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Free Expert Advice at Business Growth Surgery

A free business event is being held in Middlesbrough to help SMEs access expert support.

Enterprises with fewer than 250 employees are invited to the special Business Growth Surgery at Boho One on Thursday, March 12.

It’s a unique opportunity to access financial advice, learn how to develop new ideas and products, boost leadership skills, recruit, export and build networks.

Packaged into a time-efficient morning session, the Business Growth Surgery will give businesses the chance to book one-to-one appointments with host of leading business experts.

The event - Part of the Business Growth Service - aims to help businesses with the right level of ambition, capability and capacity to improve and grow.

The service forms part of the Government’s ‘Business is Great’ campaign, which brings together a broad range of expertise, to give businesses access to the right advice and support to fulfill their growth potential.

Surgery appointments are available with the following organisations:

GrowthAccelerator helps businesses achieve their growth ambitions by providing tailored support, and specialises in accessing finance and business funding as well as business development support, leadership and management. Local representatives on the day will be Mike Cratchley and Joan Loew.

RTC North helps businesses develop new products and take them to market. Celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2014, it offers support throughout the product lifecycle helping clients identify and protect intellectual property, research market potential, fund innovation and win business in the UK and overseas. Local representative on the day will be Jamie Ollivere.

Manufacturing Advisory Service (MAS) has an 80+ team of Business Growth Managers with specific manufacturing expertise. Working with management teams they help plan long-term strategies, improve processes, bring new products to market and develop supply chains. Local representative on the day will be Jim Barr.

UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) helps UK-based companies export their products and services overseas. Working across the UK and in more than 100 countries they have a unique ability to support and advise UK companies at home and abroad as well as encouraging overseas-based companies to invest in the UK. Local representative on the day will be Chris Simpson.

Tees Valley Business Compass helps ambitious businesses realise their growth potential by providing relevant and up to date economic information, advice and support, supply chain development, funding and investment for training, upskilling and expansion plans. Local representatives on the day will be Gillian Baker and Graham Foster.

Teesside University offers a range of business growth initiatives, graduate recruitment support and funding to help business while developing the next generation of highly skilled, business-ready graduates. Local representatives on the day will be Business Development Manager Gilly Hall, European Funding Business Advisor Mike Gilkes and Graduate Recruitment Advisor Jayne Cranston.

DigitalCity Business is the area’s high profile business hub that provides support to digital companies to help them achieve growth, expansion and a sense of community. Local representatives on the day will be Dan Watson and Malcolm Taylor.

Councillor Charlie Rooney, Middlesbrough Council’s Executive Member for Regeneration, said: “We have a great business community with real entrepreneurial spirit, but the right insight and advice can still help enterprises develop and move on to the next level.

“We recognise that business owners are busy and as a result we have created this morning surgery so they are able to book one-to-one appointments with a variety of experts all in one place.”

The Business Growth Surgery is open to businesses with fewer than 250 employees and with a turnover of less than £40 million, and takes place from 9.30am to noon on Thursday, March 12 at Boho One, Digital City, Bridge St West, Middlesbrough TS2 1AE

To book a 30-minute one-to-one appointment email bizgrowthsurgery@icloud.com and indicate which organisation you wish to meet with. Businesses can book to meet with more than one support organisation.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Lisa Holt .