Hundreds to join Heseltine for Growth Hub launch
MORE than 600 people are set to attend the launch of the new Business Growth Hub – a new organisation to support growing companies.
Lord Heseltine, the regional growth tsar, speaking at the event at the Etihad Stadium, which has seen high levels of interest from across the North West.
He said: “The renaissance of England’s provincial cities as part of a fundamental rebalancing of England is one of the most urgent tasks facing governments of all persuasions. I hope to explain what this means in practice.”
Richard Jeffrey, director of the Business Growth Hub, says the network will be: “inclusive” and “geographically agnostic” – and not just for businesses in Greater Manchester.
He told TheBusinessDesk.com: “It’s a really exciting time to be launching the Hub – the interest has been phenomenal and has exceeded our expectations.
“Everyone appreciates that growing businesses will help get the economy moving in the right direction and the Hub is there for them, not just as a mechanism for accessing grants, but for advice and support and mentoring.”
Jeffrey, who was formerly with the North West Development Agency, wants to bring the best elements of previous business support provision to the new organisation, albeit in a regime where central government funding is more scarce.
“Clearly we’ll be able to help with some funding – the Greater Manchester LEP was successful in bidding to the Regional Growth Fund – but the Hub is a lot more than just about funding – it’s about skills, leadership and development.
“It is about creating a network which works with other organisations including pro.manchester SME club, not competes with them. It’s in everyone’s interests that the Hub works.
