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SOUTH WEST BUSINESS NEWS


Support for climate change initiative


A new chapter beckons for the West of England’s SMEs and start-up businesses, as a major sustainability project, inspired by The Eden Project, officially launches with strong support from the Government. The Planet Mark, which has


reached over one million employees nationwide, enabling them to save over 14 tonnes of CO2 emissions annually and thousands on their energy bills, will launch The Planet Mark Start!at a high profile event on 16 May 2019. The keynote speaker will be Rt Hon. Claire Perry MP (pictured, inset), the Government’s minister of state for energy and clean growth. The Planet Mark Start! is a free sustainability programme,


specifically for businesses in the West of England, which provides advice and guidance about how SMEs and start-ups can become environmentally sustainable. After taking local action to enhance their sustainability, companies are awarded formal accreditation that demonstrates their commitment to taking global climate action to suppliers and customers. Mike Harris, project manager


‘Business


sustainability is a global issue that must be tackled locally’


for The Planet Mark Start!, said: “Eighty-one per cent of customers want to buy from an


SMES go for growth in the South West


A group of high potential SMEs in the South West has generated £2.8bn of turnover growth in the last three years and represents the third highest proportion of growing businesses in the UK, according to new research by BGF, the UK and Ireland’s most active investor. The research calculates growth


in turnover and employees among the UK’s private companies with revenues between £3m and £150m, a category of 13,286 businesses nationwide, 937 of which are based in the South West. These businesses have


experienced a combined turnover 8 insight MAY/JUNE 2019


growth of 14%. More than 76% of these high potential businesses based in the South West grew their turnover in the last three years, the third highest proportion in the UK. These companies have also


driven an eight per cent increase in employment, creating 13,443 new jobs in the region over the past three years. Ned Dorbin, an investor at BGF,


said: “We have known for a long time that entrepreneurship is growing with great strength in the South West and it is fantastic to see this report evidencing that.” Phil Smith, managing director of Business West, said: “SMEs are


The team at BGF


vital to local economies and we have found that those on our patch tend to be innovative, will consider international markets, and, significantly, they create high-quality jobs. “Their aspirations are high but


while they are ambitious about their growth, SMEs continue to face major challenges – particularly around access to talent. They also want access to


support for innovation from public sector funding and local universities. “The South West offers fertile


ground for SMEs, as is reflected in the BGF research. Business West, ably supported by public programmes, corporate supporters and engaged universities, is pleased by the spotlight that BGF is shining on this vital part of our local economy.”


environmentally-focused company. Business sustainability is a global issue that must be tackled locally. We welcome the fact that the Government shares our values on business sustainability and is willing to play their part by helping to turbocharge our profile in the West of England. “Planet Mark


accredited organisations achieve outstanding results and cut their carbon emissions by 12% per


employee per year on average. Adopting sustainable behaviour is good for business.”


One of The Planet Mark Start’s


biggest success stories is the Young Entrepreneurs Network Association (YENA), a Bristol-based online platform and acceleration community for start-ups. Ash Phillips, the company’s founder, said: “Becoming The Planet Mark Start! accredited was a natural choice for us. “The ability to know, and show,


that we are doing good sets a standard not only for our future as a company and our peers, but also the hundreds of start-ups in our community.” The Planet Mark Start is funded


by the European Regional Development Fund as part of the Enterprising West of England programme.


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