Welcome from Monica Fogarty

Hello and welcome to the July edition of Warwickshire Means Business.

This month we focus on the increasing influence of women in driving our businesses and local economy. I am delighted that Sheridan Sulskis, chief executive of Coventry & Warwickshire Reinvestment Trust, has written an excellent guest column for us.

Sheridan discusses how “businesses owned and driven by women are a huge driving force behind economic growth and prosperity.” To support that statement, we tell the uplifting story of Samantha Jones, business development manager at Applewood Support, a care-provider in the north of our county. Sam exemplifies the many attributes that women bring to our businesses, as does Becki Coombe who, supported by a WCC Small Capital Grant, has transformed a derelict building in Brandon into a stylish new base for her education business.

We also feature the uplifting story of Abdul Ataie who is carving out a new life and career with Exact Logistics, a Fair Chance Employer, in Rugby. In Warwickshire, we strive to offer a warm welcome and the best possible career opportunities to all and our Fair Chance programme is a key element of that commitment.

The diversity of SMEs which are growing and enhancing their communities across our county with business support never ceases to amaze me and it shines out again in this edition of WMB. I have mentioned businesses immersed in logistics and education. Then there is Gumbley’s Music School, in Studley, Doing What Really Matters, in Kineton, which supports prisoner rehabilitation and Yellow Panther, a digital studio at the cutting edge in Leamington Spa. Is there anything that the Warwickshire businesses community doesn’t do?!

I am very proud of the depth and breadth of support which WCC and its partners offer, so it is always very pleasing to hear how effective and appreciated it is. Ninety-five per cent of businesses supported by the CW Business: Start Grow & Scale programme would recommend it. That’s great to hear, as is the news that Warwickshire Start-up Service, for businesses less than two years old, will continue after further funding was agreed.

Please do visit https://www.warwickshire.gov.uk/business-support and https://skillshub.warwickshire.gov.uk/ to see how we can help your business.

MONICA