Business Link Northwest has conducted a detailed review of its operations to bring it in line with in-year Government budget reductions at the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA).
This review has also taken into account anticipated budget reductions for 2011/12, when funding is expected to be reduced further following the Comprehensive Spending Review in October. As a result of this review a restructuring of the organisation is proposed, to deliver a streamlined Business Link service focused for maximum impact.
Peter Watson, Managing Director of Business Link Northwest said: “We know there will be changes to the delivery of government business support and a White Paper will be released in the autumn setting out the coalition’s proposals in more detail. The proposed re-structure will allow us to be in a position to work with the Government and the emerging Local Enterprise Partnerships in order to allow for a smooth transition. In the meantime Business Link will continue to offer support to North West companies, and those considering starting a business. We are very much open for business and have a wealth of expertise here waiting to help businesses get growing again.”
Business Link Northwest’s telephone and face-to-face advisers, including Innovation and Access to Finance Teams, continue to work with growing businesses across the region, and, free and impartial advice is available for those looking to start their own business. The Business Link Northwest website is also packed full of information and ‘how to’ guides on a full-range of business issues.
The restructuring means that Business Link Northwest is proposing to reduce the number of staff it employs by 194 from a workforce of 338, these reductions will be across all departments.
Formal consultation with staff has begun and redundancies are likely to take place before the end of March 2011, in order to be in a position to continue to deliver the Business Link Service across the region within the new budgets.
