Business resource library

Welcome to Growth Hub’s business resource library. We have developed a bank of useful national and local business growth information and resources

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    AllEmployment and SkillsFinance And FundingGrowing your businessImporting & ExportingNet ZeroRunning your BusinessSector InformationStarting your business

    UK Trade & Export Finance Guide

    UK Trade & Export Finance Guide

    When companies export products or services, long payment terms can often create working capital challenges. The upfront cost of producing, shipping, and delivering the goods can be tricky for businesses to manage. Export finance helps businesses release working capital from cross-border or domestic trade transactions that would otherwise be tied up in invoices or purchase orders (for […]

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    Business Support Helpline England

    Business Support Helpline England

    Business Support Service The Business Support Service is a FREE, virtual, multi-channel advice and guidance service, operating across England, to offer support and signpost you to information on national and local schemes, grants and loans to help businesses start and grow. We help all businesses, from those thinking about starting a business, through to those […]

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    Support with employee Health and Disability

    Support with employee Health and Disability

    The new online service from the government offers free advice to employers, tailored to the needs of smaller businesses. What’s in the new service? Guided information for employers to help support disability or health conditions in a range of common workplace situations. Help on legal obligations, including reasonable adjustments. Links to more detailed resources. What […]

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    Training at Work: Online Courses

    Training at Work: Online Courses

    We’ve collated a list of online course available in the South East Midlands. These distance learning courses range from childcare to logistics, run by local colleges, universities and other training providers.  

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    GOV.UK: Write a Business Plan

    GOV.UK: Write a Business Plan

    A business plan is a written document that describes your business. It covers objectives, strategies, sales, marketing, and financial forecasts. A business plan helps you to: Clarify your business idea Spot potential problems Set out your goals Measure your progress You’ll need a business plan if you want to secure investment or a loan from […]

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    Apprenticeships at University of Bedfordshire

    Apprenticeships at University of Bedfordshire

    Rated as ‘Good’ by Ofsted for its apprenticeship provision in 2023, the University of Bedfordshire places strong emphasis on practical and professional skills, alongside high-quality education and training. They partner many organisations whose employees successfully combine work with professional studies. Employers and apprentices are supported by experienced apprenticeship co-ordinators, through workplace visits and regular reviews. […]

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    OpenLearn

    OpenLearn

    Want to develop a new skill to help you get your dream job? Or maybe you want to dig deeper into something you’ve already discovered? Whether it’s a 60-second animated video or a 24-hour course you are after, you will find it on OpenLearn for free. Run by the Open University, OpenLearn is designed to […]

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    FutureLearn

    FutureLearn

    FutureLearn offers a diverse selection of courses from leading universities and cultural institutions from around the world. These are delivered one step at a time and are accessible on mobile, tablet and desktop, so you can fit learning around your life. Created by The Open University and the SEEK Group, FutureLearn believe learning should be […]

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    The Bedfordshire Employment and Skills Academy

    The Bedfordshire Employment and Skills Academy

    The Bedfordshire Employment and Skills Academy (BESA) provides opportunities for residents in Central Bedfordshire and Bedford Borough to learn in the community. Bedfordshire Employment and Skills Academy (BESA) and our partner training providers can support you to access education and training to build skills that will improve employability, support career opportunities, and enhance wellbeing. BESA […]

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    Department of Business & Trade

    Department of Business & Trade

    The Department of Business & Trade Trade (DBT) helps UK businesses to invest, grow and export, creating jobs and opportunities across the country. DBT offers a range of fully funded services to businesses. Who can benefit?  All businesses, nationally. How can I benefit? Fully funded support Creating a free business profile to promote overseas Finding […]

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    Start-Up Support Luton

    Start-Up Support Luton

    A range of resources for businesses looking to open in the Luton Borough area. Who can benefit?  People looking to open a business in the Luton Borough area. How can I benefit? Business support information pack: A single source of information on support service options available locally Business Support Resource Centre Online: A portal offering […]

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    Invest Milton Keynes

    Invest Milton Keynes

    The team at Invest Milton Keynes can provide information on expanding your business within the city, or give help and support if you are looking to relocate to Milton Keynes. Who can benefit?  Anyone looking to open a business in Milton Keynes, or relocate there. How can I benefit? Tools and resources for those looking […]

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    South Midlands Rural Group

    South Midlands Rural Group

    To help amplify the voices of rural businesses, the South Midlands Authorities created the rural group. The group is formed of rural representatives from the public, private, and VCSE sectors, offering first-hand rural expertise and local market intelligence. The South Midlands rural group meets once every three months to discuss funding opportunities, upcoming webinar opportunities […]

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    JobHelp

    JobHelp

    Information and resources to help you find job opportunities in a wide range of sectors, including the NHS, adult social care, retail, food production and logistics. Who can benefit?  People looking for employment or a change of career. How can I benefit? Information on financial support while job-hunting Help with mental health, disabilities and long-term […]

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    Business & IP Centre Northamptonshire

    Business & IP Centre Northamptonshire

    Libraries are not just full of books. They are full of ideas. As part of the British Library National Network the Business & IP Centre Northamptonshire is leading a revolution by inspiring a thriving community of new and existing business owners. Whether you are just starting out, need advice on protecting your intellectual property, or […]

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    University of Bedfordshire

    University of Bedfordshire

    The University of Bedfordshire is proud to be an internationally recognised and award-winning institution with a heritage of quality education going back more than 100 years. The University have two main campuses in Luton and Bedford, with a large health teaching provision in Aylesbury at the world-renowned Stoke Mandeville Hospital. At the University of Bedfordshire, […]

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    Small Business Commissioner

    Small Business Commissioner

    The Small Business Commissioner (SBC) is an independent public body set up by Government under the Enterprise Act 2016 to tackle late payment and unfavourable payment practices in the private sector. Launched in December 2017 the Small Business Commissioner, leads an independent office aimed at empowering small businesses in resolving disputes around late and unfair […]

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    Mental Health and Wellbeing

    Mental Health and Wellbeing

    As a result of the stressful and uncertain times that we have undergone recently, and continue to experience, the need to consider the mental wellbeing of yourself and your employees has never been more important. To help you manage this we have produced a guide that offers businesses support and guidance, by signposting the best […]

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    Defence and Security Accelerator (DASA)

    Defence and Security Accelerator (DASA)

    At DASA, we find and fund exploitable innovation to support UK defence and security quickly and effectively, and support UK prosperity by helping Innovators grow their business. Accessible to anyone from academia or industry who has an innovation that addresses a defence and/or security challenge. Please see examples of the diversity of work we have […]

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    Tax reliefs available for innovative companies

    Tax reliefs available for innovative companies

    A summary of tax reliefs available for innovative companies: contacts and guidance information provided by HM Revenue and Customs Please note that this information is […]

    WMG SME Group

    WMG SME Group

    The WMG SME Group is a multidisciplinary team based in the University of Warwick, pioneering support for innovative UK businesses. Are you a SME manufacturer in the UK? Want to find out what funded support is available? We are helping businesses make more in the UK. We are a team of dedicated experts looking to solve […]

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    The Defence Technology Exploitation Programme

    The Defence Technology Exploitation Programme

    The Defence and Security Accelerator (DASA) supported by Innovate UK has launched a new opportunity to apply for grant funding. The Defence Technology Exploitation Programme (DTEP) aims to inspire companies to win new business, develop industrial capabilities, and provide new cutting-edge answers to defence problems at home and abroad, ensuring the UK expands its competitive, […]

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    MK Community Foundation

    MK Community Foundation

    MK Community Foundation is a leading grant-making charity sending funding where it’s needed most in Milton Keynes. By guiding businesses, philanthropists and charities to the right giving and grants, we’re on a mission for a fairer community. Fairness We seek detailed understanding to make the right decisions Assistance We share our expertise and referrals for those who […]

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    University of Bedfordshire Business Support Team

    University of Bedfordshire Business Support Team

    The University of Bedfordshire understands that organisations require different kinds of support. Whether you need strategic input into your business, or support with developing products, processes and services, the University’s Business Support team can help. Whatever stage your business is at, from start-up to an established SME, whether privately owned, public or not-for profit, the university’s […]

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    West Northants Employment Support to Grow Your Workforce

    West Northants Employment Support to Grow Your Workforce

    Free Employment Support Service which is available to every resident and employer in West Northamptonshire. We offer support with job searching, CV writing, interview tips, training, starting your own business as well as helping employers grow their workforce. Working with 20+ partners all supporting local residents with the skills they need to find jobs. Promoting […]

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    West Northants Council Business Support

    West Northants Council Business Support

    Economic Growth & Inward Investment Team West Northamptonshire Council. Our team offers free business support to new and expanding businesses of all sizes across West Northamptonshire. The support includes funding, inward investment, business growth, employment. skills & recruitment & starting a new business. Free dedicated business support from West Northamptonshire Council to help businesses overcome […]

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    North Northamptonshire Council Retail Business Mentoring & Support Programme

    North Northamptonshire Council Retail Business Mentoring & Support Programme

    Join North Northamptonshire Council’s FREE business support programme for all businesses and entrepreneurs based in North Northamptonshire. By signing up, you will get access to a variety of events, mentoring, webinars, networking opportunities and specialist support all designed to help your business thrive. This programme is provided by North Northamptonshire Council and delivered by Smarter Society with funding from […]

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    UK Export Academy

    UK Export Academy

    The UK Export Academy can support your business to grow by giving you the confidence and know-how to land your first, or next overseas deal. Over 18,000 businesses across the UK have already joined our free training programme. It’s totally free and takes only a few minutes to get started. UK Export Academy | Learn […]

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    University of Northampton

    University of Northampton

    Our team is committed to enhancing engagement with external and internal stakeholders at the University of Northampton (UON). Whether you are an ambitious SME, a charity or a large multinational corporation looking to grow and innovate, our support can significantly impact your organisation. Our dedicated business team can put you in direct contact with experts […]

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    Apprenticeships @ University of Northampton

    Apprenticeships @ University of Northampton

    ‘Rated as Good with Outstanding features by Ofsted in 2023’ The University of Northampton apprenticeships embrace the growing development for vocational higher education in England by offering higher and degree apprenticeships specifically designed by industry to respond to high level skills gaps. They bring together the very best in higher and vocational education. As an […]

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    Maxim Growth Limited

    Maxim Growth Limited

    Who are Maxim Growth Maxim Growth is a professional consultancy offering bid management and business-winning advice, guidance and practical support to help their clients to find and win commercial and public sector contracts We provide advice, guidance and support to organisations looking to find and win business and contracts, with a principal focus on the […]

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