Wave 2 Growth Hub Programme: One Year On

The Wave 2 Growth Hub programme, led by Lancaster University, has brought online 15 Growth Hubs around the UK in the last year. This timeline reflects on the milestones of the journey so far.

For further information on the programme please visit our:;xNLx;;xNLx;Website - http://www.lancaster.ac.uk/lums/wave2;xNLx;Twitter page - http://www.twitter.com/wave2growthhubs

2012-10-31 02:50:18

Lord Heseltine's Report 'No Stone Unturned: in pursuit of local growth' Published

Lord Heseltine set out a comprehensive economic plan to improve the UK’s ability to create wealth. His independent report made the case for a major rebalancing of responsibilities for economic development between central and local government, and between government and the private sector. The report ‘No stone unturned in pursuit of growth’ made 89 recommendations which aim to: inject stability into the economy and create the conditions for growth, and maximise the performance of the UK. At the heart of the proposals are measures to unleash the potential of local economies and leaders and enable every part of the UK economy to raise its game. In addition Lord Heseltine has produced ‘No stone unturned: chamber of commerce - international comparisons’. Lord Heseltine presented his report to the Chancellor of the Exchequer and the Business Secretary Vince Cable. Source: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/no-stone-unturned-in-pursuit-of-growth

2013-04-29 02:50:18

Wave 2 City Deals Announced

In February 2013 the Deputy Prime Minister, Nick Clegg, and the Minister for Cities, Greg Clark, announced that each of the 20 'Wave 2' cities and their wider areas were successful and had been invited to negotiate a City Deal. Deals have been negotiated throughout 2014. Source: https://www.gov.uk/government/policies/giving-more-power-back-to-cities-through-city-deals

2013-09-05 02:50:18

£32m Regional Growth Fund Wave 2 Growth Hub Programme Launched

The 20 'Wave 2' cities, Cabinet Office, BIS and Lancaster University meet in London to launch the Programme. The sessions throughout the day informed the cities about the application process for the £32m Regional Growth Fund available through the programme to develop a Growth Hub, which is tailored to the needs of their local small-and-medium sized enterprises.

2013-12-05 02:50:18

Lancaster University allocates funds to Wave 2 Growth Hubs

Lancaster University is taking a unique leading role in a £32 million Government programme to boost economic growth in cities across the country. Drawing on its world-class Management School’s expertise in supporting SMEs, and its outstanding reputation in the delivery of complex funding programmes, the North West England-based university will be working in partnership with Government departments and Cabinet Office Cities Policy Unit on an exciting programme of support to more than 16 cities across the UK. Supported by the Government’s Regional Growth Fund the programme, confirmed this week by Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg, is designed to help cities to support local businesses and to provide co-ordinated access to national and local business support packages. Cities that will receive funding from the programme include: Coventry, Bournemouth, Brighton and Hove, Reading, Hull and Stoke. Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg said: “Small businesses are working hard to fuel our recovery and help us build a stronger economy. “I am determined that we do all we can to help companies that have struggled to get the investment they need. Investment that means they can employ those extra people, take on that new order, and buy new equipment. “Cities across England are being given a share of £32 million to help smaller companies to grow and create more jobs.”

2014-01-08 01:52:23

Wave 2 Growth Hub Programme 'Compliance and Monitoring' Training Day

Following the allocation of funds to the Growth Hubs, the Programme set up a Secretariat to monitor the spend of these funds. A Compliance and Monitoring Day was set up at the University's Work Foundation in London for each Growth Hub to learn more about the processes associated with reporting on their local growth delivery.

2014-01-30 20:51:08

Inaugural W2GH Workshop - The Business Growth Hub Network

More than 60 delegates attended a kick-off workshop for the £32m Wave 2 Growth Hub programme (W2GH) in London. The workshop, held on Thursday 30 January, brought together representatives from the 15 growth hubs participating in the programme and their delivery partners. The W2GH Programme, funded by the Regional Growth Fund, will support cities in creating a growth hub for their area to promote economic growth and work with local businesses, providing them with access to a national network of resources. The workshop was the first in a new programme of events and knowledge-sharing initiatives, and was organised by Lancaster University’s Knowledge Exchange and Research group, in conjunction with programme partners from the Department of Business, Innovation and Skills and the Cabinet Office’s Cities Policy Unit. Lancaster University plays two distinct and innovative roles in the programme – as programme managers and as expert support to programme development. A first for universities in the UK, this programme demonstrates the dynamic role that universities, and especially their business schools, can play in the UK’s growth agenda.

2014-02-25 20:51:08

First Wave 2 Growth Hub launches at events in Warminster and Swindon

The Swindon and Wiltshire ‘Gateway for Growth’ Programme launched on 25th February 2014. The programme aims to support at least 350 local ‘growth’ businesses – with annual sales of over £500K and more than 10 employees – and provides advice and financial support to further improve business performance. For more information on the launch see http://www.lancaster.ac.uk/news/articles/2014/landmark-first-hub-launched-as-part-of-lancaster-university-programme-to-drive-r/

2014-03-17 20:51:08

W2GH Workshop - Partners, Stakeholders and Networks Workshop

Over 50 delegates attended a Growth Hub workshop on Stakeholder Analysis with Lancaster University’s Professor Lucas Introna. Representatives from 13 hubs in Lancaster University’s Wave 2 Growth Hub Programme, and a further 4 existing UK growth hubs, Northamptonshire, Buckinghamshire, Manchester and Cumbria, attended a Lancaster University-led workshop in London on Monday 17th March to learn about the value of stakeholder analysis. Representatives from the Growth Hubs and their delivery partners, including other universities, took part in an interactive day to exchange ideas and knowledge on how they could approach stakeholder analysis within their regions. This mapping out of their existing and ideal networks provided the opportunity for the growth hubs to examine how each of their stakeholders contributes to their network and how they could be best placed to support businesses.

2014-03-28 20:51:08

Launch of Velocity Growth Hub in Bedfordshire

Velocity secured £1 million from the Regional Growth Fund through Lancaster University. Velocity makes it easier for small businesses to maximise their growth potential. As well as an online portal and telephone helpdesk, it provides one-to-one mentoring and support by six, locally-based business advisers, together with revenue grants of £1,000 to £10,000 for business development projects and free, training workshops to give owners the skills they need to grow their business (see www.VelocityBusinessSupport.com/workshops). Velocity operates in eleven local authority areas: Aylesbury Vale, Bedford, Central Bedfordshire, Cherwell, Corby, Daventry, Kettering, Luton, Milton Keynes, Northampton and South Northamptonshire. http://www.semlep.com/resources/uploads/news/thumbnails/Velocity%20launch%20in%20Bedfordshire14-033147_300x300.jpg Velocity also held an additional launch at Bletchley Park http://www.semlep.com/news/2014/velocity-launched-at-bletchley-park/

2014-04-10 20:51:08

Launch of Coventry and Warwickshire Growth Hub

The Coventry and Warwickshire Growth Hub secured nearly £2.7 million from the Regional Growth Fund through Lancaster University, as part of the Coventry and Warwickshire Wave 2 City Deal. The Coventry and Warwickshire Growth Hub works with businesses that have aspirations to grow. It can offer help with: access to finance business innovation business support business planning international trade skills development inward investment The Growth Hub launched on 10th April 2014 and provides support to all SMEs in the Coventry and Warwickshire area, with a focus on the Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering sector. The support activities will include specialist UKTI advice to facilitate international trade, skills support, information and assistance for companies wishing to relocate to Coventry and Warwickshire and financial support and advice to innovative companies looking to develop new products or processes.

2014-04-15 02:50:18

Thames Valley Berkshire Growth Hub launches at Berkshire Means Business

Thames Valley Berkshire Business Growth Hub secured nearly £1.2 million from the Regional Growth Fund through Lancaster University, as part of the Thames Valley Berkshire Wave 2 City Deal. The Thames Valley Berkshire Business Growth Hub was set up to provide support for business growth by providing information and signposting to relevant sources of help, support to understand options for growth and unlocking finance, through to accessing experienced coaches to help set strategy and tailor a programme of work to maximise the chances of success. The Growth Hub can help with business information, coaching and support, networking, workshops and events, access to funding, strategic planning support and advice, academic and technical expertise and assistance with open innovation and discovering local sector clusters. The Growth Hub has four main objectives: Establish a single point of entry to access information and business support in the Thames Valley Berkshire area. Increase the contribution of growth potential businesses to the economy. Create a networked community of innovative companies that will sustain economic growth into the future. Provide a high quality customer focused service.

2014-04-22 20:51:08

Solent Growth Hub launched by Hampshire Chamber of Commerce and the University of Portsmouth

Solent Growth Hub secured nearly £2.5 million from the Regional Growth Fund through Lancaster University, as part of the Southampton and Portsmouth Wave 2 City Deal. The Solent Growth Hub launched in March 2014 offering a signposting service to businesses as well as having funding attached to the project. In July 2014 the website was launched www.solentgrowthhub.co.uk. Operating in the Solent LEP region it offers simplified access to a range of information on business support services provided both nationally and locally. It helps individuals, organisations and businesses, from start-ups to established operations, to find funding support initiatives and services that can best help them achieve their growth potential. There is also a signposting service ran through the One Stop Shop delivered by telephone and face to face navigators as well as the online portal. The Navigators are available to identify the best support to aid businesses with their growth potential and help them every step of the way. The online portal holds information on a wide range of support initiatives and has a useful search and filter function to identify the most relevant schemes available. The funding attached to the project focuses on developing the key sector in the Solent LEP region of advanced manufacturing including marine, high technology, maritime, aerospace and engineering. Through the Enterprise Vouchers and Investment Grants it helps provide access to external finance and support capital investment. To find out more about the launch see http://www.port.ac.uk/uopnews/2014/04/22/solent-businesses-to-receive-help-2/.

2014-05-01 20:51:08

Dorset Growth Hub launches at the Lake Yard in Hamworthy

The hub launched its Business Growth Programme on the 1st May 2014 to assist businesses in key sectors. The hub was built around four main growth platforms: Growth through Investment - offers grant funding to support to businesses that are looking for investment for expansion purposes. Growth through Innovation - offers grant funding to support businesses that want to commercialise a new product or service and need innovation support to do this. Growth through Internationalisation - offers grant funding to support businesses who wish to use design to help access international markets. Growth through Inception - supports individuals who are thinking about a business start-up, or who are in the early stages of starting a business with growth potential and need assistance with further development. For more information on the launch see http://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/business/news/11193745.Dorset_Growth_Hub_launched_with_mission_to_help_recovery_and_boost_jobs/?ref=arc

2014-05-07 14:45:59

Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire Growth Hub Launch

Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire Growth Hub secured £1.1 million from the Regional Growth Fund through Lancaster University, as part of the Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire Wave 2 City Deal. The Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire Growth Hub has been established to play a major role in the drive for strong, sustainable business growth across the region. It will act as the focal point for businesses that wish to grow, providing co-ordinated and cohesive growth programmes, business networks and links to specialist information, advice and services. The hub launched two business support programmes on 7th May 2014 and early demand is strong: Small Business Grant Fund and High Growth Investment Programme. The Small Business Grant Programme encourages companies to develop new and existing business and to create sustainable employment. This grant offers a 33% contribution towards project costs where employment will be created and can be used for capital or revenue expenditure. The High Growth Investment Programme offers matched funding grants from £10K - £50K. The grant is designed to enable companies to realise their growth potential through increased employment, productivity and expansion. It is particularly targeting businesses seeking early stage equity finance, in order to lower the risk to equity investors and help complete a funding package.

2014-05-07 14:45:59

Peninsula City Deal Growth Hub launches at Roadshow in Taunton

Peninsula City Deal Growth Hub secured £1.8 million from the Regional Growth Fund through Lancaster University, as part of the Plymouth Wave 2 City Deal. The Growth Hub co-ordinates business support across the region, collecting into one place everything a business needs to help it succeed and grow. The Growth Hub is delivered by GAIN, the Growth Acceleration and Investment Network, which is hosted by Plymouth University in close partnership with the Chambers of Commerce, Plymouth City Council and other key partner organisations across the South West. Over £3 million of Regional Growth Funding has been made available through GAIN and the City Deal Growth Hub to help businesses grow and create sustainable new jobs. Our aim is to raise awareness to 20,000 businesses in the first year – 25% of our business population and over 900 jobs will be created as a direct result of the activities of the Growth Hub in its first year. The Growth Hub makes it easier for businesses to access the right support, and includes nine new business support products and services including access to finance and specific marine sector support. For further information about the launch see http://gaininbusiness.com/news_items/businesses-in-somerset-hear-about-growth-hub

2014-05-28 20:51:08

Launch of Velocity Growth Hub at Bletchley Park

The Milton Keynes business community turned out in force on Friday (23rd May 2014) to celebrate the launch of Velocity – a new growth hub for ambitious SMEs that will help create jobs, support entrepreneurship and boost the local economy. Velocity was unveiled over breakfast at the internationally renowned heritage attraction and home of the World War Two Codebreakers, Bletchley Park, with over 100 businesses coming along to learn more about how Velocity could help their business flourish. Source: http://www.semlep.com/news/2014/velocity-launched-at-bletchley-park/

2014-06-02 02:50:18

Hull and Humber Growth Hub launches at Humber Business Week

The Humber LEP Growth Hub secured £2.5 million from the Regional Growth Fund through Lancaster University, as part of the Hull and Humber Wave 2 City Deal. The Humber LEP Growth Hub is the new way to find out about business support in the Humber area. It launched at Humber Business Week in June 2014 and comprises five schemes: RGF 3 Capital Grants - An additional £1m has been added to the existing ‘Growing the Humber’ funding pot to support Humber businesses to invest in premises and or capital plant and machinery Supply Chain Development - Supports priority growth areas (ports & logistics, renewables, chemicals, food manufacture, engineering services) to access supply chains through sector specialist support and one-to-one advice. Delivered by the Manufacturing Advisory Service (MAS) bespoke support is given to local supply manufacturers to develop and implement their growth development plans. International Growth Pathway - Delivered by UKTI in association with the World Trade Centre Hull and Humber this scheme provides companies with: Targeted support for business in priority areas to access and export to international markets. Targeted programme of missions and exhibitions for “market making”. A range of international trade opportunity awareness events for Humber based businesses. Start Up Grants - Run locally by the Hull and Humber Chamber of Commerce flexible grants of up to £5K are available to support business start ups in the Humber. Eligible expenditure includes capacity building activity including access to training, consultancy, IT and small capital investment. As part of the scheme business receive one-to-one support provided under the co-ordination element of the programme. Apprenticeship Hub - This scheme provides valuable apprenticeship placements into local businesses. By matching those seeking full time employment with businesses requiring skilled and competent employees the scheme seeks to unlock the potential of local businesses. The scheme reduces the barriers to employment by contributing financially to the costs of the apprentice. To find out more about the launch see http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/webimage/1.6649405.1401711021!/image/368165845.jpg_gen/derivatives/articleImgDeriv_628px/368165845.jpg

2014-06-05 01:52:23

Lancaster University wins presitigious Gold Business Charter Award

Lancaster University was awarded the Small Business Charter Gold Award – one of only three - in recognition of the role it has played in helping to kick-start British enterprise. The Small Business Charter Award ceremony took place on 5 June 2014 at 10 Downing Street. Lancaster University Management School was represented by the dean, Professor Sue Cox, and Gill Hall, one of the School’s Entrepreneurs in Residence, and managing director of Butler’s Farmhouse Cheeses. The awards were presented by Lord Young, an adviser to the Prime Minister on small business and enterprise and Sir Peter Bonfield, chair of The Small Business Charter Management Board and former chairman of BT. The Small Business Charter originated following Lord Young’s report ‘Growing Your Business’, which was aimed at bringing business schools, business and entrepreneurs closer together to deliver real change. Supported by the Association of Business Schools, Lord Young and the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, the Small Business Charter Awards offers a springboard to unlock support and investment for students, start-ups and small businesses. The Charter also follows the Association of Business Schools’ Innovation Taskforce report. Congratulating the Small Business Charter award-winners for their trail-blazing work, Lord Young said: “The recipients of this award have all demonstrated exceptional dedication to improving links with and supporting small businesses in their local area, already creating over 800 jobs. Our world-class universities and business schools are a key part of the UK economy – even more so as a result of this initiative.

2014-06-19 14:45:59

Business Southend Hub launches at Southend Business Partnership Briefing

Business Southend secured £1.8 million from the Regional Growth Fund through Lancaster University, as part of the Southend Wave 2 City Deal. Business Southend Growth Hub aims to ensure that companies across Southend flourish by providing access to the support and services they require to meet their needs. The hub launched on 19th June 2014. It offers business grants, innovation vouchers, business support events and workshops. Having established itself as a pilot programme in Southend it is now being rolled out across Thames Gateway South Essex. The learning from developing a Growth Hub is being shared with partners from across South East LEP. This will be used to inform and shape a Growth Hub model which encompasses all the South East LEP area.

2014-06-25 20:51:08

New Anglia Growth Hub launches at Norfolk & Suffolk County Show

New Anglia Growth Hub secured nearly £4 million from the Regional Growth Fund through Lancaster University, as part of the amalgamation of the Ipswich and Norwich Wave 2 City Deals. New Anglia Growth Hub launched at the Norfolk and Suffolk County Shows in June 2014. It provides support for businesses and those wishing to start their own business, across Norfolk and Suffolk. They bring together a range of local and national business support from hundreds of sources and find help on subjects ranging from finance to exporting, resource efficiency to contract opportunities. It provides a programme of direct business support and co-ordination. The Small Grants Scheme will accelerate the growth of businesses currently being held back because of a lack of finance by providing 20% grants for job creation. The Innovation Vouchers scheme will address the financial barrier to accessing support from Higher Education institutions. The scheme provides innovation support at 50% of the actual costs of full costs. Enhancing Start-Up Support The region suffers from lower than average start-up rates, with levels of start-up going down in recent years. The scheme will offer a comprehensive support across the Norfolk and Suffolk area and enable the types of support available to individuals.

2014-06-26 20:51:08

Black Country Growth Hub launches at Wolverhampton Race Course

The Black Country Growth Hub secured nearly £3.1 million from the Regional Growth Fund through Lancaster University, as part of the Black Country Wave 2 City Deal. The Growth Hub was launched on the 26th June at Wolverhampton Race Course. It offers a variety of business events, drop-in sessions and business services, plus support and information for Black Country based businesses looking to grow, with a particular focus on the manufacturing base within the area. They offer seven main programmes: Resource Efficiency - Energy audit for manufacturing companies with a further 30% towards the capital costs of energy efficiency improvements. Leadership Development - Business leadership programme. Grants for equipment, premises and upgrades to premises - Grants for capital funding, associated training and Research & Development. Sales & Marketing - Free workshops, free manufacturing review, funding towards consultancy costs. Export Expert – Companies can gain a trade expert for up to six weeks on a flexible basis. Part funded accountancy support to achieve finance readiness - Expert in practicalities of submitting funding/finance application for both public and private sector finance. Innovation Centre Support - Funding towards IPR, CAD Model development consultancy and prototyping. Support for Young Businesses - Young businesses have their own dedicated telephone helpline and webchat, providing crucial information and support needed during the first 18 months of trading. They can also attend a free workshop covering a variety of aspects involved with setting up a new business, including: business planning, finance, and taxation.

2014-07-02 01:52:23

W2GH Workshop - Building Excellence in Wave 2 Growth Hubs

Over 60 delegates from 20 growth hubs attended a Lancaster University-led workshop in London on Wednesday aimed at furthering excellence in local and national business support. Representatives from the 15 hubs in Lancaster University’s Wave 2 Growth Hub Programme and a further five existing growth hubs in the UK, including Manchester Business Growth Hub and Lancashire BOOST, took part in an interactive day to exchange ideas and knowledge on how best to support UK businesses to grow.

2014-07-08 14:45:59

Oxfordshire Business Support launches at Venturefest Oxford

The Oxfordshire Business Support programme is managed by the Oxfordshire LEP which secured nearly £2 million for its Innovation Support for Business Programme (ISfB) through Lancaster University’s Regional Growth Fund as part of the Oxford and Central Oxfordshire Wave 2 City Deal. Oxfordshire Business Support (OBS) was launched at Venturefest Oxford on the 8th July 2014. Venturefest Oxford (http://www.venturefestoxford.com/) is an annual event which brings together the area’s innovation community of investors, entrepreneurs, and innovators along with local businesses to drive innovation-led economic growth. The aim of OBS is to support Oxfordshire businesses at all stages. It is designed to point people rapidly to the help they need locally or nationally to start or expand their business. It focuses on connecting business owners and entrepreneurs to the wider community of support in Oxfordshire, primarily through a team of experienced Network Navigators. The overall objective is to boost economic activity and create jobs in Oxfordshire. ISfB is a part of the Oxfordshire Business Support programme, offering a range of services which help local companies to grow and create new private sector jobs by providing funding, Innovation Support Vouchers and ‘Start up Success’ a training programme designed for those starting up a business.

2014-07-09 14:45:59

Tees Valley Business Compass launches at the Tees Valley Business Summit

Tees Valley Unlimited secured nearly £2.4 million from the Regional Growth Fund through Lancaster University for the Tees Valley Business Compass as part of the Tees Valley Wave 2 City Deal. Tees Valley Business Compass is an enhanced business support programme which will improve co-ordination of business support services across the Tees Valley and points local businesses to a whole range of practical support such as: putting together an achievable development plan grants and finance leadership development vital training expert business advice assistance with finding premises help developing effective marketing strategies The project is simplifying the customer journey and partner organisations are promoting the scheme. £2 million of the Regional Growth Fund is being used to deliver the Tees Valley Business Growth Investment Scheme. The Scheme offers grants from £25,000 to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) looking to invest in their business to achieve sustainable growth. Tees Valley Business Compass launched on the 9th July 2014 at Teesside University at the Tees Valley Business Summit. Almost 700 delegates and exhibitors attended the launch which had specific workshops on the Tees Valley Business Growth Investment Scheme.

2014-07-21 02:50:18

Business Navigator Growth Hub launches as part of the Brighton and Hove Wave 2 City Deal

Brighton and Hove City Council secured nearly £1.8 million from the Regional Growth Fund through Lancaster University, for the Business Growth Toolkit, Growth Grants and the Business Navigator Growth Hub as part of the Brighton and Hove Wave 2 City Deal. The Business Navigator Growth Hub works very closely with the Brighton and Hove Local Enterprise Partnership Coast 2 Capital. To distinguish the activities of the Growth Hub brand they have called themselves the Business Navigator Growth Hub. There are three main elements to the Programme. The Business Navigator Growth Hub which includes the Business Support Navigators and the Growth Hub business support portal. The Business Growth Toolkit The Business Growth Grants The Business Growth Toolkit supports all stages of business from start-up and growing businesses to growing new markets.

2014-07-28 20:51:08

W2GH Workshop - What Does Good Evaluation Look Like?

Representatives from the 15 growth hubs in Lancaster University’s Wave 2 Growth Hub Programme came together on Monday 28 July, at the Royal Society of Arts in London, to discuss regional and national evaluations of their activities. The Evaluation Panel for the programme, based in the Knowledge Exchange and Research group in LUMS, organised the day to share and promote good practice and to suggest a range of potential tools to aid the evaluation process being undertaken by each of the growth hubs.

2014-10-08 20:51:08

W2GH Workshop - Supporting Businesses in the Manufacturing Sector

50 delegates from the Wave 2 Growth Hubs programme attended a Lancaster University-led workshop at Coventry Chambers of Commerce recently. Co-hosted with Black Country and Coventry and Warwickshire Growth Hubs, this was the first thematic workshop held on the programme, aimed at sharing knowledge about local business support in the manufacturing industry.

2014-11-05 20:51:08

W2GH Workshop - Supporting Businesses in the Trade Sector

Wave 2 Growth hubs co-hosted the workshop with Tees Valley Business Compass. This event was the second thematic workshop the programme has held, and focussed on sharing knowledge and expertise and facilitating discussion on issues arising for SMEs working in this area. Guest speakers included John Leer from Tees Valley Business compass, Paul Wright from UK Export Finance, Matt Reents from UK Trade and Investment and David Hopkins from The Intellectual Property Office. The speaker sessions were concluded by W2GH SME special guest Managing Director and Company Founder Dan Riley from Spearhead Interactive Ltd.

2014-11-18 01:52:23

Oral Evidence provided to Business Innovation and Skills 'Government Support for Business' Select Committee

Dr Cathy Garner, Wave 2 Growth Hub Strategic Director, gives evidence at the 'Business, Innovation and Skills: Government Support for Business' Select Committee

2014-12-08 20:51:08

Wave 2 Growth Hub Programme Showcase

Lord Heseltine delivered the keynote speech at a LUMS event on 8 December that showcased Lancaster University’s role in developing regional economic growth across the UK. The former Deputy Prime Minister told an audience of around 150 business leaders, representatives of national and local government and other stakeholders gathered at Lancaster University Management School that ‘local growth hubs’ – one-stop shops of business support that are being created across the country – are an important part of the decentralisation of powers to cities and regions. Lord Heseltine also told the audience how he had reached his conclusions in his Government-commissioned 2012 report ‘No Stone Unturned: in pursuit of local growth’, which led to an allocation of funding to promote economic growth locally. Lord Heseltine said: “The Local Enterprise Partnerships are designed to bring back some of the local entrepreneurial wealth creation. I would put my money on the people who live and breathe and are reliant on the success of the local economy. That is what this university is helping the government to do – and that is creating growth hubs.” He also added that he believes devolution of more powers to be an “unstoppable process” following the recent Scottish independence referendum. Lancaster University has led the creation of 15 local Growth Hubs through its Wave 2 Growth Hub (W2GH) programme. The programme, which is funded through the Regional Growth Fund, has worked with more than 25,000 businesses and secured commitments to create 1,700 new jobs – more than 4.5 new jobs a day.

2015-05-05 02:50:18

Inaugural European Congress of Local Governments

Local government representatives from across Europe learnt about the Wave 2 Growth Hub programme. More than 1,000 delegates met in Krakow, Poland, for The European Congress of Local Governments, to discuss what a new regional future for Europe might look like.

2015-06-03 02:50:18

Educate North Awards recognise University's business support

Lancaster University’s work to support businesses and the economy has been recognised in the inaugural Educate North Awards. The University picked up the Commercial Engagement Award at a ceremony held at The Hilton Manchester Deansgate on June 3. Lancaster University is strongly focused on working with business. It employs around 80 staff in dedicated business-support roles, and their activity leads to many more academics and students working with around 600 businesses a year. Helen Fogg, IEED Head of Business Engagement, said: "It was an honour to accept this award with Dion Williams, which recognises the breadth and depth of commercial engagement across the Management School and entire University." Meanwhile, Professor Mark E. Smith, Vice-Chancellor of Lancaster University, said: “Lancaster University is strongly committed to working with businesses of all sizes but is particularly proud of the support it offers to small- and medium-sized enterprises. “Our significant business engagement activities reinforce Lancaster’s aim to positively impact the local community and regional economy, translate research into products and services, and ensure our students are highly employable.” The Educate North Commercial Engagement Award is the latest recognition for Lancaster’s work with businesses. In 2014, the University received the Small Business Charter Gold award – one of only three nationally – in recognition of the role it has played in supporting enterprise. Educate North judges said: “This was an outstanding application, which displayed Lancaster’s role in kick-starting British enterprise. The university has well-constructed and sustainable initiatives showing benefits to the university, the region and beyond. “The established SME engagement model will now have a national application and benefit the sector as a whole." An independent assessment identified Lancaster University to be worth at least £250 million to the regional economy, supporting more than 5,200 jobs, and worth £630 million to the national economy, protecting more than 10,000 jobs. Business engagement activities undertaken by experts within Lancaster University Management School formed a significant part of the University’s award.

2015-06-03 02:50:18

W2GH Workshop - Growth Hubs: The Road Ahead

Nearly 100 delegates from the extended Wave 2 Growth Hubs programme attended a Lancaster University-led workshop at Congress Centre in London in early June. The network heard that the work the 15 Growth Hubs have been doing in their regions has already created 1,300 new jobs in England and the W2GH programme will have created over 4,000 new jobs by 2017.

2015-08-09 02:50:18

Lancaster University’s work to support economic growth in 15 English city regions recognised by prestigious award

Lancaster University’s work on a programme that has helped to support thousands of businesses and the economy has been recognised by the internationally acclaimed Academy of Management. Lancaster University Management School’s Wave 2 Growth Hub Programme has been awarded the 2015 ‘Academy of Management Practice Theme Committee Research Centre Runner Up Impact Award’. Lancaster’s Professor Ellie Hamilton and Dr Ricardo Zozimo collected the award at the General Session of the 75th Annual Meeting of the Academy of Management in Vancouver, British Columbia, on 8th August 2015.

Wave 2 Growth Hub Programme: One Year On

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