A business organisation which represents the views, voice and issues of small businesses in Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire welcomed D2N2 Chief Executive David Ralph as a key speaker at its Annual General Meeting (AGM) last night.
The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) – which is a partner of the D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) – held its 2015 AGM at The Derbyshire Hotel, just off Junction 28 of the M1, near South Normanton. The evening event provided FSB members with the opportunity to network and receive an update from the D2N2 Chief Executive.
The D2N2 LEP is a private sector-led partnership of business, local authorities, skills and training providers, and community and other organisations which promotes economic growth and jobs creation across Derby, Derbyshire, Nottingham and Nottinghamshire.
It helps small and medium-sized enterprises in a number of ways, including through its D2N2 Growth Hub service, which next week will mark its first anniversary (December 5). The Growth Hub has helped almost 1,400 businesses over its first 12 months with free advice and guidance, training sessions, networking events and access to finance.
Melanie Ulyatt, Regional Chair of the FSB for Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire, is also a member of the D2N2 Board (specialising in Skills) and spoke last week at a D2N2 Business Breakfast, about her Chesterfield-based company One to One Support Services.
At the FSB event last night, David Ralph told businesses about the opportunities represented by Devolution. Business, the LEP, local authorities and others have been lobbying for a Devolution deal for the D2N2 area; which would see powers relating to skills and employment, business investment, transport planning and other activities transfer from central Government control to local. A deal is expected to be concluded shortly.
David also spoke about what the D2N2 LEP has achieved in its first five years (it was set-up in late 2010) and its plans for the future. A special supplement marking that D2N2 fifith anniversary was published this month (November 11) in the Nottingham Post and Derby Telegraph. A digital version can read on this website HERE.
Speaking after last night’s event, David Ralph, D2N2 Chief Executive said: “It was a fantastic opportunity to update the FSB audience on what Devolution could mean for the area; as well as ensuring that the role, contribution and voice of small business is properly represented and heard in the Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire business community.”
To find out more about the work of the D2N2 LEP, click here
To find out more about the services offered by the D2N2 Growth Hub, click here
To find out more about the work of the FSB in Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire, click here
Media wanting further information about the work of the D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership can contact D2N2 Communications Manager Sean Kirby on 0115 9578749 or email: sean.kirby@d2n2lep.org
