Surrey County Council launches workforce wellbeing programme to boost business performance
Published 12 March 2025
Advice and support, Skills and workforce
Businesses today face increasing pressure to balance operational demands while supporting their employees, and maintaining a competitive edge. ย
While employee wellbeing often falls down the list of priorities, research shows that organisations which prioritise employee wellbeing experience a number of business benefits including:
Fewer absences and greater productivity
Improved employee satisfaction and morale
Enhanced recruitment and retention
To help businesses improve mental heath and wellbeing across their teams, Surrey County Council has launched the Workforce Wellbeing programme. This is a free initiative aimed at Surrey businesses with 10 or more employees, and provides a clear path to improving workplace wellbeing and create healthier, more engaged workplaces (without increasing anyoneโs workload).
Empowering businesses with tailored support
The Workforce Wellbeing Programme is designed to tackle the daily hurdles businesses encounter, from tight deadlines to workplace stress. By offering customised support, practical tools, and evidence-based strategies, this programme empowers organisations to improve employee engagement and build a workplace culture based on trust and wellbeing.
A comprehensive framework for success
The programme is built around six key pillars, providing businesses with a clear roadmap to improve workplace wellbeing. Through this initiative, organisations can access a wealth of free resources that make a tangible difference, including:
Customised Solutions: Tailored to meet each organisationโs unique needs.
Self-Assessment Tools: Identify key areas for improvement.
Engagement Materials: Inspire and involve employees in wellbeing initiatives.
Expert-Led Training: Training sessions provided by Surrey County Council experts.
Research-Backed Strategies: Practical strategies supported by evidence.
Collaborative Network: Join a supportive community of businesses prioritising workforce health.
The programme is flexible and accessible and designed to integrate into organisations of all sizes, from ten employees to several hundred or more.
Invitation to Surrey businesses
Surrey County Council invites organisations with 10 or more employees to take part in this free support programme. Whether youโre beginning your wellbeing journey or seeking to build on existing initiatives, this programme provides the tools, expertise, and community needed to succeed.
From pop-up to permanent: how a Multiply course helped Rita achieve her dream business
Published 6 March 2025
Advice and support, Surrey Success Stories
When Rita gave up her job in a creative agency for health reasons, she knew she wanted to do something different next: she wanted to help people in some way, and make use of the love and knowledge of plants she learned from her grandmother, (also named Rita). Here’s how a Multiply course helped make that happen.
Rita landed on the idea to open a plant shop with a difference – one with a strong community ethos and emphasis on mental health.
โI just envisioned a place where it would be more of a community-based business. I wanted to not just have a plant shop, my goal was to create a space for people to feel more themselves.โ
However, she wasnโt sure how to get started. She felt lacking in investment funds and business knowledge, and crucially, was also lacking in confidence about her numeracy skills.
And thatโs where Rita discovered Multiply. Funded by government, Multiply courses were created to help adults without Maths GCSE to improve their maths skills and number confidence. There have been a huge range of different courses offered under the Multiply programme, including many with a practical element, or focusing on specific interests that are related to, but not limited to, maths and numeracy.
Rita was able to take a Multiply course on ‘How to start your own business without money’ run by The Rebel Business School (a Multiply provider for Surrey County Council). It didnโt cost her anything, and boosted her number confidence from a score of 1 out of 5 before the course, to a score of 4 out of 5 on completion.
Importantly the course helped her to understand tax, VAT, and the basics of setting up and running a small business so that she felt confident to make the leap and start her own. She says,
โIn terms of numeracy, [the course] really boosted my knowledge. And then I got the confidence when I got through it.โ
Following the Multiply course, although Rita still didnโt have any funds to invest in starting a business, she took the resilience and adaptability skills sheโd learned on the course and applied to a business competition to win a pop-up-shop premises in Guildford.
โI didn’t have a lot of things to help me to go where I wanted, but [the course] pushed me to find alternative routes. They taught me skills of dig deep, keep looking, just keep going, it will happen, you’ve just got to keep searching, it might take longer but you’ll get there. And how to barter, how to get things.โ
Rita won the pop-up premises, and made such a success of it that her plant shop, Rita Botanicals (named after her Nonna Rita), now has a permanent home in Guildfordโs White Lion Walk. All thanks to that initial Multiply course she took.
And has Rita fulfilled her dream of running a business that is also a place for the community to benefit from? She says,
โIt’s like this bridge between generations and a common interest, which is really nice to see. And also a lot of people get educated on nature again, because they don’t have the means to get out and about. ย Whatever they’re going through it encourages them to bring it home. And I think that really helps a lot of people with their anxieties as well. I have a lot of people with depression that come through and I see how much they feel more at ease in the shop and I love that. So it’s not just a business it’s more of a place as well.โ
Support for Surrey businesses
Although the Multiply programme comes to an end in March 2025, there are still many opportunities for Surrey residents to gain skills. Find out more on the Surrey County Council website.
And if you’re looking for support for your Surrey business, speak to our team of experts who can provide tailored advice to help your business grow and succeed. Get in touch to find out more viaย our business support form.
You can also register to receive our newsletter, packed with the latest information on events, funding and more, for all Surrey businesses.
Two exciting new opportunities for creative businesses with CoSTAR network
Published 4 March 2025
Advice and support, Funding and grants, Innovation
CoSTAR network, the national R&D network serving the UKโs world-leading gaming, TV, film and performance sectors, has put out the call for creative businesses to apply to two new exciting opportunities: CoSTAR Ideate: Growth Lab and Residency, and CoSTAR Live Lab.
CoSTAR Ideate – creative technology
The CoSTAR Ideate call is open to 24 early growth companies in the creative technology sector. The programme will deliver enterprise and funding finance support from four of the new CoSTAR Network Labs.
The 24 successful companies will each benefit from a 5-month residency at one of the four CoSTAR Labs, (including desk and lab space). They will also receive business development guidance, lab time to enable product development, access to expert technical support and resources, and access to a community of like-minded start-ups and entrepreneurs from the creative technology sector.โฏย And there are no fees to pay for any of this support.
CoSTAR Live Lab, is inviting companies, technologists, and creatives to apply for their call to help shape the future of live performance.
While based at the world-renowned Production Park in Yorkshire โ where icons like Beyoncรฉ, Metallica and The Rolling Stones prepare for their world tours โ this call is open to applications from across the UK.
This call invites applications from teams with creative R&D projects focussed on the live performance sector, looking for the opportunity to accelerate and advance their innovation activity.
The following support packages are available for the successful applicants:
up to two intensive one-week development sprints at the CoSTAR Live Lab. This includes on-boarding and orientation by the technical team.
research staff will guide and collaborate with you during the tenancy, with further ad-hoc support possible outside of the sprint windows.
cash funding of up to ยฃ13,000 to contribute towards costs in undertaking the project, such as contracting performers, interaction design, editing, consumables etc.
if a project requires a period of residency (two or more days) and if travel distance is more than two hours from that lab, a company stipend of up to ยฃ4,000 is available to support travel and accommodation.ย
To find out more about the CoSTAR Live Lab call, watch the recording of the information webinar here.
Application timings
Both calls are open to applicants across the UK.
Applications for CoSTAR Live Lab close on Thursday 20 March, 2025, and the CoSTAR Ideate call closes on Monday 24 March 2025, so click the links to find out more information and apply today.
Further support for Surrey businesses
Business Surrey isย Surrey County Councilโs service providing free and accessible support for all businesses across Surrey. Our team of experts can provide independent and impartial advice on exploring opportunities and how to tackle various challenges.
Whatever your business, our experts are here to help you succeed by providing access to quality resources, expert local knowledge and professional insight.
Our offer incudes:
an easy-to-useย support directoryย with more than 120 national and regional schemes.
Celebrating 50 years of Knowledge Transfer Partnerships
Published 17 February 2025
Innovation, Skills and workforce
For 50 years, Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTPs) have been at the forefront of innovation, forging dynamic collaborations between forward-thinking businesses and leading academics. These partnerships extend beyond theory, to provide tangible results, driving growth and transforming business.
Each KTP project is bespoke to address the specific innovation challenges and needs of the business. A highly qualified graduate or postgraduate (the Associate) is embedded within the company supported by a dedicated academic team. Imagine a business struggling to implement new technology or develop a ground-breaking product or service. This unique three-way partnership leverages cutting-edge research and expertise to implement innovative solutions that deliver real-world commercial impact.
Jointly funded by Innovate UK and the business partner, KTPs offer a transformative opportunity for businesses of all sizes. They empower companies to:
Develop innovative products, services, and processes that disrupt markets, capture new customers, and boost competitiveness
Streamline operations, reduce costs, and enhance efficiency, leading to improved profitability and sustainable growth
Access cutting-edge expertise and facilities that would otherwise be out of reach, providing a crucial competitive edge
Develop the skills of a highly qualified graduate or postgraduate, providing them with invaluable practical experience while contributing to the UK economy.
A Proven Track Record of Success
For 50 years, KTPs have been a catalyst for business success, driving productivity, profitability, and job creation across the UK. The numbers speak for themselves: between 2010-2020, KTPs โgenerated over ยฃ2 billion for the UK economy. Today, they continue to fuel innovation, supporting around 800 businesses and nurturing the careers of over 850 talented graduates. These aren’t just statistics; they represent real businesses thriving, new technologies emerging, and a brighter future for the UK economy. KTPs are more than partnerships; they are investments in innovation, driving growth and shaping the future.
The University of Surrey boasts a track record in supporting KTPs. With a 12-year, 100% success rate in KTP applications, the Surrey Enterprise Hubโs KTP team is committed to excellence in delivering collaborative research and innovation. They provide comprehensive support to businesses, ensuring a smooth journey from project inception to successful completion.ย
Proven success stories through diverse KTPs:
Butternut Box KTP team, ยฉ University of Surrey
The Surrey Enterprise Hub’s latest KTP project is with Butternut Box, a certified B Corp company specialising in producing Fresh, human-quality dog food. In collaboration with experts from the Universityโs School of Veterinary Medicine, the team will seek to scientifically prove the nutritional benefits of Fresh dog food, driving category growth and market share. David Nolan, co-founder of Butternut Box and Surrey alumnus, said
โAt Butternut, we’re proud to invest in and support non-invasive research. In recent years, we’ve focused on demonstrating the health benefits of feeding Fresh, as well as broader issues like weight management and fussy eating behaviour. All our findings are made public on our Research Hub at ButternutBox.com. Weโre excited to collaborate with the KTP and the University of Surrey in this ground-breaking study, which we hope will illustrate the transformative power of Fresh over traditional diets.”
William Medcalf and James Aitken (c) University of Surrey
In a previous successful partnership with William Medcalf Ltd, a renowned Vintage Bentley automotive engineering business, researchers from the Surrey Business School and the School of Engineering, collaborated with the company to redesign their supply chain and incorporate new technologies into its automative processes. This transformation led to business expansion, restructuring, and creating new roles.
Prof James Aitken, lead academic on the project, brought 30 yearsโ worth of experience in research and industry to the project:
โItโs not just my academic credentials, itโs my business knowledge, โฆ that is helping the business explore different avenues and different market opportunities.โ
Another success story involved partnering with scientific and medical instrument manufacturer, Thermo Fisher Scientific. The team leveraged the expertise of the Universityโs Advanced Technology Institute and Department of Mechanical Engineering, to develop a novel application of the x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) depth profiling.
Richard White, Director of Application Development at Thermo Fisher Scientific, said a KTP is invaluable for,
โtransferring some understanding, or innovation, or an idea thatโs currently in an academic environment โฆ into industry,โ and using that to โdevelop a new product or change an existing product to give new benefits.โ
The KTP project resulted in a new patented instrument and a lasting partnership between Thermo Fisher Scientific and the University.
At Business Surrey, our team of experts can provide tailored advice to help your business grow and succeed. Get in touch to find out more viaย our business support form.
You can alsoย register to receive our newsletter, to receive the latest information on events, funding and more, for all Surrey businesses, direct to your inbox every month.
Roundup of Surrey events in March
Published 14 February 2025
Events and awards
If you’re keen to leave the office/home office and get out and about a bit more now that Spring is finally on the way, our roundup of Surrey events in March will be just the thing for you, as many of the events coming up are taking place in-person.
Learn something new
Surrey County Council is holding the last of its current series of free business decarbonisation courses in Spelthorne in early March to help you calculate your business’s carbon footprint and drive down emissions.ย And Mole Valley food businesses can benefit from a fully funded nutrition workshop taking place in Dorking on 21st March. This event is funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and registrants can choose from an in-person event in the morning or afternoon, or opt for an online session instead.
Breakfast or lunch, take your pick for networking in March
As well as the usual business networking events to get your day off to a productive start, March also sees lunch making an appearance on the networking menu. Surrey Chambers mark International Women’s Day, and Mole Valley for Business host a networking lunch, both on 7th March.
March also sees the first of this year’s awards ceremonies taking place, with the celebration of Gatwick Business Diamond Awards on 20th March.
Submit your own event
As ever, our events directory is a great (free) way to promote your own business events to a wider audience. If your organisation is hosting or sponsoring a business event in Surrey, you can submit it for inclusion in the directory by completing this form.
Free support for Surrey SMEs
Business Surrey offers free and accessible support for all businesses in Surrey.
Our experts are on hand to provide tailored advice to help your SME grow and succeed. Get in touch with a member of the team via our business support form.
Funding for new apprenticeships now available to Surrey businesses
Published 12 February 2025
Advice and support, Funding and grants
Businesses can grow their workforce and boost productivity in just a few clicks by getting an apprenticeship funded by Surrey County Council.
As part of the Apprenticeship Levy Transfer Scheme, small and medium enterprises across the county can get fully funded support to train local talent.
Apprenticeships are widely recognised as a cost-effective way to recruit, improving diversity and filling skills gaps. In time, they can also help businesses grow, improve employee retention and support the wider economy.
Funding is available to pay for the training of dozens of new apprenticeships across the county.
It is open to all businesses in Surrey and allocated on a first come, first served basis โ meaning those interested should apply swiftly via the Surrey County Council website.
For those unsure of the process, a free 45-minute webinar will be hosted by the Councilโs Business Surrey service on February 26. Reserve your space today to discover more about modern-day apprenticeships and how businesses can access funding.
One Surrey organisation that has benefited already from the scheme is Sight for Surrey, a charity that provides specialist support for people in Surrey with sensory loss. ย
Diane Smith, Head of Adult Services says:
โWe have used the levy to support internal succession for those wanting to pursue a career in Social Work from the Deaf Community. More recently we used the levy to support three new apprentices in roles that are recognised to be under resourced across the sector nationally as well as in Surrey.
โThe process of completing the Levy Transfer scheme was simple and smooth due to the responsive support from the Council.
โOur Deaf Services Social Worker has recently graduated from Kingston University and our three new apprentices are settled and progressing well in their new careers! All making an impact for residents of the Surrey community.โ
The call comes in National Apprenticeship Week (February 10 to 16), which is a national celebration of the opportunities presented by the training schemes.
96% of employers report benefits to their business
employers make a net gain of between ยฃ2,500 and ยฃ18,000 per apprentice during their training period
80% of businesses see a significant increase in employee retention
Almost two-thirds of all UK apprenticeships in the last year have been funded by the apprenticeship levy.
This is a pool of funding made available by large employers, such as the Council, to make apprenticeships more accessible to SMEs.
The Council wants as many local residents and businesses to benefit from the scheme as possible โ which is why the online process can be completed in a matter of minutes.
Matt Furniss, the Councilโs Cabinet Member for Highways, Transport, and Economic Growth, emphasised the council’s commitment to providing opportunities for all. He said:โApprenticeships are a proven cost-effective way to recruit which benefit businesses and employees, as well as the broader economy.
โAs an organisation we are committed to providing opportunities to all of our residents, which includes creating a skilled workforce for the future.
โThe levy transfer scheme is a fantastic way for SMEs to access funding to develop and grow their workforce โ which is why I encourage them to discover more about this fantastic opportunity.”
Our team of experts can provide tailored advice to help your business grow and succeed. Get in touch to find out more via our business support form.
You can also register to receive our newsletter, packed with the latest information on events, funding and more, for all Surrey businesses.
Supporting Sail Croatia with their carbon reduction strategy: a Business Surrey case study
Published 11 February 2025
Advice and support, Surrey Success Stories
Background:ย
In 2024, Sail Croatia, a Surrey-based Mediterranean travel operator, approached Business Surrey for assistance in quantifying their carbon emissions and developing a carbon reduction strategy.
Despite their significant efforts to calculate their carbon footprint, they lacked confidence in their methodology and wanted external verification to establish a credible baseline before publicly sharing their emissions data or committing to further action.
Challenges:
Without an inhouse sustainability expert, the business lacked confidence in the existing carbon footprint calculation methodology they had used.
The team felt external verification was needed to ensure accuracy and credibility.
The business had identified the need to develop a comprehensive carbon reduction strategy, including short-term and long-term actions.
The senior management team knew that the sustainability plan would only be successful if it was to communicated effectively to the entire team to gain their buy-in and suggestions.
Solution:ย
A decarbonisation consultant from Business Surrey was engaged to:
Verify and Strengthen Carbon Footprint Calculations:
The Business Surrey expert advisor reviewed and validated the assumptions and figures used in the initial calculations to ensure they were robust and accurate.
The advisor also provided recommendations for emissions calculators to track emissions from travel, fuels, third-party services such as laundry, and catering.
And suggested ways to help Sail Croatiaโs chefs design lower-impact menus.
Develop a Comprehensive Decarbonisation Strategy:
Identified short-term wins and long-term actions for carbon reduction.
Proposed verifiable offsetting options for emissions that were difficult to avoid.
Effective Communication and Team Engagement:
Assisted in communicating the carbon reduction plan in a relatable way to the entire team.
Ensured team membersโ involvement, especially those new to the companyโs sustainability efforts, to align the workforce with the vision of building a more sustainable business.
Results:
Enhanced confidence in the companyโs carbon footprint data.
A solid foundation for long-term sustainability commitments.
Improved team engagement and alignment with the companyโs sustainability goals.
Grant Seuren, Co-Founder/Director of Sail Croatia says, โThank you for all your assistance, it has been really valuable to us. Overall, we now have a proper foundation that we can build on.โ
Support for Surrey businesses
Our team of experts can provide tailored advice to help your business grow and succeed. Get in touch to find out more via our business support form.
You can also register to receive our newsletter, packed with the latest information on events, funding and more, for all Surrey businesses.
Dos and Donโts to scale your business: strategic lessons for sustainable growth
Published 21 January 2025
Advice and support
Scaling a business is both a challenge and an opportunity. It requires a sharp strategy, adaptability, and an unwavering focus on your customers. At its heart, sustainable growth is about creating value and fostering trust. While no two businesses are the same, there are clear dos and donโts businesses can follow to scale successfully.
In this strategic guide, our Specialist Adviser Roya Croudace looks at how you can scale your business while keeping your customers at the centre of your journey. Roya is a skilled Commercial Director, Founder, and Non-Executive Director with over 25 years of expertise in driving business growth, especially for SMEs.
The Dos: building a scalable foundation
1. Define your customerโs purpose and needs
Understanding your customers is the cornerstone of sustainable growth. Customers donโt just buy products or servicesโthey seek solutions that align with their goals, purpose, and aspirations.
Do: Use customer feedback, market research, and data from CRM (customer relationship management) systems to build detailed profiles of your audience. Identify their pain points, motivations, and desired outcomes. Continuously update this knowledge to ensure your offerings remain relevant as your business evolves.
2. Build relationships over transactions
Winning and retaining customers requires more than just making a sale. Building trust and meaningful relationships creates loyalty and generates invaluable word-of-mouth referralsโkey drivers for growth.
Do: Listen actively to your customers, personalise your interactions, and deliver consistent value. Show genuine interest in helping them achieve their goals. When customers feel understood and valued, they are more likely to become long-term advocates for your business.
3. Develop a scalable value proposition
Your value proposition must clearly articulate how your product or service solves customer problems, delivers measurable value, and stands out from the competition. As you scale, ensure it evolves to reflect market changes and expanded capabilities.
Do: Focus on benefits over features. Use customer-centric language and provide proof through case studies, testimonials, or ROI (return on investment) data. Test and refine your value proposition to resonate with different market segments.
4. Leverage technology for growth
Technology is a vital enabler for scaling SMEs. From automating workflows to delivering data-driven insights, the right tools can streamline operations, improve decision-making, and enhance customer engagement.
Do: Invest in tools like marketing automation, analytics platforms, and AI-powered CRM systems. Ensure your team is trained to utilise these technologies effectively so you can maximise their potential and ROI.
5. Align your team for success
Scaling a business demands cohesion across all functions. Misalignment between sales, marketing, finance and operations (the 4 pillars of any business) can create inefficiencies and harm the customer experience.
Do: Foster a sales culture that simplifies collaboration through shared goals and transparent communication. Regularly review performance metrics, train and upskill team where necessary and adjust strategies to ensure everyone is working towards the same objectives.
The Donโts: pitfalls to avoid while scaling
1. Donโt prioritise transactions over relationships
Focusing only on short-term sales can stunt long-term growth. Customers are more than numbers; theyโre your partners in success.
Donโt: Treat customers like one-off transactions. Prioritise trust-building and nurture relationships that encourage loyalty and advocacy.
2. Donโt lose sight of adaptability
Markets are dynamic, and scaling businesses must be prepared to pivot. Resistance to change risks leaving your business behind more agile competitors.
Donโt: Cling to outdated strategies. Stay open to innovation and use market trends, customer feedback, and data to inform strategic decisions.
3. Donโt underestimate the value of simplicity
As you scale, complexity can creep into your messaging and processes. Overcomplicated communication risks confusing potential customers and diluting your value.
Donโt: Use jargon or overwhelm your audience with unnecessary details. Keep your messaging clear and focused on how you solve their problems.
4. Donโt operate without a clear plan
Trying to scale your business without a structured plan can lead to wasted resources and missed opportunities. A robust strategy ensures focus and direction.
Donโt: Assume growth will happen organically. Develop a roadmap with SMART goals, clear priorities, and actionable steps.
5. Donโt ignore customer feedback
Your customers are your most valuable source of insight. Ignoring their feedback risks missing opportunities for improvement and eroding trust.
Donโt: Overlook feedback. Actively seek input through surveys, interviews, and reviews, and use this information to refine your products, services, and processes.
Your Call to Action: build, scale, and thrive
Scaling your business requires clarity of vision, strategic focus, and a relentless commitment to your customers. By understanding their needs, building relationships, and leveraging the right tools, youโll create a foundation for sustainable growth.
Whatโs your next step? Reflect on these questions:
How well do you understand your customersโ goals and challenges?
Are you building relationships that foster loyalty and trust?
What strategies and tools will you adopt to help you scale your business through your next stage of growth?
Once you’ve reflected, it’s time to take action – do it today. Every decision you make is a step closer to realising your businessโs potential!
Business support in Surrey
Business Surrey is a Surrey County Council service providing free and accessible support for all businesses in Surrey, to help you scale your business and thrive.
Our team of experts can provide independent and impartial advice on range of issues. Contact the team for free via our Business Support Form.
Sign up to our newsletter for regular updates on news, events and support for all Surrey businesses.
Not sure what you need help with? Get in touch by completing ourย Contact Us form.
Events and courses – February roundup of Surrey events
Published 17 January 2025
Events and awards
After a quiet January, the Surrey business community is gearing up for a busy schedule of events in February, with both online and in-person events covering a wide range of subjects, including a few that are a little out of the ordinary.
Surrey County Councilโs free business decarbonisation courses in Surrey Heath and Woking in early February offer to help you calculate your carbon footprint and drive down emissions.ย
Other course topics this month include ‘Unlocking the potential of apprenticeships for your Surrey SME’ – our own free webinar to help Surrey businesses understand how to access the Apprenticeship Levy to fund apprenticeships for your own SME.
For early birds who like to do their business networking before starting the workday, there are a range of in-person breakfast networking events taking place in February, including Surrey Chambers’ Guildford Business Breakfast on 4th February, and the regular FSB Hogs Back Business Breakfast on 12th February.
Workforce, jobs and careers
If you’re a Tandridge business looking to connect with local talent, or looking for a new role yourself, why not take part in the Tandridge Jobs Fair being held at Tandridge District Council offices on 13th February? And if your CV needs a bit of a polish before you can start your jobsearch in earnest, this online CV workshop on 7th February could be just the ticket.
Events with a difference
Looking for a business event that’s a bit different? Surrey Chambers are holding a pottery and paint networking social for Business Women In Surrey at the Fired Frog Pottery Cafe in Camberley, with nibbles and fizz included.
Submit your own event
Donโt forget, our events directory is a great way to promote your own business events to a wider audience. If your organisation is hosting or sponsoring a business event in Surrey, you can submit it for inclusion in the directory by completing this simple form.
Free support for Surrey SMEs
Business Surrey offers free and accessible support for all businesses in Surrey.
Our experts are on hand to provide tailored advice to help your SME grow and succeed. Get in touch with a member of the team via our business support form.
The importance of sustainability skills in business: empowering Surreyโs future through Skills Bootcamps
Published 16 January 2025
Skills and workforce
In today’s changing business landscape, sustainability is no longer a peripheral concern, it is a core strategy for long-term success.
With increasing regulatory requirements, consumer demand for ethical practices, and the impacts of climate change, businesses are rethinking their approaches to growth and operations. In Surrey, the focus on sustainability has never been greater, and equipping the workforce with the right skills has become a pressing priority.
This is where Surrey County Councilโs Sustainability and Carbon Management Skills Bootcamp, delivered by Activate Learning, plays a pivotal role. By fostering local talent and providing essential sustainability training, this initiative is bridging the gap between business needs and workforce readiness.
Why sustainability skills matter
Sustainability isnโt just about environmental stewardship; it is a business imperative that drives innovation, enhances reputation, and improves financial performance. A significant majority of executives recognise the importance of sustainability but many feel their organisations are not adequately prepared to address it*.
Key sustainability competencies for businesses include:
Carbon management: understanding and reducing carbon footprints to meet net-zero targets
Circular economy principles: designing processes to reduce waste and promote recycling
Sustainability reporting: communicating progress transparently to stakeholders
Regulatory compliance: navigating an increasingly complex legal landscape.
These skills not only help companies meet their environmental goals but also position them as leaders in a competitive market where sustainability is a key differentiator.
Skills Bootcampโs role in developing local talent and supporting Surrey businesses
Offering a flexible and blended course has enabled those learners already employed to apply their learning quicker, through the development of bespoke sustainability action plans for their organisations. The real-world expertise from industry leaders, including organisations such as Oxfordshire Greentech and Siemens Healthineers, combined with networking and career support from Activate Learning, has boosted the learnersโ confidence and employability.
For businesses in Surrey, the Skills Bootcamps offer numerous benefits:
Access to skilled talent: With a growing pool of trained professionals, companies can find the expertise they need locally, reducing the costs and time associated with recruitment
Enhanced competitiveness: In this case, sustainability-trained employees drive innovation and efficiency, giving businesses a competitive edge
Community impact: By investing in local talent, businesses strengthen Surreyโs economy and contribute to a more sustainable future.
Albury Vineyard, located in the Surrey Hills, recently hosted the graduation for learners of the first Sustainability Skills Bootcamp. Nick Wenman, owner of Albury Vineyard, said
โSkills Bootcamps are really great because what they mean is we are not just hiring people with theoretical knowledge – itโs people with real understanding of what that means in a business environmentโ.
A brighter, greener future for Surrey
As sustainability becomes integral to business success, courses like this Skills Bootcamp are vital for preparing the workforce and supporting local businesses. By developing the skills needed to tackle environmental challenges, Surrey is not only meeting the demands of today but also securing a resilient and prosperous future.
Whether youโre a business looking to strengthen your sustainability efforts or an individual eager to make an impact, find out more about Skills Bootcamps.
Also remember to check-out our Business Surrey events page, which features a number of sustainability-related events.
Support for Surrey businesses
Our team of experts can provide tailored advice to help your business grow and succeed. Get in touch to find out more via our business support form.
You can also register to receive our newsletter, packed with the latest information on events, funding and more, for all Surrey businesses.
