From start-ups to longstanding SMEs, Surrey companies of all sizes, sectors and stages of their business journey can access expert support for no cost via the new Business Surrey website.
It was officially launched by Chancellor of the Exchequer, Jeremy Hunt at an event in Godalming in May.
Also speaking was Tim Oliver, Leader of Surrey County Council; Shahid Azeem, the High Sheriff of Surrey; and local tech entrepreneur Terence Naidu. Representatives from Surrey County Council, business groups, universities and the countyโs 11 district and borough authorities were among those attending.
Click on the play button below to watch the Business Surrey launch video.
Are you a Surrey business looking for free support?
Business Surrey is a Surrey County Council service providing free and accessible support for all businesses in Surrey.
We want you to grow and succeed – and have a range of ways you can access support for your company.
Ready to take your business to the next level? Need new or upgraded skills to adapt to new ways of working? Or do you just require advice on how to access funding and grants? Our team of experts can provide independent and impartial advice on exploring opportunities and how to tackle various challenges. Contact the team for free via our Business Support Form.
Browse our directory of business support in Surrey. The directory includes more than 120 local, regional and national schemes and initiatives, which can search through quickly and easily.
Find out more about what we do and how to access one of our many business-friendly services by completing our Contact Us form.
Spelthorne Business Awards 2024
Published 22 July 2024
Business news, Events and awards
Applications are now open for the 2024 Spelthorne Business Awards. Organised by Spelthorne Borough Council, and sponsored by Business Surrey, the Awards are now in their sixth year, and are a great opportunity to recognise and celebrate the best and brightest businesses in Spelthorne.
There are 15 categories in total, catering for the whole range of Spelthorne-based businesses; large or small, online or bricks-and-mortar, new or well-established. One overall winner will be crowned Spelthorneโs Best Business 2024.
Entries are open now, and the closing date is midnight on Monday 16 September. Finalists will be announced on Tuesday 8 October, with winners announced at the black-tie Awards Ceremony to be held on Friday 1 November.
All businesses with a Spelthorne trading address are invited to enter, and there is no entry fee.
Award Categories
Donโt miss this opportunity to gain recognition for your businessโs achievements and stand out from the competition. The following categories are open to all businesses located in the district, no matter whether you are an established business or a budding start-up.
Best Business in Staines-upon-Thames and Laleham
Best Business in Sunbury and Halliford
Best Business in Ashford and Stanwell
Best Business in Shepperton and Charlton Village
Best New Start Up Award
Best Small Business Award
Best Restaurant, Bar or Pub Award
Business Innovation Award
Sustainability Award
Best Franchise Award
Overseas Trader of the Year Award
Retail Excellence Award
Best Hospitality and Leisure Business
Best Construction and Property Business
Best Corporate Social Responsibility Business Award
There are plenty of other opportunities for Surrey businesses to achieve recognition and celebrate their achievements. There are a range of other awards events taking place across Surrey this year, including the King’s Award for Enterprise, and the Tandridge Business Awards.
Skills Bootcamps launch in Surrey
Published 11 July 2024
Business news
Skills Bootcamps have launched in Surrey, giving businesses a low-cost way to upskill their teams and grow their organisations.
Surrey County Council is offering anyone aged 19 and over the opportunity to gain new skills and boost their earnings via Skills Bootcamps.
These government-funded courses are flexible and can be completed in up to 16 weeks โ meaning individuals can learn new skills easily and quickly at a time that suits them.
Businesses in Surrey can also use them as a low-cost way to upskill their current workforce.
More than 500 courses are available across Surrey until March. Sectors include health and social care, gaming, cyber, construction and advanced engineering.
For most courses, no previous knowledge of the subject is required.
And all of the Skills Bootcamps courses have been developed closely with industry. This ensures they meet the future needs of local businesses and the wider economy.
Matt Furniss, Surrey County Councilโs Cabinet Member for Highways, Transport and Economic Growth, said: โOur continuous support of improving skills in Surrey is essential to our local economy. Whether learning a new skill or upskilling existing skills these courses will help Surrey residents.
โWe are delighted to have been successful in securing ยฃ2.7 million from the Department for Education to support residents improve their career prospects through these Surrey Skills Bootcamps.
โEnsuring our residents have the right skills to secure good-quality jobs in growing sectors within Surrey is vital to us maintaining our position as one of the UKโs largest regional economies. These free flexible courses are a great way to do that.
โSupporting local people into great careers is good for our economy and good for our communities โ ensuring we can offer a better quality of life for all, ensuring no one is left behind.โ
How can Surrey businesses use Skills Bootcamps?
Any adult living in Surrey can sign up to a course. This is providing they have the right to work in the UK and they can commit to completing the course.
Skills Bootcamps can also be used by local businesses to upskill current employees at a discounted rate.
Large employers will need to contribute 30% of the cost. Small or medium employers (SMEs) will contribute 10%.
There is no cost to a business recruiting someone who has recently completed a Skills Bootcamp.
King’s Award for Enterprise launched for Surrey businesses
Published 8 July 2024
Business news, Events and awards
Entries to the The King’s Award for Enterprise are now being welcomed from businesses across Surrey looking for royal approval for their work.
The Kingโs Awards for Enterprise are the UKโs most prestigious business awards. They enable winners to help consolidate market presence, strengthen their competitive position and to generate new business.ย
His Majestyโs Lord-Lieutenant of Surrey, Michael More-Molyneux, visited Surrey Research Park last week to encourage companies of all sizes to take advantage of the unique opportunity to showcase their excellence.ย
Winners attend a Royal reception. They will also have a trophy presented at their business by the Surrey Lord Lieutenancy.
Awards are valid for five years.
King’s Award winner case study: ipTEST
ipTEST, which operates from Surrey Research Park, specialises in cutting-edge semiconductor testing.
It won a Kingโs Award for innovation in 2023 followed by a 2024 Kingโs Award for international trade.
Speaking at the event, Conor McCarthy the Chief Executive of two-time Kingโs Awards winner ipTEST, said: โThe Kingโs Award has significantly raised the companyโs profile, leading to new business opportunities and increased credibility in our field. Most importantly though, it recognises the hard work and dedication put in by everyone at ipTEST. This has been a true team effort across our entire company.”
Caroline Fleming, Director of the Surrey Innovation District, based at Surrey Research Park, said: โThe Kingโs Award is a fantastic opportunity to shine a spotlight on Surreyโs pioneering businesses and toensure the countyโs expert teams are recognised for their amazing contributions.ย We look forward to more of our Park community members joining ipTEST in the hall of fame of Kingโs Award winners.”
Learn more about the King’s Award for Enterprise
There’s lots of help for businesses in Surrey interested in applying for the King’s Award for Enterprise.
NatureMetrics’ expansion continues with new Southeast Asia base
Published 26 June 2024
Business news, Innovation
NatureMetrics, Surrey’s fast-growing global nature intelligence company, is continuing its expansion story with the opening of a new in-country partner laboratory in Indonesia.
The new lab will enable NatureMetrics to reach new projects in one of the worldโs top โmegadiverseโ countries – opening up its world-leading eDNA service to new and current clients operating in the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region.
Those at the company add that it will also strengthen its global reach and better serve companies operating in the area who are striving to reduce their impact and improve reporting on nature.
It marks the continuation of the rapid growth of the business to meet the increasing international demand for biodiversity monitoring services.
Dimple Patel, CEO at NatureMetrics, said:
“Recognising the urgent global call for scalable and meaningful biodiversity monitoring, our expansion into Indonesia signifies a milestone in our ambition to become the worldโs leading provider of nature intelligence services globally. We look forward to supporting more organisations in the whole APAC region deliver vital biodiversity insights to support their nature goals.โ
NatureMetrics provides an end-to-end biodiversity reporting solution, providing companies with simple insights so that they can make the best decisions for nature and business.
By bringing advanced environmental DNA (eDNA) technology and nature intelligence expertise to Indonesia, it aims to empower local companies with the tools they need to achieve better outcomes for nature and drive sustainable development in the region.
NatureMetrics was founded in 2014 by tropical ecologist Dr Kat Bruce, who is a leading expert in the use of environmental DNA for biodiversity assessment.
In 2021 it announced a ยฃ6.5 million Series A investment and relocated to Surrey Research Park in Guildford.
The move helped the company expand from 50 to 70 employees while also scaling up the delivery of biodiversity data to businesses, NGOs and governments using DNA.
It also has a base in North America with a laboratory in Ontario, Canada.
The company is now working with over 500 customers across 100 countries, including Nestle, Tesco, Anglo American and Fauna & Flora.
The expansion into Southeast Asia โmarks the continuation of a successful 2024 for the company. NatureMetrics was recently selected as a 2024 World Economic Forum (WEF) Technology Pioneer.
This brings together 100 early-stage start-ups from around the world, all working on cutting-edge technologies and innovations, to collaborate with society’s foremost political, business, and cultural leaders on the most pressing issues facing people and the planet.
For more details on how Surrey is at the forefront of the UK’s Net Zero drive, visit our Green and Net Zero page.
Games Innovation Zone launches in boost to Surrey’s world-leading gaming sector
Published 11 June 2024
Business news, Innovation
The UK’s first ever Games Innovation Zone has opened in Surrey as part of a ยฃ2.3 million programme helping to reinforce Guildfordโs status as the UKโs โHollywood of video gamesโ.
The new space opened at the University of Surrey’s Stag Hill campus in Guildford last week (6 June). It is the epicentre for an exciting new venture that will bring together a top taskforce of world-class academics, local game developers and creative tech leaders, and amateur gamers and e-sport pros to solidify Surreyโs reputation as a leader in the global video game industry.
A UK-first, the new zone is part of a wider ยฃ2.3m programme called Games And Innovation Nexus (GAIN), which is part funded by Surrey County Council. It brings together cutting-edge academic research and expertise from fields such as AI, neuroscience, psychology, blockchain and metaverse with game developers and creative tech studios to cover every stage of game production – from concept to console.
Two especially notable academics contributing to the project are Prof. Ferrante Neri, a specialist in AI recognised by Stanford University as one of the top 2% of scientists worldwide, and Prof. Yu Xiong, Chair of the Advisory Board of the UK governmentโs All-Party Parliamentary Group on Metaverse and Web 3.0.
Inside, the Games Innovation Zone is split into two distinct areas: an Innovation Cube for collaboration, and the Games Cube for testing and playing games.
Working together, in the Innovation Cube, the unique cooperative will use their world-class combined expertise and insights to tackle some of the gaming industryโs biggest challenges, fortifying Guildfordโs gaming legacy, and shaping the future of video games.
The GAIN programme is funded by Research England, Surrey County Council, the University of Surrey, UCA Farnham, Warwick University, and Warwickshire County Council.
Along with enhancing the UKโs gaming industry outside of London, the programme aims to strengthen collaboration between Guildford Gaming and Silicon Spa, two of the UKโs biggest gaming clusters outside the capital.
Caroline Fleming, Director of the Surrey Innovation District, said:
โItโs so exciting to see the Games Innovation Zone come to life. As well as being the hub for academic collaboration, creativity and gameplay, todayโs opening is a leap forward towards the next generation of gaming. The innovative solutions generated inside the new Zone will help to tackle the industryโs biggest challenges, showcasing to the world Guildfordโs credentials as the UKโs โHollywood for Video Gamesโ.”
Dawn Redpath, Director for Economy and Growth at Surrey County Council, said:
“The games industry is one of Surrey’s real success stories, showcasing our county and its talented workforce on a global stage. We’re delighted to be working with our universities and industry partners to take this growing, innovative sector to new heights, creating high-quality jobs and generating inward investment into our communities – both of which would be good news for our residents.”
Invest in Surrey champions the county at UKREiiF 2024
Published 29 May 2024
Business news
“Invest in Surrey to boost your business” was the message promoted loud and clear by a delegate of Surrey County Council representatives at UKREiiF 2024.
A team from the council’s Inward Investment arm – which is part of Business Surrey – attended the three day event in Leeds this month.
They were supported by representatives from Guildford Borough Council, Reigate & Banstead Borough Council and Mole Valley District Council.
During the three day event, the team spoke to hundreds of people interested in relocating, investing or promoting the county as a fantastic place to do business.
A portfolio of 20 sites was also promoted, with the aim of encouraging investment in the county, which is one of the UK’s leading regional economies.
Delegates were also presented with a prospectus championing Surrey’s strengths – including our fantastic location, world-leading sectors and highly-skilled workforce.
UKREiiF – which stands for the UK’s Real Estate, Investment & Infrastructure Forum – is an annual event.
The aim is to connect people, places, and businesses to accelerate and unlock sustainable, inclusive, and transformational investment.
Setting up the Invest in Surrey stand at UKREiiF
This three-day event brings together key decision-makers from every area of the built environment. This includes the public sector โ with every core UK city and region involved โ alongside government, investors, funders, developers, housebuilders.
Check out these numbers for 2024:
12,000+ Event Attendees
2,500+ Fringe Event Attendees
800+ Speakers Across 30 Stages
40+ Stages
150 Exhibitors
100+ Fringe Events
250+ Local Authorities Attending
1,500+ Investors Attending
750+ Occupiers Attending
500+ Developers Attending
Why Invest in Surrey
Invest in Surrey is a dedicated resource to help you 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.
Our specialised team offers free and confidential services. We assist companies looking to invest in Surrey.
Whether youโre a start-up, SME or international company, you can benefit from specialist expertise, local knowledge and business support to help ensure a faster, more successful investment. This is regardless of where your business is in the relocation or expansion decision-making process.
Companies looking to relocate to Surrey originate from all over the world. Most direct inward investment enquiries are currently coming from the USA, India, and Germany.
Business Surrey launched by the Chancellor of the Exchequer
Published 21 May 2024
Business news, Events and awards
Business Surrey โ a new Surrey County Council service offering free and accessible support to businesses across the county โ has officially been launched by Chancellor of the Exchequer, Jeremy Hunt.
From start-ups to longstanding SMEs, Surrey companies of all sizes, sectors and stages of their business journey can access expert support for no cost via the new Business Surrey website.
The Council developed the offer to coincide with the transfer of strategic powers to grow the economy previously held by the countyโs two Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs).
It means for the first time there is a single, co-ordinated business support offer for the whole of Surrey โ something which is welcomed by local leaders.
Matt Furniss, Surrey County Councilโs Cabinet Member for Highways, Transport and Economic Growth, said: โSurrey has a fantastic economic story to tell โ with more than 100,000 businesses, a highly-skilled workforce and world-leading sectors helping generate more than ยฃ50 billion a year to the UK economy.
โBut we know thereโs more that we can do โ which is why I am delighted we have developed Business Surrey, providing a simple and easy way for companies of all sizes to access the support they need to grow.
โBy being in a position to support businesses from day one of being handed these functions from LEPs, we are ahead of the national curve – something which can only be positive for our 1.2 million residents and 110,000 businesses.โ
The new website also brings together of the business-facing aspects of the Council’s work, including trading standards, Greener Futures and Surrey Fire & Rescue.
Business Surrey went live in April and was officially launched at Huskins in Godalming by the Chancellor Jeremy Hunt last week (Friday May 17).
Also speaking was Tim Oliver, Leader of Surrey County Council; Shahid Azeem, the High Sheriff of Surrey; and local tech entrepreneur Terence Naidu.
Representatives from Surrey County Council, business groups, universities and the countyโs 11 district and borough authorities were among those attending.
Business Surrey launch – what they said
Jeremy Hunt, Chancellor of the Exchequer and MP for South West Surrey, said: โSurrey is a fantastic place to do business. The innovation and ideas of its residents, combined with sector strengths in creative industries, and tech and life sciences, make it a pivotal region in driving growth for the whole of the UK.
โThatโs why itโs great to see Surrey County Council using the newly transferred powers formally held by LEPs to develop a clear offer to support businesses.
โI would urge businesses at all stages of their journey to contact the Business Surrey team to access expert help and support.โ
Tim Oliver, Leader of Surrey County Council, said: โGrowing the economy in a sustainable way is a priority for the Council, which can only be achieved by working and engaging with our fantastic business community. Growth is not only good for business; it also generates opportunities for local people, supports investment in our communities, and improves the lives and wellbeing of our 1.2 million residents.
โWeโre looking forward to continuing to work closely with our universities, businesses, and local authority partners to capitalise on our enhanced strategic economic role, as it is only through shared expertise that we stand the best chance of growing our economies.โ
Business Surrey roadshow
As part of the Business Surrey launch, Surrey County Council has teamed up with Surrey Chambers of Commerce to hold a series of Business Surrey Roadshow events next month.
The sessions will include practical ways for business owners to access support to grow their enterprises, as well as opportunities to connect with like-minded professionals.
The events take place on:
June 4 in Camberley โ Login Lounge from 8am
June 6 in Egham โ Royal Holloway, University of London from 6pm
June 13 in Horley โ Langshott Manor Hotel from 8am
June 21 in Leatherhead โ Fetcham Park House from 8am
Free short online course launched for SMEs by government
Published 1 May 2024
Advice and support, Business news
Small business leaders across Surrey can now access Help to Grow: Management Essentials, a free short online course packed with practical tips to help their company grow.
Based on the 12-week Help to Grow: Management Course, Essentials is suited to leaders of newer or smaller SMEs, or those who are looking to explore the principles of business growth and management before taking the next step and enrolling in the full course.
It is intended to support Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) leaders to establish their roots as they look ahead to scale up and grow their business.
How do I access Help to Grow: Management Essentials?
Essentials is the latest addition to the extensive package of SME support announced by Government as part of the โHelp to Growโ campaign: a one-stop shop for SMEs.
The course is free, with content divided into three easy-to-access modules consisting of short videos and supporting resources covering the essential business concepts required to unlock growth. Business leaders can access the course through the Help to Grow website.
What do businesses say about Help to Grow: Management Essentials?
Byron Dixon, founder of Micro Fresh said:
“These videos are jam-packed with inspiration and practical tips for small business leaders. I wish Iโd had this type of resource available to me when I was scaling my business.”
Martin McTague, National Chair of the Federation of Small Businesses, said:
“FSB has been making the case for a streamlined, digital taster session version of the Help to Grow Management course, and weโre delighted to see this now delivered. Businesses with fewer than five employees were ineligible for the full Help to Grow course, so this is particularly good news.
“This will better fit with the busy lives of small business owners who struggled with the initial commitment for 12-week intensive learning. It means many more can now access the benefits of Help to Grow and see the benefits of committing to the longer course as follow-up.”
Michael Hayman, MBE, Chair of the Small Business Charter said:
“Designed by the experts at Small Business Charter accredited business schools, the Help to Grow: Management Essentials Course will provide new opportunities for smaller firms to unlock their business potential.
“Essentials joins the full Help to Grow: Management Course which has already helped thousands of business leaders develop the skills they need to accelerate growth, productivity and innovation. Together they provide a unique opportunity for businesses across the SME community to benefit.”
Enterprise Nation Founder and CEO, Emma Jones CBE, said:
“As a delivery partner on the Help to Grow: Management course, we see the positive impact this initiative has on small business confidence and productivity every day. One thing that stands out is the value that working one-to-one with a matched mentor can have, bringing the lessons learned on the course alive in a very practical setting.
“Helping business leaders understand the clear benefits that taking time out of the business to sharpen business knowledge can have – and practical support on how to apply that to their own business cannot be overstated.”
Surrey Hills Enterprises has announced the appointment ofย Maggie Howellย as its new Chief Executive Officer.
Maggie succeeds Wendy Varcoe, who is retiring after seven years of dedicated service. She brings a wealth of experience and a relentless commitment to advancing the organisation’s vision of fostering a thriving sustainable rural economy in the Surrey Hills.
Her appointment marks an exciting chapter forย Surrey Hills Enterprises, which is the Community Interest Company arm of the Surrey Hills National Landscapes. It was set up in 2012 to support and develop the rural economy and tourism and to promote and enhance the Surrey Hills.
Surrey Hills Enterprises core activities are focused on โclean growthโ, environmental sustainability and building a strong local economy and tourism industry.ย It has a strong membership of local businesses who receive business support including training, mentoring, collaboration and a Surrey Hills marketing platform.
With over 20 years of experience in running two award-winning local, national, and international businesses, as well as three decades of expertise in marketing, event management, team leadership, and stakeholder management, Maggie is primed to build on Wendy’s work.
Maggie Howell said:
“I am honoured and thrilled to lead Surrey Hills Enterprises into its next phase of growth and development. Wendy’s legacy is undeniable, and I am committed to continuing her remarkable work of supporting environmentally sustainable businesses, promoting our members to the wider community and forging collaborations with key partners.”
Maggie’s deep understanding of Surrey Hills Enterprises, gained from working for the organisation for the last five years, positions her as the ideal leader for this role.
As an entrepreneur herself, Maggie brings a profound empathy for small businesses. She couples with a relentless drive for collaboration and business support.
Thisย collaborative event will bring together a diverse range of organisations committed to Surrey Hills Enterprises’ vision of creating a more sustainable business community in the Surrey Hills. Book tickets on the Surrey Hills website.
Surrey Hill Enterprises is one of dozens of services in the Business Surrey Support Directory. This lists local, regional and national schemes to help your business grow and succeed.
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