Businesses have given a big thumbs up to the service they’re receiving from the D2N2 Growth Hub, set-up to help small and medium-sized Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire companies to grow.
The D2N2 Growth Hub provides access to a wide range of free services to businesses, from one person start-ups to well-established firms with dozens of employees, to help them grow. Advisers can help with needs such as management training, marketing and communications strategies, cracking social media, finding new exports at home and abroad, and accessing growth finance. Businesses can also be put onto additional help from the Growth Hub’s private and public sector partners. For more information see website www.d2n2growthhub.co.uk
Each year the D2N2 Growth Hub surveys its customers, to make sure its services are providing what they need, and 2019’s has shown a rise in satisfaction. Around 350 – of the 1,750 businesses the D2N2 Growth Hub supported between January 2018 and January 2019 – were surveyed by independent research firm dh insight ltd of Nottingham, revealing:
- 89% of those clients would recommend the service to other SMEs (up from 87% in 2018’s survey);
- 81% of businesses surveyed that the Growth Hub had helped rated the support received as either ‘excellent’ or ‘good’ (up from 80% in 2018’s survey).
In addition SMEs reported seeing a direct link between working with the Growth Hub and positive results for their business; including 64% of businesses saying they’d taken positive action as a result of the support they received (up from 57% in the 2018 survey) and 74% reporting an ‘enhanced level of knowledge within the business’.
Chris Pook, D2N2 Growth Hub Manager, said: “It’s clear from the results of this survey that the Growth Hub is having a real and positive impact on local businesses, by providing them with the support and advice they need to grow. All the headline indicators are up on previous years.
“With the Growth Hub moving into its next phase, with new advisers being recruited and a new grant scheme coming soon, we should hopefully see these results improve further as we continue our work to support growing businesses across Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire, which are the lifeblood of our economy.”
Businesses which have been supported by the D2N2 Growth Hub include Derby-based CAD for Fashion (it’s logo is shown above), an academy which trains budding fashion designers and experienced industry professionals in using the latest technology in the fashion sector.
Founder and fashion designer Erica Horne said: “I can’t thank the Growth Hub enough. My adviser has been with me the whole way, offering invaluable support and advice as well as opening my eyes to the huge amount of resources available locally from workshops to funding.
“I have learnt so much from the last nine months of support and to have my ideas turn reality really is amazing.”
The Split Screen Coffee Company, based in Nottinghamshire, has also received D2N2 Growth Hub help. It sells fresh coffee and food from a specially adapted van; serving events, corporate clients and private parties.
Managing Director Jen Walker said: “The D2N2 Growth Hub is easy to get in touch with, friendly to deal with, and had the experience that helped me see through some challenges in my business.
“Meetings with my adviser allowed me time to talk through some wild ambitions and formulate a clear way forward that was exciting yet manageable, while the free courses available had a direct impact on my business’ online presence and financial health.”
The D2N2 Growth Hub is part-funded from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) as part of the European Structural and Investment Funds Growth Programme 2014-2020. The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (and in London the intermediate body Greater London Authority) is the Managing Authority for ERDF. Established by the European Union, the European Regional Development Fund helps local areas stimulate their economic development by investing in projects which support innovation, businesses, create jobs and local community regenerations. For more information visit www.gov.uk/european-growth-funding
For more information about the D2N2 Growth Hub go to its website at www.d2n2growthhub.co.uk or call its helpline at 0333 006 9178.
The D2N2 Growth Hub is part of the D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership; the private sector-led Partnership of business, local authorities, skills and training providers, and community and voluntary services which promote economic growth across Derby, Derbyshire, Nottingham and Nottinghamshire.
Media wanting further information about the D2N2 LEP can contact D2N2 Communications Manager Sean Kirby on 0115 9578749 or email: sean.kirby@d2n2lep.org
