I am delighted to write my first welcome for WMB since joining Warwickshire County Council and becoming Portfolio Holder for Economy. I have long been aware that Warwickshire and the surrounding area has a strong and vibrant business community. Since I took on the Economy portfolio I am finding out more and more about the exceptional skills and innovation that underpin that community.

Warwickshire County Council and our partners within the county and across the region are proud to deliver the breadth of business support we do to that community and this edition of WMB includes many examples.

We bring news of a very welcome extension to the highly successful Business Ready programme, and report that Coventry and Warwickshire Growth Hub has been named a key partner for the UK Government’s new Business Growth Service.

We hear how a Leamington bar/restaurant is better-equipped than ever to remain at the heart of its community following support from The Skills Escalator Fund, delivered by Warwickshire Skills Hub. A Rugby estate agent tells us how the Sir Frank Whittle Business Centre in the town has proved the perfect catalyst for the business’ growth while we also report the positive impact of Project Warwickshire support on a Shipston-on-Stour wine merchant.

Excitement is building towards September 5th when our wonderful county will host the Tour of Britain and towns and villages across Warwickshire will benefit from the thousands of spectators who will come to watch some of the world’s top cyclists. Our Special Feature focus on that prestigious event.

We also take an in-depth look at the high ranking nationally that the Coventry & Warwickshire region enjoys for Foreign Direct Investment. As always, WMB brings the customary up-to-the-minute News-in-Brief and Upcoming Events sections while all the articles contain all the relevant links to available business support. Please do get in touch if we can help you.