Business Support for the future – NBV is pleased to announce a merger with NWES

This progressive move builds on the joint working which NBV and NWES – two of the largest Enterprise Agencies in the UK have enjoyed in recent years. The merger will bring together these two dynamic not for profit organisations to the benefit of the start-up and existing small businesses they already support and further develop sustainable enterprise support services across the East Midlands and East of England regions.

NBV was formed in 1982 and offers comprehensive business support services to aspiring entrepreneurs and small businesses across the East Midlands. In recent years the organisation has supported thousands of clients into business, successfully created one of the first incubator centres at Mercury House, Nottingham and more recently has opened a brand new Community Enterprise Centre in Basford, Nottingham.

With 2017 seeing both NWES and NBV celebrating 35 years of successful enterprise support, integration is due to commence as soon as possible, and the merger is expected to be completed by March 2017.

As with NBV, comprising a network of Business Advisors and an extensive property portfolio, the NWES group offers 1-to-1 business advice, a range of business and personal skills training courses and events, access to finance and serviced business premises, for those wishing to start or grow a business.

Established in 1982 to boost enterprise and jobs in the Norfolk and Waveney area, the strong vision and leadership of NWES has seen it widen its reach to offer total business support throughout Norfolk, Suffolk, Cambridgeshire and Essex.  Having completed a merger with London Small Business Centre as recently as December 2016, this move cements the NWES group as the largest and most ambitious enterprise agency in the UK.

NWES CEO, Kevin Horne said.

“The political landscape of the country has changed immensely over the last few years and it is important that we adjust and realign accordingly. Neither NWES nor NBV are organisations which rest on their laurels and we are excited about our joint vision for the future.

“The merger forms part of our careful expansion programme to offer more services, to assist more people, and to continue to encourage enterprise and innovation in both the eastern region and the Midlands. Our existing and new clients and tenants will benefit from access to a wider range of Business Advisors, properties, products and services and will also be part of a bigger network.”

Richard Dearden NBV CEO is delighted at the formalisation of the relationship with NWES:

“Over the last few years we have been working ever more closely with NWES in delivering joint business support programmes but also in the planning and developing of our vision for future business support. The merger process is a natural extension of this relationship and offers exciting opportunities for the business, our fantastic teams and most importantly the business community we are here to serve”

“NBV will remain as a company within the NWES group and the name NBV will continue to be the go to place for high quality, friendly and professional business support services in the East Midlands. Our locations, staff and service offering will be developed further under the NWES Group as we progress the best examples of business support within NWES and NBV.  There are no planned job losses as a result of this merger with system efficiencies being implemented to ensure we continue to provide the best business support and workspace services for our clients. Given our long relationship with NWES and the similar history, ethics and culture of NWES and NBV, the merger will be a smooth transition and will complete by the end of March.

Richard Dearden has also announced that upon successful completion of the merger process he will be leaving NBV to pursue new opportunities.

Richard joined NBV in 1999 as Deputy CEO taking over as CEO in 2004 following the sad passing of NBV’s former CEO Norman Allcock.

Richard said “This Summer I will complete 18 years with NBV and it’s the right time for both me and NBV to move on. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at NBV and I have worked with some fantastic people and seen many incredible entrepreneurs start and grow successful businesses. Starting a business requires much determination, energy and enthusiasm and it’s been an absolute privilege to work with so many amazing people and play a part in helping them achieve business success. I am very pleased about the recent developments with NWES, which will conclude with our two fantastic businesses formally joining together. It offers great opportunities for the business and the superb team who work so hard at NBV. After the merger is concluded over the Summer it will be the natural time for me to move on. I am confident that the merger with NWES will enable NBV to develop further our long term strategy for business support and bring to market a number of new services for tomorrow’s entrepreneurs. I’m delighted that when I leave, NBV will be left in the very capable hands of my Deputy Joanna Clarke at NBV and Kevin Horne, CEO at NWES – two experienced and respected business support professionals committed to the world of enterprise.

Whilst it will be a few months yet before I do leave NBV I will move on with many, many fond memories of my time at NBV. I view it as a great privilege to have led NBV over the past 18 years – NBV and its team will always be a part of me and I will continue to follow the progress of the business with great interest. On a personal note the future is exciting. Having been in the workplace since the age of 16 I am very much looking forward to enjoying some time off over the Summer as I embark on a “gap” month or two! I will then be seeking a new challenge to further my work in the region.”

NBV Chairman, James Pinchbeck comments.

“NBV has, since its inception some 30 years ago, played a key part in supporting and nurturing new business start-ups and growing businesses across the East Midlands.  It has earned an enviable reputation for both developing and delivering business support programmes and for working with a myriad of both public and private sector providers.

“The ability of the organisation to adapt to the often challenging and changing environment is in no small way due to the vision and resilience of the Board and the Senior Leadership team and especially its Chief Executive Richard Dearden and his Deputy Joanna Clarke.  The Board would particularly like to acknowledge the unstinting work and leadership of Richard Dearden, both over the years he has been involved, but more recently in the instrumental role he has played on the merger of these two key enterprise agencies.”

Mr Pinchbeck continues:

“The Board believes that by NBV and NWES coming together individuals and businesses, now and in the future, will be better placed to receive an enhanced level of support, as well as the potential to benefit from some new and innovative business support initiatives.”

With a clear and deliberate desire to ensure that NBV’s work continues to address the needs of those in the East Midlands, Joanna Clarke will join the Board of NWES, as will James Pinchbeck NBV’s current Chairman. Both look forward to working with other NWES Board members and Chief Executive going forward.

About NBV:

Established in 1982, NBV Enterprise Solutions Ltd supports start ups and small businesses across the East Midlands.

NBV offers bespoke, targeted business support including advice, training, mentoring, access to finance, networking and property solutions including physical and virtual space to anyone looking to start or grow a business

To learn more about NBV, please visit www.nbv.co.uk