Located on one of Scotland’s most scenic stretches of coastline, with a fantastic sport and leisure offer and an abundance of history and heritage, North Ayrshire is a great place to live.
It’s also a great place to do business, with assistance and support already in place that will help businesses flourish. Leading the way is North Ayrshire Council with its number one priority to grow its economy, increase employment and regenerate towns.
Creating an environment where world-class businesses such as UPM Caledonian (one of the world’s leading paper manufacturers), pharmaceutical giant GlaxoSmithKline and global leader in packaging solutions Ardagh Group, can thrive is key to the local authority’s plans. So too is providing the perfect setting for entrepreneurs to explore their potential and spaces where small and medium sized business can grow.
Karen Yeomans, Executive Director of Economy and Communities at North Ayrshire Council, said: “Boosting the local economy is one of our main priorities and since 2010, we have been systematically changing how we work in order to achieve this. Our first Economic Development and Regeneration (EDR) Strategy created a private sector-led EDR Board which includes local business people, University of Glasgow, Scottish Enterprise, Job Centre Plus, the local voluntary sector interface, Skills Development Scotland, Ayrshire Chamber of Commerce, Ayrshire College and the Scottish Government.”
The Board is one of the authority’s clear success stories in recent years, along with their pioneering approach to providing business support – known as Team North Ayrshire.
Team North Ayrshire consists of public, private and third sector partners working together to ensure local businesses have access to their wealth of expertise and financial support.
Whether you have just started your company or you’re an established business seeking to expand, Team North Ayrshire will work with you to develop a bespoke growth plan, tailored to meet your needs.
Since its launch in 2013, Team North Ayrshire has gone from strength to strength, working directly with the top 250 companies which have been identified as having the greatest potential for growth.
In the last 12 months alone, the Team has supported more than 800 businesses and assisted in the creation of over 650 jobs.
Key to the Team’s success is developing in-depth relationships with businesses in order for them to grow, prosper and become more competitive. They want businesses to succeed and create a vibrant North Ayrshire economy for its communities to operate in.
Team North Ayrshire has helped a number of local companies release their growth potential. Kids golfing specialists, Golphin For Kids, began their business journey three years ago as an entrepreneurial start up. After joining forces with Team North Ayrshire, the innovative business has soared thanks to the tailored support and small private and public grant funding interventions offered by North Ayrshire’s unique approach to business support.
In recognition of their success, the business received HSBC’s Golf Innovation Award in Shanghai in 2015, and more recently seen growth and expansion in both UK and international markets – with committed plans to grow in Australia, Asia and the USA.
Calum McPherson, Golphin For Kids Managing Director, said: “Attracting kids into the game of golf can be challenging, but with the right products and learning environment it can be done. The first-class support offered to us through Team North Ayrshire is helping our business accelerate growth with particular support on innovation, exports and our schools golf development project.”
North Ayrshire offers businesses a great platform for growth and a competitive advantage in an increasingly challenging marketplace.
Team North Ayrshire can help companies access their innovative, tailored, one-to-one approach which is aimed at meeting your business needs and achieving the best results for your company.
With the support of Team North Ayrshire, businesses locating to the area are sure to flourish. Find out how the business support can help you realise your business ambitions by calling 01294 449944 or visit
www.northayrshireforbusiness.com
