21/10/09 BE-NE - two years on...
“Since starting to operate the Business Link contract for North East England in April 2007, Business & Enterprise North East (BE-NE) has worked closely with the region’s business community, providing a cohesive, consistent and relevant portfolio of business support and enterprise services. We are supported by a range of other organisations that complement each other in the work they do to build the region’s long term prosperity. BE-NE operates in close partnership with One North East (ONE), the Learning and Skills Council (LSC), UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) and local Government.
“All of our services are geared towards assisting businesses from every sector of the region’s business community and at all stages of development, from start up, to established and high growth companies. BE-NE’s principal aim is to simplify and improve business support in the region, making it more accessible, flexible and easy to understand. And the bottom line, delivering much more impact. All our results show that this is really happening. This will allow more businesses to start, succeed and grow. Ultimately, it is our aim that the North East is recognised as the best region in Europe in which to start or grow a business – and we believe that the foundations are firmly in place to realise this vision.
“Despite the difficult economic climate, we have still been encouraged by the number of businesses that have used services such as Business Link. Over the last financial year Business Link has worked with 34,344 customers and has helped create 4,384 new businesses - an increase of almost 15 per cent on the previous year. This illustrates that despite the current challenging economic conditions the North East is one of the best places in the UK to start and grow a business. It also reinforces the progress that is being made to continually meet the changing needs of the region’s business community.
“As an organisation, BE-NE has also continued to develop new and better ways of working. We have increased efficiency, simplified access to our services and invested in our people, processes, technology and in partnerships. These changes have allowed us to become the primary access point to all publicly funded business support, and to develop our portfolio of services. So if you’re unsure of what support you need, come through to our Business Link service for information, support and advice.
“We are now responsible for a comprehensive and integrated range of business support and enterprise services, designed to help the region’s businesses. There are currently five principal services delivered by BE-NE in North East England:
• Business Link, which is funded by ONE, supports new and established businesses, providing information, advice and guidance to help them to develop and grow. It also incorporates the skills brokerage service which is funded by the LSC.
• North East England Investment Centre (NEEIC) provides a single source of funding for businesses, offering them financial support towards business development projects. Support is given based on the contribution made to improving the economic prosperity of the region. Financial support can come from a number of organisations.
• North East England Service Provider Register (NEESPR) is used by Business Link’s team of advisers to impartially source service provision to assist customers who require specialist support. This is funded through ONE.
• Regional International Trade Office which we deliver on behalf of UKTI. We acquired the contract in April following a competitive tender and since this has become a part of our portfolio, we’ve been able to integrate expert overseas trade and investment support to offer our customers a more cohesive and comprehensive service.
• North East Employer Coalition was recently added to the portfolio of services. This service actively engages with employers in increasing skills and job opportunities for people disadvantaged in the labour market in ways that complement Jobcentre Plus and other public agencies.
“Other more recent additions to the BE-NE portfolio include projects designed to help businesses during the economic downturn such as: Keep Your Business Fighting Fit; Compete North East, a new Business Link service dedicated to helping the region’s businesses become ‘tender-ready’, so they are better placed to secure more contracts both inside and beyond the region; programmes to help encourage innovation; and support for investing in skills development.
“The North East England Investment Centre is also now delivering a range of Solutions for Business products – a package of publicly funded business support products and services designed to help companies start and grow.
“Through all of these services, BE-NE is single-mindedly focused on helping ONE, the LSC and our other local Government partners to transform the region’s economy by delivering to new and existing businesses a cohesive, consistently high quality, responsive and dynamic service.
“Our results to date are encouraging but we still have a lot to do. I am confident that by working closely with our partners, we will build upon these achievements to create an even more significant impact.
“The North East is a fantastic region, with great businesses, inspiring entrepreneurs and a huge amount of passion. By continuing to work with a growing number of organisations, it is our aim to ensure that the North East is the best place to start a business in the UK, and ultimately Europe.”
Alastair MacColl
Media Contacts
Matt Hipgrave
Press Ahead
Tel: 0191 5166235
Mob: 07960896327
Email: mh@pressahead.info
Louise Robinson
Press Ahead
Tel: 0191 5166235
Mob: 07960896327
Email: lr@pressahead.info