Wirral-based SME incubator Whitfield Business Support is expanding with new offices and staff following rapid first year growth.
The Heswall firm – led by directors Nik Ellis and Justine McLaughlin – provides office space and a proactive and dynamic ‘business incubator’ service.
Ms McLaughlin said the hub has secured more than 60 client wins since setting up in April 2015. The seven-strong team is set to be bolstered with two new recruits while a £150,000 cash injection will enable expansion into new offices next to the existing Pensby Road site.
“Whitfield Business Support is geared toward speeding up the growth of startup and early stage companies, as well as successful SMEs,” said Ms McLaughlin. “Our ‘full life-cycle’ business support package covers a broad canvas including initial start-up, accounting and funding to IT, recruitment, consultancy, mentoring, marketing, web and graphic design, and branding support.
“We are one of very few organisations in Wirral providing this specific range of services.
“The model has proved highly popular since our inception a year ago. We have supported more than 30 firms with marketing services alone. In total, we now have more than 60 clients on the books ranging from post address, virtual office and full-time tenants.
“Due to the success and interest in the hub we are now expanding into new facilities with three separate offices which opened this month. The two new appointments of a digital marketing consultant and a graphic designer will further strengthen our skill and expertise.
“While our office space always runs close to capacity – it is our flexible ‘hot-desk’ arrangements and business support packages where we see the major opportunity for future growth. It is important to stress that firms don’t need to be office based tenants to use our business support services.”
Ms McLaughlin said Whitfield Business Support aims to solve a common problem experienced by many SMEs with sourcing consistent, high-quality business support.
“We help businesses grow by bringing together different support services under one roof,” she said. “This enables them to have the right support, at the right level and price when they need it most. Our model also ensures consistency with service delivery and outward communication such as branding, marketing, web and social media presence.
“We can help business owners who want to concentrate on delivering their core service and avoid time-consuming business management distractions which frequently require specialist knowledge.
“Importantly, our team consists of entrepreneurs who have a firm understanding of what is required to be successful in business. They have experience of the pitfalls and opportunities in business which is essential when advising people how to navigate their own journey.
“In conjunction with our trusted partners we can provide cost-effective solutions for firms experiencing basic teething problems, or who want stronger guidance or specialist support.
“Whitfield Business Support’s vision for 2016 is to build on our reputation for helping small businesses and start-up companies on the Wirral, Cheshire and the broader North West region.
“We are keen to be known for the highest standard of customer service and will be investing heavily in the brand in the first three years. Being a passionate local business, and as part of our social responsibility, 2016 will also see us delivering widescale pro-bono work in the local community and Heswall in particular.”
For more information of Whitfield Business Hub visit the website: to www.whitfieldbusiness.co.uk or call 0151 342 0679.
Notes to editors
Whitfield Business Hub background
WBS launched in April 2015. Based in Heswall, Wirral, it provides office space and a dynamic and proactive ‘business incubator’ service helping a range of firms from start-ups to SMEs. Its support package includes initial start-up, accounting and funding to IT, recruitment, consultancy, mentoring, marketing, web and graphic design, and branding support. WBH has more than 60 clients on the books ranging from post address, virtual office and full-time tenants. Whitfield Business office hub has around 15 full time tenants. It considers itself the best serviced office in Wirral and the only to provide this specific range of services. Seven full-time staff driving the business support vision, including two new recruits who joined in March 2016.