BE Group intends to establish and use this framework for relevant projects we will deliver up to 31 March 2015. The Invitation to Tender and draft Supplier Agreement are attached. Any questions regarding this tender should be directed to Andrew Wilson, Projects Director andrew.wilson@be-group.co.uk

BE Commercial Standard Supplier Contract

ITT for Specialist Business Advice

The £10million Investment and Contract Readiness Fund will provide grants of between £50,000 and £150,000 for social ventures looking to raise a minimum of £500,000 investment or bid for contracts in excess if £1million.

For more information contact our Customer Services Team on 0191 426 6408 or email enquiries@be-group.org.uk

More details about eligibility and the application process can be found at www.beinvestmentready.org.uk

Northumberland is set to receive a boost for new business start up’s and existing high growth companies as a result of a scheme just launched. As part of a move to boost enterprise and economic growth in the area, two new programmes will give entrepreneurs the support to start new businesses and also provide high quality coaching to drive accelerated growth in established businesses.

Arch, The Northumberland Development Company is taking a fresh approach to help new and growing businesses in Northumberland and commissioned packages of support.

A major investment of £1.35m has been made, with Arch and Northumberland County Council providing half of the funds, and half part-funded by the North East European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) Competitiveness Programme 2007 – 2013. The investment is an important part of Northumberland County Council’s Enterprise Action Plan 2012/2015, which aims to increase the number of businesses in the County and ensure they are best able to survive, thrive and grow.

The service called “Business Northumberland” includes; Northumberland-specific business information and guidance by telephone and a website, a variety of business workshops on the legal and practical aspects of starting a business such as business planning, financial management and tax, marketing, promotion and sales; mentoring support from a bank of local business mentors, and hands on 1:1 intensive support and advice for high growth business start-ups. The focus will be on south east Northumberland with additional services to be commissioned to serve rural areas of the County. These services will be delivered by BE Group, a national business services specialist, with a local delivery team.

A separate contract will provide business coaching to existing businesses with growth ambitions. This service will be delivered by Oxford Innovation, a national provider, who have opened a base in Northumberland.

Peter McIntyre, Arch Group Managing Director said “We firmly believe our investment will help the Northumberland economy to grow as innovative enterprises and dynamic new businesses ideas are supported to realise their potential. European investment will help us deliver these services. The programme will help to kick-start enterprise support as well as providing valuable help to new businesses. Importantly, as they establish and grow they have the potential to support innovation, drive our economy and create jobs for local residents. That’s great news for them, but also for Northumberland”.

Neil Foster, Deputy Chair of the North East England Local Management Committee (LMC) which engages partners in the overseeing of the strategic delivery of the ERDF Programme in the North East said: “ERDF investment will ensure a specialist package of enterprise and business support will be delivered that will not only create more businesses but stronger businesses through a focus on survival and growth which will have a positive impact on local economic growth in Northumberland.”

Kate Roe, deputy chief executive of Northumberland County Council said:  “Supporting and enabling economic growth is a key priority for the council and this initiative will raise the quality of support on offer to businesses and entrepreneurs across Northumberland.  It will also help to establish a flexible approach that can adapt to changing circumstances, opportunities and needs over time.”

Suzanne McCreedy, national services director at BE Group commented “This is a fantastic programme and we’re extremely proud to be part of the delivery which will make a real difference to the Northumberland economy. This contract will allow us to bring our knowledge and expertise, gained from our strong track-record in business improvement, to help businesses across Northumberland to start and succeed.”

Andrew Finley, Commercial Director of Oxford Innovation, commented, “Obviously, we are delighted to have been chosen to deliver this programme and look forward to playing our part in driving business growth in the region. Arch were clear that they wanted a differentiated approach to business support and we are looking forward to employing the innovative methodologies that have proven so successful in projects elsewhere in the UK”.

The European Regional Development Fund Competitiveness Programme 2007-13 is bringing over £300m into North East England to support innovation, enterprise and business support. It will help create and safeguard 28,000 new jobs, start 3,000 new businesses and increase the productivity by £1.1bn per annum.

The ‘Business Northumberland’ project is part financed by the European Regional Development Fund Programme 2007 to 2013. The Department for Communities and Local Government is the managing authority for the European Regional Development Fund Programme, which is one of the funds established by the European Commission to help local areas stimulate their economic development by investing in projects which will support local businesses and create

jobs.

For more information about “Business Northumberland” start-up support, advice and workshops email info@businessnorthumberland.co.uk

Small businesses will be given the chance to tap into the supply chains of a number of manufacturing giants such as BAE Systems, Bombardier Aerospace, Airbus, Boeing and the Ministry of Defence as they gather at a major event next month.

The event follows the recent release of the Government’s Defence Equipment Plan, which sets out a list of new equipment worth £160bn needed to equip the Army, Royal Navy and Royal Air Force over the next 10 years.

The publication of the equipment plan came on the back of the Defence Secretary’s announcement last year that the Defence Budget has been balanced for the first time in more than a decade and that the MOD is taking a new approach to financial planning.

The 12^th Annual NDI Conference, in Manchester on March 5^th and 6^th, will give small businesses the opportunity to tap into the opportunities related to the UK’s current and future military needs, as well as accessing other lucrative sectors such as aerospace, security and space.

Phillip Dunne MP, Minister for Defence Equipment, Support and Technology, said: “SMEs make an important contribution to the UK’s defence and security requirements and are a vital source of innovation in a rapidly changing environment. NDI plays an important part in the SME Forum, which I chair, and the annual conference

is a good opportunity to discuss how companies can work with the MoD, either directly or as part of the supply chain of prime contractors to provide our Armed Forces with the equipment they need.

“It’s also a chance for businesses to understand how the Government can support them to explore wider opportunities that exist in the export market.” 

“The NDI conference will focus on key areas of business excellence, investment and exports as well as real business opportunities as part of the supply chains of primes and higher-tier companies. I am delighted to be able to support the conference and I commend it to SMEs looking for new business opportunities.”

With an estimated £25bn worth of business opportunities represented at the event, delegates will have the chance to meet and sell face to face with their choice of attending buyers, all with current purchasing requirements on offer.

Attendees will also gain insights into the latest industry news and government policy and learn how to develop strategies in global trade, finance and investment, business excellence and supply chain.

The event is sponsored by Lockheed Martin UK and Hitek and hosted by industry organisation NDI – which works with businesses to help them gain access to supply chain opportunities within the defence, aerospace, space, marine and security sectors.

Stephen Ball, CEO of Lockheed

Martin UK, said: “Doing business with UK-based suppliers and small businesses adds fuel to the engine of the UK economy. Lockheed Martin spends £1bn a year with its UK suppliers, both large and small, sustaining some 10,000 direct and indirect jobs nationwide.

“By virtue of their size, SMEs often have unique attributes which make them agile and responsive in progressing innovative thinking and new technologies.

“As our strategy to expand our UK business develops further, small and medium enterprises figure prominently in our plans. Our team is working to develop mutually beneficial relationships which utilise this agility and innovation.”

David Townsley, executive director of NDI, said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for UK small businesses to potentially procure new contracts and find out more about prime contractors and their supply chains in terms of what they need and what they are looking for.

“We have experts in the field of all the key sectors we operate in to address the 300+ businesses we are expecting to attend, so it should be extremely valuable for any SME operating within these fields.”

The 12^th Annual NDI Conference runs on March 5^th and 6^th at The Point, Lancashire County Cricket Club, Manchester. For more information visit www.ndi.org.uk, call 0191 426 6333 or email events@ndi.org.uk.

Investment for Growth is part financed by the European Regional Development Fund. Delivered by The Investment Centre, it provides funds to North East businesses to help them grow, create and safeguard jobs.

Launched in early 2012 it has so far provided over £2 million of grants to more than500 of the region’s businesses.

Cheryl Blakey, senior project manager of Investment for Growth, said: “We’ve had a phenomenal response so far and it’s fantastic that we’ve been able to help so many companies.

“Investment for Growth is making a real impact. It’s safeguarding jobs and boosting the region’s economy. But there’s still more to do and still funding available if people apply quickly.”

The fund can provide grants of up to 40 per cent to firms in the North East which are looking at projects to help them grow their business.

Cheryl said: “We’re working hard to help but businesses have to get in touch and apply soon.”

Dunelm Geotechnical and Environmental Ltd, based in County Durham, has benefited from working with Investment for Growth.

The firm, which currently employs 20 people, has already created one new position and is to create several more thanks to a growing order book and expansion support.

Company director Ann Izatt-Lowry, 47, said: “We’ve been largely unaffected by the recession but saw that in order to grow we needed to be slicker in how we operated and achieve certain ISO accreditations.

“Applying for the accreditations involved looking at how we could become more environmentally aware which is seen as an essential requirement in order to win work with many public sector organisations.

“We’ve now put into practice much of the advice given to us by the business

consultant. Thanks to the support we’ve received from Investment for Growth we’re now winning new contracts across the UK and as buy cialis online a result are looking to recruit more staff.”

Investment for Growth is delivered by The Investment Centre. To be eligible for funding, businesses must be based in the North East and provide a business-to-business product or service.

To find out about Investment for Growth call 0191 426 6408 or email enquiries@investment4growth.co.uk.

Superfast North Yorkshire is

delivering next generation broadband to consumers and businesses across the whole of the county and York. Broadband speeds of greater than 25Mbs per second will become a reality for a high proportion of businesses during the rollout of this project.

NYNet is leading the project on behalf of North Yorkshire County Council. Funding has been secured from Department for Communities and Local Government, the European Regional Development Fund and BT. BT is the selected

provider and will be installing next generation infrastructure until the end of 2014.

As part of the project, businesses in North Yorkshire and York will have access to a range of free supplementary support services to ensure they take full advantage of increased internet connectivity. This will include intensive face to face support, training workshops, skills masterclasses and business development events. The programme will show businesses how faster broadband connections can develop new sales and increase profit levels by maximising efficiency and productivity.

The business support will be led by BE Group, a national business improvement specialist, with a local delivery team based at Roecliffe, near Boroughbridge. Business Advisors will be available to meet face to face with eligible companies to understand their requirements and present practical solutions. Expert trainers will run a series of skills masterclasses covering topics such as e-commerce, digital marketing, social media and winning public procurement and supply chain contracts.

John Moore, Chief Executive of NYNet said “Superfast North Yorkshire is an exciting programme which will bring huge benefits to communities across the County. The new infrastructure being installed will open up opportunities for residents and businesses alike. Our contract with BE Group is the final piece of the jigsaw, enabling companies to get the right advice to gain most from the new technology”.

Tracey Watson, Project Manager for BE Group, commented “BE Group is delighted to be joining the Superfast North Yorkshire project. We are ready to help businesses increase their profile, win more business, and accelerate their growth. No businesses are the same, so our priority will be understanding particular company objectives before recommending practical steps to drive sustainable growth”.

access to the best possible contacts to maximise the business opportunities

available. With this in mind, NDI are pleased to start 2013 with an events programme designed to help businesses increase profitability and meet their full potential.

The ‘Fitter for Purpose’ event on January 31^st will assist companies looking to join the supply chain of large prime contractors, and will cialis online consist of hands-on sessions to improve skills the key areas required to do this such as risk and programme management, as well as hearing directly from companies such as Lockheed Martin who will be sharing what they look for in suppliers.