Midlands merger to boost business support
The merger of two of the region's leading business support providers is set to provide companies across the West Midlands with a major boost.
West Midlands Manufacturing Consortium (WMMC) and Winning Moves have joined forces to create a powerful organisation that is promising to help more than 1,500 growing firms every year.
The not-for-profit body will be able to call upon more than 200 specialists, offering one-on-one support, accredited training programmes and access to a software portfolio featuring the renowned Benchmark Index.
The merger will also provide the perfect platform to bid for new regional and national business support contracts and in leveraging funding opportunities from the ERDF and the Regional Growth Fund.
Lorraine Holmes, chief executive of WMMC, said: "This is a really great fit, as there are so many synergies between the two organisations that, when you put them together, can enhance even further the level of business support we can provide to SMEs and growing enterprises. We obviously have the proven track record in delivering dedicated manufacturing assistance, whereas Winning Moves has helped over 30,000 firms to start and grow since 1996."
She described the merger as "business support simplification in the purest sense of the word."
Adrian Davies, chief executive officer of Winning Moves, said: "We want firms to turn to us first when they are looking for assistance in overcoming challenges, exploring new markets and making the most of opportunities.
"Together, we can support in excess of 1,500 firms every year and have a host of new contracts we can bid for."
WMMC, based at Wolverhampton Science Park, is responsible for delivering the successful Manufacturing Advisory Service (MAS) across the West Midlands, the North West and the North East.
Winning Moves operates from offices in Birmingham and Stafford, providing expert consultancy to start-ups, high growth business and firms looking for accredited leadership and management training.
It delivers the Growth Accelerator programme across Birmingham and Staffordshire, runs the Stoke and Staffordshire business helpline for the local LEP and operates business information portal www.winning.co.uk.
Lorraine added: "WMMC and Winning Moves will continue to trade independently, but will be pooling resources, skills and capabilities to ensue businesses have access to the best assistance in the UK."
For further information on the new organisation, visit www.winningmoves.com or contact 01902 838300
