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A team of experts in starting and growing rural enterprises is set to improve the performance of rural businesses across the North East.
Business Link has appointed three rural account managers, each with an agricultural background, to help meet demand for expert support from land-based and other rural businesses.
They will work closely with businesses in the land based sector, on rural estates and in market towns, providing advice and guidance on a wide range of topics including marketing, accounting and tax responsibilities.
The breadth and depth of expertise and guidance they supply will support the region’s rural businesses by helping them become more competitive, diverse, flexible and environmentally responsible.
The announcement of the appointments follows last week’s launch of more than £1m of Rural Development Programme for England (RDPE) funding to help micro-enterprises in the region, which will be made available through the North East England Investment Centre (NEEIC) and accessed via the rural account managers.
Rural account manager Steve Urwin, of Matfen, Northumberland, diversified his malt barley farming business by adding a micro brewery.
He said: “Rural businesses have always had access to Business Link’s many services, but having a dedicated rural account manager means they will benefit from specialist knowledge.
“I am passionate about rural communities and the important role of the businesses within these communities. It was a natural next step for me to want to share my experiences of successful diversification with other rural businesses and help them achieve great things through receiving as much support as possible from Business Link.”
John Atkinson, a Business Link advisor for 15 years, previously worked for the Agricultural Training Board and was a dairy unit manager at Leeds University.
He said: “I am keen to promote the information available to rural businesses, identify their needs and find appropriate solutions. We will be on hand to help with everything from initial start up, marketing and operations to developing products and services.”
Chris France, formerly Business Link’s farm business advice coordinator and a Northumberland farmer for more than 20 years, completes the trio.
“I am looking forward to using my knowledge and experience to work with rural businesses to prepare them for future challenges that will have an impact on the profitability of their companies,”he added.
Nicki Clark, director of operations at Business Link, said: “We are committed to supporting success for all of the region’s businesses and this commitment is highlighted by our continuing drive to invest in the local economy and offer ever more specialist advice.
“Last year, we appointed a team of sector brokers to provide tailored and expert advice to the region’s key growth sectors, as identified in One North East’s Regional Economic Strategy. This team is already developing an impressive track record and I am certain that Steve, John and Chris will help sow the right seed to help rural businesses reap impressive rewards.”
Business Link has received additional funding from One North East to enable the creation of the new jobs.
Frances Rowe, Rural Policy Manager at One North East, said: “Rural areas have an important role to play in the growth of North East England’s economy and competitiveness and we want to make sure that all rural based businesses, including those in the land based sector, know where to go for business support and advice.
“These account managers will be out in rural communities building relationships with businesses to do this, but also helping to broker more specialist approaches where needed. Their guidance for businesses on the new RDPE programme will be very important.
“But in turn, these account managers will also help improve the understanding of the distinct needs of rural enterprises within business support and Business Link, so it’s a two-way process.”
Business Link’s substantial team of expert brokers operate across the region in local access points and on a mobile basis. For further information about Business Link visit www.businesslink.gov.uk/northeast or call 0845 600 9 006.
The Rural Development Programme for England (RDPE) is jointly funded by Defra and the European Union, with the aim of delivering targeted support to land based businesses and rural communities. It is managed in the region by One North East, Natural England and the Forestry Commission. The RDPE investment being managed by One North East combines larger projects to help many businesses in different sectors of the rural economy - including bioenergy and land based skills and projects adding value to agricultural and forestry products - with smaller investments to help individual businesses to start-up, grow or diversify. Rural community partnerships are shaping how at least 25% of the funding is invested themselves, using the LEADER approach.For more information on RDPE in North East England, visit www.rdpenortheast.co.uk
For more information on One North East, contact Claire Mason (press office) on 0191 229 6429 or email Claire.mason@onenortheast.co.uk
For more information on BLNE, the Business Link Service or the North East England Investment Centre, please contact Matt Forster at Gardiner Richardson on 0191 261 4250 or by emailing mattf@gardiner-richardson.com
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