About

Nicola Kent - Business & Enterprise Support Manager

Business & Enterprise Support Manager

I manage the Business & Enterprise Support team at Staffordshire County Council. As part of my duties I provide operational managerial support to the Stoke- on-Trent & Staffordshire Growth Hub and ensure that the responsibilities of the accountable body are fulfilled. It is my job to make sure that the Growth Hub works efficiently and effectively and contributes towards improving the economy of Staffordshire by providing support to businesses of all sizes and sectors.

Chris Plant - Growth Hub Manager

Growth Hub Manager

With over fifteen years working in the business support arena, I’m well-placed to advise on all aspects of business support including grants, mentoring, skills, marketing and business development.

Following on from a career in the public sector then moving in to the private sector with the Chamber, I’ve successfully managed a number of funded and non-funded business support contracts across Staffordshire, which have helped well over 1,000 businesses to date. The support has also led to the successful creation and safeguarding of thousands of jobs throughout the County.

I’m now the Growth Hub Manager, responsible for managing the team of advisors and delivering business growth and stability through the Growth Hub.

Matthew Hustwit - Growth Hub Team Leader and Funding & Finance Specialist Advisor

Growth Hub Team Leader

With over twenty years in the Corporate Banking sector, I’m well placed to advise on all aspects of finance including grants, debt, equity funding, crowd funding and other available sources. Following a long-term career in banking, I’ve successfully managed an £8m grant fund for SME’s in Staffordshire. This has helped businesses to invest in capital equipment and led to the creation and safeguarding of over 1,000 jobs throughout the County.

I’m now the Growth Hub Funding Advisor and I’m replicating this success once again. I advise many businesses on available grants and funding, through my vast knowledge, connections and experience. If you are looking to grow your business and are not sure who to turn to for advice and funding support, then I’m on hand to help.

Rebecca Parker - Business Advisor and Growth Hub Business Helpline Manager

Business Advisor and Growth Hub Business Helpline Manager

I’m an accredited, qualified Business Advisor for the Stoke-on-Trent & Staffordshire Growth Hub and I also manage the Business Support Helpline for the County that is accessible to all Staffordshire SME’s seeking advice and support. The Business Helpline acts as the focal point for businesses that wish to start or grow, where I provide information to the co-ordinated and cohesive growth programme information, access to business networks, growth groups and links to specialist information, grant and business funding advice and services.

I can advise on eligibility for ERDF funding for businesses trading within the LEP area. With extensive knowledge and strong stakeholder relationships County-wide, I’m keen to promote the drive for strong, sustainable business growth across Staffordshire with my strong interpersonal expertise and proficiency in business support & development, evident in my successful career history in both public and private sector roles ranging from my time in the West Mercia Constabulary, policing, to a successful career as the UK Business manager for the Chartered Institution of Occupational Safety and Health, to name a few.

I’m largely involved in the running of the Growth Hub business support workshops, seminars and events along with offering businesses the flexible option to meet for a confidential 1-2-1 Business diagnostic across Stafford Borough, through to North Staffordshire. Committed to my career development, i am currently working towards Chartered Management status with a BA (Hons) Chartered Business Management Degree.

Rebecca Wilson - Business & Enterprise Support

Business & Enterprise Support

Working behind the scenes, my role consists of managing budgets and contracts for the Growth Hub, to ensure we deliver our aims alongside adhering to compliance.

I work closely with the advisors to agree events, marketing and publicity of the Growth Hub. I’m also responsible for collating, analysing and reporting data gained from supporting businesses, as required by our funding authorities.

Vicky Frost - Growth Hub Business and International Trade Advisor

Growth Hub and DIT Advisor

I’m a Growth Hub Advisor who meets with companies to complete a diagnostic and refer them to relevant support partners who can help them. I also co-ordinate the growth hub advisor knowledge sessions and 1-2-1 business support clinics that are held around the county.

I have 7 years’ experience working in the International Trade Team doing export documentation and have a vast knowledge of country requirements for export documentation.

Pam Wallis - Growth Hub Advisor - South Staffordshire

Growth Hub Advisor- South Staffordshire

As an ILM accredited qualified business advisor, covering the whole of the south Staffordshire region, I bring a vast amount of experience and knowledge to this role by running two successful businesses.

Through a business analysis, I can identify and empathise what the business needs are and what support they need to support their growth.

I also manage and attend growth hub events across southern Staffordshire and deliver growth hub clinics and 1-1 business support meetings, or will meet with a business at their premises to carry out a business assessment / diagnostic.

Maxine Darrock - Growth Hub Advisor - South Staffordshire

Growth Hub Advisor- South Staffordshire

My primarily role is managing the organisation of the Growth Hub Workshops and Events in the South Staffordshire area covering Burton & District, Chase & District, Lichfield and Tamworth and surrounding areas.

In addition to this, as a business advisor for the Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire Growth Hub and having extensive knowledge with many years of experience including export and documentation, I support and help businesses to connect with local companies, increase their profile through networking events and help to grow their business.

Declan Riddell - Growth Hub Advisor

Growth Hub Advisor

Working as one of the Growth Hub Advisers in Stoke-on-Trent & Staffordshire, I meet with businesses to identify any areas which may be in need of advice, information or support. Using the Growth Hub diagnostic tool, I aim to signpost businesses to available help across the area and this could include business planning, marketing planning, training opportunities, growing overseas business or searching for available funding at any given moment.

Melissa Soleimani - Growth Hub Junior Business Advisor

Growth Hub Junior Business Advisor

After graduating with a degree in BA Hons International Business, I was fortunate to gain experience within the Department of International Trade, at Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce, whereby I successfully passed the BCC Foundation Award in International Trade before landing a role as a Brexit advisor during of 2019.

My passion to help companies overcome barriers, grow and prosper became evident and has complimented my current role at the Growth Hub as a Junior Business Advisor, while embracing the learning of the funding schemes and partner programmes to offer rounded business support to SME’s across Staffordshire.

I also play an instrumental role in the Growth Hub’s communications and marketing team, alongside co-ordinating and hosting our events and webinars.  

Fiona Miller - Growth Hub Marketing Advisor

Growth Hub Marketing Advisor

I’ve worked in the field of marketing for over 14 years and it is a huge passion. My experience is a real fusion, which includes working for the media, a stint in private sector and running my own business. I’ve worked across a multitude of industries, including manufacturing, education, local government, property, leisure, finance, political and legal. This variety really helps me to get under the skin of any business and provide well rounded advice. My marketing expertise covers many touch points, both on and offline, including social media, paid search, web builds, email campaigns, blogs, events, print advertising, outdoor media, collateral and direct mail.

As a specialist in strategy, I can help you work towards matching your marketing plan to your business goals. Marketing advice through the Growth Hub is a really great way to refine your ideas and set you on the right track for success!

Richard Brace - Business Growth Advisor

Growth Hub Business Growth Advisor

Having over 30 years’ experience in business advice and consultancy – including 20 years as owner and Director of an international business research company – I have consulted with firms of all sizes in all sectors.  I am now the Growth Hub’s Business Growth Advisor, offering advice and information to companies looking to grow.

If you are looking to grow your business, or re-establish your position after the Covid-19 lockdown, I can meet with you and offer advice and an objective diagnostic of your growth strategy to help get your company on the road to growth and success.

Alan Bloomfield- Specialist Digital Advisor

Specialist Digital Advisor

With over thirty years working for a Major Blue-Chip FTSE 100 Telecommunications Provider, I have extensive experience ranging from hands on Engineering, Operations management and IT Consultancy in PBX and Network Telecommunications. Specialisms include Mitel, Nortel, Avaya and Cisco accreditation along with CI, Lean, Project (Prince 2) and Sales Management experience.

I have successfully implemented a £9.2m Digital Transformation of the Coventry and Warwick University Pilot, this transformed the “Learning journey” for the students from a “paper based” experience to a very dynamic “virtual journey”

I am now the Specialist Digital Business Advisor in Stafford and Stoke Chamber, where I am using my technical expertise and ability to build relationships with key partners and clients and offer specialist guidance and support in the Digital Transformation journey that we are about to embark on.

The UK telecommunications voice and data network by 2025 will be moving from a traditional mixture of copper and fibre network to a fully embedded and integrated IP Platform. This will transform the speed and diversity in which business will interact, for those who do not make the most of the journey will be left behind.

My role as Specialist Digital Business Advisor is to help and support businesses in making this journey, exploiting digital opportunities to grow businesses by working collaboratively with the growth hub for any funding available and our local businesses to help drive the local prosperity.

Lewis Kemp - Digital Advisor

Digital Advisor

I have worked in the digital field for over 5 years and have hands on experience in a large spectrum of digital specialities. I have worked across a range of industries which really helps me understand the needs of any business and puts me in a position to provide the best advice.

I am now the Digital Advisor for Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce; where my role is to complete detailed diagnostics with businesses across the county to identify their immediate-, medium- and long-term digital needs.

The diagnostic will be the first step in helping to implement a digital strategy, ensuring Staffordshire businesses are making the most of digital, data and technology solutions and innovations.

Radian Jawadin - Data Management Analyst

Data Management Analyst

Rad’s role is to support and manage the data functions of the organisation. Working extensively on providing in-depth data analysis, in order to improve the services, we provide to our members.

Amanda Swann - Specialist HR Advisor

Specialist HR Advisor

As a HR Advisor working with the Growth Hub, I use a diagnostics tool to find individual business’s current needs.  This helps me to support and signpost businesses to the most up to date employment processes and legislation.

I have worked in Human Resources for more than 15 years and have gained experience of several sectors such as retail, manufacturing, warehousing/distribution and offices.  I am a Chartered Member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development and hold a Level 7 Human Resources qualification.

I am passionate about businesses in Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire thriving to build a future of employment and possibilities for the next generation.