BUSINESS SUPPORT
Our Corporate Mission
To ensure economic growth and success in the Wakefield district. To ensure every business in Wakefield can have the opportunity to thrive and grow.
Our Vision
To make the whole Wakefield district an attractive and supported environment for businesses of all kinds, sizes and sectors.
Our Values
Our team's work is under-pinned by five important values. These are:
- Our services are free, there is no charge whatsoever.
- The work we do is completely impartial.
- As a team, we work with passion to help you achieve success.
- Our work will be tailored to your specific needs.
- The Wakefield First services are totally inclusive, everyone in business is welcome.
How Do We Do This?
Wakefield business support involves delivering FREE tailored business support to Wakefield district-based enterprises to achieve their objectives across many areas including recruitment, apprenticeships, access to funding, business strategy, upskilling their team, networking, and business growth planning, or anything else.
All our business support officers are qualified in Small Firms Enterprise Development Initiative (SFEDI) Level 3 in Enterprise Mentoring.
Email for support businesssupport@wakefield.gov.uk
Or contact the business advisor team who oversee all general support enquiries:
- Lisa McNaught - lmcnaught@wakefield.gov.uk
- Sarah Marshall - sarahmarshall@wakefield.gov.uk
- Tony Baker - anthonybaker@wakefield.gov.uk
- Paige Cottam - pcottam@wakefield.gov.uk
Specifically Targeted Business Support Programmes
Are you wanting to start your own business, or have you recently started your own business and are looking for support?
Shabana loves helping people and enjoys working with people to turn a business idea into a viable new business.
Fully funded support is available to those wanting to start a new business, or who have recently launched a new business. This includes a wide range of useful webinars and workshops, tailored to support individuals looking at a career in self-employment.
For further information please contact Shabana Yousaf-McIntyre - syousaf-mcintyre@wakefield.gov.uk
Are you a business under 3 years old, and looking to grow?
AD:VENTURE provides ambitious new businesses with a tailored programme of support to help them grow their business and achieve their full potential. We provide fully funded business support to new businesses in West Yorkshire who are under 3 years old.
AD:VENTURE Business Manager: The programme will provide access to a dedicated business manager who can guide you through your start up and growth journey offering practical advice, connections, be that vital critical friend and help new business owners to understand the myriad of options available to them. They can also offer insights into what funding and finance is available locally and nationally.
The AD:VENTURE Growth Grant: This grant is available between £1,500 - £10,000 to support growing companies with their capital expenditure for growth projects. Growth grants are match funded (Meaning the business must match the contribution and have the funding in place to claim it back after the project expenditure is made).
Business Enterprise Fund Loans: The Business Enterprise fund are also partners and can offer a variety of loans for start-up and growth, with start-up loans available for new businesses at a competitive rate of 6%.
For further information please contact: Keith Evans kevans@wakefield.gov.uk
Are you a business with between 5-100 employees looking to grow?
Mindir has extensive experience working in the business support environment and enjoys sharing his skills, knowledge, and expertise with local businesses.
Gareth has a background in business development, including recruitment, and enjoys meeting and getting to know new businesses.
Businesses can connect with a local Growth Manager to discuss where their business is now and what they would like to achieve in the future. Growth Managers find tailored solutions and identify suitable local or national support and funding available from the LEP and our partners on your behalf.
For more information, please contact Gareth Morley garethmorley@wakefield.gov.uk or Mindir Paul mpaul@wakefield.gov.uk
People and Culture
Are you a business in the Wakefield district looking for support with your people strategy?
Lisa is a CIPD qualified and has a passion for all things people related, helping businesses to deliver value through their people practices.
One to one mentoring support around your businesses people agenda.
Support to maximise operational efficiencies through your people in areas such as, recruitment, retention, organisational culture, employee engagement, employer brand and any other support relating to your people strategy.
This offer is available to all businesses in the Wakefield district.
For further information please contact Lisa McNaught - lmcnaught@wakefield.gov.uk
Apprenticeship Levy Transfer
Are you a business in Wakefield looking to offload your unspent apprenticeship levy, or an SME looking to access financial support towards apprenticeship training?
Kevin has a strong background in education and business development and is really passionate about helping people on their journey in their chosen career pathway, as well as supporting businesses to find funding for apprenticeships.
Wakefield council have transferred up to 25% of their unspent apprenticeship levy to local SME’s, supporting upskilling of local people in priority sectors such as health and social care, engineering, construction and digital.
We offer support to large businesses in the district looking to offload their unspent levy, aligned to their organisation corporate social values.
We also support SMEs in the district seeking financial support from the levy transfer scheme, this includes support with identifying relevant training via apprenticeship standards, identification of providers and financial support ensuring 100% of the apprenticeship cost is covered.
For further information about this service please contact Kevin O’Reilly – koreilly@wakefield.gov.uk