Partner Article

Elite support for high growth businesses

A business support project is set to offer specialised coaching assistance to fast track the performance and growth of over 150 local enterprises.

Regional development agency One North East has commissioned Entrust to manage and co-ordinate the ‘Coaching for High Growth’ initiative for small and medium sized North East companies with high growth potential.

The project is being part financed by £1.18m from the European Regional Development Fund 2007-13. The ERDF investment secured through One North East has been matched by the Agency contributing a further £1.78m from its Single Programme.

Working with other business support organisations such as Business Link, MAS North East, regional universities and centres of excellence, Entrust aims to identify high growth businesses and move them on to the next stage of their development.

“The companies we’re looking at are those undergoing a transformational change,” explained One North East Head of Business, Enterprise and Skills Tim Pain.

“In other words they will be experiencing a shift in structure or operations which give them the potential to greatly increase their economic impact on the region.

“Typical referrals will feature companies with evidence of a strong order book, sound industry and sector knowledge, an ambitious management team and a capacity to innovate. They will also be aspiring to a minimum 20% per annum growth rate.”

High growth companies suitable for support will be filtered for entry into the programme and access to a host of organisations and individuals capable of supplying mentoring and coaching activities, business support and training.

For further information please contact Sarah Thorpe at Entrust on 0191 244 4000 or email coaching@entrust.co.uk.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .