Entrepreneurs offered a high growth boost

5:06pm Friday 25th April 2008

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entrepreneurs can gain a major boost from a package of support aimed at new businesses in Herefordshire during the next year. Business Link West Midlands, which offers a single access point for all business, skills and manufacturing support, has put together a carefully tailored offer that includes support from a specialist business adviser, access to private sector consultants and grants towards the cost of their assistance. It is also looking to tap into its established enterprise provider network, featuring the likes of the Prince’s Trust, Women’s Business Development Agency and Tribal’s Creative Launchpad. Heidi Macdougall, sector manager for high growth support at Business Link West Midlands, issued the rallying call: “Hereford has a strong enterprising culture and we want to build on this by encouraging more entrepreneurs to launch their own companies and create high growth firms.

“We are talking about businesses with the potential to achieve annual turnover of £200,000 within the first two years of trading.

“This is the group that many believe will contribute significantly to the future of the UK economy and be responsible for creating wealth and jobs.” Business Link West Midlands is looking to help more than 340 entrepreneurs on its patch over the next 12 months, by giving them access to the right level of expertise to help start and drive their business forward. People accessing the high-growth support will be appointed a specialist adviser, who will be available as a sounding board, coach and connector to external expertise for the first eighteen months of trading and longer if required. They will complete a detailed review of the business plan – worth £1,000 in the commercial marketplace – that will identify the strengths and weaknesses and develop an action plan for growth. Heidi added: “This may involve bringing in a private sector consultant and we can now offer starts-ups and young businesses – over 12months of trading – a significant grant towards the cost of the project. This is a tremendous incentive for potential entrepreneurs. “We can help you to access any assistance you may need.” More information is available by calling 0845 113 1234 or visiting www.businesslinkwm.co.uk