A Teesside business owner whose company has supercharged a range
of our region's own start-ups has revealed how business and grant
support have given him a vital boost.
Redcar's Lee Walker has seen his business, Walker Business
Transformation, go from strength to strength with the help of
grants via the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and a range of business
support.
Now the 55-year-old is passing on his expertise and knowledge to
other businesses in our region through the Tees Valley Supply Chain,
with the support of RTC North, and also through the Tees Valley Expertise
programme with Orangebox.
Lee said: “I've been on their expertise programme as an expert
providing three or four businesses in the area 20 hours of funded
support through the Combined Authority.
“This has meant my business has benefitted as it's opened doors
for me regionally – the local businesses have benefitted too by
applying some of the LEAN principles we teach.
“I'm also a receiver of the Expertise Programme – I've got a
great coach in Iain Caldwell who has helped me with my business
plan and positioned my business ready for the next three to five
years.”
Walker Business
Transformation provide training, consultancy and fractional
management in a particular area called Lean Six Sigma. This
is a process which makes firms more efficient and reduces waste.
It's Lee's knowledge in this field which has seen him share his
expertise through workshops on the Tees Valley Supply Chain
programme.
This has benefitted his firm as it's secured vital targeted
connections for his business and allowed him to forge a stronger
foothold in the Tees Valley.
He added: “It has really opened doors for us in the region.
“With the help of the Tees Valley Supply Chain programme, I
organised and delivered Six Sigma workshops tailored for local
businesses. I also built strong connections within the local
business community, which helped raise my profile and generate
new consultancy leads.
“The benefit to Tees Valley businesses is they can find ways of
becoming more productive and more efficient within their
organisation in the services and products that they provide.”
The Tees Valley Supply Chain offers personalised support from
advisors and specialists to help firms address supply chain
challenges – and link them with world-leading firms in the region
as well as the local and national business community.
Businesses can access workshops, networking and events, alongside
industry visits and an online exchange portal.
It also focusses on ‘capacity building' – offering tools,
networks, intelligence to help local businesses secure new
revenue in existing or new markets.
Meanwhile, Tees Valley Expertise is delivered by Orangebox
Training on behalf of the Combined Authority and aims to connect
local SMEs with the industry expertise they need to grow.
Former IT manager Lee, who has also had backing from Like Us to
develop his website, said the support he'd received via grants
and programmes had made a huge difference in boosting his
company's name locally.
“We have a much higher profile in the Tees Valley now,” he said.
“I'm getting contacted by other businesses in the Tees Valley
that either want to join the Expertise programme, or want to be
part of the Supply Chain.
“In turn, several local businesses have sought my services after
attending the workshops, which has expanded my client base in the
region.”
Seeing the difference his support makes to businesses is what
keeps Lee coming back to work every day.
“When I see an organisation improve productivity, improve morale
and get the team working together and focused on delivering the
things which matter to the customer, it's just so rewarding for
me.”
Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen said: “Entrepreneurs like Lee who
have the drive to go out, take a risk and create new businesses
are crucial to our region's very fabric and our future success.
“His example shows not only how we have talent and knowledge
right here on our doorstep, but also shows we can help him to
pass on his expertise to our rich bed of businesses right here in
Teesside, Darlington and Hartlepool. In turn, his company is
reaping the benefits of our business support and getting the
grants it needs to grow and thrive.
“This is what the programmes are all about – linking up
businesses, getting them the support they need, and making
connections here in our region to ensure as many people as
possible get the chance to tap into what we do best.”
Mike Racz, Tees Valley Business Board Lead for Business Growth,
added: “Lee's company is a great example of what we want these
programmes to do. His invaluable experience and knowledge are
perfect to pass onto our region's businesses and companies.
“In return, we see new connections forged and more business
generated within the Tees Valley.”
The Tees Valley Supply Chain and Tees Valley Expertise support
programmes are fully funded by the UK Government through
the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
To find out more, go to: Business & Invest in Tees
Valley
