It’s not every day that a local not-for-profit organisation is short listed for three national awards, hence the delight of the staff and board of Suffolk’s business support organisation, MENTA. The National Enterprise Network has announced that MENTA is a finalist for the ‘Enterprise Communicator of the Year’ award, ‘Enterprise Support Organisation of the Year’ award (turnover over £750,000) and MENTA’s marketing and business development manager, Leanne Castle has been shortlisted in ‘the Unsung Hero of the Year’ category.
Since 1984 MENTA has been supporting established businesses and start-ups, based in Suffolk, providing impartial advice and subsidised business skills masterclasses, seminars and networking events.
MENTA also provides office space and workshops on easy in, easy out terms from premises in Bury St Edmunds and Haverhill. The organisation provides businesses with the knowledge, expertise and information; business skills and networking opportunities they require to expand to ensure that Suffolk and East Anglia continues to prosper.
With a mix of full and part-time staff plus a pool of freelancers, the company has a board made up of business people who volunteer their time.
Alex Till, MENTA’s chief executive commented, “We work hard to ensure Suffolk’s business community continues to be successful by introducing new services and seminars. From January to September 2017, we’ve hosted 30 Coffee Means Business networking events attracting 641 people; during the year we will have held 41 masterclasses and more than 650 people visited the MENTA Trade Fair in October. Also, 90 people have booked to attend the MENTA General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Conference at Copdock Hall on 7th November, to learn about important new data regulations coming into force in May 2018, which will affect all businesses. By the end of the year we’ll have held 126 free Start Right workshops, for start-up businesses, at locations across the county which are supported by the European Regional Development Fund.”
“On behalf of the MENTA board and myself I’d like to say, ‘thank you’ to each one of our Patrons, Sponsors and Supporters. It is through their financial support that we are able to organise our affordable programme of events which, in turn, help the business community access the information and skills they need to expand and grow.
“To be recognised is a great achievement by the MENTA staff and I congratulate them on being shortlisted for these National Enterprise Network Awards.”
Dawn Whiteley, chief executive for the National Enterprise Network said, “The organisations featured on the 2017 National Enterprise Network Awards shortlist have all clearly demonstrated excellence in the delivery of enterprise support. It was clear from all of this year’s entries that there are some fantastic enterprise initiatives and truly dedicated individuals within our network. We’ve always been proud of the work of our members and congratulate everyone who has been shortlisted. We look forward to announcing the names of the category winners on Friday 1st December at our annual conference to be held at NatWest, Bishopsgate, London. “
