Heading for a European best
Everyone at Business Link is committed to helping even more firms reach their potential and help make the North East Europe’s best region in which to start or grow a business, says Alastair MacColl.
THE Journal’s Top 200 list is a unique celebration of business talent which reminds us that despite the challenges that businesses are facing, the North East is home to many outstanding companies that contributed greatly to the region’s economic prosperity.
Our region can boast superb manufacturing firms at the heart of the economy, businesses that have showcased world-leading products and services which compete in a global marketplace, and companies helping to position the region as an internationally renowned hub for the development of technology. The spirit of enterprise is obviously alive in every part of our region.
The last two years have seen developments that were unprecedented in the world, UK and North East economies. However, we are now starting to see significant evidence of recovery that will bring new opportunities for the region’s businesses.
The work of Business Link is more important than ever, as we continue to assist those recovering from effects of the downturn, as well as helping others to capitalise on new opportunities.
As the region’s primary access point for business support, we have in place the people, infrastructure, systems and processes to ensure individuals and companies get best help available, so they too can compete to be one of tomorrow’s top business stars.
The support available is designed to help businesses of all sizes and from all sectors. We’re able to tailor our support to businesses at every stage of development, to create the conditions that will help to improve their systems, operations, people, and ultimately their performance. More established and high-growth businesses than ever before are using the Business Link service.
People from all backgrounds use the Business Link service to help start up a business. They all face the same challenges, and rewards, that getting a new venture off the ground ultimately brings and Business Link can provide the support to make this step less daunting.
We can guide you in all aspects of launching a new business – from advice and assistance in understanding finances to choosing the right legal structure for your business, and in hiring employees to developing an effective sales and marketing strategy.
Business Link has helped to create more than 4,500 new businesses in the last financial year – more than ever before. The organisation has worked with over 33,200 businesses and individuals in total, highlighting that despite the challenges that businesses have continued to face during the past year, the North East is still one of the best places in the UK in which to start and grow a business.
We pride ourselves on adapting and improving our services to meet the challenges existing and start-up businesses across the region today.
Recent initiatives include rapid response to fast-moving events, such as tailored support to those who have faced challenges of redundancy; workshops designed to help businesses combat effects of the economic downturn, strengthen their position and capitalise on economic recovery; and providing access to a growing number of additional support services to step up opportunities for the region’s businesses such as Compete North East.
This is helping companies to tender for and win major national and international contracts.
Business Link is committed to doing all possible to ensure that every North East business, regardless of size or sector, receives the support it needs. See www.businesslink.gov.uk/northeast or call 0845 600 9006.
:: Alastair MacColl is chief executive of Business & Enterprise North East
