Carol Daniels, Operations Director, National Enterprise Network (NEN), attended a celebration launch event of the first Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) Strategy by the City of London Corporation at London’s Guildhall.
The event unveiled a comprehensive plan to support SMEs across the London, primarily through facilitating:
- Access to Finance – Working closely with institutions such as the British Business Bank and Highstreet banks to help City businesses navigate what finance options are open to them.
- Access to Data – Support SMEs access the City Corporation’s wide range of business databases, to empower them with valuable data-driven insights and helping them mitigate risks and capitalise on growth opportunities in a competitive business environment.
- Access to Space – Support growing firms to locate and expand in the City through activation of empty units and meanwhile use.
- Access to Expertise – Build on existing in-house expertise to strengthen the City’s offer and work more closely with City organisations such as the Company of Entrepreneurs, as well as offer free mentoring in partnership with the Association of Business Mentors.
- Access to Networks – A vibrant business environment by supporting networking opportunities and enhancing our existing events programme.
Spearheaded by Policy Chairman Chris Hayward and with key contributions from Lead Member for SMEs, Paul Singh, the strategy outlines several key initiatives.
It aims to enhance the visibility and accessibility of support for small businesses, unlock the City’s unparalleled networks, and develop a new support offer aimed at early growth companies and underrepresented groups. Additionally, it focuses on supporting growing firms to align with the City’s wider economic ambitions, in line with its “Destination City” vision. The strategy also seeks to streamline a fragmented business support landscape to provide excellent services and promotes openness and inclusivity by assisting a diverse range of founders and teams.
Carol Daniels expressed her support, stating, “The launch of the SME Strategy is a significant milestone in our collective efforts to bolster the SME sector. The comprehensive measures outlined in this plan will undoubtedly provide SMEs with the necessary tools and resources to navigate challenges and seize opportunities.”
Read the SME Strategy Report here.