Worcestershire Student Awarded FSB Business Scholarship
 

Helen Batchelor beat a high scoring field

of University of Worcester Business

School students to scoop the very first

FSB Worcestershire Business

Scholarship Award.Helen, who is studying to become a Chartered Accountant, throught the University's Business Management and Accountancy course,

will keep FSB members informed of her progress as she nears the end of her current academic studies and starts l

ooking for a post within the accountancy

profession.

However, Helen is very likely to join the ranks of business owners as she has several business ideas of her own that she is currently researching in some detail.

To date Helen has racked up considerable experience in working for the National Health Service, juggling part time work with undergraduate studies, she says, is not easy, but she hopes that the benefits of experience along with her acadamic achievements will help her CV stand out from the crowd when the time comes.

We shall hear more from Helen over the coming months, and the FSB wishes her every success for the future.
Congratulations!

Pictured L-R: Roger Culcheth, FSB Regional Chairman; Judi Brazkiewicz, FSB Worcestershire Chairman, David Collier, University of Worcester, Helen Batchelor and Tim Maxfield, University of Worcester.

WORCESTERSHIRE LEP GEARS UP FOR BUSY 2012

Details of successful projects to be awarded funding under the Government's new Growing Places Fund are set to be announced by Worcestershire Local Enterprise Partnership (WLEP) this month (January 2012).

It marks the start of a busy year ahead for WLEP with ‘exciting opportunities', explains chairman Peter Pawsey.
"As we approach the end of our inaugural year, we are starting to see real tangible achievements ahead.

"Huge headway has been made over the last year creating our excellent LEP Boards, and setting out our structure, vision and strategy for growth and job creation.

"Our public and private sector partners are working well together to make a real difference to the future health and wealth of Worcestershire.

"Very encouragingly, we've been well oversubscribed with bids for the Government's new Growing Places Fund, particularly from the private sector, and we expect to allocate funds to successful projects in early 2012.

"Our business agenda for the new year is extremely busy, with details of our first annual WLEP Conference in February being announced shortly.

"The potential for the Worcestershire LEP is considerable, and the need is extensive and widespread."

Despite Worcestershire bucking the national trend, with unemployment, including youth unemployment, falling slightly in the last three months, Worcestershire LEP is not complacent, added Mr Pawsey.

"The macro economic challenges are significant with the Euro crisis, reduced consumer demand and the high level of uncertainty, but we are committed to create the best local conditions for growth, and we are working with Government at all levels to work through these difficult times.

"That's why we're moving into 2012 with a huge sense of drive and purpose with several exciting opportunities ahead."
ENDS

Evesham Bridge is one of HM Treasury's priorities for West Midlands!

More information at the Treasury website

Malvern Hills District Council Business Bulletin

For information about the latest business opportunities, events and funding streams.

More information here

Or visit the website

Does Worcestershire need better Broadband?

Broadband is undoubtedly a necessary tool for most businesses today. However, some areas in Worcestershire suffer from slow speeds and in a few cases are still working on dial up! The Government is well aware of the situation and has appointed BDUK to work with local authorities across the country to find out what the current situation is and evaluate which areas are of priority.

BDUK is quite clear about the measure it will use to identify the areas which need Broadband the most – DEMAND!

Every business and domestic address in Worcestershire should register their demand so that the county becomes a high priority.

To register your demand visit the links below and complete the short survey – if you have a residence and a business premises please complete both surveys as home responses will outnumber business.

Business survey

Residents' survey

Worcestershire County Council launches its Corporate Plan

‘Worcestershire, Fit for the Future'. Download your copy