Member Article

Barnsley firm amongst 19 chosen for London Stock Exchange business programme

Barnsley-based surplus stock solution firm Company Shop has been listed in the first 19 ELITE companies in the UK for the London Stock Exchange’s business development programme.

The ELITE programme is a two year course for founders and CEOs to help develop their businesses and readiness for investment with support from over 40 corporate advisory and investment partners.

The programme will provide companies’ founders, CEOs and executive teams with a tailored portfolio of business support tools, education services provided by Imperial College Business School and access to a select group advisers and investors.

Major trade body supporters include the CBI, ABI, BBAA, BVCA and Tech City. In addition, companies will have access to the programme’s ELITE Entrepreneurial Fellow, Sean Phelan, founder of Mulitmap and angel investor.

Matthew Hancock MP, Skills and Enterprise Minister said: “Innovative, imaginative and inspiring small businesses are essential for the British economy and it is part of the Government’s long term economic plan to ensure that they have the right environment to grow.

“Programmes such as ELITE that offer access to high quality education, advice and support will help businesses scale up in the right way.”

John Marren, chairman of Company Shop, said: “We are delighted that the London Stock Exchange has accepted Company Shop onto its first cohort as part of the ELITE programme. We’re proud and privileged to be a part of the scheme, alongside such esteemed industry peers from the food industry and beyond.

“I started the first Company Shop in Tankersley, South Yorkshire, back in 1985. A lot has changed since then and we’ve grown a lot - but we’re the same family business at our core.

“We’re looking forward to learning from the brightest and the best on this programme as we take our model for surplus food redistribution to the next level.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Clare Burnett .