There’s lots of support and funding available to help your business prosper and thrive. Our Growth Managers are here to help you to navigate the support maze and connect you with the right skills, training, people and funding. Tap into our experience and local expertise to grow your business with confidence.
Our team will work with you to understand your specific challenges and help you plan for survival and growth, drawing on in-depth knowledge and connections across all sectors of the local professional community.
Get in touch with our Business Growth Managers:
- Louise Saw: louise.saw@york.gov.uk
- Brian Littlejohn: brian.littlejohn@york.gov.uk
Feedback and case studies
Casey Woodward, Founder of AgriSound:
City of York Council's Business Growth Managers have been a great help especially in the early days of us launching AgriSound. The connections they have in the city’s business sectors and the vast knowledge about all types of funding, grants and training helped us to be able to grow and achieve our business ambitions.
"With their recommendations, I attended a Social Media Skills training course which has helped me to more effectively reach and expand our customer base."
Read the full AgriSound case study.
Phil Watt, Director at Propelo:
I was referred to the City of York Council Business Growth Managers through a colleague at York Science Park. It was reassuring to find someone at the end of the phone who listened to the reality of what our business was facing, and which gave me an outlet to talk through the issues we were working through.
"Our business journey is continually evolving, and it is reassuring to have access to support and guidance with clear signposting that ensures we find the right fit for our business."
Read the full Propelo case study.
Gary Fawcett, CEO at Skillsforge:
Business support isn’t just about getting help applying for and being successful for grant funding applications. The Business Growth Managers have been able to put us in touch with the right people, and direct me on the right route to grow my business.
"Through their recommendations I’ve made beneficial connections, been offered tailored business advice and been able to expand my business skills."
Read the full Skillsforge case study.
Naudia Salmon, founder of We Drifters:
After moving our business to York, first and foremost we wanted to become a part of the city’s business community and networks, for which the City of York Council Business Growth Managers served as a perfect gateway. The team are the best at directing you to the right information and contacts that can help accelerate and grow your business.
"They open doors to so many new opportunities to develop and grow."
Read the full We Drifters case study.
See all of our case studies:
- AgriSound case study
- Andrea Morrison Business Coaching case study
- Indie York Christmas Market case study
- LEaF Translations Case Study
- Olivia Brabbs Photography Case Study
- Propelo case study.
- Skillsforge case study
- The Little Seed Group Case Study
- We Drifters case study
- Your Memories Photography Case Study
Skills for Growth
Skills for Growth supports businesses to address skills gaps, create a strong workforce and improve their talent pipeline through internships, placements, student projects and graduate recruitment.
By working with the Skills for Growth team, your business will have access to free one-to-one, impartial support from a Business Partnership Adviser. They can help you to:
- create a strong, diverse, future-proofed workforce for your business
- access talented students and graduates from local colleges and universities to help your business grow
- engage with education providers to make use of flexible working arrangements, such as short-term placements or one-off projects
- raise awareness of your industry and what skills are needed to succeed
Book an introduction call with a Business Partnership Adviser to discuss a tailored package of support.
Support through Skills for Growth is available to any business based in Bradford, Calderdale, Craven, Harrogate, Kirklees, Leeds, Selby, Wakefield and York.
LCR Skills for Growth is part-funded by European Social Fund as part of the 2014-2020 European Structural and Investment Funds Growth Programme in England.
