Dudley entrepreneurs set to be recognised at major business showcase event

Hosted as part of the West Midlands Business Festival, the celebration on Tuesday, March 4 will highlight the incredible progress made by more than 600 SMEs in the borough who have accessed dedicated advice, mentoring and grants through the Business Growth West Midlands (BGWM) in Dudley programme since it launched in 2023.

The Dudley Business Showcase, which will be held at the Black Country Living Museum from 6-8pm, will give three business leaders the opportunity to tell their stories and how they have used the external assistance to grow their companies and invest in local opportunities.

This will include Midtherm Flue Systems, Iron & Velvet and The Happy Cleaner & Housekeeping Services.

Guests will have an excellent chance to network with other businesses and will also hear an inspirational address from the co-founder of C&M Global and Toys 4 Life, the UK’s top toy recycling initiative that prevents millions of toys from ending up in landfills.

Maxine Sault, who started her business life selling second hand clothes on market stalls, will talk about the raw reality of entrepreneurship - the highs, the lows, the unexpected twists and the media spotlight that makes business a true rollercoaster.

“There’s a real enterprising culture in the Black Country and this is typified in Dudley, where creativity meets innovation with a good chunk of resilience thrown in – that’s what we are celebrating at this Showcase event,” said Catherine Bray, Programme Delivery Manager for Business Growth West Midlands in Dudley.

“Entrepreneurs and fast-growing companies still need the right targeted support and that’s why BGWM in Dudley has been so important in helping them overcome business challenges and making the most of new opportunities.”

She continued: “More than 100 people will hear the personal insights of three business leaders that demonstrate the diversity of companies we have growing here and doing some amazing things.

“Paul Mountford, Head of Economic Growth & Skills at Dudley Council, will also be on hand to discuss the next 12 months of business support in the borough, whilst Eddie Allen from Good 2 Great will highlight the advice and guidance companies and entrepreneurs have already benefited from.”

Business Growth West Midlands in Dudley, which is managed by Dudley Council and funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, has supported more than 600 companies based across Dudley.

This package of support has included advice from local business growth advisers, grant programmes to improve productivity and expedite the businesses’ journey towards net zero, innovation support and assistance for entrepreneurship and start-up businesses.

Delivered by Oxford Innovation Advice, the local business growth advisers provide an information, diagnostic, brokerage, and account management service to support local businesses to thrive, innovate, and grow, whilst also supporting entrepreneurs to progress their ideas. 

A special focus is placed on helping firms in key local sectors and engaging with harder to reach groups, such as women-led and ethnic minority-led businesses.

Dudley Council’s Paul Mountford added: “Business Growth West Midlands in Dudley has had a great impact on our local business scene and helped our firms grow and thrive despite lots of external pressures.

“It’s only right that we should celebrate some of our enterprising stars and hopefully this event will inspire others to go down the entrepreneurial route. It’s a great way to generate interest, jobs and economic value in our borough.”