In summary
With the October budget and a host of other changes being brought in by the Government, it’s a good time to remember that FSB remains a constant. This is our 50th year of supporting small businesses – so we have survived more than 10 general elections!
That’s partly because our member services are second to none. If you haven’t checked them out recently, log into the website and make the most of what we offer.
Featured news and events
Worcestershire Winners!
Finalists in the 2024 North Worcestershire Business Awards will gather with at Hogarths Stone Manor on 21 November, where category winners will be announced.
The North Worcestershire Business Awards are organised by North Worcestershire Business Leaders and local authorities, in partnership with Hogarths Stone Manor.
The independent judges panel commented that the finalists reflected “an impressive range of diverse businesses, all showcasing their commitment to growth, sustainability and adding value for customers.”
The finalists are:
Best business Start-up
Made here with love, Oak Tree Shutters, Purendure
Outstanding contribution to the community
Champion Security Installations, Quads and Castles, The Black Star Pub
Outstanding customer service
Bluebird Care, Redditch Wheelie Clean, Worcester Footlights Theatre Company, Hayward Wright
Business leader of the year
Andile Siziba Mediservices Healthcare, Graham Smith Redditch Wheelie Clean, Helen Bower Adder Bookkeeping, Lisa Murphy Limelight HR
Best employer of the year
Green Gorilla Apps, Limelight HR, Ormerod Rutter, OGL software, Champion Security Installations
Business innovation of the Year
TSR Electrical Group, Destination High Street, Reedmace Talent, The Key Safe Company
Best use of technology
Stark EV, TSR Electrical Group, Ecl-ips
Stand Out in Worcestershire Award
TDM, Indegu, Ormerod Rutter, GT Access
More information is available here.
Local Networking Events
Join FSB online for our Shropshire/Telford & Wrekin and Herefordshire/Worcestershire virtual networking sessions on the first and third Wednesday of each month respectively. You can book your FREE place via the events page of the FSB website.
In other news
Invest Telford
The Invest Team are on hand to support your business to grow, navigate challenges and remain resilient with a range of fully funded support that includes:
- Help with finance and funding, skills and recruitment, land and property, business and planning
- One-to-one support
- Events, training, workshops and networking opportunities
- Access to business intelligence
If a member of the team doesn’t have the answer, they’ll know someone that does.
Email them at [email protected] or visit their website
Help in Herefordshire
The Herefordshire Growth Hub offers a single point of access to information and guidance on business grants, loans, support and advice available to enterprises across the county, regardless of sector, business age or size.
The team offers free impartial business support, information, advice and guidance to help your business succeed.
In Herefordshire, they are offering 45-minute slots where you can meet with an adviser to discuss your business needs and help you discover and access support for you and your business.
The areas they can help you with include:
- Finance and Funding
- Advice and Support
- Employment and Skills
- Networking and Events
These surgeries are taking place throughout November and December, plus you can arrange a bespoke meeting at a mutually convenient time. Find out more here.
Still in the news
Setting the scene for skills developmentA new government body - Skills England - has just published its first report, setting out its role, the skills challenges limiting economic growth and barriers to opportunity. For employers, employees and job seekers in this area, it is vital that the new body succeeds. The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has welcomed the report, and particularly its plans to overhaul the apprenticeship system in England. The aim is to refocus a new ‘Growth and Skills Levy’ on providing opportunities for young people. The new levy will replace the Apprenticeship Levy and will also include new foundation apprenticeships. Other changes will mean more opportunities for small businesses to benefit from apprenticeships and, in turn, provide more young people with employment opportunities. FSB will continue to work with Skills England to keep small businesses front and centre of its work. Over many years, there have been countless initiatives seeking to address local, regional and national skills gaps. There have been some great success stories but regrettably, progress has been patchy. It’s therefore in all our interests that Skills England makes meaningful progress in resolving this persistent problem that blights our local communities and businesses. |
Are you looking to enhance your business's energy efficiency? You can now access grant funding of up to 75% through the Marches Energy Grant Programme.
Expert advisors will assess your current energy practices and provide tailored recommendations to suit your organisation that will not only save operating costs, but also reduce your carbon footprint - whether it's switching to LED lights, upgrading machinery or installing renewable measures like solar panels.
To help you on your way, businesses that have received a decarbonisation review will be able to apply for grant funding for up to 75% of the project value to implement energy-saving changes.
Don't delay, apply today.
More news and activity near you
Get in touch
Your FSB Development Manager for Shropshire, Herefordshire & Worcestershire is Mike Goodall. If you'd like more information about the topics above, or if you have news about this area that you'd like to share, please get in touch.
- email us: [email protected]
- follow us on x: @FSBSrpsHrfsWrcs
- follow us on Facebook: @FSB.Shropshire.Herefordshire.Worcestershire
- connect with me on LinkedIn: Mike Goodall