Following a recent refresh our business adviser team now has 36 advisers plus a team of mentors ready and waiting to support entrepreneurs, young and existing businesses.

We can now guarantee support to any business, at any stage and of any size – most support will be fully funded but some may be chargeable.

Advisers cover a wide range of specialisms and areas of expertise focusing on for example (this is not an exhaustive list):

• Self employment –all areas of start-up including business planning, marketing, social media, registration with HMRC, bookkeeping and tax returns, cashflow, profit and loss, personal survival budget, funding
• Marketing - strategy, B2B/B2C, advertising, Search Engine Optimisation (SEO), social media, content creation, Ecommerce, website, branding, PR, relationship marketing, PPC, analytics, AI, design
• Business planning - business plan production/review, business continuity, succession planning
• Sustainability – strategy, green/low carbon reduction, ESG, waste reduction, low carbon websites
• Supply chain – tendering and opportunities, social value, pitching, supply chain management, cost reduction
• Finance and funding – support with funding applications, knowledge of the funding landscape
• Sales – lead development, product development, sales forecasting, analysis, processes and strategy, development of existing sales teams, onboarding of new members, competitor analysis
• Pricing – strategy, competitor analysis, distribution, supply and demand, current position and future forecasting
• Finance and accounting -Bookkeeping, payroll management, budgeting, financial reporting, tax compliance, cloud based accountance
• Business growth/scale-up – growth strategies, decision making
• Innovation
• Diversification – location, product development, expansion of product/service, moving into a new sector, acquisition and mergers
• HR and Work Force Development – organisational change, employing people, compliance, training needs analysis, skills needs identification, sourcing of training and other provision, apprenticeships
• IT including cyber security, infrastructure and systems
• GRC (Governance, Risk & Compliance) – Corporate governance, risk management, and regulatory compliance

• Leadership, culture and change management

  Through the only Access to Finance service in Cumbria, we are offer bespoke, flexible support, and signposting to products and providers that will unlock business growth. Support includes:

• 1-2-1 support to assess your financial position and funding requirements
• 1-2-1 support to develop your business plan and financial forecasts
• 1-2-1 support to become investment ready including developing the investment proposition
• 1-2-1 support to identify the most relevant sources of funding for your business, plus assistance in discussions with potential investors
• Financial planning and helping to navigate the latest funding channels
• Pitch & presentation development for investment opportunities, including an initial elevator pitch
• Signposting and introductions including micro fund, start-up loan, bank funding, large debt financing, grant funding, R&D and equity finance
• Support in engaging with finance providers and providing relevant information through Cumbria Business Growth Hub channels

We’ve specific funding from Cumberland Council to help 40 businesses with business survival advice.

We’re also working on behalf of Enterprising Cumbria to deliver 3hrs or 12hrs pre-start and existing business advice and support.

You can choose to pay for support from a specific adviser(s) paying for the hours you need.

You can also receive support from our experienced team of business mentors through our chargeable mentoring programme as well as receive tailored and flexible export support through our export consultancy programme.

You can view business adviser and mentor profiles here – we still have a number to add.

To access any of the above please email info@cumbriagrowthhub.co.uk