South Midlands Growth Hub

🎉 𝐒𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐡 𝐌𝐢𝐝𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐬 𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐥𝐚𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐡 𝐧𝐞𝐰 𝐁𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐁𝐨𝐚𝐫𝐝 🎉 The Business Board's mission is to ensure that the economic strategy of the South Midlands aligns with the needs and opportunities faced by businesses in the region. The new Board will provide strategic advice to the South Midlands Authorities Board on matters of specific interest to businesses Following an extensive recruitment process, the South Midlands Authorities is proud to welcome 15 leaders from across the region to the board: Chair: Jason Longhurst Board members: Suzanna Austin Naomi B. Paul Clarke Nick Greenway Stephen Henson Ollie Jaycock Phil Lawrie Michael Moran Andy Paul Viren Patel Keith Purdie Justin Richardson Cathy Smith Prof Leon Terry You can find full details of the Business Board here > https://lnkd.in/eZeNVtw6 Stay tuned for more updates as we work together to create a prosperous future for the South Midlands! 🚀 Bedford Borough Council Central Bedfordshire Council Luton Borough Council Milton Keynes City Council North Northamptonshire Council West Northamptonshire Council Be Central Bedfordshire - Economic Growth Partnership Invest Milton Keynes Step Forward Luton Business and Investment West Northants Economy Team South Midlands Careers Hub Ruth Roan Vicky Hlomuka Emma Panter Kelly Griffiths Sam Hunter Carl Mayers Neil Smith Yvonne Ashby

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year 🎄 🎄 🎄 However you're celebrating, we hope you have a relaxing festive period! The South Midlands Growth Hub team will be switching off from 5pm on Tuesday, 24th December. Reopening in the New Year at 9am on Thursday, 2nd January, 2024. If you require assistance over the holiday period, the Business Support Service will be available on 27th-31st December from 9 am to 6 pm. Contact details for the national business support helpline:  enquiries@businesssupportservice.co.uk 0800 998 1098

Time is running out to apply ⏱️ FundingHero 'High Growth Fundraising Accelerator' programme 🚀 This programme is a comprehensive 12-week initiative explicitly designed for high-growth potential businesses seeking substantial funding. Supported by British Business Bank, the programme aims to equip participants with the knowledge and skills necessary to fundraise for scale, with aspirations of eventual exit successfully. Participants in the cohort will have the opportunity to pitch for up to £500,000* from Haatch, alongside other investors! 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺𝗺𝗲 𝗗𝗲𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗹𝘀: The accelerator covers 6 key pillars of fundraising: 👉 Planning: Developing a clear scaleup raise plan. 👉 Funding: Understanding funding requirements. 👉 Materials: Creating compelling pitch decks and financials. 👉 Ask & Valuation: Setting realistic valuations confidently. 👉 Pitching: Learning to pitch effectively to investors. 👉 Due Diligence: Preparing a comprehensive data room. Applications are now open, with only eight slots available - so don't miss out! If you're ready to secure investment and elevate your business, apply now. Apply here: https://lnkd.in/eSZeVHq5 Application deadline: Thursday, 19th December Programme start date: January 2025 Lewis Stringer Jim Shirley West Northants Economy Team Be Central Bedfordshire - Economic Growth Partnership Step Forward Luton Business and Investment Invest Milton Keynes Ruth Roan Carl Mayers Neil Smith Kelly Griffiths Sam Hunter

Come along to the Business Breakfast at Malcolm Arnold Academy! Recognising how important engaging with businesses and developing sustainable partnerships is, Malcolm Arnold Academy, (Northampton), hosts a 𝐂𝐡𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐦𝐚𝐬 𝐁𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐁𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐤𝐟𝐚𝐬𝐭 on Wednesday 18th December, from 8 am to 9 am. 🎄🎄 If you'd like to support Malcolm Arnold Academy in shaping its careers programme and ensuring that the voice of business is embedded into careers education, this breakfast is for you. Want to come along? Comment below or contact Vikki Morton who can provide more information. South Midlands Careers Hub Yvonne Ashby Mandy Browning Claire Coles AIEP Lucy Maina-Mugoya Sam Hunter Neil Smith Carl Mayers Kelly Griffiths Ruth Roan Patrick Kitson Northamptonshire Chamber of Commerce

𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐇𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐚𝐧 𝐀𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐭. Andy Paul, founder & CEO, Fliweel.tech will guide you in implementing some of the most common AI technologies into your business. When you book your session, our expert will: ☑️ Review any Artificial Intelligence technologies you’re already using ☑️Identify any gaps or ways you could improve your approach to those technologies ☑️Discover ways in which AI could support your business to grow, improve business efficiencies and maximise your potential You’ll be part of a small group of 3-4 businesses which will encourage like-minded thinking, joint problem solving and the opportunity to learn from others with similar challenges. Book today > https://lnkd.in/e8FuXryd West Northants Economy Team Step Forward Luton Business and Investment Be Central Bedfordshire - Economic Growth Partnership University of Northampton University of Bedfordshire Sam Hunter Ruth Roan Carl Mayers Neil Smith

We're proud to be supporting SME Business Awards! If you haven't already, there's still time to enter your submission for the MK & Buckinghamshire Business Awards 2025 > https://lnkd.in/eX_bd5D4

Thank you to North Northamptonshire Council and Greg Ward MIED for hosting our Network & Learn session this morning. We were joined by businesses eager to learn the secrets to becoming a great employer. A massive thank you to Emma Wynne, Founder and CEO of Gateway HR & Training for delivering a brilliant workshop! Sam Hunter Kelly Griffiths Carl Mayers Jessica Stead Patrick Kitson @

The Luton Online: Digital Marketing Launchpad will be ending on 31st March 2025. There is still time for businesses across #Luton to access FREE marketing support and a £500 marketing grant. Businesses can access: ✅ Online webinars ✅ On-demand training to do at your pace ✅ 1:1 Mentoring ✅ £500 marketing grants (Available upon doing 6 hours of training) Take a look > https://lnkd.in/e7aEEukR Step Forward Luton Business and Investment Luton Borough Council Fergus McLardy Sam Hunter Ruth Roan Kelly Griffiths Carl Mayers Neil Smith Jessica Stead

From everyone at West Northamptonshire Council: best of luck to the incredible Kevin Sinfield CBE, who will be running from MND Association’s Northampton headquarters tomorrow, all the way to Leicester Tigers Welford Road stadium. The 55km route is the penultimate leg of Kevin and his fundraising team’s #RunningHomeforChristmas 7 in 7 in 7 challenge, in support of the motor neurone disease (MND) community – and in memory of his much-loved friend and former teammate Rob Burrow, who died from MND in June. Find out more about the challenge and how you can donate at https://lnkd.in/ezJfJj2Q

𝐍𝐞𝐰 𝐨𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲: FundingHero Launches New East Midlands Fundraising Accelerator 🚀 🚀, partnering with Haatch This programme is a comprehensive 12-week initiative explicitly designed for high-growth potential businesses seeking substantial funding. Supported by British Business Bank, the programme aims to equip participants with the knowledge and skills necessary to fundraise for scale, with aspirations of eventual exit successfully. Participants in the cohort will have the opportunity to pitch for up to £500,000* from Haatch, alongside other investors, at a demo day held by at The Shard (*subject to investment committee approval, due diligence, and formal contracts). 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺𝗺𝗲 𝗗𝗲𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗹𝘀: 👉 The accelerator covers six key pillars of fundraising: 👉 Planning: Developing a clear scaleup raise plan. 👉 Funding: Understanding funding requirements. 👉 Materials: Creating compelling pitch decks and financials. 👉 Ask & Valuation: Setting realistic valuations confidently. 👉 Pitching: Learning to pitch effectively to investors. 👉 Due Diligence: Preparing a comprehensive data room. Applications are now open, with only eight slots available - so don't miss out! If you're ready to secure investment and elevate your business, apply now. 👉 Apply here: https://lnkd.in/eyCq26X6 👉 Application deadline: Friday 20th December 👉 Programme start date: January 2025 Lewis Stringer Jim Shirley Ruth Roan Kelly Griffiths Carl Mayers Neil Smith #midlands #southmidlands West Northants Economy Team North Northamptonshire Council