Up to 24 local business who want to grow and develop their business are being invited to apply to take part in a national peer-to-peer networking programme.

Thanks to funding from the GLA, the programme is open to businesses from across Barking and Dagenham and will include interactive learning and support with finance, HR, sales, marketing and much more.

To be eligible for the programme, the business will have to have been operating for at least a year, employ at least five people and have a turnover of £100,000 and above. In addition, applicants should have an aspiration to improve, the potential to scale up their operation, and the potential or ability to export.

Councillor Sade Bright, Cabinet Member for Employment, Skills and Aspiration, said: “Now more than ever we are doing all we can to offer all the help and support we can to local businesses. This is an exciting opportunity for local businesses to grow in our determination to get Barking and Dagenham working.

“Whether it’s supporting business through grants, training support, advice, helping to recruit and train staff including apprenticeships there is always help and support available from the council. I look forward to the borough’s businesses getting in touch to take advantage of the programme.”

The programme will be delivered through group sessions with interactive learning, delivered by trained facilitators and in small cohorts, a flexible topic selection and with one to one support.

Businesses participating in the programme will benefit from being able to overcome business challenges and be able to recognise and act on new opportunities, build a trusted network of connections for support and improve their long-term personal and business performance.

For more information and to apply, interested businesses can contact: iain.gambardella@lbbd.gov.uk

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