Praise for business support network

A Shropshire business woman has heaped praise on a business support network designed to help leaders learn from each other.

Beth Heath, director at Shropshire Festivals, is taking part in the Peer Networks Programme, which brings together leaders from a range of businesses to share their experiences and learn from each other.

The programme – which is fully funded by the Government and supported by the Marches Local Enterprise Partnership and Marches Growth Hub – helps the companies involved share knowledge, benefit from expert one-to-one advice and take advantage of new opportunities as the economy bounces back from the impact of the pandemic.

It is one of a range of programmes available through the Marches Growth Hub to support businesses across the region and help them meet their ambitions to develop and grow.

Beth, whose Shropshire Festivals company is responsible for some of the county’s best-loved events, including Shrewsbury Food Festival and Oktoberfest, said the fully-funded programme had been an inspiration.

“The sessions have given me three hours a week in which I can step back from the business and think about it in a deeper, more strategic way, as well as the chance to share my experiences with others and tap in to a rich knowledge base.

“I’ve been able to pass on some of the lessons I have learnt running festivals over the years and have found it a really brilliant way for business owners to come together and learn from each other.

“I cannot wait for the one-to-one sessions with our business expert which will be the icing on the cake of a really worthwhile experience.”

Executive coach Leon Mundey, of Neale Lewis Associates, which is delivering the programme across the Marches, said he was delighted with the success of the programme to date.

“Our three cohorts are already up and running and the feedback from all of those taking part has been excellent. It is a pleasure to see the exchange of ideas and information among the various business leaders.

“Although the cohorts have not reached even the halfway stage yet, we can already see the value that they are gaining from the sessions and the benefits these are bringing to their businesses.”

As well as the  group sessions businesses will also receive two separate one-to-one sessions with an expert adviser.