The new team helping South Cambridgeshire’s businesses to recover
Growing local businesses and economies is one of the top priorities in South Cambridgeshire District Council’s ambitious business plan, and as we all continue to deal with the coronavirus pandemic, the council realises that it is more important than ever.
This recovery is now the primary focus of the authority’s recently established business support team.
This team aims to be a single point of contact for local businesses within the council, as well as representing the district’s economic needs as part of Greater Cambridge initiatives and the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority.
It can often be confusing and time-consuming for many businesses when they are seeking to apply for something or get advice from local government.
In South Cambridgeshire, a key success factor for the business support team will be to partner and guide local companies through the red tape – be that applying for planning permission for an extension to a site, applying for grants, discussing queries over business rates, setting up shop, scaling, finding business space, skills training, Brexit-related assistance and general advice and support.
The key place to start is to email openforbusiness@scambs.gov.uk.
There is real, local, tangible business experience within this new team. Three officers are led by our new business support team leader, Adele Gritten.
Adele is a seasoned board level business leader who has been chief executive officer, country/European managing director, and commercial director, for a range of professional services companies operating in the market research, data intelligence and marketing strategy space.
Adele’s general management, business skills and academic background are already being utilised to support our local businesses in a very boots on the ground, practical way. Adele holds an MA in social and political science from Peterhouse, University of Cambridge.
Liz Davy is the first of two business support officers. Liz has worked for the district council for several years.
Her previous roles were in health and environmental services where she supported projects to increase recycling and reduce waste sent to landfill, including the introduction of the blue bin recycling scheme.
More recently as a development officer in the sustainable communities and wellbeing team she has worked closely with local parishes to support both the new and existing communities in development areas such as Northstowe.
She also administered the council’s Community Chest grant scheme. Liz started her career in the aerospace industry where she trained as part of an apprenticeship scheme gaining a HND in business and finance.
Tracey Brockman is the council’s second business support officer. Tracey brings a wealth of commercial knowledge and customer centric service skills to South Cambridgeshire District Council, having worked in senior sales management roles within the media and marketing industry for publishers in and around Suffolk, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire.
From decades of managing diverse sales teams and through key account ownership, Tracey has experience in analysing business needs, and data, and finding strategic solutions to help businesses with growth. While really enjoying networking and meeting people, Tracey also enjoys delivering training and managing seminars and workshops. Tracey is passionate about the success of the businesses within South Cambridgeshire and looks forward to helping sustain and grow our vibrant communities.
The final member of the team is assistant business development officer Paul Jenkins-Green. Paul has nearly 20 years’ experience of working on a range of B2B events. While working for Guardian News and Media, and later for the Society of IT Management, he was responsible for conferences, seminars and workshops for a predominantly public sector audience, researching and delivering relevant content and sourcing high level expert speakers including senior civil servants, business leaders, MPs and secretaries of state. This is his first role in the public sector and he is excited to join this new, vibrant team and support businesses across the South Cambridgeshire economy.
This newly-formed unit works closely with teams across the district council, from the Greater Cambridge Shared Planning Service to the authority’s customer contact centre. As a result, it is uniquely placed to help local companies find the fastest and most efficient path to their goal.
South Cambridgeshire District Council’s lead cabinet member for business recovery is Cllr Peter McDonald, who works for one of the UK’s leading agricultural advisory businesses.
He said: “We face significant challenges in recovering economically from the coronavirus pandemic and our new business support team will enable us to respond effectively to these unprecedented times.
“Make no mistake – this is a top priority for South Cambridgeshire District Council. I would urge any local business, large or small, and especially those needing urgent advice, to contact this team as soon as possible. We have established this service to be a one-stop shop for local companies because we know and appreciate how precious their time is.
“We’re already reaching out to offer our support and guidance to local companies – but any business based in South Cambridgeshire is welcome to use this free service.”
Find out more at scambs.gov.uk/business , email openforbusiness@scambs.gov.uk or call 01954 713 465.
South Cambridgeshire District Council is sponsoring the Green Award at the Cambridge Independent SME Cambridgeshire Business Awards