Helping business

Regional Business Link is closing in November

From 7 November 2011, Business Link will be available online via: www.businesslink.gov.uk 

Information for Business Link customers:

As you may be aware the business support service you receive is provided by BLSE, on behalf of the South East England Development Agency (SEEDA), will close on 7 November 2011. All Regional Development Agencies, including SEEDA, will cease operating on the 31 March 2012. In January 2012 the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) will become Data Controller for all data held in relation to your contact with this service and will be responsible for ensuring that the processing of this data complies with the requirements of the Data Protection Act 1998. Please be assured that all data you have provided will continue to be held securely, will not be shared inappropriately and will only be used for the purposes you provided it. BIS is registered with the Information Commissioner's Office – under registration number Z1839175.

Should you have any queries or concerns you should contact:

I) Daniellorusso@seeda.co.uk, Head of Information, SEEDA (prior to the end of January 2012); and

ii) Gina.Coulson@bis.gsi.gov.uk, Data Compliance Officer, BIS (after January 2012)

Regional Innovation and Growth Services have closed.

Information for IGT Customers:

As you may be aware the business support service you receive is provided by the Innovation and Growth Team, on behalf of the South East England Development Agency (SEEDA), closed on 30 August 2011. All Regional Development Agencies, including SEEDA, will cease operating on the 31 March 2012. In January 2012 the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) will become Data Controller for all data held in relation to your contact with this service and will be responsible for ensuring that the processing of this data complies with the requirements of the Data Protection Act 1998. Please be assured that all data you have provided will continue to be held securely, will not be shared inappropriately and will only be used for the purposes you provided it. BIS is registered with the Information Commissioner's Office – under registration number Z1839175.

Should you have any queries or concerns you should contact:

i) Daniellorusso@seeda.co.uk, Head of Information, SEEDA (prior to the end of January 2012); and

ii) Gina.Coulson@bis.gsi.gov.uk, Data Compliance Officer, BIS (after January 2012)

On March 17 Mark Prisk, Minister of State for Business and Enterprise, announced a streamlined and refocused Solutions for Business portfolio. The range of Solutions for Business products will be rationalised and simplified during this financial year. To keep up to date on what is changing please visit www.businesslink.gov.uk/governmentsupport ‘

We want to make it quick and easy for businesses to find the support they need, so we have a single point of contact for all enquiries. Our Business Link experts will find out what you need and get you expert support. SEEDA’s key objective is to provide a range of excellent services to support businesses in the South East and help them take advantage of the economic upturn. We offer a wide range of practical support delivered in conjunction with our partners and underpinned by the very best economic intelligence.

SEEDA manages Business Link in the South East along with Finance South East, which administers the Transition Loan Fund and the Manufacturing Advisory Service, which helped businesses contribute £92million to the UK economy during 2008-2009. To learn more about our delivery partners, click on the Useful Links, at right.

To contact Business Link in the South East

Business Link is open from 9.00am - 5.30pm

Tel: 0845 600 9 006
Web: http://www.businesslink.gov.uk/
Contact Business Link in the South East by email

Our services aim to:

• strengthen international competitiveness
• support high-growth and innovation, and
• increase productivity.

Our specialist advisers can help with:

• starting and growing your business
• increasing productivity and export opportunities
• locating your business in the South East
• other tailored and confidential advice.

Business Link can help you with:

Access Finance

• starting or expanding your business

• facing difficulties in obtaining credit

• considering investing in research & development (R&D)

Starting and growing your business

• access to funding

• mentoring support

• help in exploiting market opportunities

• accelerating your growth to realise your global potential

Business Innovation

• develop new technologies, services or processes

• collaborate with research and educational organisations

• specialist design and manufacturing advice

Reduce carbon costs

• exploit the economic opportunities that green technologies provide

• inform decision making into how best to reduce your carbon footprint and save money

• reduce the cost of your waste and turn it into marketable goods

Develop skills

• increase your business' profitability by developing your employee's skills

• move into new markets and increase your customer base through enhanced leadership and management skills

High growth sectors (advanced engineering, aerospace and defence, environmental technologies, financial services, information technologies and digital media, life sciences and health technologies)

• identify trade opportunities, supply chains and technologies

• advice, coaching and mentoring to fast-growing businesses

Related links

For information regarding the Accelerator Fund, Commercialisation Fund, Transition Fund, South East Seed Fund and Collaboration Fund, please visit the website of our delivery partner, Finance South East.

Leadership and Management Advisory Service

Rural Development Programme for England (RDPE)

European investment

Useful Links