LEP funding helps Elland food manufacturer create recipe for growth

New Ivory, an Elland-based food manufacturing business, is set to expand after securing a grant from the Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership (LEP).

Around £10,000 of LEP funding is being used by the company to to train its staff and take the next steps towards expansion.

New Ivory works with supermarkets and retailers to develop and manufacture sauces, gravies and dressings.

After recognising the need to invest in its staffs’ capabilities, New Ivory applied for funding from the LEP to develop the leadership skills of its mid management team.

In total, 10 staff undertook the training, which has enabled them to develop skills such as time management, presentation and organisational strategy.

The training also provided current staff with recruiting, interviewing skills and enhanced performance management, ensuring the company is able to continue its growth and invest in new employees.

Adam Jones, managing director at New Ivory, said: “The funding from the LEP has really motivated us to push our company even further, and we’re so excited about the doors that it’s going to open for us.

“We’re committed to investing in our teams, and always ensure that we have the best possible people available to drive our customers’ agendas. The training that we’re putting in place following the funding will help to not only improve our team’s skills, but create opportunities for promotion.

“As an ambitious company looking to expand further, funding from the LEP has really helped us to reach our goals.”

Stephanie Burras CBE, chair of the LEP’s employment and skills panel, added: “We’re delighted that New Ivory have benefitted from the LEP support meaning it can continue to reach its financial aims with funding from the skills service.

“As the programme continues, there will be an increased focus on encouraging accredited training and on supporting SMEs to create and implement longer-term training plans and I’m pleased to see New Ivory have undertaken a wide range of courses that will contribute to the growth of their business.

“The skills service has already approved funding for over 4,500 courses for employees across Leeds City Region and has been granted a 3 month extension which means that businesses can now submit funding applications until 31st March 2017, and training can be undertaken until 30th June 2017.”

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