Season's greetings : December 2019

Plan ahead - business events 2020

With a new diary at the ready, now's the time to plan ahead and boost your business in 2020:

Caring for the environment and your business features at the Harrogate district Chamber of Commerce event in January - Going Low Carbon.

On an environment and finance theme, the advantages of electric vehicles for companies are being highlighted at a business engagement event on 24 January, hosted at Rudding Park.

Vision at Work, hosted by Yorkshire and Humber RNIB, is for employers and HR professionals. With 1 in 5 people affected by sight loss, this conference explains the support, funding and opportunities available.

If you or friends are planning to startup in business in 2020, two workshops will be of interest: Be Your Own Boss and Getting Ready for Business.

There's a motivation theme to the Harrogate IoD event in February, '2020 How's your vision? Is your strategy still working?'

Later in the year, the annual Leeds Digital Festival showcases companies, innovation and opportunities in the north, April - May.

Funding for apprenticeships - new opportunity for employers

Businesses across North Yorkshire are being encouraged to apply for funds to help them take on apprentices - both new starters and existing staff.

A new apprenticeship levy funding opportunity from North Yorkshire County Council is supporting employers to grow their business, by investment in high-quality training and learning.

For details on eligibility and to apply for funding please see the council's website.

Yorkshire business support programme awards over £1m

AD:VENTURE assists the growth of new businesses (trading up to 3 years) in North and West Yorkshire. To date the support programme has awarded over £1.3m of funding and helped create 391 jobs.

Power Sheds of Bradford have seen the benefits of grant funding, purchasing equipment that reduces production time and waste, and plan to export in 2020. Recommending AD:VENTURE, Halifax firm Candle Digital commented, "We would suggest to any start-up business that they investigate the advice, guidance and sessions that are on offer and make the most of them."

Business in Excellence Awards 2020 - enter your nomination

Celebrating the achievements of companies across the Harrogate district, from Masham to Follifoot, the Business in Excellence awards opened for nominations in December.

The council is delighted to be sponsoring the new sustainability award - promoting the work of businesses in protecting the environment, from energy efficiency to car share schemes and reducing waste. Please visit the Awards website to submit your entry.

Wishing our readers all the best for the festive season.

We look forward to working with you in 2020

www.harrogate.gov.uk/business