Louisa brings broad range of experience to Economy & Skills team

"It's really enjoyable to be part of a great team helping businesses to grow," - that's the way Louisa Smith sums up her work in the Economy & Skills office at Warwickshire County Council.

Louisa has joined the team at Barrack Street as contract & project manager - a pivotal role in helping small and medium-sized business access support from the county council.

Primarily, it entails guiding applicants through the claim process of obtaining the small capital grants which have given so many SMEs across Warwickshire such important impetus in recent years.

Louisa's broad experience across many sectors, most recently four years as a Finance Manager/PMO with Vivarail in Long Marston, means she is perfectly-qualified to do that - but she is also eager to ensure that small businesses acquire every drop of the other business support which is available from the council and its partner organisations.

"A big part of my job is to help business through the process of claiming their grants," she said. "But I see it as very important also to flag up to small businesses other elements of support that is offered by Warwickshire County Council and our partners.

"There are so many strands to the support available and sometimes businesses just don't know what is available to them. In this role I talk to them all the time so am in a great position to let them know. I like to be busy and I like to be proactive so, with Small Capital Grant claimants, I always try to direct them to other support that the Economy & Skills team offers."

Louisa has brought a brought a wealth of experience and expertise to that team and also knows the local area inside-out having moved to Warwickshire from her native Kent in 1996 - and been out of work for only two weeks since!

"I had visited Stratford-on-Avon and really liked the area so plumped for Warwickshire to try to carve out my future and I am really glad I did," she said. "It is a lovely county with loads of fantastic places to visit but also so much going on business-wise.

"I have worked in project-related jobs in various sectors - events, exhibitions, engineering, rail - and that broad experience is very helpful. It helps me to really understand the needs and concerns of small businesses.

"The Economy & Skills team have made me so welcome and it's really enjoyable to be part of a great team helping businesses to grow. They really know their stuff and it is a privilege working among such professional people."

* To learn more about how Louisa and the rest of the Economy & Skills team could help your business, please visit here.