Support Schemes

British Chambers of Commerce
The Chamber Skills Network – part of the BCC Network – is one of the largest providers of both Government-funded and commercial Skills Development Services to UK businesses. Every year, the Chamber Skills Network:

  • trains more than 200,000 people
  • has more than 18,000 learners on work-based learning programmes
  • delivers more than 6,000 training courses nationwide

Our local Chambers of Commerce offer a wide variety of training and development opportunities that can make a real difference to start-ups and SMEs. From short courses to longer programmes culminating in a recognised qualification, and from training programmes designed around your needs to help with recruiting Apprentices, the Chambers can help.

Menta – The Suffolk Enterprise Agency
The Menta team can help if you’re thinking of starting up a business in Suffolk or already have an existing company and you want free, impartial advice on the best ways to manage and grow.

As entrepreneurs and business owners themselves, their team of Business Advisors have first-hand knowledge of the issues you’re facing.

NWES – Business Support Programme

NWES help to support pre-start, start-up and growing businesses to achieve their aims. Offering business advice, training, finance and mentoring support the team are running a pilot business support programme for CPCA Growth Hub to support businesses with a desire to grow. Find out more here.

Business support in our area

The following are examples of other local business, networking and membership organisations that can help:

Meet the team

Chris George<br />
Growth Hub Manager

Chris George

Growth Hub Manager

Chris is an experienced professional with over 30 years knowledge and experience in sales and marketing in the public sector along with 15 years working for two mainstream automotive manufacturers in the sub 10,000 fleet. Delivered sustainable change in a vast range of industries, whilst constantly updating and developing core competencies and knowledge.

Working in the Local Authority sector for the last 15 years has resulted in Chris turning around failing territories to becoming some of the best performing areas in the country, with excellent stakeholder engagement and a passion for premium delivery. Outside of work, Chris is a keen gardener, and also likes property restoration and reading.

Ashleigh Jackson<br />
Growth Hub Business Advisor

Ashleigh Jackson

Growth Hub Business Advisor

A proven senior influencer and sales professional with more than 25 years’ experience in brand building and driving category growth within the private sector.

“I have a strong research background, alongside vast experience in sponsorship and corporate events management.

My work has initiated good working partnerships with many Local Authorities across Hertfordshire, Essex, Cambridgeshire and London. I have also worked with many multi-national brands including KPMG, Barclays, EasyJet, Kingston Smith LLP, London Stansted Airport, Morgan Sindall and Heineken. I’m proud to be able to enhance on the work we do here at the CPCA Growth Hub and build on many success stories.

Away from the business, health and fitness is important to me, being in the great outdoors, and enjoying fun times and relaxation with family and friends”.

Stuart Thomas<br />
Growth Hub Business Advisor

Stuart Thomas

Growth Hub Business Advisor

Stuart is a former small business owner and former Business Link Advisor and has also worked as a project manager for an international IT company, overseeing a large number of IT projects for large corporate enterprises, as well as large public sector organisations.

Stuart has served as a director for an international timber trading company and has also been a director of a local independent radio station, where he mentored a number of new staff. Prior to this he spent time as a secondary school teacher, teaching IT and business studies at both GCSE and A level.

Liana Sannah Growth Hub Business Analyst

Liana Sannah

Growth Hub Business Analyst

Liana is an experienced professional with over 15 years’ experience as an Executive Assistant. Liana has previously been employed by Warner bros, Daily Mirror, Aviva and AXA. These roles have given her a wide range of skills and in a vast range of industries.

Liana has been working in the Local Authority sector for almost three years, as a Growth hub advisor and producing the Monthly BEIS report. In her leisure time, Liana enjoys cooking, interior design and watching movies.