Business Strategy & Policy
The Northwest Regional Economic Strategy sets out what the NWDA
needs to do to support businesses.
Regional Economic Strategy
Everything we do is set out in the Regional Economic
Strategy. Our job is to make the strategy come alive, to become a
reality – which is a huge job. The strategy sets out what we need
to do, but we’ve got a big job deciding how we do it.
We also need to be clear what the strategy is for and to make
sure it does its job.
To make our job more manageable, the strategy is split up into
bite-size chunks. Business is one of those chunks. (The others are
Skills & Education, People & Jobs, Infrastructure and
Quality of Life.)
Within the business section of the Northwest Regional Economic
Strategy, we have a number of jobs to do. We need to help Northwest
businesses strengthen their regional roots, develop their business
knowledge and allow them to be innovative and grow
internationally.
Future North West - A Framework for Activity
In light of the new Government’s intention to abolish the
statutory basis for Regional Strategies, in conjunction with our
partners, we have developed a succinct and streamlined
non-statutory, high level framework / plan for the Northwest.
We aim to finalise the plan after the Comprehensive Spending
Review in Autumn 2010.
Clearly, a non-statutory framework/plan will depend on the
active support and commitment of local authorities, business and
other key partners to be effective and gain traction. We will
therefore continue to work closely with the Regional Strategy
Advisory Group and 4NW committees to finalise the framework.
Northwest Science Strategy
Investing in science and key sectors plays an important role in
the Northwest Regional Economic Strategy. This work is guided by
the Northwest Science Strategy.
Enterprise Policy
Our Enterprise Policy focuses on making sure the region’s
businesses adapt well, which will improve business start-up,
survival and growth rates. To achieve this, we are committed to
improving the availability of business finance and influencing
Government policy on small business regulation.
The Agency is also committed to creating an enterprise culture
that encourages businesses to not only take opportunities, but make
them; to see a success as the building blocks for future successes.
This work is guided by Northwest Enterprise Strategy.
Internationalisation Strategy & Action Plan for England's
Northwest
The Internationalisation Strategy & Action Plan for
England's Northwest supports the work the NWDA and UK Trade &
Investment (UKTI) do to help the region achieve its international
ambitions.
Enterprise Forums
To support our Enterprise Policy and Northwest Enterprise
Strategy, we have developed a number of private sector-led
enterprise forums.
The Northwest Enterprise Forum acts as a strategic advisory
board to the Agency and Business Link Northwest, and is responsible
for challenging and monitoring the success of enterprise activity
across the region.
Chaired by Robert Davis, Chief Executive of Chester-based EA
Technology, the Forum has a core team of 15 individuals with a
passionate interest in enterprise. Board members are drawn from the
membership of a number of business representative organisations in
the region, including the Confederation of British Industry,
Institute of Directors and Federation of Small Businesses.
The Forum reports to the Agency’s Board once a year as well as
to the Enterprise & Skills sub-committee. This enables
them to provide an update on activities and emerging trends to
influence the future direction for enterprise and enterprise
support across the region.
Northwest International Business Forum
The Northwest International Business Forum supports and guides
the NWDA and the UKTI Northwest Regional Team on international
competitiveness issues. The Forum is also overseeing the
implementation of the “Dual Key” framework between the NWDA and the
UKTI.
The Forum – which is made up of overseas investors as well as
representatives from businesses which export from the Northwest –
developed the Internationalisation Strategy & Action Plan for
England's Northwest on behalf of the NWDA.
Under Represented Groups
The Northwest Women's Enterprise Forum is a strategic advisory
group to help increase the number of women starting up and growing
their own businesses.
The Ethnic Minority Business Forum Northwest is a policy
advisory group responsible for the development of sustainable Black
and Minority Ethnic business in the region. It provides strategic
leadership and policy advice to the NWDA.
Solutions for Business Portfolio
Solutions
for Business is a package of publicly-funded business
support products and services designed to help businesses start,
grow and succeed.
Its products are simple to understand and access, offer good
value for money and are directed at areas where they can make a
significant impact to help businesses succeed.
Products and services are designed to equip you with the
necessary knowledge and skills you need to tackle any issues your
business might be facing.
Eligible businesses can gain support in areas such as starting up, understanding
finance, training and skill
development, resource
efficiency, exploiting new ideas, accessing international opportunities and
growing your business.
For more information on the implementation of Solutions For
Business in the region email sfb@nwda.co.uk.