Meet the Team

Adele Cope, Senior Business Broker
David Wellings, Business Broker
Andrea Pedersen, Project Administrator
Marina Hilton, Events Co-ordinator

If you would like to discuss the project in further detail please contact us.

The Stoke on Trent Business Brokers are active members of the Business Broker network.

The network is for managers and brokers in private, public and voluntary sector organisations who are responsible for managing and 'brokering' business involvement in multi-sector partnerships contributing to regeneration and neighbourhood renewal,�other members across the country:-

1. Stoke on Trent - www.businessbrokerproject.co.uk
2. Bradford Business Broker - www.bradfordvision.com
3. Brighton & Hove Business Community Partnership - www.bhbcp.org.uk
4. Brent - www.brent.gov.uk - Punam Kharbanda
5. Croydon - Janine Jasper
6. Hastings - www.1066enterprise.co.uk
7. Hull - www.hullbusinessforum.com
8. Leeds Business Broker - Stephanie Burras www.bitc.org.uk
9. Newham - ELBA - Michaele Hawkins www.elba-1.org.uk
10. Northern Ireland - Business in the Community Northern Ireland - Roisin McVicker www.bitcni.org.uk
11. Nottingham Business Broker - Philip Lovett www.bitc.org.uk
12. Poole Business Broker - www.dorsetbusiness.net
13. Rotherham Business Broker - www.rotherhamchamber.org.uk
14. Wales Business in the Community Wales - Nicole Jones www.bitc.org.uk
15. Wansbeck Business Forum - www.ne-cc.com
16. West Cornwall Business Broker www.westcornwalltogether.org.uk
    
    
    For more information about the Business Broker Network click here

Initiatives delivered or hosted by the Business Broker Project

The Business Broker Project works in partnership with other organisations to deliver several initiatives that benefit the area, socially and economically. Due to the flexible and creative nature of the project we are available to discuss any ideas for initiatives where you need help to get started. Please contact us .

Guardian Angel Entrepreneurs Network

Assist local companies in developing and achieving greater success by providing them access to highly experienced, knowledgeable and skilled business professionals - we call these people Guardians. The scheme is publicly funded and can benefit any Stoke-on-Trent or Newcastle-under-Lyme business that has been trading for at least 12 months, has growth potential or is facing difficult decisions. It is a free of charge service. If you would like to receive assistance from a Guardian, or you think you have the business experience and knowledge to be a Guardian, please contact us.

'The Good, the bad and the ugly'...

An initiative first organised and delivered by the Business Brokers. Now delivered by Staffordshire Partnership - the business education link for Staffordshire, and supported by the Business Broker project, the initiative gives secondary school students the chance to see the City's regeneration efforts and hear from leaders in regeneration.

CommunityMark

...is a national standard that publicly recognises companies that are good investors in the community. Any business working in the UK, in any sector, however big or small, can apply for the CommunityMark. Organisations who achieve the the CommunityMark will demonstrate a long-term, high-level commitment to community investment that represents good practice and results in real community impact. For further information please visit CommunityMark (external website).

Other Local Initiatives

Graduate Advantage

Need an extra pair of hands?

Everyday pressures can prevent you from devoting precious time and energy to projects that could make a real difference to your business. If this sounds familiar then taking on a student or graduate could be just the thing to help your business grow. The Graduate Advantage free of charge services gives you a cost-effective flexible solution to meet your recruitment needs and help to complete a project that you just don't have time to do.

Your business could benefit from:

• A flexible low-cost solution lasting from 4 weeks to 12 months
• Enthusiasm and a fresh approach to your businesses needs
• A subsidy to help pay the student or graduate (subject to criteria)

Call 0121 204 4767

Email enquiries@graduateadvantage.co.uk

Visit http://www.graduateadvantage.co.uk/

RENEW North Staffordshire Relocation Grant

Application Form | Guidance Notes

The grant can pay up to a maximum of 85% of the total cost of the project up to a maximum grant of £50,000.

The grants are aimed at SMEs (Small or Medium Enterprises) planning to relocate within ERDF Objective 2 Core Areas.

The main areas eligible for grants are Shelton, Hanley Green, Berryhill, Great Fenton, Burslem Central and Burslem Grange. Businesses must relocate within these areas. (Consideration may be given to those who want to relocate from outside the Objective 2 Core Area to within the core area).

Selective Finance for Investment in England (SFIE)

What is Selective Finance for Investment in England?

Selective Finance for Investment (SFIE) is a form of financial assistance available to businesses located in Assisted Areas in the UK for investment in capital expenditure and is run by Advantage West Midlands in our region.

SFIE is normally given in the form of a grant payable in instalments on the achievement of capital expenditure and job creation or preservation targets appropriate to the project. The amount of assistance which can be provided by Advantage West Midlands ranges from £10,000 to £1,999,999. more details

Funding offered by the Coalfields Regeneration Trust

Two Grants Programmes

• Bridging the Gap - for requests between £500 - £10,000
• Main grants - for requests between £10,000 and £300,000
• Both these funding programmes will run up to March 2011.

Main Grants Programme

Themes

We will support projects from voluntary and community sector, branches and statutory/public funded organisations that address one or more of the following themes: access to employment - connecting people to employment opportunities; education and skills - accessing learning opportunities and developing skills; health and wellbeing - preventative measures and healthy lifestyle support; and access to opportunities - improving access to services (including transport solutions). more details