FORT programme to train future AI and cyber leaders in Surrey
Published 6 November 2024
Innovation, Skills and workforce
Surrey’s reputation as a leader in cyber security and Artificial Intelligence (AI) has been reinforced with the launch of the new multi-million pound FORT programme.
Running in partnership with Queen’s University Belfast, it will support at least 50 PhD researchers to develop their skills and industry-ready innovations over the next eight years.
They will work with industry partners including Rolls Royce, AWS, HP, Virgin Media, BT and Keysight Technologies.
Academic researchers claim these highly specialised skills are crucial for ensuring private and secure communications in the future.
It will underline the university and wider region’s credentials as an innovation powerhouse which nurtures advanced skills in wireless communications, AI, and cyber security.
What is the FORT programme?
The FORT centre for doctoral training is a community of postgraduate researchers who will become industry-conscious thinkers and leaders.
It is supported by ยฃ8 million in government funding, through the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC).
The launch event highlighted the importance of training postgraduate researchers in the fast-evolving fields of wireless communications, AI, cybersecurity, and networking.
It featured demonstrations, discussions and networking sessions. It gave attendees with insights into the future of telecommunications, AI, and cybersecurity.
Industry partners also shared their vision for the collaboration. They also stressed the significance of academic-industry partnerships in addressing the real-world challenges faced by the telecommunications sector.
Professor Rahim Tafazolli, Head of the Institute for Communication Systems (ICS), said: The collaboration between academia and industry is pivotal in positioning the UK as a leader in secure and resilient communications networks.
The launch of FORT is just the beginning of a bold journey towards shaping the future of telecommunications.
“The backing of the EPSRC has been essential in establishing this partnership between Surrey, Queen’s and our 21 valued industry partners. Together we have the potential to deliver a transformational shift in the UK’s position at the heart of innovation for future global telecommunications infrastructure.”
We’re nurturing and bringing together companies in these key sectors as part of our clusters work.
We are also working with researchers and funding establishments to bring in investment and build infrastructure.
Plus we work with training providers to ensure the countyโs future workforce has the necessary skills for these sectors to prosper for years to come.
Do you work in a cyber or artificial intelligence and looking for support to grow? Get in touch with our experts via our business support form.
Gatwick Airport supplier opportunity for Surrey construction firms
Published 4 November 2024
Business news
Construction companies across Surrey are being encouraged to sign up as a potential Gatwick Airport supplier.
With 41 million annual passengers, London Gatwick is the UK’s second largest airports. It is a major driver of national and regional economy, generating ยฃ5.5 billion GVA and supporting over 76,000 jobs.
Gatwick has a supply chain commitment to working with businesses based in the region. This means businesses based in the local area can benefit from contracts worth ยฃ151 million a year.
As part of its new overarching Supply Chain Strategy, the airport is now looking to expand its database of construction companies.
It has set up a survey form to identify Surrey businesses in construction-related industries that are interested in working at London Gatwick.
London Gatwick has developed a new overarching Supply Chain Strategy linked to its wider Capital Investment Programme.
The new Construction Frameworks will deliver improved facilities and services for its passengers and airline customers over the next six years. It includes construction works, various professional services including design services, and surveys.
To ensure the airport has a capable, engaged, and strong supply chain to respond and deliver the associated works, the Supply Chain team have developed an Expression of Interest Survey for businesses working in construction-related industries.
This will enable the airport and its contractors to promote future indirect opportunities to work with Tier 1 framework suppliers on relevant projects in 2025 and beyond.
The opportunity is open to all businesses in Surrey. So whether you have previously delivered works directly to London Gatwick or not, the airport wants to hear from you. This will help it understand the range of capabilities that local and regional businesses offer.
Other Gatwick Airport supplier opportunities
Gatwick is a major driver for the local and regional economy, as well as supporting the wider UK economy. It is committed to supporting local businesses and creating new opportunities associated with its local supply chain.
Are you a regional small and medium-sized business that wants to work with Gatwick Airport?
Regional small and medium-sized enterprise businesses in certainโฏpostcodes canโฏregister their interest in working with the airport as a supplier.ย
Note: this is only open to SMEs located in the RH, BN, CR, KT, TN, GU, PO, SM, ME, CT, BR and DA postcodes).
Business Surrey is a Surrey County Council service providing free and accessible support for all businesses in Surrey. This includes help with contracts, procurement and access to funding.
Our team of experts can provide independent and impartial advice on growing your business.
Find out more about what we do and how to access one of services by completing our Contact Us form.
KFC UK: a Surrey Success Story
Published 29 October 2024
Skills and workforce, Surrey Success Stories
KFC UK is the latest of our Surrey Success Stories, a collection of video case studies of businesses โ large and small โ that are putting our region on the map. Click on the video below to discover why Surrey is a great place for this international brand to have its UK base .
KFC UK: an iconic brand with an iconic founder
It’s an iconic global brand with a founder as famous as its food. But how many of you knew that Colonel Sanders’ fried chicken legacy is rooted in Surrey as well as Kentucky?
Kentucky Fried Chicken – known better as KFC – opened its first UK restaurant in Preston, Lancashire in the 1960s.
And the UK operation has never looked back. Currently there are more than 1,000 branches in the UK. And its parent company KFC UK has an annual turnover of close to ยฃ300 million.
This major operation is all coordinated from a UK headquarters in the heart of the Surrey town of Woking.
KFC’s secret to success
So how has a company founded in the southern US state of Kentucky come to be so popular?
Well, the food is pretty good – with the unique blend of 11 herbs and spices still very much a top level secret.
The company is also committed to being bold and innovative.
Jo Tivers, Head of Food and Quality, said: “I love working in the fast food industry. As the name suggests, it’s really, really fast. We can be really innovative, we can try new things. We have a customer base that is really interested in trying new things.”
The company is also big on investing in its people – with culture being a real focus. It claims to be “people first culture, really heart-led” – with a real focus on supporting and championing young people, especially with their first jobs.
As Hema Ladwa, People Experience Lead, explains: “We really believe that everyone has the potential, we just need to feed that potential, whether it’s feeding them chicken or whether it’s feeding them through their knowledge and through their learning and development.”
This commitment inspires loyalty and nurtures talent, for now and into the future.
KFC UK and Surrey
KFC UK has had its restaurant support centre in Woking for more than 25 years. About 350 people are based there, with location being a major plus point – for business and for pleasure.
With direct train links to London taking 30 minutes and the M25 and two major airports a short drive away, connectivity couldn’t be better.
Jenny Packwood, Chief Corporate Affairs Officer, said: “Not only do we have great proximity to London, the trains are really quick in and out to London for people who live there. And because we’re international, the proximity to Heathrow and Gatwick is also really helpful.”
Woking is also a fantastic place for people to be live, continually being ranked among the best places in the UK to reside.
There’s culture, countryside, shopping, great food and drink plus access to a range of recreational facilities.
Jo Tivers, Head of Food and Quality, said: “It’s great to be able to go into the weekend, enjoy lunch out with the family, take them to the theatre, to the cinema. There’s always something incredible to do.”
Looking to relocate your business to Surrey?
Thanks to our desirable location, reputation for innovation and collaborative business ecosystem, Surrey is a top business location of choice.
Business Blog: Why young people are crucial to growing our future economy
Published 23 October 2024
Skills and workforce, Thought leadership
Georgina Angele, Strategic Hub Lead for Surrey Careers Hub, has almost two decades of experience working to connect schools and colleges with employers. In our latest business blog, she explains how Surrey businesses can play their part in equipping young people with future skills โ and why it will benefit them and the wider economy down the line.
In todayโs rapidly evolving job market, the importance of equipping young people with relevant employment skills whilst still in school or college cannot be overstated.
As we navigate the 21st century, the landscape of work is being reshaped by continual changes in technology, national policy and globalisation.
To support future economic growth and help young people achieve their potential, it is imperative we prepare them with the skills they will need to thrive.
As Strategic Hub Lead for the Surrey Careers Hub, itโs my role to directly work with employers and education providers to unlock opportunities โ bringing them closer together, so that we can ensure young people have a range of meaningful careers experiences while they are still in school and college.ย ย Read on to find out more, or if you’re ready to involved sign up now to become a strategic Enterprise Advisor working with a local school.
Bridging the Skills Gap
One of the most pressing challenges facing economies across the UK is the skills gap, even in an economy as diverse and large as Surrey.
Employers across a range of sectors often report difficulties in finding candidates coming out of education with the skills required for the positions available.
This gap not only hampers business growth but also limits economic development.
This is why the creation of the Surrey Careers Hub just over a year ago has been so important to our regional economy.
We work with more than 97% of secondary schools, colleges, special schools and alternative provisions, connecting them to employers in all sectors.
The aim is to ensure young people have an awareness of the opportunities available to them while making sure education providers know which skills their young people need to succeed once they finish their education.
The Surrey Careers Hub ensures there is a single approach for the whole county. And we can tailor this work to the key sectors which are crucial to our future economy, such as Artificial Intelligence, gaming, creative industries and infrastructure.
By integrating careers provision into the education system, we can bridge the skills gap and create an engaged workforce that is ready to meet the demands of the modern economy.
Enhancing Employability
Equipping students with relevant skills enhances their employability, giving them a competitive edge in the job market.
Skills such as critical thinking, problem-solving, oracy (the ability to express yourself fluently and coherently), adaptability, resilience, and digital literacy are increasingly valued by employers.
By fostering these skills early on, we can ensure that young people are not only prepared for their first job, but also have the adaptability to navigate multiple career changes throughout their lives.
Seeing how these skills can be applied to the โreal wordโ is also crucial.
One way we do this is by supporting schools and colleges to provide regular engagement points for their students with employers.
These can range from mock interviews and workplace experiences to big events, such as the recent Surrey Festival of Skills.
We also look to level the field for those from disadvantaged backgrounds, as part of our wider No One Left Behind mission. So, we target our funding and interventions to support those young people who face multiple barriers to engaging in education, have additional needs and disabilities and experience socio-economic disadvantage.
By creating opportunities for all, weโre providing young people with the awareness and confidence to explore the range of opportunities that employers in Surrey can offer.
Aligning Education with Industry Needs
To effectively equip young people with relevant employment skills, it is essential to align the things taught in the classroom with industry needs.
This requires collaboration between educational institutions, businesses, and policymakers at both a national and regional level.
While we work strategically across Surrey, our work is guided and majority funded by The Careers & Enterprise Company, a national body funded by the Department for Education.
It oversees the provision of quality careers education in schools and colleges across the UK. It ensures all activities are aligned to the Gatsby Benchmarks. And has resources so that young people receive the guidance and support they need to make informed career choices.
One way we are doing this is by reinventing work experience, acknowledging that a shift to hybrid working makes intensive weekly or fortnightly programmes during the summer no longer feasible for many employers.
Instead, we are encouraging a shift for students to gain regular experiences of the workplace throughout their time in secondary education. This will include short, targeted workplace visits; one-day project-based experiences; and longer structured placements.
We are also working directly with employers to help them assess, monitor and improve their educational outreach, achieve social value commitments, create a diverse workforce, and recruit local talent into their business.
Promoting Lifelong Learning
Promoting opportunity does not stop as soon as people enter the workplace.
The concept of lifelong learning is becoming increasingly important in todayโs world of accelerated change.
By instilling a love for learning and a commitment to continuous skills development, we can ensure that young people remain adaptable and resilient in the face of change.
This mindset not only benefits their personal and professional growth, but also contributes to the overall economic health of the nation.
One way weโre doing that as a team is by running a programme of Teacher Encounters.ย ย
This takes subject teachers out of their classrooms and into the workplace. We piloted it last year with the gaming and cybersecurity sectors in Surrey (see our LinkedIn post here).
They learned how their subjects connect to the world of work and which skills employers need in their future workforce.
We are scaling Teacher Encounters this academic year to include a wider range of industries โ including construction, highways, creative & cultural industries, engineering and the NHS. If you want to get involved, then please contact us.
There are also many opportunities out there right now for employers to invest in their workforce.
One such as example is the Multiply scheme, which is free for those who do not have a GCSE in maths.
These fun, flexible sessions are available both in person and online. And by encouraging your colleagues to take part you could help improve your business performance in the long run.
These are just some ways we are focused on equipping our young people with the skills to support future business growth. But we cannot do it alone.
The role of employers across the region is crucial to planning how we do this, and also in the delivery.
There are several ways you can support this work.
Weโre currently looking for people with business experience to volunteer as Enterprise Advisers. This is a strategic role, working with Careers Leaders in schools to help them develop impactful careers programmes.
Itโs a hugely rewarding role. You will have direct influence on the direction of the careers programme in the school youโre matched to. And you’ll help improve the prospects of the young people who attend that school.
2024 Surrey Festival of Skills inspires thousands about their futuresย
Published 17 October 2024
Skills and workforce
Thousands of young people in Surrey have been inspired and fired up about their futures thanks to the 2024 Surrey Festival of Skills.
From supercars to snakes, cooking masterclasses to computer game demonstrations, there were opportunities galore for students to explore at the Surrey County Council event.
More than 2,000 students aged 14 to 18 packed into Surrey Sports Park in Guildford. They could meet, great and connect with dozens of employers, universities, FE colleges and training providers.
The aim was to showcase the fantastic opportunities on offer to them in Surrey, both now and in the future.
Highlights included hairdressing masterclasses, samosa making, VR headsets and a McLaren supercar.
There were also animals aplenty โ with snakes, stick insects and lizards joined by a horse-riding simulator and robotic dog.
Young people who attended the free event described it as โimpactfulโ, โrewardingโ and โfantasticโ.
Tim Oliver, Leader of Surrey County Council, opened the event. He said: โNow in its second year, the Surrey Festival of Skills is a fantastic platform for organisations across the county to showcase the array of opportunities available to our young people.
โSurrey has a vibrant and diverse economy, built on foundations of innovation and collaboration. Weโre committed to working with public and private partners to grow our economy further while delivering benefits to our communities.
โBut we can only do this with a skilled and engaged workforce. That’s why itโs so important to showcase the brilliant careers and training available to students right here on their doorstep.โ
What is the Surrey Festival of Skills?
The Surrey Festival of Skills is open to all young people in education aged 14 to 18. This is regardless of whether they are educated in school, college, at home or by any other educational route.
It is organised and funded by Surrey County Council, with support from the Association of Learning Providers Surrey (ALPS).
More than 80 exhibitors took part representing a diverse range of industries. They included household names like Balfour Beatty, Siemens, McLaren, the Royal Navy and London Gatwick Airport.
They were joined by specialist sectors such as gaming, cyber security, osteopathy, adult social care and early years.
All of Surreyโs further and higher education providers attended, along with a range of independent training providers.
Public sector careers were championed by the Animal & Plant Health Agency, National Highways, NHS, Surrey Police and Surrey Fire & Rescue.
“A day to remember”
Matt Furniss, the Councilโs cabinet member for Highways, Transport and Economic growth, said: โOnce again, the Surrey Festival of Skills has delivered a day to remember for everyone that took part.
โWe know days like this can play a huge impact on the choices young people make when they leave school or college.
โI want to say a big thank you to all our exhibitors for once again supporting this fantastic event, especially our sponsors Haleon and Ringway. Thanks to their support, we can ensure this event remains free and accessible to thousands of young people across Surrey.โ
Lewis Bridgman, Business Unit Manager at Ringway, said: โRingway are committed to supporting local talent and building a brighter future for young people in our county. We believe in investing in skills and creating opportunities that pave the way for rewarding careers for a diversity of talent within the highways industry. Together we can build strong foundations for tomorrowโs workforce. Ringway are proud to have sponsored the 2024 Surrey Festival of Skills.โ
Abeera Mohammad, STEM Lead at Haleon said: โHaleon are proud to have sponsored the Festival of Skills this year. As a world-leading consumer health company with our Headquarters based in Surrey, we were excited to promote STEM careers and give back to the community.โ
Interested in supporting future skills initiatives in Surrey? Or Looking for support to skill up your workforce? Get in touch with the Business Surrey team via the contact us form.
Decarbonise your business with free support for Surrey SMEs
Published 14 October 2024
Advice and support, Funding and grants
Free support for Surrey small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to decarbonise their business is now available from Surrey County Council.
Companies with fewer than 250 employees can sign up for the support. It’s only available to those based in the boroughs of Woking, Guildford, Waverley, Reigate and Banstead, Spelthorne and Surrey Heath.
Find out how to cut your energy costs, calculate your carbon footprint and get your business to Net Zero. You could even access a loan to go green!
Scroll down to see the free support which your Surrey business could access.
A free business decarbonisation course is now up and running for eligible Surrey businesses.
The course will:
introduce a bit of business context relating to climate change and carbon literacy,
help you understand where your business’ emissions lay,
enable you to calculate your business carbon footprint;
help you become more sustainable, reduce your energy costs and cut your carbon footprint
help you define your business path to Net Zero, set targets and leverage your efforts to make your business more competitive and your products and services more desirable
empower you to adapt and build resilience to address climate change
Courses are available in person and online.
The in-person courses are:
Thursday 17 October 2024 at Guildford Borough Council
Wednesday 13 November 2024 at Surrey Heath Borough Council
Wednesday 27 November at Waverley Borough Council
Wednesday 22 January 2025 in Reigate and Banstead at Surrey County Council headquarters
Thursday 13 February 2025 in Woking
Thursday 6 March 2025 at Spelthorne Business Hub
On demand online courses will be made available from late October.
Ever wondered how much carbon your Surrey business uses?
As part of the decarbonisation course, you can find out! You’ll be given a one year licence to access and use the Climate Essential carbon calculator tool.
This will enable you to calculate your base line carbon footprint. Plus, you can see where you can make adjustments and gains to further reduce it.
The online meeting is a virtual walk around premises, looking at energy use, transport, and supply chain.
A personalised report identifies opportunities for energy saving and projects which may be eligible for a business decarbonisation loan.
You can then decide if you wish to apply for a business decarbonisation loan to complete any or all of your decarbonisation projects.
There is no obligation to progress any of the potential projects to a loan application.
Business decarbonisation loan
The business decarbonisation loan programme has been created to help business and organisations decarbonise.
It will also allow you to invest to cut your energy bills, improve your premises and be more efficient.
Loans range from ยฃ5,000 to ยฃ15,000. It can can cover up to 50% of the total project cost. You will need to fund the rest.
Projects could include lighting and heating upgrades, installing solar panels, replacing old energy hungry equipment and switching to electric vehicles.
The winners of the inaugural Tandridge Business Awards have been announced at a glittering award ceremony at Lingfield Park Resort.
Launched in May 2024, the awards attracted over 120 entries showcasing the districtโs businesses. The winners were drawn from an impressive array of high calibre entries with finalists announced in September.
The ceremony was compered by Sir Richard Stilgoe, founder of the Orpheus Centre in Godstone, a charity and college where young disabled people use the arts to prepare for independent living.
Business Surrey sponsored the event, along with a host of local organisations, including Ann Summers, East Surrey College, LoveOxted and Surrey Chambers of Commerce.
A spokesman for Tandridge District Council said: “Our first Tandridge Business Awards received an incredible response, with over 120 applications showcasing the best of our districtโs businesses.
“Well done to everyone who entered. The quality of applications was exceptionally high and our independent judges had a difficult task to select the winners.”
High Street Business of the Year
Business Surrey was proud to sponsor the High Street Business of the Year Award.
With Tandridge home to a several thriving towns and villages – such as Oxted, Caterham and Godstone – there were some strong entries to judge.
The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) joined the Business Surrey team in judging the award.
The winner was The Lost Sheep, an independent gift and tea shop in Caterham.
Writing on her website, owner Sally said: “For many years I have wanted to open a tea shop and gift shop which serves the local community. When we finally opened the shop in November 2019 it was the start of a dream being fulfilled. I wouldn’t have made it this far without the support from my family and friends.”
Winners of the Tandridge Business Awards
The other winners of the 2024 Tandridge Business Awards are:
Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd: a Surrey Success Story video
Published 26 September 2024
Innovation, Surrey Success Stories
Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd is the latest of our Surrey Success Stories, a collection of video case studies of businesses โ large and small โ that are putting our region on the map. Click on the video below to discover how Surrey helped this company really take off.
From starting out in the late 1970s as an experiment in a small university lab, the company has really taken off.
And now, more than 40 years on, SSTL has 400 employees and launched more than 70 satellites into space for 22 countries.
But, more importantly, it paved a new way in space exploration – demonstrating how relatively small and inexpensive “micro” satellites could be built rapidly to perform successful and sophisticated missions.
Its story is a showcase of British ingenuity, ambition and engineering expertise. And central to it all has been its home region of Surrey.
How Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd took off
In the late 1970s, a group of researchers working at the University of Surrey, led by a young Martin Sweeting, decided to experiment by creating a satellite using commercial off-the-shelf components.
That first satellite, UoSat-1, was built in a small university lab in a cleanroom fabricated from B&Q.
Launched in 1981 with the help of NASA, the small satellite was a great success, outliving its planned three year life by more than five years.
In 1985 Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd formed as a spin-out company to transfer the results of research into a commercial enterprise.
In 2009 Airbus bought the majority shareholding from the University of Surrey, allowing SSTL to fulfill its growth potential.
It continues to go from strength to strength. Future plans include working on the Lunar Pathfinder project. This will be the UK’s first full satellite to go and orbit the moon.
Surrey: home to collaboration and innovation
“Surrey is the sole reason we exist today. I think from my friends at school who went to other universities at the same time that I did, and who tried to do one or two sort of things a little bit out of the ordinary. They tended to get sort of pushed back.”
Rather than being pushed back, Sir Martin Sweeting received backing aplenty, crucially from the University of Surrey.
The institution supported his idea and a home at the Surrey Research Park, where SSTL remains today.
Since being formed more than 40 years ago, SSTL has created more than 2,500 jobs. In the same period, its turnover has been ยฃ1.5 billion, of which ยฃ1 billion has been exports.
Key to growth has been collaboration with other Surrey businesses, including the Space South Central cluster.
Zoe Bowden, Head of Procurement and ESG, said: “We’re the largest space cluster in the UK at the moment. It’s a really fantastic way to unite industry, academia and government. Our indirect supply chain has really benefited from a lot of the SMEs that are around the local area.”
Surrey’s location is also a brilliant selling point to investors and important stakeholders.
Andrew Greenhalgh, Head of Marketing, explains: “The number of visitors we get here, the number of politicians who are interested in space, who love the fact they can be in Surrey within 35 minutes from Waterloo. We’re very proud that we can bring them down to Surrey and show them what we’re doing here.”
Looking to relocate your business to Surrey?
Thanks to our desirable location, reputation for innovation and collaborative business ecosystem, Surrey is a top business location of choice.
This groundbreaking initiative defines a shared commitment for these organisations to work collaboratively in the interests of the wider Surrey community. The aim is to ensure that no one is left behind.
By pooling resources and expertise, partners believe they are better placed to address local needs, drive innovation, and create a more inclusive and resilient Surrey by 2030.
For businesses, this includes a pledge to “create the conditions for sustainable economic growth within Surrey, to maintain the countyโs position as one of the strongest economies outside of London”.
The Civic Agreement was formally signed at an event at Surrey History Centre in Woking last week. Discover more by watching the video below.
What is the Civic Agreement for Surrey?
It will serve as a public commitment to working together to bring about real and positive change to the people who live, learn and work in our communities across the county
Details are set out in a 32-page formal document (PDF) which defines shared priorities, objectives, programmes of work and future ambitions.
All will be delivered against four shared priorities, which are:โฏ
Growing a sustainable economy so everyone can benefit
Tackling health inequality
Enabling a greener future
Empowered & thriving communities
Why does it matter?
Tim Oliver OBE, Leader of Surrey County Council said: โSurreyโs universities are engines for regional innovation, with a profound impact across all four strategic priorities. The partners are committed to ensuring our residents, communities and businesses can easily access and benefit from our range of innovation organisations, assets, and networks. These all play a part in addressing the four objectives of our agreement, and ensuring that no one is left behind.โ
Prof. Max Lu, President and Vice-Chancellor University of Surrey said: โThe University of Surrey has a proud track record of collaborating with local government and university partners to address issues that matter to Guildford and the wider Surrey community.
“One recent example is the Games and Innovation Nexus Project, partnering with University for the Creative Arts, Surrey County Council and Warwick University. Other examples include our Centre for Doctoral Training in AI for Digital Media Inclusion, in partnership with Royal Holloway University of London.
“We welcome the strengthening of these ties through the Civic Agreement for Surrey, ensuring the breadth and depth of our expertise from our Institutes for Sustainability and People-Centred AI, and all our schools, and companies on our Surrey Research Park continue to enable our community to grow and thrive.โ
Prof. Julie Sanders, Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Royal Holloway, University of London said: โAs a University of Social Purpose, we want to take a proactive role in tackling societal changes, enabling sustainable social and economic growth, and improving skills and opportunities for those in our community.
“Our inclusive education and research has a focus on achieving positive benefits for and with our local community, and our collaboration with academic partners, community groups, schools and local government brings investment, jobs and opportunity to Surrey.
“As well as through the Centre for Doctoral Training with the University of Surrey and its emphasis on digital inclusion, this effort is integral to the CoSTAR project, which seeks to ensure the UKโs screen and performance industries have the infrastructure, research and innovation skills to compete globally. Declaring our public agenda through the Civic Agreement for Surrey will amplify the positive role the university can play in the region.โ
Prof. Jane Roscoe, President and Vice-Chancellor, University for the Creative Arts said: “As a leading creative university, the University for the Creative Arts plays a pivotal role in driving innovation across the arts, technology and business. Through our partnerships with local government, businesses and fellow academic institutions, we are committed to ensuring that creativity remains at the heart of Surrey’s economic and social growth.
“Our involvement in initiatives like the Games and Innovation Nexus (GAIN) project, alongside Surrey County Council and our university partners, is just one example of how we can harness creative thinking to solve real-world challenges. The Civic Agreement for Surrey reflects our dedication to fostering a creative and inclusive environment that empowers individuals, enriches communities and drives regional innovation.โ
Get involved with the Civic Agreement for Surrey
The launch of the Civic Agreement for Surrey is very much the first step in a long-term collaboration. This will include every part of Surrey.
Are you interested in advancing the shared priorities and objectives in the agreement? Get in touch via: civicagreement@surreycc.gov.uk.
The winners of the Surrey SME Business Awards 2024 have been announced at a black tie ceremony event held in Shepperton.
The annual awards took place last week (11 September, 2024) and celebrated the best small and medium sized enterprises of 250 employees or less in the county.
Winners were announced in a total of 21 categories. And they all championed the people and businesses promoting innovation and growth in our region.
Business Surrey was a sponsor of the two categories – Best New Business and Sustainability Award. Read on to discover more about Surrey SMEs that won these categories.
Sustainability Award – Surrey SME Business Awards 2024
William Wilsnagh, one of our expert business growth advisors, announced the winner of the sustainability award to Pinksheep. The company is a pioneer in sustainable merchandise.
Every product is graded on its sustainability credentials – meaning customers can make informed buying decisions.
Every pound spent with Pinksheep goes towards environmental initiatives. To date it has planted 91,039 trees, offset 5,686 tonnes of CO2, and recovered 2,317,463 plastic bottles.
Pinksheep has also developed Ora, a groundbreaking platform designed to help brands make eco-friendly choices.
Best New Business – Surrey SME Business Awards 2024
The winner of the Best New Business awards was EARLEY+DAUGHTERS.
This one woman candle making operation based in Haslemere started trading in March 2020 as the UK went into lockdown. It officially launched two years later.
As founder Katy writes on her website: “All EARLEY+DAUGHTERS candles are made by me, by hand, from start to finish. They are poured in incredibly small batches ensuring the quality is second to none – and also that there is no waste. Every minute spent blending, pouring, labelling and packaging each one is an absolute joy.”
Everyone at Business Surrey wants to say a big well done to all the winners and shortlisted businesses.
To read more about the awards, visit the awards website.
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.
We are also hosting a series of free webinars this autumn designed specifically for small and medium-sized enterprises.
The sessions are taking place from October 7 to 11. Register today and discover more via the links below.
From Idea to Minimum Viable Product
Finance and Funding Strategies
Mastering Marketing and Communications
HR Essentials: Making Your First Hire
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