face businesses in these rural areas; assisting businesses with either financial support or business advice; helping to create enterprise hubs; and providing capital investment to support employment and business growth in the rural economy.

In the North East, the RGN pilot project began in 2012 with £3.2m of funding from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra).

Defra has recently completed its evaluation of the national RGN pilot phase, looking at the impact made by the Networks’ support to the rural economy across the UK. I was interested to be able to review some of the key findings which have emerged from the report and am pleased to see evidence of the project’s impact, including:

  • For every £1 of Defra RGN investment spent by the end of September 2015, the return on investment will be around £6.60 by the end of the next three years
  • The pilot initiative helped to create or safeguard over 2,200 jobs
  • It also helped to create over 700 businesses
  • The RGN support has brought about a range of soft outcomes, including building skills and capacity in the areas of enterprise and business growth, addressing confidence issues and creating sustainable business networks.

Here in the North East, we had some specific targets for the region’s RGN pilot project, including the aim to support the creation of 300 new jobs and 40 new businesses.

In fact, both these targets were exceeded during the three year project, with nearly 200 new businesses helped to establish themselves. The pilot achieved 100 enterprise spaces in 13 enterprise hubs. The network has grown successfully and there are now 36 enterprise hubs across the rural North East, from Berwick to Bishop Auckland, Amble to Allendale.

Following these successes, the North East LEP and central Government allocated a further £6m of Local Growth Funding to phase two of the North East RGN, over a five year period to 2020. The new capital programme aims to support rural businesses and stimulate business growth within the rural areas of Northumberland, Durham and Gateshead.

Projects which have already received support from the North East RGN include The Sill – this ambitious £14.2 million initiative will result in a new Landscape Discovery Centre and YHA Youth Hostel, transforming how people explore the landscapes, history and heritage of Northumberland and also delivering substantial economic benefits to the area.

In Tyne and Wear, the Kibblesworth Village Millennium Centre secured over £40,000 in support from the Rural Growth Network to support the project, which includes the creation of three iconic enterprise pods and conversion of space in the centre building to create further office accommodation, informal business meeting space and toilet facilities.

Between now and 2020, the North East RGN is set to help create more and better jobs in the North East’s rural economy.

Find out more about the North East RGN.
Find out about the business space on offer at www.ruralconnect.biz 

Gillian Hall, North East LEP Board Member.

In Conversation with North East LEP Chair, Andrew Hodgson: North Easy Ready To Capitalise on EU Funding Guarantee

The North East ready to capitalise on EU funding guarantee.

The announcement by the Chancellor of the Exchequer Philip Hammond extending the European Union funding guarantee to the point of Brexit is an opportunity the North East is determined to seize.

Confirmation that the Government will honour structural and investment fund projects signed before we have left the EU is welcome news.

We now hope that this signals that the programmes will start to flow again.

In the North East, we are ready, poised and waiting with our partners to ensure those projects in the pipeline get over the line and secure much needed EU funding.

The Government is clear about the criteria projects must meet for this to happen.

They must continue to meet EU funding rules but must also demonstrate good value for money and be in line with domestic strategic priorities.

In the North East, we have a very strong pipeline of projects.

Many of them are aligned with the priorities of the refreshed North East Strategic Economic Plan, produced after widespread consultation by the North East Local Enterprise Partnership with its partners.

It’s about making sure that we all have those projects lined up and ready to respond to any opportunities that might be forthcoming.

And the only way to get more projects to come forward now is to have more application rounds or calls.

We are waiting for Government to press the button and invite more applications which could be before or after the Autumn Statement on 23 November.

We know where we are going with a clear vision and plan and it’s the LEP’s role to make sure that the strategically important projects are supported by our local partners.

It’s important at this point to take stock of what is at stake here and why this investment is so important to our region.

The North East was originally allocated £437m in European Structural Funds up to 2020. Out of that central pot, at present over £198m remains unallocated.

Some of this funding is earmarked to support business growth and job creation. The LEP and partners recognise the need to support more business start-ups, create more growth through innovation, and support more small and medium sized businesses to export.

The European Social Fund is funding earmarked for skills and employment support, helping the unemployed and economically inactive back into work and supporting those in work to up-skill and re-skill. This will mean employees in the workplace will get the opportunity to progress their careers, and to provide them with the opportunity to progress from part-time to full-time work.

We also have key sectors that we need to support with digital skills, a need identified in the work we did with the business community in the SEP refresh and a key Government priority.

We need to ensure that people within traditional industries have the skills to allow them to take the career progression opportunities further up the ladder.

In the healthcare sector for example, one of the gaps we can see emerging is the need for more skilled individuals able to support the sector’s growth.

The 50-plus workforce could lend itself well to this sector, they have the capability to fill these roles given their life experience, but they need new skill sets to take those opportunities.

We are saying to Government that we are ready and poised and we know what our priorities are.

We will work tirelessly to take the funding opportunities when they arrive.

North East England is one of the UK regions which needs EU funding most, with a proven track record of investing it well.

If this money is committed, it could see our region with structural funding in place up to 2021-2022, which gives Government the time to create the new policies to have new funding streams in place for the period after this.

There is a need to do this. Let’s get this moving and let’s do this well.

North East LEP reaffirms business leadership commitment to economic growth

In the wake of Brexit and uncertainty surrounding devolution, the Chair of the North East LEP Andrew Hodgson, has reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to leading strategic economic growth in the North East in a letter to Communities Secretary Sajid Javid, saying strong business-led governance and board representation should give the Government confidence to allocate new funding to the region.

Andrew Hodgson said the LEP’s experienced and effective board will provide the leadership required to sustain and build upon the economic growth of the last six years.

“It is now more important than ever, post-Brexit and with uncertainty around devolution in the North East, that business leadership through the North East LEP is front and centre of this agenda for the region.

“It has been an unsettling time for many North East businesses following local devolution decisions and I would like to take this opportunity to inform the Government that the North East LEP remains committed to continuing to deliver for all our stakeholders,” said Andrew Hodgson.

“We are keen to ensure that business leadership and engagement remain at the heart of strategic economic growth.”

Mr Hodgson said the North East had a proven track record of fund management and delivery and that the LEP board remained focused on achieving the Strategic Economic Plan’s aim of delivering 100,000 more and better jobs.

“We have submitted an evidenced and focused programme for Local Growth Fund Round Three and are committed to ensuring that business-led strategic investment decisions are made to enable the strategic economic growth of the North East.

“The current robust governance structure and audited assurance framework for Local Growth Funding provides Government with the confidence to continue to allocate funding to the North East LEP in the current round.”

New senior appointment strengthens North East LEP and NECA relationship

A top appointment to lead the corporate and strategic management of the North East Combined Authority is strengthening its ties with the North East LEP.

Helen Golightly, the LEP’s Chief Operating Officer, is the new interim Head of Paid Service at the North East Combined Authority (NECA).

Helen is highly respected both at a regional and national level, with more than 25 years’ experience in public and private sector roles leading major investment programmes in business transformation, regeneration and economic development.

Her appointment will cement relationships between the two organisations who are committed to delivering the aims of the North East’s Strategic Economic Plan, which seeks to create 100,000 more and better jobs over the next decade.

The North East Combined Authority brings together the seven councils which serve County Durham, Gateshead, Newcastle, North Tyneside, Northumberland, South Tyneside and Sunderland.

Its ambition is to create the best possible conditions for growth in jobs, investment and living standards, to make the North East an excellent location for businesses to invest and grow, and residents to live and benefit from future economic growth.

The North East LEP is a public private partnership leading and driving the delivery of the North East Strategic Economic Plan. This plan sets out how the region can create more and better jobs to grow the regional economy and secure funding into the North East for major investments.

Helen said: “Both NECA and the North East LEP are focused on growing the North East economy and I am looking forward to working with both organisations to drive the agenda forward.

“My new role is to help both organisations deliver on the key areas of the Strategic Economic Plan, which focus on growing the number and size of our businesses, creating jobs, improving access to and the quality of our skills and investing in transport and infrastructure.”

The appointment was welcomed at this week’s meeting of the NECA Leadership Board.

Councillor Paul Watson, Chairman of the North East Combined Authority and Vice Chair of the NE LEP, said: “Helen’s new joint-role with NECA and the NE LEP is very much part of our partnership approach here in the North East.

“Both NECA and the NE LEP have major strategic roles in the region and this is a ground-breaking appointment.

“By working together more, we can attract more investment, make more health improvements, upgrade our transport networks, and help increase wealth and prosperity for everybody in our region.

“This is a very real partnership that is working for everybody in the North East.”

In conversation with David Land, North East LEP Board member, about the Manufacturing Growth Programme

David Land, North East LEP Board member, discusses the Manufacturing Growth Programme.

As a Board Member at the North East LEP I’m often asked how we can encourage and support growth in the North East economy.

If we want to achieve the LEP’s ambition to create 100,000 more and better jobs by 2024, what approach should we be taking?

I believe SMEs are part of the answer. It might come as a surprise to learn that small businesses accounted for 99.3% of all private sector businesses at the start of 2015 and 99.9% were small or medium-sized*. SMEs are the backbone of our economy and if we want to see it flourish and grow, we need to help these businesses scale up.

The Manufacturing Growth Programme – part of the North East Growth Hub – is one of the ways the North East LEP is supporting SMEs to grow. Aimed specifically at SMEs operating in the manufacturing sector, the Manufacturing Growth Programme is designed to help businesses identify barriers to growth and work with them to improve business performance and increase sales.

The year-long programme was launched in July 2016 and we already have three businesses enrolled in the scheme. What we’re looking to achieve is to provide companies with longevity; a path to long-term success by giving them access to the right resources, quickly and effectively.

The Manufacturing Growth Programme places experts within participating businesses to help senior managers prepare and plan for growth. We see it very much as a mentoring role, sharing knowledge, experience and identifying the areas organisations need support with.

The programme covers all areas of manufacturing, from automotive and oil and gas to pharmaceuticals and textiles. It’s also open to SMEs of all shapes and sizes. We need to help the small businesses become medium sized businesses and larger SMEs to become the big businesses of tomorrow.

We’re only weeks into the programme but we’re already seeing tangible results.

If you’d like to know more and explore opportunities for your business visit www.ne-mgp.co.uk to check eligibility or contact Tracey Watson at BE Group via [email protected] or call 0191 389 8434.

We look forward to working with you.

David Land
North East LEP Board member

*www.fsb.org.uk

The apprenticeship levy: Michelle Rainbow provides an update following government’s latest announcement

The Department for Education published proposals on 12 August 2016 for a new funding model for apprenticeships and further details on the apprenticeship levy. They have stated that the funding will “support people of all ages to gain high-quality skills and experience and help employers to offer more training opportunities and build a skilled workforce.”

The Apprenticeship Growth Partnership (AGP), a group with representatives from North East businesses, the public sector and training providers within the region, was set up by the North East LEP to co-ordinate apprenticeship provision and contribute towards Government’s target of three million starts by 2020.

The AGP welcomes the Government’s latest plans regarding apprenticeships and the apprenticeship levy. The extra support available for small businesses will help make apprenticeships a more attractive proposition for many, and we will work closely with Government to inform the approach for larger organisations.

Apprenticeship graphic

Funding bands will be introduced in order to set limits on the amount of government or digital funds that can be used for a single apprenticeship. The aim is to support quality training while ensuring apprenticeships are affordable for individual employers and deliver value for taxpayers. Every apprenticeship will be placed in a funding band, and employers can negotiate the best price for the training they require.

For more information on the levy, and funding bands, click here.

Have your say

The new system will be introduced on 6 April 2017. A consultation on the plans is now open, and will close on 5 September, with the final proposals due to be confirmed in October 2016.  We have the opportunity, through partners, to provide feedback on the proposals and welcome comments from employers, large and small.

If you have any feedback, or would like further information on the levy, contact: [email protected]

Gillian Hall, North East LEP Board Member, gives an update on funds available to support the North East rural economy

Rural businesses and enterprises are a vital part of the North East economy and we know that they can also face barriers to growth which are specific to their rural location, such as poor infrastructure, scarcity of business premises and lack of business networks.

Between 2012 and 2015 £15 million was allocated nationally, from DEFRA, to support Rural Growth Networks to deliver proposals aimed at helping rural areas overcome these barriers.

During this pilot period, the North East Rural Growth Network used its £3.2 million funding allocation to help around 200 new businesses to establish themselves within rural areas; assist more than 1,000 businesses with either financial support or business advice; and create more than 100 new enterprise spaces at 13 business hub sites across the rural North East.

We allocated a further £6m Local Growth Funding from the North East LEP and central Government over the five year period to 2020, allowing continued support to projects in rural areas of Northumberland, Durham and Gateshead.

The range of rural enterprises we’ve already supported is vast, from the £14.2 million development of The Sill, Northumberland’s National Landscape Discovery Centre, through to Knitsley Farm Shop and Granary Café in County Durham, which is creating new jobs and supporting other rural businesses through the extension of its premises and services.

Applications sought

We’d now like to invite applications from projects seeking support from either of the North East Rural Growth Network’s two funds: the Strategic Economic Infrastructure Fund (SEIF) and the Rural Business Growth Fund (RBGF).

The SEIF offers grants of up to 40% of eligible costs to support business infrastructure projects such as the creation of enterprise hubs, large-scale tourism infrastructure projects, the development of new or refurbished business accommodation, and work which will unlock investment sites for commercial, industrial or retail use.

Grants of £10,000 to £60,000 will be available from the RBGF to support small business capital investment projects which will result in diversification, increased production and business growth.

The North East Rural Growth Network is here to help create more and better jobs in our rural economy so if you have a project which might be eligible for support, visit www.archnorthumberland.co.uk to find out more.

Gillian Hall, North East LEP Board Member