nesma secures backing to 'make growth a reality'

A North East marketing and PR training provider is scaling up operations following a funding boost.

Newcastle-based nesma has secured funding from NPIF II - NEL Smaller Loans, part of the £660 million Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II (NPIF II).

Bosses say the loan is helping the firm launch its SkillsPartner programme, as well as recruit specialised staff and create new training content, enabling it to “streamline delivery” and target new markets, with an aim to “double its revenue” year-on-year over the next five years.

Founded in 2009 by Veronica Swindale, nesma is the only training provider north of the Watford Gap accredited to deliver Chartered Institute of Marketing and Chartered Institute of Public Relations qualifications.

Having transitioned to a 99 per cent online model during the pandemic, nesma has now expanded its reach to more than 30 countries and grown its international learner base to ten per cent of all its learners.

Veronica said: “I set up nesma to deliver marketing training because I’m passionate about empowering people. I believe that if you have choices over your career, you have a more enriched life, and I believe that better education, and the confidence that brings, gives you those choices.

“We’ve helped thousands of students complete their qualifications, and I’m very proud of that.

“I am extremely pleased to have got the business to a point where we can add value, not only to individuals but to the marketing and communications capability of whole organisations through our SkillsPartner programme.

"I made a decision to bring Paul Sutherland into the business as our commercial director last year, and he has helped me shape our vision and led on the transition to make us future fit.”

Mike Guellard, senior investment executive at NEL Fund Managers, added: “nesma has incredibly strong foundations within the market it operates.

“The plans presented to us were ambitious but achievable, with a clear focus on expansion into both UK and international markets.

“The launch of SkillsPartner provides yet further opportunity for growth and we were pleased to be able to provide the NPIF II funding needed to make that growth a reality.”

Operated by British Business Bank, the £660 million Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II covers the entire North of England and provides loans from £25,000 to £2 million, as well as equity investment of up to £5 million to small and medium-sized businesses.

Sarah Newbould, senior manager at British Business Bank, added: “It’s great to see a Northern business using NPIF II funding to support it through the next stage of its growth, providing specialist training courses and qualifications to businesses nationwide.

“This round of funding will help nesma create jobs and increase its revenue, which is a key goal of NPIF II.”

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