Scale Up Ashford
What is Scale Up Ashford?
Scale Up Ashford is a business programme, providing support for companies located in Ashford with the ambition and capacity to grow.
As part of our commitment to developing economic prosperity across the borough and build an environment in which local businesses can grow, Ashford Borough Council funded and launched the programme in September 2017. The programme is delivered by Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce in partnership with Kent-based coaching company New Level Results. Selected businesses will receive several thousand pounds worth of support from first class business coaches, with only a nominal monthly contribution fee of £50 to help cover costs as well as to demonstrate commitment to the programme.
The first six businesses benefited from six months consultancy with coaching firm New Level Results. Through a series of monthly meeting, each company built a tailored programme focused on their needs and noticed some substantial positive changes by the end of the programme, including a 21% average increase in turnover and £20,000 secured in grant funding. They have also hired a total of 17 new employees over the six months and invested over £500,000 in new plant and machinery.
Following the first cohort’s success, the second cohort started in April 2018 and have been working closely with Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce and New Level Results to scale up their business. You can keep track their progress in our latest Scale Up blog update.
Benefits of joining the programme
Businesses selected to join Scale Up Ashford receive:
an agreed number of hours of consultancy, given by a highly-successful growth coach,
access to specialised business growth tools,
unlimited access to a localised team of experts specifically chosen to help you address and overcome key barriers to growth, such as international trade, finance, HR, property or legal queries,
grant and funding application support to access the appropriate local, regional and national government funding schemes,
exclusive membership to a network of likeminded business owners, to share common challenges, best practise and collaboration opportunities,
a unique platform to promote, showcase and celebrate their business success.
Scale Up Ashford’s success
The first six businesses benefited from six months consultancy with coaching firm New Level Results. Through a series of monthly meeting, each company built a tailored programme focused on their needs and noticed some substantial positive changes by the end of the programme, including a 21% average increase in turnover and £20,000 secured in grant funding. They have also hired a total of 17 new employees over the six months and invested over £500,000 in new plant and machinery.
Following the first cohort’s success, the second cohort started in April 2018 and have been working closely with Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce and New Level Results to scale up their business. You can keep track their progress in our latest Scale Up blog update.
How to apply to Scale Up Ashford
To Find out more about the programme or register your interest, contact a member of the team using the Expression of Interest for Scale Up Ashford form.
