A new support programme for small businesses in a Black Country town has launched.
Oxford Innovation Advice has won the tender from Walsall Council and the West Midlands Combined Authority to deliver the Walsall High Growth Business Programme.
The new initiative will engage with more than 200 businesses, with advice from a local delivery team of advisers aimed at supporting companies' growth ambitions and also helping entrepreneurs to develop their own business ideas.
Participants will be drawn from across all sectors, with a particular focus on key areas such as manufacturing and engagement with harder-to-reach groups.
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The programme will also deliver a series of workshops themed around five areas - resilience, digital essentials, digital marketing, innovation and charting a path to success.
This project has received £428,000 from central Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
The Walsall High Growth Business Programme adds to two existing grant schemes run by the council and links to Business Growth West Midlands.
Oxford Innovation Advice operates across the UK, designing and delivering business support programmes.
Managing director Jane Galsworthy said: "We are delighted to have won this contract so we can expand on the support we are already delivering to businesses across the West Midlands and enhance the economic prosperity within the region.
"In delivering previous business support provisions, we supported the creation of more than 750 new roles within manufacturing businesses across the Black Country region.
"It is now more important than ever that businesses of all sectors have access to a service that unlocks all of the support available through Business Growth West Midlands to continue building their resilience and underpinning growth."
Philippa Venables, director of regeneration and economy at Walsall Council, added: "We are delighted that Oxford Innovation will be delivering the Walsall High Growth Business Programme, building on the existing support offered by our Business Growth Team.
"This is a great opportunity for Walsall SMEs to find the right support to achieve their growth potential and adds real depth to our local business support offer."
