Uncategorised Archives - Page 5 of 5 - Sandwell Business Growth

FUSE: join this social enterprise start-up programme in Sandwell

Posted on 7 September 20237 September 2023 by Marie

SWEDA is running a twelve-week social enterprise start-up programme for Sandwell businesses. Sign up for FUSE and work through the ideas stage of your enterprise, to launch and beyond.

The Skills Work and Enterprise Development Agency (SWEDA) is running a social enterprise start-up programme for businesses based in Sandwell and Wolverhampton.

FUSE is a twelve-week programme to take businesses from the ideas stage to launch and beyond through dedicated business support.

What does the FUSE social enterprise start-up programme offer?

FUSE offers you hands-on hybrid business support to start a social enterprise, with five practical masterclasses on business mindsets.

You can also get access to a supportive community of social entrepreneurs and industry experts.

The masterclass topics are:

Confidence building
Business mindsets
Social value creation
Building sustainable business models finance and funding
Digital marketing.

When does the programme run?

The FUSE programme starts on Tuesday 12 September 2023. The masterclasses will take place online on Tuesdays from 10am to 1pm:

12 September
26 September
10 October
24 October
7 November
21 November.

Funding for social enterprises

When you complete the programme you will also have the opportunity to access grant funding – if your business is eligible.

The West Midlands Social Enterprise Boost Fund will offer a range of grants and targeted business support to help new and existing social enterprises start up, scale up and grow. The aim of the SEB Fund is to create positive social and environmental impact.

How to register for FUSE

For further information and to express your interest, contact SWEDA on 0121 525 2558 or email sweda@sweda.org.uk.

Celebrating 25 years of SCVO: join the AGM

Posted on 5 September 202315 September 2023 by Marie

Sandwell Council of Voluntary Organisations (SCVO) has been supporting voluntary and community groups in Sandwell for 25 years.

You’re invited to join in the celebration at its annual general meeting (AGM) in October.

SCVO has invited all its members, as well as voluntary and community sector organisations, stakeholders and strategic partners, to its AGM on Thursday 5 October. You can celebrate SCVO’s milestone anniversary by sharing your organisation’s own milestones.

SCVO is a charity which supports community groups, charities, not-for-profit businesses, faith organisations and social enterprises in Sandwell. Its vision is that the lives of people in Sandwell will be happier and healthier through having a strong voluntary and community sector.

Connecting, enabling, transforming

SCVO aims to bring organisations together to raise the quality and range of services, influence policy locally and nationally, support the development and growth of community organisations, and ensure all residents have access to the support they need.

The AGM is on Thursday 5 October at Portway Lifestyle Centre in Oldbury, from 10am to 12.30pm. For your free ticket, visit the AGM Eventbrite page. Please note – there will be cake!

Share your milestones with SCVO

At its AGM, SCVO will display a timeline of the last 25 years (1998 – 2023), highlighting milestones and key achievements from SCVO. The team invites you to share things that have been significant for your organisation over that same period, too. For example: when your organisation started or key developments, major changes, highlights, awards and successes.

If you’d like to share anything, please email Leona Bird (leona@scvo.info) by Friday 15 September, with:

The year
The achievement, milestone or highlight you would like to capture – in no more than ten words
Any images/photos/press cuttings to go along with the achievement.

You can send Leona as many achievements as you’d like, but please limit them to three in any given year.

Get ready for international trade: exclusive workshops for Sandwell businesses

Posted on 31 August 20235 September 2023 by Marie

We’re launching a series of international trade workshops for Sandwell-based businesses, covering a range of valuable topics. Join us!

Has your Sandwell business started its international trade (importing and/or exporting) journey yet? Would you like some guidance for future success?

We’re holding a series of international trade workshops just for you. Over the coming year, we’ll cover:

Importing and exporting – a beginner’s guide
Ways to improve your import, export and customs procedures
Cutting costs and improving productivity through customs
Ambition to export: mapping and accessing new markets
Reviewing Brexit: customs compliance and audit for UK importers.

Free face-to-face international trade workshops

We’re aiming our free face-to-face workshops at Sandwell-based businesses to support and improve your global trade activities. We’ll cover topics that are suitable for businesses new to international trade – right up to experienced importers and exporters seeking to expand their market activities.

Our first workshop takes place on Friday 22 September at Jack Judge House in Oldbury (soon to be our Sandwell Start-Up Hub!). It’s called ‘The beginner’s guide to importing and exporting worldwide’.

We (the Sandwell Business Growth team) are hosting it and Sam Ballard-Robinson of Falsum Consulting Ltd will deliver the session. It’s a whole-day event, from 9.30am to 4.30pm.

The workshop will introduce you to the world of exporting and importing, focusing on the terms and practices used. Sam will provide an overview of some of the most common international trading areas, such as tariff classification, customs valuation, Incoterms®, and export and import customs requirements.

The session will be ideal for trainees, new starters or individuals returning to the industry.

Further information and registration

At the later events, we’ll cover topics for more experienced import/export companies. All the workshops are for Sandwell businesses.

Sandwell Start-Up Hub: welcome to your free, inspiring co-working space in Oldbury

Posted on 29 August 202321 September 2023 by Marie

Are you an aspiring entrepreneur or do you have a growing business in Sandwell? Come and work in our supportive, innovative co-working environment at Jack Judge House in Oldbury.

Sandwell Start-Up Hub is our exciting initiative, launching on Tuesday 26 September 2023.

Designed to give local businesses the tools they need to flourish, our new hub offers desks, resources, collaborative spaces, free WiFi and networking opportunities.

Free hot-desking and meeting space in Oldbury

The Sandwell Start-Up Hub has open-plan office space within a hot-desking environment, equipped with 60 desks and free WiFi. There, you can work alongside entrepreneurs and new businesses, and access meeting rooms.

We understand the importance of having a productive workspace so we’re excited to provide it to local businesses at no cost for the first year (until September 2024).

Interior of the Sandwell Start-Up Hub, with clean open space, round tables and a communal kitchen

Jack Judge House: location and layout of the Sandwell Start-Up Hub

The hub is on the top floor of Jack Judge House in Oldbury (B69 2AJ). This is the former Oldbury library building, opposite Sandwell Council House (where the library is now housed).

It has three areas:

Collaboration Zone
Where entrepreneurs can engage in meaningful networking and spark collaborations.

Quiet Zone
For focused work, allowing you to immerse yourself in your tasks without distraction – for maximum productivity.

Event Zone
Where we will host business support organisations to deliver informative sessions on a variety of topics.

Grow together at the Sandwell Start-Up Hub

We’ve designed the Sandwell Start-Up Hub to be more than a physical space. Together we will build a community of like-minded individuals, supporting one another’s growth.

Whether your small established business is looking to collaborate, or you’re a new entrepreneur seeking resources, we want this hub to be your gateway to success.

To find out more or register for the Sandwell Start-Up Hub, contact the Sandwell Business Growth Team at Sandwell_StartupHub@sandwell.gov.uk. We will send you a registration form to complete. Eventually, you will be able to book your desk through the MySandwell app.

You can also join the launch event on Tuesday 26 September. We’re holding this from 9.30am to 11.30am at the hub. Find out more and sign up at Eventbrite.

Black Country Chamber Business Awards 2023: submit your entries now

Posted on 24 August 202329 August 2023 by Marie

Don’t miss your chance to submit an entry for the Black Country Business Awards – celebrating ‘talent, tenacity and transformation’ in our region.

The annual Black Country Chamber Business Awards will this year announce winners in thirteen different categories. The awards are free to enter and the deadline for submissions is 5pm on Monday 11 September. For 2023, the theme is celebrating ‘talent, tenacity and transformation’ in our region.

Winners will be announced at a gala dinner at Wolverhampton Racecourse on Thursday 9 November.

Dudley-based MET Recruitment won last year’s Excellence in Professional Services Award. The company’s commercial director Nella Share said: “Our experience has been so valuable. It has opened doors to new relationships and allowed us to demonstrate the high standards we offer on a regional stage.”

Lisa Cowley, CEO of the Beacon Centre (the 2021 winner of Large Business of the Year) echoed Nella’s words. Lisa said: “Both the event and the award have led to opening doors to new local connections and supporters, as well as providing a fantastic news story for us to share across all of our channels and giving a boost to employee morale. If you are considering entering your organisation, I would really recommend doing so.”

Celebrating social value at the Black Country Chamber Business Awards

James Cash is managing director of Superfast IT, which won Outstanding Support to the Armed Forces in 2022. He said: “I strongly encourage other companies to explore these opportunities and enter the awards. Winning isn’t just an honour, it reflects alignment with values that strengthen our community and drive progress across the region.”

Halesowen BID won the Business Commitment to the Community Award in 2022. BID manager Vicky Rogers said: “As an organisation dedicated to developing and providing local services and support, awards like this strengthen our commitment and motivate us to continue our work.”

This year, Sandwell Council is sponsoring the Business Commitment to the Community award. We believe that giving back and doing good are important cornerstones of any successful business. You can read how this plays a key role in our tendering and contracting process on our brand new CSR and social value page.

Will it be a starry night for our Sandwell business community?

At the 2022 Black Country Chamber Business Awards, at least one Sandwell organisation was represented as a finalist in each of the fourteen award categories. Five Sandwell businesses were overall winners, while four took ‘highly commended’ awards. We’d love to see you shine again this year!

For more information, and to enter the awards, vis it the Black Country Chamber Business Awards website.

Go green, save money: new UK Business Climate Hub

Posted on 22 August 20235 September 2023 by Marie

The government’s new UK Business Climate Hub gives you practical advice for reducing your business carbon footprint and saving on energy bills.

Through the hub, you can get advice on everything from paying less for electric vehicles and sourcing products from green suppliers, to installing solar panels and making money by selling green energy back to the grid.

The website includes a free carbon calculator and other tools to help your business measure, track and report on emissions.

Research shows that 90 per cent of SMEs are keen to tackle climate change, but don’t know how or where to start. Also, 85 per cent of customers are more likely to buy from businesses with a reputation for sustainability. So going greener makes good commercial sense.

Graham Stuart is Minister of State for Energy Security and Net Zero. He said: “More and more businesses are recognising the business benefits of reaching net zero and we’re determined to empower them to do so. The hub also has the opportunity to empower small firms to take ambitious steps towards net zero, ultimately ensuring that they also benefit from the economic opportunities created in a net zero economy.”

‘A valuable tool for business leaders’

Shirine Khoury-Haq, Co-op Group chief executive and co-chair of the Net Zero Council, said: “None of us will get to net zero without all of us getting to net zero, so ensuring that every business and every sector has a clear plan for delivering this non-negotiable target is key. I hope the UK Business Climate Hub will be a valuable tool for business leaders looking for guidance and support in this vital endeavour.”

The Broadway Initiative is managing the UK Business Climate Hub. The collaboration developed it in partnership with associations such as the Federation of Small Business and the Institute of Directors. They had support from the British Business Bank, HSBC, NatWest, Electricity North West, Northern Powergrid and National Grid. The hub is the UK partner of the international SME Climate Hub.

Find out more at the UK Business Climate Hub website.

Be the solution: join the Biochar CleanTech Accelerator

Posted on 15 August 202322 August 2023 by Marie

Aston University and partners have pioneered an innovative technology that can convert organic materials into commercially valuable bioproducts. Will your Sandwell business join the Biochar CleanTech Accelerator and benefit from helping them take it to market?

The breakthrough from Aston University and local industrial leaders uses an innovative pyrolysis technology. (Pyrolysis is the breaking down of organic materials by subjecting them to very high temperatures and without oxygen. It yields energy-rich liquids and gases, and a solid substance known as biochar.)

Their new process can convert organic materials such as sawdust, fallen trees, agricultural straw, and dried chicken litter into these commercially valuable bioproducts, including biochar, gases and liquids.

Low-carbon solutions offer growth opportunities

Now, the Energy & Bioproducts Research Institute and the Centre for the Circular Economy and Advanced Sustainability at Aston University are looking for partners to commercialise biochar and related bioproducts. They’re inviting West Midlands companies to join a new business accelerator programme designed to develop new low-carbon products such as:

Low-carbon fuel for boilers and engines
Soil conditioners and products for improved plant, tree and animal health
Biochar for carbon capture and credits
Biochar for water treatment and odour control
Biochar for building and composite material
Bioliquids for low carbon weedkiller, fungicide and plant growth enhancer.

Join the Biochar CleanTech Accelerator

Led by Aston University, the Biochar CleanTech Accelerator is a business growth programme offering you a pathway to:

Technological advancements that set your business apart
Skill and knowledge enrichment to navigate the evolving landscape
Strategic networking and supply chain collaborations
Access to diverse funding sources for growth
Expanding into new market opportunities.

To find out more about this opportunity, visit Aston University’s Biochar CleanTech Accelerator page.

See also the Clean Futures Accelerator Programme. This and the Biochar CleanTech Accelerator are part of the wider West Midlands Innovation Accelerator – a £100m growth-focused partnership between our region and central government.

Green Advantage: join the skills bootcamp in business sustainability

Posted on 2 August 202322 August 2023 by Administrator

Green Advantage is a five-session course for managers who want to explore environmental challenges on their business.

Give yourself an informed approach to environmental issues and start your journey to sustainability. Through Green Advantage, you can have five interactive workshops, peer networking and one-to-one business coaching over twelve weeks. The course is designed to fit around full-time work.

The Department for Education via the West Midlands Combined Authority has funded Green Advantage, as part of the government’s Skills Bootcamps. Aston University is delivering it. The next cohort will start their sessions in September 2023.

Develop a road map to sustainability for your business

During the course, you will develop a bespoke sustainability roadmap for your enterprise. Maybe you will take practical actions to lower emissions and save energy. Or perhaps you will decide to overhaul your business model and values completely.

The cost of the Green Advantage course varies, according to your business size. SMEs must contribute £296.95 per learner, while for large businesses it’s £890 per learner. It is free for self-employed people. The next cohort starts in September 2023.

For more information visit the Aston University Centre for Growth page.

Drive the green transport revolution with Clean Futures Accelerator

Posted on 2 August 202322 August 2023 by Administrator

Sign up for the Clean Futures Accelerator and get up to £50k to help develop green transport ideas.

Clean Futures Accelerator is a six-month programme which will give twenty selected SMEs up to £50K each to trial their ideas for making transport more sustainable. The deadline for applications is Sunday 10 September 2023.

Transport is responsible for 24 per cent of the UK’s emissions, and the sector represents a huge opportunity to decarbonise. As a region with a strong history in vehicle manufacturing, the West Midlands is well-placed to drive the green transport revolution.

The accelerator is part of the wider West Midlands Innovation Accelerator. It is based around five challenges in the rail and automotive manufacturing sectors and their related supply chains.

These are:

1. Greener electric vehicle components

2. Circular economy of transport

3. Road freight alternatives

4. Greener transport infrastructure

5. Future fuels.

Successful Clean Futures applicants will receive bespoke technical and commercial support, alongside networking and showcasing events. The programme offers access to a range of facilities and support, from the Black Country Innovative Manufacturing Organisation, the Institute for Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering, and the Centre for Advanced Low Carbon Propulsion Systems at Coventry University.

Eligibility for Clean Futures Accelerator

The Clean Futures Accelerator is open to SMEs in existing supply chains, as well as those looking to move into new sectors. It also welcomes bids from consortiums of partners with one lead applicant. Ideally, applicants would have a base in the West Midlands. You must be willing to match fund your grant with in-kind support, such as labour or materials.

For more information, and to apply, visit the Clean Futures website.

Join the launch of Business Growth West Midlands

Posted on 2 August 202329 August 2023 by Administrator

West Midlands Combined Authority is launching Business Growth West Midlands (BGWM) on Tuesday 12 September at Coventry Building Society Arena.

BGWM will provide comprehensive business support services to help your West Midlands business grow and succeed.

The launch event is for West Midlands business leaders, entrepreneurs and business support providers.

At the event, the Mayor of the West Midlands Andy Street will give the keynote address, showing his commitment to promoting business growth in the region. He will explain where this new service fits into the economic development of the West Midlands.

The aim of the event is to raise awareness about the support packages available through BGWM, fostering economic development and empowering local businesses (including WMCA business programmes, such as its decarbonisation programme).

You can gain valuable insights on navigating business growth, AI-driven digital transformation, financial management, funding options and building a skilled workforce.

The launch event will also offer networking opportunities to connect with business support providers, stakeholders, and fellow attendees, encouraging active engagement with BGWM’s support services.

Why attend the launch?

Attendees at the event will be among the first to hear about the £100m of new support programmes and grants launching for West Midlands businesses.
You can find out how the new fully funded service can help businesses navigate the wide range of support available across the region.
There will be opportunities to network with business support professionals and fellow business leaders,
You can access free business support opportunities in the exhibition area.
There is a free lunch for all attendees.

Other inspirational and expert speakers will be announced in the coming weeks. You can follow @BizGrowthWM on Twitter or LinkedIn for speaker and programme updates.

When? Where? How do I register?

When? Tuesday 12 September, 9.30am – 4.30pm (come along for all or part of the day)
Where? Coventry Building Society Arena, Judds Lane, Longford, Coventry CV6 6AQ
Register: Sign up here to attend.

Email businessgrowthevents@wmca.org.uk if you have questions. Or you can use the following links for more information about BGWM and the official launch event:

Learn more about Business Growth West Midlands.

Sandwell Business Growth is here: welcome to our new website

Posted on 2 August 202329 August 2023 by Administrator

If you’re reading this, you’ve found Sandwell Business Growth – the new website from Sandwell Council’s Business Growth Team. Welcome!

It’s replacing www.thinksandwell.com – our faithful old website which, in internet years, was more than ready to hang up its work suits and get out its slippers.

We want our new website to feel accessible and welcoming to our huge Sandwell business community.

Our overriding goal is to help you grow. Because when Sandwell businesses thrive, they create jobs, raise aspirations, boost skills and generate wealth for our Black Country economy.

And we’re passionate about supporting your business to grow in a way that ensures people and communities benefit too.

Three things to do here today:

Check out the Open4Business funding portal, where you can search for government and council grants, loans, venture capital funds and tax credit programmes
Apply to have your own ‘Made in Sandwell’ feature. Tell the world what your business does and why Sandwell is the right place for you.
Browse our ‘Run your business’ section, which is full of day-to-day support plus inspiration to help your business give back to people, communities and the environment.

We’re still making changes to the website. So if you see any snags, we’d love you to tell us via our contact page.

Thank you to Tobi and team at West Bromwich-based Studio 14 for their help and expertise in building this website!

Beware of illicit tobacco sales: advice to Sandwell businesses

Posted on 26 July 202322 August 2023 by Administrator

You can be fined up to £10,000 for selling illicit tobacco. So we’ve got information to help your Sandwell business do the right thing.

Since 20 July 2023, local authorities have had greater authority to address the issue of illicit tobacco sales. You can now be fined up to £10,000 for selling illicit tobacco. This applies to individuals and businesses.

For our business community in Sandwell, it’s essential to be aware of the sanctions that now apply:

The penalties for individuals and businesses breaking UK Tobacco Track and Trace regulations can range from £2,500 to £10,000
Offenders may have their tobacco products seized
Businesses can have their economic operator ID withdrawn so they lose their ability to purchase tobacco for resale in the UK.

“The trade in illegal tobacco affects honest businesses”

Illicit tobacco sales have significant adverse effects on both the economy and public health. So combatting the illicit tobacco trade is of utmost importance for our community’s wellbeing.

Lord Michael Bichard is Chair of National Trading Standards. He said: “The trade in illegal tobacco harms local communities and affects honest businesses operating within the law. Having removed 27 million illegal cigarettes, 7,500kg of hand rolling tobacco and almost 175kg of shisha products from sale, the National Trading Standards initiative in partnership with HMRC continues to successfully disrupt this illicit trade.”

If your Sandwell business is involved with the supply of tobacco (manufacturing, selling, transporting or transloading), here is the government guidance you need.

At the gov.uk website, you can also read more about the new Tobacco Track and Trace penalties.

Sandwell Council’s Trading Standards Team will enforce the new Tobacco Track and Trace penalties to keep customers safe and protect the reputations of Sandwell businesses that do the right thing.

Trading Standards Business News: BBQs and business scams

Posted on 21 July 202322 August 2023 by Administrator

The summer 2023 edition of Trading Standards Business News is available online.

Trading Standards Business News (TSBN) includes articles for rural enterprises, international traders and businesses working with food and outdoor events, as well as information on staff training and avoiding fraud.

The digital magazine is published by Central England Trading Standards Authorities (CEnTSA). This is a collaboration between fourteen trading standards services within local authorities across the West Midlands – including Sandwell. Together they aim to maximise the impact that individual services have, supporting businesses in our region to trade legally and fairly while promoting economic growth.

CEnTA’s Trading Standards Business News is full of advice to help you and your business thrive while staying on the right side of the law. Each edition covers a wide range of business sectors and signposts you to further information.

What’s inside the summer 2023 edition of TSBN?

You can read the latest TSBN in a browser on your computer or download the TSBN app for Apple and Android devices. The digital magazine content is interactive – so clicking on the web links will take you to the relevant page or website.

Following Sprinkler Safety Week in May, the magazine includes information about sprinkler systems and how to help keep people and buildings safe from fire. It also offers tips on how to identify ever-evolving business scams and minimise potential losses.

Editor Frances Darling said: “I hope the advice provided in this issue helps ease the regulatory compliance challenges that businesses face on a regular basis. If there are regulatory issues affecting you directly that you would like us to cover, please get in touch and let us know.”

Read the summer 2023 edition of TSBN.

You can read past editions of TSBN here.