22 January 2021

Dorset LEP announces additional £90K for business leader support

Dorset LEP announces additional £90K for business leader support

Dorset Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) has secured an additional £90,000 to fund a further 66 new participants in its Peer Network Programme.

The new money is in addition to £165,000 awarded to Dorset LEP last year and is a reflection of the positive impact and success the programme has had with the first induction of 120 Dorset business leaders.

Delivered through Dorset LEP’s business growth hub, Dorset Gateway, the programme is facilitated by experienced coaches from three delivery partners, Dorset Chamber of Commerce, Evolve Members and CIRCLE Leadership, for groups of up to 11 focused on areas of business development.   

Dorset LEP’s delivery of the programme has been held-up as one of a handful of exemplars across the national growth hub and LEP networks, and several participants are involved in a national Peer Networks promotional campaign, sharing their personal experience of the programme and discussing the benefits of this type of support.

Wayne Nennstiel, Senior Partner at Christchurch-based Goddards Quantity Surveyors, a participant in the first intake said: “This programme has helped me in many ways during what is an unpredictable time for many business owners. Keeping your business thriving or even going at the moment, is difficult and can exert great mental stress and anxiety, and this is where Peer Networks has helped me the most. To have a network session, to understand and listen to other people’s views, and to take those views on board personally and reflect them in your business has helped no end.

“The programme itself has been well co-ordinated, well lead and held remotely over video call, covering individual topics each time that may be relevant to a business and/or business owner.”

Each participant is also supported with one-to-one sessions, allowing them to further opportunity to develop new business development ideas and get additional tailored business advice and support.

Finn Morgan, Dorset LEP’s Business Engagement & Dorset Gateway Manager said: Our Peer Network programme has proved hugely popular and all of the original places were quickly snapped up. Participants tell us that as well as sharing business practices, they have benefitted in terms of their own resilience and motivation and I’m delighted that we’re able to reopen registrations and provide this brilliant programme to a further 66 SME business leaders in Dorset.”

The scheme is a national initiative funded by the Department for Business, Energy and Industry (BEIS) that brings SME business leaders together to share experience and expertise. 

For more information about Peer Networks visit the Dorset LEP website: www.dorsetlep.co.uk/peer-networks-programme 

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Dorset LEP

Dorset Local Enterprise Partnership is a business led private and public sector partnership, promoting local economic growth and prosperity. Dorset LEP deliver projects that support and develop infrastructure, housing, skills, enterprise and business growth to achieve long-term economic benefit for all in Dorset.

For more information visit the Dorset LEP website http://www.dorsetlep.co.uk/

Dorset Gateway

Delivered by Dorset Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP), in partnership with Dorset Chamber, Dorset Gateway is part of the national Growth Hub network, providing an informed and bespoke service, free to any Dorset-based businesses looking for help to source appropriate available solutions for growth and development.

Dorset Gateway offers free and impartial business advice, signposting to other support and funding opportunities to help businesses grow. As the central information and support hub for all businesses in the county, Dorset Gateway also provides access to a range of business engagement and innovation networks, and a fully funded bid-writing support service for businesses across Dorset.

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