Start-up programme "invaluable" to Helen as her business hits the ground running

A Warwickshire market research consultant has secured a major contract just months after launching her own business - with the "invaluable" support of the Warwickshire County Council-backed Start-Up Programme. 

Leamington-based Helen Roberts launched XV Insight last year after working for 25 years in the market research industry, mainly for major agencies in senior roles.

And her decision is already looking like the right one after the company won several new contracts including a major piece of work with Visit England and the Discover England Fund, which is aimed at growing in-bound tourism to the UK.

To get the business off the ground, Helen has been tapping into free support and advice available through the Start-Up Programme which is delivered by Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce and funded by Warwickshire County Council, the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and the District and Borough Councils.

She has attended masterclasses on a range of subjects aimed at offering practical advice to business owners, attending networking events, and accessing support from a business coach, Tanya King.

Helen said: “It was great to win the contract with Visit England and the Discover England Fund so soon after establishing XV Insight. It’s a great testament to the new business that such a major organisation has come to us for such a significant piece of market research work.

“I felt the time was right to take the plunge because of the experience and expertise I had acquired over the years and I am really enjoying it.

“The support from the Start-Up programme has been invaluable. The masterclasses were in a relaxed, informal setting and it meant I could take away exactly what I wanted from them.

“Having my own business coach was fantastic too. Sometimes it’s just great to be able to talk through an idea and get some genuine feedback in return – it helps you to question yourself and where you want to go with the business too.

“I’d researched – as you’d expect – quite a few networking organisations in the area and the Chamber stood out for me because of the additional help that comes with it.

“I feel like I’m getting long-term help and support, not just something that will be dropped after just a few weeks and that’s great to know as a new business.”

Tanya King, a business coach at the Chamber, said: “It has been fantastic working with Helen as she’s established XV Insight and it’s been a wonderful start for the business.

“Businesses required different levels of support when they start-up and we can tailor our coaching to the needs of the company, rather than the other way round.”

For more information on business support from the Chamber, call 024 7665 4321.

Information on the project led by XV Insight for Visit England and the Discover England Fund can be found here https://www.visitbritain.org/research-summary-reports