Enterprise North East Trust Announces Expansion

Enterprise North East Trust (Enterprise) today, announce that they have created two new teams to focus on assisting new businesses to start up in the North East.  The new teams will be led by Evelyn Watt and Katy Sutherland. 

Enterprise currently employs 65 people.  In the first six months of their 2005/2006 financial year, Enterprise, as part of the Business Gateway Contract, helped 468 businesses to start. 

Katy Sutherland comments, “Having worked for Enterprise for four years being appointed to run one of the new teams is an exciting challenge whilst also enabling me to continue to develop my career with Enterprise.  We give free professional advice and counselling as well as providing access to a wealth of information for those thinking of starting their own business, through Business Gateway.  For me, one of the benefits of working at Enterprise is the Flexible Working Policy; it allows me to organise my schedule to achieve a work life balance across the working week.  This is vital when meeting with people who are interested in starting their own business as it is sometimes necessary to schedule meetings to be held out with normal office hours.”

Chris Travis, chief executive of Enterprise comments, “In addition to the creation of two new teams, Enterprise has also appointed a Corporate Strategy Manager, Alison Lyall.  Alison joins us from Abbey plc.  Our expansion is set to continue as we are currently recruiting for several positions, including an e-business advisor and a business centre administrator for our Inverurie Business Centre.  These appointments are an important move for Enterprise in ensuring that we maintain the consistently high level of business advice to help our clients successfully face the wide variety of challenges that they come across whilst setting up and running their business.” 

Chris continues, “Improved survival rates for new businesses are a direct result of the assistance that business support organisations, such as Enterprise, provide to new businesses.  98% of businesses which receive assistance from Enterprise survive their first year of trading, 88% are still trading after year 2 and 80% continue into year three and beyond.  Where businesses do not receive support from organisations such as Enterprise only 65% survive past year three.”

Alison comments, “Part of my remit is to develop a strategy and action plan for the ongoing expansion of Enterprise; future plans include working with Scottish Enterprise.  In order to achieve this I will be working closely with members of the Enterprise management team to ensure that the appropriate strategies are in place in each area of the business. The development of a comprehensive corporate strategy is intrinsic for Enterprise to achieving its business targets and objectives which include being the first port of call for anyone considering starting their own business.”

Enterprise can provide business advice, through Business Gateway, for all sizes of business on all aspects of running a successful business. Enterprise’s experienced business advisors provide a ‘one stop shop’ for all business development needs from start ups to well established businesses.  Enterprise can be contacted on 01467 672500 or at www.enetrust.com.

Ends

Picture Caption:  Katy Sutherland (pictured) and Evelyn Watt have been appointed to lead two new teams which will focus on business start-up; Enterprise has also appointed a Corporate Strategy Manager.

For further information contact:
Lyndsay Brackenbury
Tricker PR
9 Victoria Street
Aberdeen
Telephone  01224 646491
Direct Line 01224 654086
Mobile  07780 680751
Email  lbrackenbury@trickerpr.com

Note to Editors
1. Enterprise North East Trust’s financial year runs from April to March.