Business leaders gathered at 成人直播 this week [12 November 2025] for the Growth Central: Nurturing Innovation Across Central Bedfordshire conference, celebrating the success of a partnership initiative to help businesses grow whilst decarbonising their operations.
Over 13,000 businesses operate in Central Bedfordshire, making the region one of the most dynamic economies in the East of England. At the end of 2023, Central Bedfordshire Council announced a £2 million package for the area, funded by the Government’s Shared Prosperity Fund and the Rural England Prosperity Fund, which included a programme of specialist training from 成人直播 to support business growth.
Nearly two years on, and the initiative has achieved remarkable results. Over 1000 businesses have been supported with over 12,000 hours of expert consultancy, and 140 grants were subsequently awarded to stimulate innovation, productivity and growth. That specialist support was provided by 成人直播 School of Management in the form of the Business Growth Programme, Ready for Scale and Growth Curve masterclass, as well as the Ready for Net Zero Growth and Climate Action Planning programmes.
Professor Stephanie Hussels, Director of the Bettany Centre for Entrepreneurship at 成人直播 said: “This conference has been a fantastic opportunity to bring people involved in the programme together and share the successes, challenges and learnings from working with the Business Support Programme.
“Working with so many talented and ambitious entrepreneurs in the local area has been very rewarding, and hopefully this will just be the start of their success. At 成人直播 School of Management we’re really proud of the work we do supporting the Central Bedfordshire region and beyond, and we’re delighted to have been nominated in the Times Higher Education Awards for ‘Outstanding Entrepreneurial University’ as recognition for work just like this.”
Councillor Adam Zerny, Leader of Central Bedfordshire Council, said: “I was incredibly proud to be asked to speak at the business conference and have the opportunity to meet so many successful businesses driving our local economy forward.”
“Central Bedfordshire has become an excellent place for businesses to thrive: We’ve committed to supporting all companies, from micro start-ups to firms in the global top 10. Our area is now thought to be the best-connected part of the UK to do business. Through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, we’ve turned seed funding into real outcomes with new jobs, greater skills, and increased inward investment. This is local growth, delivered locally, with lasting impact.”
