Be Central Bedfordshire - Business Newsletter 22.07.21
Date Added: 22/07/2022
Local firm takes the next step forward
Our business support programmes are making a real difference for companies in Central Bedfordshire.
Using funding from the government’s Additional Restrictions Grant scheme in response to COVID-19, we have worked with strategic partners to develop a range of business support programmes for our local businesses.
In partnership with Cranfield School of Management, we offered Small and Local Medium Enterprises (SMEs) the opportunity to attend a free innovative scholarship programme to support their growth. The Ready for Scale programme provided businesses with a 12-week growth plan to develop new skills to help their business to take a leap forward on their growth trajectory.
On the back of this initiative, we have received positive feedback from Andrew Done, Chief Engineer at Kennet Aviation Limited.
Andrew said: “The next 12 months is a rather exciting time for Kennet Aviation. The Ready for Scale programme was remarkable, and just what I needed at the time. I am now facing the prospect of needing to rapidly grow a team to support new contracts in the pipeline, and more importantly, rapidly grow my business knowledge to allow that to happen!"
It’s great to see a local business using the skills gained from one of our business support programmes to their advantage.
With our support, local companies of all sizes have access to various business support programmes and grants that help them with their growth plans and enable them to reach new markets.
View the Be Central Bedfordshire website to find out what business support programmes or business finance/grants are available.
Queen's Awards for Enterprise 2023: Applications still open
Applications for the 2023 round of The Queen's Awards for Enterprise are now being invited. They are the most prestigious awards for UK businesses, recognising and rewarding their outstanding achievements in the fields of Innovation, International Trade, Sustainable Development, and promoting opportunity through Social Mobility.
Last year a Biggleswade business called Vexo International (UK) Ltd won in the Innovation category.
Find out more here and watch the video.
Submit your application by midday on 6 September 2022.
Bedfordshire Police and Crime Commissioner: Annual Business Conference
The Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner will be hosting the Business Conference for all businesses across Bedfordshire.
Event: Annual Business Conference 2022
Date: Tuesday 6th September 2022
Time: 09:30 – 16:30
Location: The Grove Theatre, Dunstable
Click here to reserve your space.
NatWest Accelerator Programme is open for applications
This programme offers fully funded 1:1 coaching, insights and connections, and community support from other businesses that are also on their growth journeys.
It is specifically designed to empower businesses to grow in any sector that have ambitions and plans to scale up over the next 12 months.
Read more and apply or if you have any questions contact the team.
Do you want to become ‘Your Own Boss’?
The University of Bedfordshire’s PathwaysForRecovery programme focuses on job seekers, the long-term unemployed, and those looking to become self-employed.
PathwaysForRecovery could help you: start your own business, begin your self-employment journey, or just generally re-enter the job market.
Classes will provide in-depth confidence building, basic skills, and entrepreneurial training and the available dates are between July to September.
So, whether you have an idea or not, you can access expert advice or take advantage of training and funding opportunities to re-enter the job market OR ‘Be Your Own Boss’.
If you know someone that will benefit or if you need to use the service yourself, then email the team or register and find out more.