Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership (LEP) has launched a new campaign to showcase the support available to small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) through the LEP’s Growth Service.
Businesses from across the region share their experience of working with the LEP and the benefits of the one-to-one service provided by the LEP’s Growth Managers in a series of 10 2-minute videos. The stories highlight how a simple conversation can ease some of the common issues faced by SMEs such as improving productivity and investing in new equipment.
The Growth Service brings together public and private sector partners to provide SMEs with a single point of access to a wide range of support. Businesses work with a dedicated local Growth Manager to identify business needs and access support.
SMEs account for 99.6% of businesses across Leeds City Region and to date the LEP has helped thousands to grow since 2015.
The support offered has evolved through regular consultation with businesses to provide a package of advice and support, grants and co-funding across Barnsley, Bradford, Calderdale, Craven, Harrogate, Kirklees, Leeds, Selby, Wakefield, Kirklees and York.
More recently, the Growth Service has secured additional funding from the European Regional Development Fund to expand the provision of support.
Roger Marsh OBE, Chair of Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership and NP11 said:
“I’m delighted that through the Growth Service, the LEP has supported over 10,000 businesses in Leeds City Region to achieve their growth plans since 2015.
It’s vital that we continue to provide businesses with the investment and support needed to increase productivity, innovate and enter new markets both locally and internationally.
I’d encourage all businesses to feel inspired by the success stories and seek support from the LEP, where together we can continue to drive a thriving economy for all.”
One of the LEP’s priorities is to help businesses grow and boost productivity. Businesses can also benefit from investment to upskill their employees, purchase equipment, plant and machinery, develop new products and processes, take on an apprentice, and save money on their energy bills.
Ian Drinkwater, Managing Director of Applelec Sign Components in Bradford said:
“Our Growth Manager understands our business, how we work and what we do, and signposts us to get the correct help.”
Applelec wanted to trade overseas, and the LEP supported them to get the correct documentation and develop the company website which helped accelerate their growth internationally.
Andy Kitchener, Owner of Semperfli in Selby said:
“I think this programme is absolutely superb. It makes you step back, own the business and really helps you think about where you’re going in the future”. Semperfli wanted to increase productivity, and received support from the LEP to purchase new machinery that quadrupled their manufacturing capacity overnight.
Latest case studies available here.