During these unprecedented times GC Business Growth Hub is #HereForBusiness in Greater Manchester. If you’re concerned about the impact that COVID-19 might have on your business, we are here to help you navigate the latest government information and provide specialist advice.

1. Paula Ackers
Senior Advisor – SEDA Project
GC Business Growth Hub
GC BGH
Business Support

2. GC BGH
GC Strategy
Client asks
G
GM asks m
Government asks

3. What did we change?
3) Integrated / Standard Service Offer
In response to COVID 19 – all of these
services are now available virtually in
both one to one and group sessions
to meet business needs

4. Project Mercury
• Engaging with 25,000 GM SMEs
• Providing information on the support
available during COVID19
• Sign posting to specialist advisors and
external organisations
https://www.businessgrowthhub.com/coronavirus

5. GC Finance
• Provider of Government Finance Schemes during COVID 19
• Start Up Loans
• Greater Manchester funding streams
https://www.businessgrowthhub.com/coronavirus

6. Strive and Thrive
• These interactive group sessions have been designed to help SMEs overcome the difficulties
presented by COVID19, whilst offering practical advice and guidance on the steps they can
take in their own business. Attendees will benefit from specialist, up to date advice, peer to
peer learning and be able to engage with businesses going through the same challenges.
There will be a question and answer session at the end so that every attendee has the
chance to ask for advice specific to their own circumstances.
• Strategy
• Finance and Government Covid related schemes
• Marketing strategy
• Digital marketing
• Leadership through challenging times
• Supply chain management
• Attendance at the workshops is by registration only. The links for these are now live on our
website and can be found at https://www.businessgrowthhub.com/coronavirus/strive-and-
thrive-workshop-series

7. COVID 19 Response
• Compilation of COVID surveys with SMEs and sector analysis to
provide sitrep reports for local and national government
• Dedicated team researching and proving resources for SMEs
based on government announcements through the pandemic –
• including the production of risk assessment templates
for returning to work
• Sourcing through supply chains and
the diversification of GM Manufacturers
PPE for the NHS and other care industries

8. #HereforBusiness
Campaign
• As a direct response to the impact businesses are facing as a result of
COVID-19, the team at GC Business Growth Hub has been working on
various projects to ensure we’re supporting businesses to survive
through this current time including help and guidance on accessing
the new government financial schemes. This led to the creation of
our #HereforBusiness campaign, extended enquiry line opening
times, the sitrep report on impacts businesses and sectors are facing
and regular COVID19 business related advice published on our
website, in line with the daily government updates

9. 12 week Rapid Response
Cohort COVID 19 –
providing mentoring
support to address
immediate challenges as
a result of the pandemic
12 month mentoring support
programme matching SME
leaders to a mentor to a high
calibre mentor from a leading
firm including GSK, Amazon.
John Lewis & BAE

10. Skills Brokerage – SEDA
• Breaking down barriers to apprenticeships for GM SME’s 2017-2020.
• Over 2000 employers engaged and over 600 new apprenticeship
starts.
• Workforce Development, impartial advice and Skills / Provider
Brokerage.
• Repurpose following closure of the #SeeDifferent support grant
March 2020.
• What does Repurpose look like?
• Links to Levy Matchmaking Service and wider Skills Brokerage.

11. Thank You
Questions