New business centre opens in Staffordshire after £0.5m funding package
A MANAGEMENT consultancy firm has built and now opened a new business centre in Staffordshire to act as a hub for business in the county.
The Advance Consultancy Ltd is a global consultancy based in Uttoxeter that advises companies all over the UK and abroad. It has opened the new centre after securing a £0.5m funding package from Lloyds TSB Commercial Banking.
The team of consultants provides a combination of business and behavioral expertise to companies looking to build their leadership teams and to grow their business. The company works mainly within the transport and infrastructure sectors, supporting businesses to develop new strategies, secure new contracts, or boost their overall performance. Clients include Balfour Beatty, Amey and Network Rail.
The Advance Consultancy was established 20 years ago and in 2009, when a derelict building became available, managing director Norman Kerfoot took the opportunity to purchase the property and build a dedicated business venue with funding support from Lloyds TSB Commercial Banking.
Work began at the St. George’s site last July to demolish the previous building and develop a purpose built set of offices with dedicated facilities for start-up companies in the area, which is now called the Advance Business Growth Centre. It has two board rooms, three meeting rooms, a conference and training room for up to 40 people and further office space, all benefitting from the latest technology. The Advance Consultancy will be offering services including mentoring and networking events at the Growth Centre to support the local business community.
Andrew Griffiths, MP for Buxton and Uttoxeter, was invited to officially open the centre.
Mr Kerfoot said: “Opening a dedicated facility to support businesses in the area is something we have wanted to do for many years. There are some great young start-up businesses in the region, and with the Growth Centre now open we can offer them an ideal working environment equipped with the latest technology. The funding support from Lloyds TSB Commercial Banking has been vital to the realisation of our plans.”
David Langridge, relationship director at Lloyds TSB Commercial Banking, said: “The Advance Consultancy has an experienced team which can tackle the most complex of management and business issues, and they have established a strong reputation for making a real impact on performance and profitability.
“The Growth Centre is a great asset to the local area supporting start-up businesses which are important to the growth of the local economy. Businesses which are not based in central locations can often feel like they do not have the support network that city centre companies do, but the new venue has created a central hub for companies in Staffordshire.”
