Finalists announced in the North Worcestershire Business Awards 2023
Twenty-seven local businesses have been shortlisted as finalists in the 2023 North Worcestershire Business Awards.
Finalists will gather with the award sponsors and VIP guests at a celebratory awards dinner at Hogarths Stone Manor on Thursday 30 November where the winners of each category will be announced.
Are you a finalist? See the list of finalists here.
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New business grants and support for local businesses
Thanks to the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, there is a range of new support for businesses across Worcestershire. From start-ups to high-growth enterprises, there is a variety of support for businesses of all sizes. This includes pre-start businesses, start-up, growing businesses, professional coaching, net zero, innovation grants and mentoring services.
Find out what’s right for you and your business.
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Would you like to be part of Redditch’s future development?
We are seeking new Redditch Town Deal board members. As a resident, business owner, or community leader, your passion can contribute to the success of the Redditch Regeneration scheme.
Help establish a Board which reflects the communities of Redditch so that everyone’s voice is heard, and this is mirrored in the major developments of the Borough.
The Town Deal Board meets once a month to ensure project objectives are aligned and driving successful outcomes, without being onerous for the representatives involved. It comprises local businesses, borough and county councils, the MP, and various other agencies. As the local planning authority, the borough council is the board’s lead partner.
Priority projects to be funded by the Redditch Town Deal have been selected because they will demonstrably boost the productivity and economy of the town, promote innovation and digital transformation, enhance the look and feel of the public areas, and provide increased green and connected town centre spaces.
Be a part of the bigger picture. Your involvement can make a lasting impact on Redditch’s regeneration journey.
For more details and to express your interest, email Peter Carpenter at peter.carpenter@bromsgroveandredditch.gov.uk
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Experiential Tourism Workshop
In partnership with Unmissable England, Visit Worcestershire is now delivering a new business support programme to enhance and develop the Experiential Tourism offering in the county.
To kick start the project, there will be a workshop giving attendees an introduction to Experiential Tourism.
This workshop is perfect for businesses across all sectors, even those not yet in tourism, looking to develop an experiential tourism product, but don't quite know where to start or how to put one together. It will also be a great opportunity for you to find out more about the full Experiential Tourism programme offer and help you decide if it is right for you.
The workshop is at The Abbey Hotel in Redditch from 9:30am - 1:30pm on Tuesday 10 October 2023. Places on the workshop are limited to 40. Attendance on the workshop does not automatically qualify you for the full programme, but will arm you with further insight before having the opportunity to submit an Expression of Interest for one of 25 spaces.
Places on the workshop will be given on a first-come-first-served basis, so please email visitworcestershire@worcestershire.gov.uk to request your place. The deadline to confirm your attendance is close of business Monday 2 October.
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Sign up for the next Worcestershire Business Conference – Tuesday 3 October
Registration is now open for the next Business Worcestershire Conference, which will focus on Public Sector Procurement. During the event, businesses will chance to meet with potential buyers, learn about upcoming opportunities and gain an insight into the procurement process. Representatives from the Worcestershire County Council Procurement team, current suppliers and the University of Worcester will be at the event.
There will presentations about how to become a supplier; demonstration on how to use the In-Tend procurement portal; and an insight into the procurement process.
The event takes place on Tuesday 3 October, 8am – 1pm at the University of Worcester Arena.
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Workforce Planning Business Seminar -
Monday 2 October: 1.30pm until 4.30pm at Worcestershire County Cricket Club
Worcestershire County Council alongside Worcestershire Local Enterprise Partnership, and the Growth Hub, are providing businesses with the opportunity to find out more about Workforce Planning.
Workforce Planning is the process of analysing your current workforce against your business planning, and determining your future workforce needs. This ensures you can have the right staff, with the right skills, at the right time to achieve your business aspirations.
Our event will provide you with a taster about why Workforce Planning is important, the opportunities available, and how it can support you to navigate current HR challenges including Talent Management and Recruitment & Retention.
So why not come along and see what Workforce Planning is all about and support us to support you.
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North Worcestershire LSIP Launch Event
Following on from the intensive first phase of intelligence gathering, we are excited to share that the Secretary of State has approved the plan for the delivery of the Worcestershire Local Skills Improvement Plan. Please join us to celebrate the launch of this exciting new chapter in the project and learn about the projects we will be implementing over the next 19 months to better help support you and your businesses. Meet other local employers who share your feelings about skills development, and most importantly – ensure that your business has a plan to access the skills it will need to flourish and grow. Regional MPs, and countywide stakeholders will be present to not only endorse this project, but to discuss with you any ideas you have.
The event is on Friday 20 October 2023 from 9:00am -11:00am at FAUN Zoeller (UK) Limited, 5 Colemeadow Road, Redditch, B98 9PB
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Visit the Great British Midlands Expo
We are delighted to announce that we will be exhibiting at the Great British Midlands Expo on Wednesday 27 September, so come along and meet the team to find out more about the West Midlands SME Grant Programme and how it can help your business. We offer grants for both start-up and existing businesses ranging from £2,500 up to £100,000 and Birmingham City Council staff will be available all day to discuss your specific grant requirements.
Over 1,000 visitors are expected to attend, so make the most of your visit by pre-booking one of the many masterclasses, workshops and networking sessions that are on offer.
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Next Step for regenerating Kidderminster
The ‘Step Entry’ which connects Worcester Street to Bromsgrove Street in Kidderminster town centre is closed from Friday 15 September 2023 to make way for the transition to an attractive new stepped access and green space in the middle of town.
The transition will follow the demolition of the former Woolworths, Megavalue, Poundland and Sigma Aquatics building which roll out over the next few months.
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Sleep out fundraiser in October
The Big Worcester Sleep Out will return Friday 13th October 2023 to raise money for St Paul's Hostel, Worcester Warriors Foundation, and Maggs Day Centre. For the first time, the sleep out will take place at Worcestershire County Cricket Club.
To date we have raised nearly £70,000 across our previous annual events. Now in our fifth year, our aim is to have 100 people sleep out on the night, raising £25,000 - With over 20 people already signed up since launch earlier this month, we hope to reach our target of 100 sign ups before the end of September.
Previous attendees have included both local and international business leaders, the city mayor, local councillors, Worcester Warriors players, local bishops, clients of the charities, individuals and volunteers who want to help those in need and do more.
For the first time in 2023, we are operating with tickets to help cover event costs, raise additional funds, and ensure fundraiser numbers are accurate to avoid food waste for our catering partners following no-shows in previous years. Tickets cost £15 per person, with all funds raised from ticket sales go directly to the three charities, with free catering kindly provided by AC Events, and The Rapid Relief Team.
For more information, to sign up to this years event, or make a donation
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Worcestershire live business events: Inclusive Leadership
Inclusive Worcestershire is a pledge to improve and promote inclusivity in Worcestershire’s workforce.
As part of this pledge Worcestershire County Council, alongside Worcestershire Local Enterprise Partnership, are delivering a series of seminars.
Hosted by inclusivity experts this series of seminars will take you on a journey to support you to become a Inclusive Employer.
Seminar one of our inclusivity journeys, to take place in October 2023 at Worcestershire County Cricket Club, will raise awareness of the 6 key principles of Inclusive Leadership.
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UK’s Best Technology Accelerator enters new era with eight new technology businesses
BetaDen, Worcestershire's first technology accelerator, is welcoming eight new early-stage businesses into its programme from September 2023. The accelerator, which was named ‘Best in the UK’ by the UK Business Tech awards, is based at Malvern Hills Science Park and has secured a £630,000 grant from the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund to continue its successful work developing early-stage technology businesses in the county.
The new businesses joining the 9-month programme are:
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Anionix - a green, hydrogen energy technology company working to develop the next generation of electrolysers powered by renewable energy to enable our net-zero future.
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Care4Futures - a revolutionary technology for buckles and harnesses used by emergency services and motorsport industries
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MotoCargo - developing rapid, low-emissions goods delivery vehicles.
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Optimec - an advanced measurement and inspection technology for contact and intraocular lens manufacturers.
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Missing Link – an advanced software platform revolutionising business processes and workflow automation, promoting data-driven decision-making.
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Secure Elements - automotive cybersecurity management system accelerating the adoption of future mobility systems.
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Shop Our Turf – e-commerce platform bringing together independent stores with local communities.
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Treadcheck – automated, data-driven platform transforming tyre management for Heavy Goods and Public Service vehicles.
BetaDen offers early-stage technology businesses a programme of support to develop and commercialise their ideas. The package includes access to proof of concept grant, marketing funding, specialist mentoring, access to a dedicated co-working office space, BetaDen’s extensive technology network and exclusive events and speaking opportunities. Cohort 8 will join BetaDen in June 2024. To register your interest
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