The Business Gateway Growth Hub has appointed a new manager to lead the expanded service that offers all businesses across Leicester and Leicestershire a single place to access information, funding and advice to support performance and growth.
Jon Egley joins the Business Gateway, part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), after managing the Digital Growth Programme at East Midlands Chamber and brings over 20 years’ experience working in business support and development.
Jon has developed expertise in a range of sectors including manufacturing, engineering and digital technologies, and with 18 years’ experience in the private sector, understands the challenges business owners face, particularly when it comes to the navigating the business support landscape.
Jon said: “I am delighted to join the Business Gateway Growth Hub for Leicester and Leicestershire. In my last role, I worked in partnership with the D2N2 Growth Hub, LLEP and Sheffield City Region to deliver the multi-million-pound ERDF Digital Growth Programme which provided support to businesses to develop the digital capability of their business and employees.
“Through talking to many of the entrepreneurs we worked with its not always obvious to seek external support when running a business, so it’s our job to make it as straight forward as possible. I’m hoping our new website goes some way to doing that and signposting services we offer.
“Leicester and Leicestershire are already recognised as a great place for businesses to thrive and grow and I am really looking forward to working with partners and the business community to ensure that we continue to meet the needs of those businesses.”
The Business Gateway was established in 2014 and has helped over 5,690 businesses to access a range of information and support including specific sector advice, funding, performance planning, implementing innovative ideas and up-skilling the workforce.
The service was boosted recently after securing a further £3.9 million of ERDF funding to deliver an enhanced service offering a larger team of advisers providing 1-to-1 support, as well as a £1.4 million pot of grant funding available to eligible businesses looking to create jobs or develop new products. Businesses can apply for this Business Growth capital grant, which ranges from £2,000 to £25,000, making up 35% of the total project cost. The Business Gateway continues to offer free workshops on key business themes including finance, marketing, HR and sales.
Kevin Harris, Chair of the LLEP said, “I am delighted to welcome Jon to the Growth Hub team. Growth Hubs were set up across the UK to simplify access to the support available for businesses that are investing, innovating and up-skilling in order to grow and improve performance.
“When businesses keep moving forward, they stay ahead of the competition and continue to deliver future growth and prosperity for the region.
“We want to see more businesses in Leicester and Leicestershire take advantage of the Business Gateway’s fully-funded service to ensure our region remains one of the top-performing areas in the UK.”
Businesses can speak to a friendly and knowledgeable Front-Line Business Adviser by calling 0116 366 8487 or completing an enquiry form.
The Business Gateway Growth Hub is run in partnership with Leicester City Council, East Midlands Chamber (Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire), Leicestershire County Council and the Leicester and Leicestershire Enterprise Partnership Limited (LLEP).
Photography by Hitz Rao at Hitz Rao Photography.
