Meeting the skills challenge and making the most of the region’s diverse business base are two of the key aims outlined by the new Chairman of Business Link in the West Midlands.
Richard Barnes, formerly Chief Financial Officer of Burton’s Foods and Waterford Wedgwood, has spoken enthusiastically about his desire to create the most entrepreneurial area in the UK and to ensure that Business Link tailors its advice and guidance to help companies overcome the credit crunch.
He has also underlined his commitment to building strong partnerships with the private sector so that its unrivalled expertise can be delivered to entrepreneurs and growing firms.
“I am extremely excited to be appointed as Chairman of an organisation that can really help to shape a prosperous regional economy,” explained Richard, who started his career with Ford Motor Company.
“Significant investment in people puts Business Link in its strongest ever position to provide the high quality impartial support that companies and entrepreneurs not only want but deserve.”
He continued: “We are increasingly moving towards a sector approach and the board will continue to make sure the expertise is tailored to the requirements of the customer.”
Richard brings with him a unique mix of public and private sector experience having held similar positions with InStaffs, the inward investment agency for Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent, and the North Staffordshire Regeneration Partnership.
This provides him with an understanding of delivering publically funded projects, which will be essential in working with the Advantage West Midlands, Learning and Skills Council, MAS-WM and UK Trade and Investment in meeting the region’s aims and objectives.
“The credit crunch is an immediate challenge to which we are responding, with more advisers visiting businesses and a new specialist website recently launched (www.businessfears.co.uk) to provide access to crucial information at the touch of a button,” continued Richard.
“This is a great example of how we are evolving the offer daily to suit the needs of companies in the region, but equally important is our ability to support the strategic opportunities identified in the Regional Economic Strategy.”
He went on to add: “In my opinion, the West Midlands is on the verge of some really exciting times with important regeneration projects taking place, an eclectic mix of traditional and new industries coming together and unrivalled investment in technology corridors and enterprise space. We have to help individuals and companies make the most of this.”
Debra Blisson, Director of Business Support and Enterprise at Advantage West Midlands, welcomed the appointment:
“Richard has a proven track record of understanding and delivering business support programmes and his experience with Ford and Waterford Wedgwood will be instrumental in influencing how Business Link works with small and large companies.
“This is an important time for the organisation and this appointment strengthens its ability to provide support to more than 85,000 new and existing business owners by the end of the year.”
Business Link in the West Midlands provides comprehensive information and advice to help entrepreneurs start-up and growing companies to train their people, embrace new technology, overcome legislation and, importantly, win new business.
Over the last year, the organisation has developed a number of innovative firsts, including the Knowledge Bank, Adviser Assessments with the Institute of Directors and the first ever West Midlands Supplier Register, a 700-strong quality approved list of suppliers.