We recognise that some business owners may need more bespoke support. So you can get in touch with our business advisors at any point to ask for specific advice.
Further support to boost your business
Business Surrey is 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.
We work with you to understand your unique business needs and can direct you to the right resources and opportunities.
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-use support directory with more than 120 national and regional schemes.
Heathrow expansion plans are being backed by government following an announcement by Chancellor Rachel Reeves this week.
In a speech delivered yesterday, the Chancellor said a third runway would “unlock further growth, boost investment, increase exports, and make the UK more open and more connected”.
The government, she added, invites proposals to be brought forward by summer.
In response, Matt Furniss, Surrey County Council’s Cabinet Member for Highways, Transport and Economic Growth, said: “We recognise the crucial role ofย Heathrow airport in supporting employment for Surrey residents, generating investment in the Surrey economy and in attracting and retaining major businesses to locate in the county.
“Our goal is to work constructively with the Government, the airport, relevant national agenciesย andย other local authoritiesย onย proposals for a third runwayย in order to protect and promote the interests of Surrey residents and businesses.
“Despite this, we remain strongly of the view thatย expansion requires the environmental and surface access issues involved to be satisfactorily addressed.
“Any expansion will only be a success for Surrey residents and businesses and for the wider South East if there is a clear and agreed framework for the necessary infrastructure, including southern rail access, together with appropriate mitigation measures and commitments to address environmental impacts in place before any new runway comes into operation.
“We call on the Government to take the lead in developing such a framework.”
What are the Heathrow expansion plans?
Heathrow expansion plans include a new, full length, runway to the north-west of the airport and several new facilities both on and off the airfield.
Heathrow is currently consulting with investors, government, airline customers and regulators on next steps.ย Proposals include:
A new terminal building to the west of Terminal 5 and the eventual demolition of Terminal 3 to make way for a series of new satellite terminals
Creating new public transport interchange points and consolidating parking facilities
Adding surface access capacity to the airport, taking advantage of planned future railway upgrades in the area
Significant community compensation schemes and impact mitigation measures
Increasing capacity for an additional 260,000 flights per year
Further details – including a series of FAQs – are available on the Heathrow website.
Copyright:ย Photo ยฉ BAA Airports Limited
New Skills Bootcamps for Creatives to boost small businesses in Surrey
Published 20 January 2025
Advice and support, Skills and workforce
Surreyโs creative community has a new opportunity to thrive with the launch of Skills Bootcamps for Creatives, designed to provide essential business skills for freelancers and small creative businesses.
Delivered by Mastered Studios, this program offers a practical and accessible way to develop the tools necessary to win clients, grow your brand, and do more of what you love.
With a strong focus on supporting smaller businesses, this Skills Bootcamp is ideal for freelancers and entrepreneurs seeking to sharpen their competitive edge in the creative industries.
The course is fully-funded – meaning it is free to freelancers and creative SMEs in Surrey.
Whatโs in the Skills Bootcamps for Creatives?
Participants will benefit from 60 hours of training, mentoring, and coaching spread over 8 weeks. This will cover:
Developing a robust business plan
Effective marketing and branding strategies
Growing your social media presence
Pricing and fee negotiation skills
And much more!
The course runs for one day a week online, making it flexible and accessible to fit around your busy schedule.
Upon completion, learners will also receive monthly mentoring calls for six months. This ensures ongoing support as they implement their new skills.
Connecting creatives
Running a small business or working as a freelancer can sometimes feel lonely, with the complexities of managing clients, finances, and growth often falling solely on your shoulders.
The Skills Bootcamp for Creatives not only equips you with practical knowledge but also connects you with like-minded professionals, creating a supportive network of peers who understand your challenges and share your ambitions.
Why join?
Small businesses are the backbone of Surreyโs creative economy. This programme is tailored to help you overcome common challenges. It makes it perfect for those looking to scale up, navigate pricing with confidence, or build a compelling brand presence.
Sign up today
Donโt miss this opportunity to take your creative business to the next level. Visit the Mastered website for more information and to register for upcoming sessions.
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. This is packed with the latest information on events, funding and more, for all Surrey businesses.
Magical Mushroom Company – a Surrey Success Story
Published 20 January 2025
Innovation, Surrey Success Stories
Magical Mushroom Company 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 is harnessing nature to help it grow.
Magical Mushroom Company: growing from nature
Meet the Surrey company harnessing the power of nature to tackle plastic pollution.
Magical Mushroom Company launched in Esher in 2019. Since then has grown from startup to a scaling business producing millions of pieces of packaging for a huge range of companies across Europe.
The company harnesses the natural flexibility and strength of mycelium, the material structure of fungi, to grow protective packaging by combining it with agricultural waste such as hemp, cork and sawdust.
This offers a safe, sustainable and totally home-compostable alternative to plastic foams. Clients include Selfridges, Lush and drinks company Seedlip.
As well as packaging it has grown chairs, beehives, hampers, and even funerary urns!
Growing in Surrey
Magical Mushroom Company continues to grow from its Surrey roots.
Its base in Esher has provided a strong foothold for business in the capital while able it to recruit top local talent. It also provides employees a great quality of life.
Magical Mushroom Company continues to evolve- and now the only firm in the world mass producing mycelium products.
Since 2020, the company has produced millions and millions of pieces of Mushroomยฎ Packaging, effectively removing thousands of tonnes of plastic packaging from landfill.
Thanks to a ยฃ1.1 million loan from Innovate UK, it has opened a UK-based raw materials plant so it can ramp up production.
With factories in Nottingham and Sofia, its capacity has grown to 200,000 units per week.
All this means it has about 50 full-time employees and on track to turnover ยฃ6 million in 2024.
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.
As part of Business Surrey, Surrey County Council can assist companies looking to invest and grow in Surrey via the Invest in Surrey service.
Whether youโre a start-up, SME or international company, you can benefit from specialist expertise, local knowledge and business support.
Sell online with confidence with free product safety courses from Trading Standards
Published 10 January 2025
Advice and support
Does your business sell online products which are regulated for product safety? If the answer is yes, then you can accessย FREEย product safety courses to boost your knowledge and improve how you do business.
Buckinghamshire and Surrey Trading Standards is working with the UK Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) and the Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI) to provide the offer.
It is available to all Surrey businesses who sell via websites or social media until the end of March.
Those taking part will boost their knowledge and understanding of product safety. It will also improve how you do business and boost customer confidence.
Businesses who’ve already taken part have reported:
increased awareness and education
building a relationship with the regulator,
improving future business with plans for future actions
What does free product safety courses involve?
The product safety training is open to all businesses that sell products online – from sole traders and SMEs to multi-nationals. You may also have retail premises or sell only a few items on social media.
It has three elements:โฏ
An initial conversation with a Trading Standards Officer to discuss your approach to product procurement. This includes your understanding of product safety and online trading requirements.
Free training workshops delivered by the CTSI, plus access to online materials and guidance.
A final conversation between you and a Trading Standards Officer. This establishes the impact of the training and it it has improved your understanding of consumer product safety and online trading.
No personal data or information provided by a business will be reused for any other purposes outside of the training.
And the discussions with Trading Standards officers are simply to establish if you have benefited from the training. They will not be discussing individual products or specific compliance related issue.
Or you can contact Trading Standards direct by calling 0300123 2329.
If you need more general support then the Business Surrey team can also provide free support. Get in touch via the Business Support Form.
Tech start-up Finchetto wins three awards for driving innovation
Published 9 January 2025
Innovation
Tech start-up Finchetto rounded off 2024 in style after scooping three awards for innovation.
The company based at Surrey Research Park in Guildford is developing the worldโs first fully-optical passive Ethernet switch for data centres.
This could transform the energy efficiency of data centres across the globe – making them more sustainable and freeing up energy to advance the roll out of artificial intelligence (AI).
The work is being recognised globally with various awards. One of which singles the Guildford-based company out as potential new Spotify or Deliveroo.
Who are tech start-up Finchetto?
Finchetto is run by CEOย Mark Rushworthย and CTOย Michael Pearcey. The focus is developing alternatives to traditional electronic switches, which are energy-intensive and generate excessive heat, requiring costly cooling systems.
Currently data centres consume 2% of all global electricity. And traditional electric network switches are the workhorses of every data centre, accounting for 20% of a centre’s total energy use.
Finchetto’s design could reduce this power requirement by up to 26 times. This means it has the potential to transform the efficiency and sustainability of data centres worldwide.
And, with powering sufficient compute is the single greatest challenge for AI today, its work could be key in the roll out of new technologies.
Since being incorporated in July 2020 Finchetto has steadily grown. And 2024 was an important year in its development as it secured high-profile funding and a new home.
In October 2024, Finchetto moved into Surrey Research Park, one of the UKโs leading hubs for innovation and home to over 170 companies at the forefront of technological and scientific advancement.
Since then it has made waves in the tech industry, winning three major awards for its revolutionary work.
In November, Finchetto earned top honours at the Deep Tech Demo Day 2024, a competition involving 170 companies across Europe. Judges praised the companyโs photonic computing innovation for its transformative potential in networking and AI performance.
The startup also scooped โHottest Pre-seed Startupโ at The Europas Tech Startup Awards. They are joining the ranks of previous winners include Spotify and Deliveroo.
Most recently, Finchetto received a TechWorks Award for Technology Breakthrough, which recognises the best in UK tech.
Mark Rushworth, CEO of Finchetto Ltd said: โBy using light to send and switch data, we aim to revolutionise datacentre efficiency. Joining Surrey Technology Centre has been instrumental in our progress, and we are proud to have our work recognised with these awards. We look forward to advancing this transformative technology.โ
Caroline Fleming, Director, Surrey Innovation District ecosystem, University of Surrey said: “Congratulationsย to the Finchetto team! Their cutting-edge research positions them as leaders in photonic computing, tackling the challenge of growing AI processing demands while reducing environmental impact. By supporting companies like Finchetto, Surrey Research Park continues its 40-year tradition of fostering innovation and supporting award-winning businesses.”
Start up support in Surrey
Business Surrey is a Surrey County Council service providing free and accessible support for all businesses in Surrey, including startups.
Our team of experts can provide independent and impartial advice on range of issues. Contact the team for free via ourย 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.
Inspire Surrey’s future workforce in 2025 as an Enterprise Adviser
Published 6 January 2025
Skills and workforce
Put your business experience to great use in 2025 by helping shape the futures of young people as an Enterprise Adviser.
Surrey Careers Hub is looking for professionals to use their skills and knowledge to work strategically with schools and colleges.
Enterprise Advisers use their experience and networks to help teachers bridge the gap between formal learning and the world of work.
Full training is provided. All you need is a commitment to working with teachers for a couple of hours a month to input into careers programmes.
Youโll be joining a network of more than 4,000 people across the UK. And youโll be helping hundreds of young people be inspired about their futures.
Lisa Jarvis, is an active Enterprise Adviser with Surrey Careers Hub alongside her role at Novo Nordisk. She explains: โAs business professionals, we often forget the valuable skills and networks that we have. These could be so beneficial to schools, helping them focus on what they are great at – which is educating our young people.โ
What is an Enterprise Adviser?
Enterprise Advisers are fundamental to the Surrey Careers Hub.
They play an important role in shaping the positive future of young people across the county.
They’re business professionals dedicated to making a lasting impact on the future outcomes of young people.
Volunteers use their skills, business experience, and networks to support local schools and colleges.
They provide invaluable employer perspectives. And they put opportunities with local businesses at the heart of a young person’s education.
Anyone can register their interest in the role, regardless where they live or work.
What’s in it for you?
There’s more to becoming an Enterprise Adviser than just giving back to the community. You’ll also:
Develop and grow your experience in strategic planning
Understand how to communicate and connect with young people
Access support from a national and local network of like-minded people
Gain a deeper understanding of the education sector and its challenges
Whatโs stopping your business from taking on an apprentice?
Cost is quite a common concern, especially for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) with fewer than 50 employees.
Time is another, with many smaller businesses worried about the paperwork involved.
But what if someone else fills in the forms and foots the training bill for you?
Well, thatโs exactly what the apprenticeship levy transfer scheme from Surrey County Council offers – with funding to train dozens of apprentices currently available.
This makes it an ideal way for Surrey SMEs to recruit while providing opportunities to local residents.
All about apprenticeships
Apprenticeships are all about opportunity.
They allow people of all ages to earn while they learn and gain the skills they need to build a rewarding career.
Of these, more than 5,200 were in Surrey with courses offered in a wide range of industries, from health to business to engineering and beyond.
But for many SMEs, taking on an apprentice is not something they consider due to concerns about the cost of training and levels of red tape and paperwork.
The introduction of the Apprenticeship Levy in 2017 helps significantly reduce costs and makes apprenticeships even more accessible for SMEs.
It means employers with a pay bill of over ยฃ3 million per year pay 0.5% of their salary bill towards supporting apprenticeships.
Large organisations can support SME’s who may not pay into the levy by transferring funds to them to use to fund apprenticeships in their own business.
Five ways apprentices can support your Surrey business
1.ย Address Skills Gaps
One of the most pressing challenges businesses face today is the skills gap. As industries evolve, the demand for new skills grows, and traditional education systems often struggle to keep pace.
Apprenticeships offer a practical solution by providing tailored training that meets the specific needs of your business.
By utilising the apprenticeship levy, companies can develop a pipeline of skilled workers who are trained to their exact specifications.
2.ย Enhancing Employee Retention
Investing in apprenticeships can significantly improve employee retention rates.
Apprenticeships provide employees with clear career progression paths and the opportunity to gain recognized qualifications while earning a salary.
Apprenticeships are not just about training; they are about enhancing productivity.
Apprentices bring fresh perspectives and new ideas to the workplace. They are often more motivated and eager to learn, which can lead to increased innovation and efficiency.
According to the UK government, businesses with established apprenticeship programs report a significant improvement in productivity.
4.ย Cost-Effective Training Solutions
For many businesses, especially small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), the cost of training can be a significant barrier.
The apprenticeship levy provides a cost-effective solution. Surrey County Council’s levy transfer facility can cover the full cost of the apprenticeship, which can vary from ยฃ5,000 to ยฃ40,000.
All local businesses need to do initially is fill in the application form and commit to paying the apprentice an ongoing salary. There also needs to be an ongoing commitment to support the apprentice during employment.
This makes apprenticeships an affordable option for businesses of all sizes, enabling them to invest in their workforce without breaking the bank.
5.ย Supporting Diversity and Inclusion
Apprenticeships can play a crucial role in promoting diversity and inclusion within the workplace. They’re useful in attracting a wider range of candidates, including those from underrepresented groups.
This can drive innovation and creativity, while helping businesses build a workforce that reflects the diversity of their customer base and society at large.
How to apply to the Apprenticeship Levy Transfer scheme
Surrey County Council is committed to ensuring No One is Left Behind. This is why it’s made it as easy as possible for businesses to access its Apprenticeship Levy Transfer scheme.
It is open to all businesses in Surrey and can only be used for future apprenticeships, either for new roles or existing employees. Itโs open all year round but funding is allocated on a first come, first served basis.
Business interested in exploring the opportunity can get in touch with the Business Surrey team via our business support form.
You could also apply direct using the application form. A member of the Councilโs careers team will then review your application and be in touch to support in setting-up the levy transfer.
Spelthorne Business Awards winners for 2024 announced
Published 7 December 2024
Events and awards
The winners of the 2024 Spelthorne Business Awards have been announced – with fresh juice company Mejuicer winning the headline award.
Business Surrey was a proud sponsor of the event held in the Hazelwood Centre in Sunbury.
It saw the hard work, creativity and achievements of dozens of businesses from Staines, Shepperton, Sunbury, Ashford and beyond recognised.
From innovative startups to leading multinational firms, there was a spotlight on the vibrant entrepreneurial spirit that drives economic success.ย
Cllr Med Buck, Mayor of Spelthorne, shared his admiration for the entrants. He said: “The range and quality of entries this year are proof of the wealth of entrepreneurial spirit, talent, and innovative thinking across Spelthorne.
“This community is truly rich with business expertise, and their achievements make me hopeful for Spelthorne’s bright future. Congratulations to all our finalists and winners. I’d also like to extend our thanks to the sponsors who make this celebration of local talent possible.
“The Spelthorne Business Awards are a wonderful platform to honour the accomplishments of our businesses, regardless of size, especially given the challenging economic conditions.”
Spelthorne Business Awards winners
Best Overall Business in Spelthorne – Mejuicer
Best New Start-Up Award – The Stewart Academy of Performing Arts
Best Small Business Award – Totally Tangerine Cookery
Best Restaurant, Bar or Pub Awards – Indian Zest
Business Innovation Award – Thames Side Brewery
Sustainability Award – Mova Hairdressing Ltd
Best Franchise Award – Right at Home Richmond & Twickenham
Retail Excellence Award – Mejuicer
Best Hospitality & Leisure Business – The Magpie Pub
Looking to turn your business into an award-winning enterprise?
Our team of experts have decades of experience in helping businesses. They can provide independent and impartial advice on growing your organisation. Start your journey by:
3ti 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 this Leatherhead company has become a leading light in renewable energy and EV charging.
3ti: fueling cars with sunshine
Have you heard about the company that creates solar-powered pop-up car parks?
Our latest Surrey Success Story features 3ti, a Leatherhead company which is a leader in the renewable energy, battery storage and EV charging sectors.
Since being founded in 2019, the company has grown from 3 to 33 employees. And it’s forecast to turnover ยฃ10 million in 2024.
3ti’s products have generated eight gigawatt-hours of solar power โ saving customers ยฃ2 million in energy costs and avoiding carbon emissions equivalent to planting over 32,000 trees.
The impact is also clear in the bottom line. The company is growing year on year and almost doubled its headcount in the last 12 months.
Innovation and sustainability
3ti stands for three technology infrastructure – meaning solar, batteries and EV charging.
The company combines these technologies in pop-up car park infrastructure.
3ti’s core product is Papilio3, a pop-up mini solar car park and EV charging hub made out of a converted shipping container.
As founder Tim Evans said: “When I drive home this evening, it will be powered by this afternoon’s sunshine.”
Being based in Leatherhead brings many benefits to the company.
It provides a fantastic quality of life for its employees. There are good schools, thriving communities and accessible countryside in easy reach. Plus there are fast connections to London, Gatwick, the M25 and beyond.
Being based in Surrey allows 3ti to access a highly-skilled talent pool powered by three leading universities.
Ryan Sherratt is a living example. He landed a job with 3ti straight out of university and is now putting his renewables learning into real-life practice with a growing business.
Looking to relocate your business to Surrey?
Thanks to Surrey’s desirable location, reputation for innovation and collaborative business ecosystem, Surrey is a top business location of choice.
As part of Business Surrey, Surrey County Council offers theย Invest in Surrey service. We assist companies looking to invest and grow in Surrey.
So whether youโre a start-up, SME or international company, you can benefit from specialist expertise, local knowledge and business support.