Business Tank moves into position

SIX specialist advisers from the region have joined forces to launch a new business support organisation.

Business Tank (UK) is promising to help SMEs improve their bottom line through expert advice and mentoring, effective planning and securing access to grants and finance.

Chris Adams, Paul Basil, Shuba Gupta, Sandra Harding, Gary Mather and David Norris have decided to pool more than 120 years’ experience to offer a single solution to all support needs.

Business Tank is also keen to work with local authorities in delivering a business support function for companies unsure where to go for help. Birmingham City Council has already enlisted its assistance to undertake the Business Recovery Advice Initiative, primarily aimed at supporting retailers affected by disturbances seen in the summer of 2011.

More than 33 firms received business advice and guidance in setting up recovery plans and applying for various grants.

“With Business Link disappearing and major public spending cuts, companies will be forgiven for feeling isolated and uncertain about where to go for high quality support,” explained Mather, who is a specialist in marketing, innovation and strategic planning.

“What makes us stand out is there are lots of individual advisers out there now looking for work, but I believe that there are very few who are both professionally and SFEDI accredited (the UK quality standard for delivering business and enterprise support). I’m sure there’s also nothing else like Business Tank when it comes to such a comprehensive skills set, cross industry experience and our contacts book.”