SMEs can run to the Gazelles for advice

Connect Yorkshire, the organisation that supports fast-growing businesses, has devised a programme that could provide a boost for grassroots and established companies.

The company has launched Connect Gazelles, an initiative that puts entrepreneurs in touch with people who can help their business to expand.

The initiative forms part of Connect Yorkshire’s next phase of development. It will remain a not-for-profit company but will be solely funded by the private sector. In the past, it has received funding from the regional development agency Yorkshire Forward, which is being scrapped as part of the coalition Government’s austerity measures.

The Connect Gazelles initiative was launched at a gathering of 70 business people which was held at the headquarters of engineering firm Gripple in Sheffield. A second Connect Gazelles event is planned for Leeds later in the autumn.

Nick Butler, Connect Yorkshire’s chief executive, said: “There is an amazing array of talented business people across Yorkshire, many have great ideas and real potential; for centuries the region has been the birthplace of many world class, pioneering organisations. Running a business can be a lonely place and a wrong turn can delay growth by years. Connect Gazelles provides exclusive access to some of the UK’s leading entrepreneurs.”

By joining Connect Gazelles, members can benefit from the entrepreneurs’ expertise, and also meet like-minded individuals.

Mr Butler added: “It’s an inside track for companies to build on their success and prosper.”

The South Yorkshire initiative has the backing of some of Sheffield’s leading entrepreneurs.

They include businesswoman Julie Kenny, who is the chairman and chief executive of Pyronix, David Grey, who is group managing director of the OSL Group, Chris Rea, the managing director of AESSEAL and Hugh Facey, the founder and chairman of Gripple. They will give their time free to help the members grow their businesses.

The Connect Gazelles programme will include ‘masterclasses’ which will be delivered by the entrepreneurs in residence.

There will also be networking opportunities and the formation of Gazelle boards. These will be monthly board meetings with other non-competitive ‘Gazelles’ which will be an opportunity to share best practice.

There are also plans for a springboard module where a panel of entrepreneurs in residence will listen to the issues a Gazelle member is facing and offer advice, plus a range of discounted professional services.

Sheffield’s Connect Gazelles will be working in association with Jill White, who is the founder of E3, a networking and support organisation which was established in Sheffield last year.

E3 will be absorbed into the Gazelles group. Ms White will continue to work alongside the Gazelles team. She was one of the keynote speakers at the launch event, alongside Hugh Facey and Connect Yorkshire’s Andy Chaffer.

Mr Butler said chartered accountants Barber Harrison and Platt will fund part of the operation.

He added: “For us it’s a new phase in our on-going commitment to work with growing companies to help them deliver their expansion plans. We will be drawing on our considerable experience of assisting companies. We have helped companies raise more than £45m in funding over the last decade.”

Giving something back to business

The Connect Gazelles group will provide ambitious entrepreneurs with top level mentoring.

Nick Butler, chief executive of Connect Yorkshire, said: “We’ve assembled Yorkshire’s leading entrepreneurs who are going to deliver workshop seminars, talks, and mentoring sessions all free of charge – these are not consultants looking for business.

“These are successful entrepreneurs who want to put time back into the Yorkshire business community to help it grow. We think the companies that will benefit will already be turning over between £500,000 and £10m. We’re aiming to have between 50 and 100 Gazelle members in Leeds and Sheffield.”

A spokesman for Connect Yorkshire said the membership fee for the Connect Gazelles is £300 per year, while partner companies pay £10,000 per year.