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FASTEST 50 - Durham Businesses Have Chance To Fast-Track
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More businesses across County Durham are being given the chance to access support from a programme that is already taking more than 60 companies on a fast track to growth.
Fastest 50 is an innovative business development programme put together by the county’s five enterprise agencies – Chester-le-Street & City of Durham Enterprise Agency, Derwentside Enterprise, East Durham Business Service, SASDA (covering Sedgefield Borough) and The Enterprise Agency (Wear Valley & Teesdale).
Since the programme began in 2007, it has proved so successful that it has now been extended for a further year. Business owners and managers are given a unique opportunity to benefit from a combination of workshop sessions and around 36 hours of one-to-one support from a senior business mentor with a track record of success.
Companies are advised and supported on everything from finance, marketing, funding, managing people and business development to systems, training, IT, product development and operations. Businesses already on Fastest 50 range from one-man bands to those with around 10 employees and sectors include software, glass manufacture, design, castings, food, retail, music, finance and market gardening.
Bishop Auckland-based Medical Services (North East) Ltd operates a private ambulance service as well as delivering all types of first aid training.
“Fastest 50 has completely turned our business around,” said Wayne Hall, who is now looking to expand and increase the workforce. “Within a few months our sales were up 56% on the previous year and this is all down to the programme. “
Praising the company’s commitment, his mentor Paul Storey, Managing Director of MRB Schumag said “I have found the whole experience very rewarding and am happy to have played a small part in something so successful.”
Fastest 50 is about inspiring people, raising aspirations, innovation and improving business skills,” said Shaun Stuart, Chief Executive of The Enterprise Agency, who manages the programme on behalf of the five agencies. “The five agencies have decades of experience in supporting start-up and growing businesses and pooling our expertise, local knowledge and contacts to work together on projects such as Fastest 50 is really paying dividends.
“Support is particularly important during difficult times like these when businesses are competing in such challenging markets so we are giving more businesses the opportunity to benefit. Companies are helped to maximise their potential, remain competitive and grow their market share, putting them in a far stronger position to cope with an economic downturn.
“More than 90 people have attended workshops, the contribution made by the mentors has been invaluable and participants have been really enthusiastic about the results,” he added.
Anyone interested in Fastest 50 should contact the agency for their area - Chester-le-Street & City of Durham (0191 3845407 or www.cdcbp.org.uk ) ; Derwentside Enterprise Agency (01207 580011); East Durham Business Service (0191 5863366 or www.edbs.co.uk); SASDA (01325 310730 or www.sasda.info) or The Enterprise Agency (01833 696600 or www.theenterpriseagency.co.uk)