Buckinghamshire businesses given a boost

Thanks to a £1.1m investment from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF), Buckinghamshire Council has provided funding for targeted programmes of support to be delivered by Buckinghamshire Business First. These programmes are:

• The Growth Programme
• Net Zero Bucks
• Rural Ngage

Each of these programmes is fully funded and easy to access, with the support funded by the UK government’s Shared Prosperity Fund via Buckinghamshire Council.

Learn more below and get in touch with our team to get started.

The Growth Programme

Delivered by experienced Business Advisers who have run their own business, the Growth Programme offers professional advice and practical support for businesses in Buckinghamshire to help them:

• Improve business productivity and turnover
• Find new solutions to existing challenges
• Join relevant and beneficial masterclasses
• Connect with other business owners and grow their local network

Over 90% of previous Growth Programme participants were satisfied with the outcome of the advice and the service they received, described the support as informative, clear, knowledgeable, useful, helpful, valued, supportive, and relevant.

Learn all about the Growth Programme and how to get involved >

Net Zero Bucks

With the guidance of sustainability experts, Net Zero Bucks is designed to help businesses in Buckinghamshire:

• Reduce energy bills and waste
• Improve energy security and efficiency
• Discover and reduce their carbon footprint
• Improve their green marketing and credentials
• Join Net Zero workshops and surgeries

What’s good for the planet is good for business!

Learn more about Net Zero Bucks and how to get involved >

Rural Ngage

Rural Ngage is the dedicated business support network for rural businesses.

This bespoke programme of business advice is focused on helping businesses in rural areas to access funding and to diversify.

Whatever your question, challenge, opportunity or experience is as a rural business, the team is here to help and highlight the support available to you.

Learn more about Rural Ngage and how to get involved >

Would you like more information?

Any business that would like to find out more can contact Buckinghamshire Business First via the following methods:

• call 01494 927130
• email BusinessSupport@bbf.uk.com
• visit bbf.uk.com/your-business-questions-answered and book a chat with one of our Business Advisers

The support is funded by the UK government’s Shared Prosperity Fund via Buckinghamshire Council.

Don't miss this 'unique opportunity'

Philippa Batting, Managing Director of Buckinghamshire Business First, said: “This investment of UKSPF funding brings a unique opportunity to build on our successful stand-out Growth, Net Zero, and Rural business support initiatives that have helped thousands of local businesses grow, innovate, and create new local jobs.

“Helping to create a thriving and prosperous economy will in turn support the wider Buckinghamshire community. We want Buckinghamshire businesses to grow sustainably in a way that protects our natural environment and improves the social wellbeing of its residents and workforce.”

You can trust in Buckinghamshire Business First's track record

Buckinghamshire Business First is the Growth Hub for the county and over the last decade has developed stand-out business support programmes that have been proven to help businesses grow, innovate and be more sustainable.

Despite the pandemic and a host of other challenges in recent years, nearly three-quarters (73%) of businesses that received support from Buckinghamshire Business First’s Growth Team increased their turnover, and nearly half (44%) increased productivity. This support is forecasted to produce a combined increase in turnover of £103 million and a £36 million boost to the economy in Gross Value Added (GVA), as well as an incredible 200 new full-time jobs.

A 'much-needed boost' for local businesses

Martin Tett, Leader of Buckinghamshire Council, said: “We are delighted to be able to allocate this funding across a range of business support organisations who will help develop and grow Buckinghamshire businesses and equip our next generation of entrepreneurs. In Buckinghamshire, we pride ourselves on being a county where small and medium businesses thrive and this funding helps us to ensure that legacy continues. Lots of our local businesses have faced real challenges in the past few years, but I hope that the initiatives we are funding here will give them a much-needed boost and ensure continued growth and development for our local economy.”

How to get involved

Any business that would like to find out more can contact Buckinghamshire Business First via the following methods:

• call 01494 927130
• email BusinessSupport@bbf.uk.com
• visit bbf.uk.com/your-business-questions-answered and book a chat with one of our Business Advisers

Buckinghamshire Business First’s Growth, Net Zero, and Rural business support is funded by the UK government through the Shared Prosperity Fund, which is managed by Buckinghamshire Council.