Lieutenancy and The University of Northampton
Know your local business support organisations
Are you, like me, a member of one or more of the local business organisations or networks? In my role at the University, and in a personal capacity, I benefi t greatly from such bodies. There are several prominent business support
Adrian Pryce Associate Professor Strategy & Society,
University of Northampton
organisations (BSOs) providing a range of services to businesses, from advocacy, lobbying and networking to financial advice and professional development. Here’s a summary of some of the more active BSOs in Northamptonshire.
Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) T e FSB is a non-profi t organisation representing micro and small businesses and the self-employed. T ey have a strong central research unit and are active in policy areas feeding into government. Jennifer T omas is the FSB’s highly effi cient and eff ective Development Manager and local lead for Northamptonshire. T e FSB off ers:
■ Advice and Support: free legal, tax, and HR advice through their helplines.
■ Financial Products: access to business banking, insur- ance, and loans tailored for small businesses.
■ Advocacy: representing small business at a national and local level, lobbying on issues like tax reforms, business rates, and employment regulations.
■ Networking Opportunities: local and national events for networking and knowledge sharing.
■ Discounts and Resources: exclusive discounts on business services like insurance, credit card processing and utilities.
Enterprise Nation (EN) Enterprise Nation off ers support for small businesses and start-ups through online resources, events, and expert advice. Are you an existing or budding small business owner? Want to grow your network in a friendly, relaxed, and supportive environment? Run by Rachel Mallows DL MBE, well known and very
active doing so much for the county in so many areas, Enterprise Nation’s monthly online meet-ups bring together founders from all sectors to share ideas, learn new skills, solve challenges and inspire one another, making sure that running a small business needn’t be lonely. EN off ers the following:
■ Expert Guidance: off ers one-on-one advice from busi- ness experts covering various topics like marketing, fi nance and e-commerce.
■ Workshops and Webinars: regular online and in-person events to help small businesses learn new skills, gain inspiration,and connect with others.
■ Marketplace Access: provides opportunities to sell products on major platforms through partnerships with companies like Amazon.
■ Discounts on Services: exclusive discounts on business services like accounting, insurance and marketing tools.
Northamptonshire Chamber of Commerce (CoC) T e Northants Chamber is part of the British Chambers of Commerce national network of accredited local Chambers of Commerce, offering support at local, regional and national levels. Northamptonshire is blessed with a very active Chamber. T e energetic and popular Sunny Singh is the Group Commercial Director, and Simon Cox of NNBN (and my co-host on NLive Radio’s Open4Business show) has just been appointed as the Chamber’s Head of Policy. T e Northants Chamber of Commerce off ers
■ Business Networking: local and international networking events to help businesses form valuable connections and partnerships.
■ Export Support: access to resources, documentation services and advice on international trade, helping businesses expand globally.
■ Policy and Advocacy: works closely with government to advocate for pro-business policies and provide insights on economic conditions.
■ Business Services: support in areas like HR, legal, marketing and fi nance, often provided at discounted rates through local chambers.
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