Last week saw the launch of two new services, both enhancing the support available to Cumbria’s SMEs through Cumbria Business Growth Hub.

Cumbria Business Growth Hub now offers an Access to Finance and a Workforce Development service.

Both services will offer support to established businesses as well as start-ups through Cumbria Business Growth Hub and our Business Start-Up Support programme.

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Lesley Robinson, Business Support Manager with Cumbria Chamber of Commerce said: "I’m really pleased to welcome Maria Ramsdale of Maria Ramsdale Finance Ltd and Ray McCreadie of LEAN TeamGB to the team. Both bring to the table many years of experience and knowledge and they can’t wait to work with SMEs in Cumbria."

Through the Access to Finance service the team are offering bespoke, flexible support, signposting to products and providers that will unlock business growth. 

Some of the support includes: 1-2-1 support to assess your financial position and funding requirements, financial planning and help to navigate the latest funding channels and 1-2-1 support to become investment ready including developing the investment proposition. Amongst many other aspects of support. 

The Workforce Development service says they offer experienced, knowledgeable, and impartial support to review your skills needs and access relevant training more effectively. 

Some of the support includes working with SMEs to undertake Training Needs Analyses, produce training plans and budgets and, ideally, embed this learning in the business. 

As well as helping businesses to identify and source relevant training and development, which may be funded or paid for, engaging with the Skills Hub and wider providers. 

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Maria Ramsdale, Maria Ramsdale Finance Ltd added: "I’m delighted to be working with Cumbria Business Growth Hub delivering their access to finance programme. I have a wealth of experience dealing with start-ups to larger SME's and a breadth of knowledge across all finance products covering the North West.

"I am passionate about supporting businesses across Cumbria and this service is well overdue so contact Cumbria Business Growth Hub asap for all your funding needs and take advantage of the free access support your business can receive."