BUSINESS SUPPORT
New support for start-up and rural businesses in Wiltshire
Thanks to the UK Shared Prosperity Fund start-up and rural businesses in Wiltshire can now benefit from free support , advice and grant funding .
The UK Shared Prosperity Fund ( UKSPF ) is the government ’ s domestic replacement for the European Structural and Investment Programme ( ESIF ). It provides local authorities funding for communities , places , businesses , people and skills .
The government has allocated £ 2.6 billion over two years and three months , with at least £ 1 million to every lead authority . In Wiltshire we have received a total of £ 5.7 million . The UKSPF is part of the government ’ s wider commitment to level up all parts of the UK with the objective to :
• Boost productivity , pay , jobs and living standards by growing the private sector , especially in those places where they are lagging .
• Spread opportunities and improve public services , especially in those places where they are weakest .
• Restore a sense of community , local pride and belonging , especially in those places where they have been lost .
• Empower local leaders and communities , especially in those places lacking local agency .
There is also the Rural England Prosperity Fund , a top up to the UKSPF worth up to £ 110 million for 2023 / 24 and 2024 / 25 .
In Wiltshire the support funded by Wiltshire Council through the UKSPF is being delivered by the University of Bath in partnership with techSPARK and The Future Smiths .
This consortium is delivering two programmes designed to ignite growth and support our rural economy - Start-up Support and Rural Hubs .
Meet the delivery team
Andrea Kelly Lucy Paine
University of Bath
The consortium is being led by the University of Bath , building on its highly successful innovation and entrepreneur workouts which were previously funded by the European Regional Development Fund . Both Lucy and Andrea are well-known in the community through their work .
Andrea is best known for her work with SETsquared Bath - the University of Bath ’ s world-leading business acceleration centre .
Lucy is a woman with many hats and a super-connector . She ’ s Entrepreneur in Residence at the University of Bath and also known for her work developing the techSPARK ecosystem .
Aimee Skinner
14 www . tbeswindonandwilts . co . uk
Charly Patrick techSPARK techSPARK the region ’ s tech connector is involved in this project to continue its work promoting tech as an enabler for all things growth .
Charly Patrick is Chief Operations Officer at techSPARK . She previously delivered the highly regarded NatWest Accelerator Programme .
Aimee Skinner is recognised as one of the top 100 innovators in the South West and was winner of the 2023 Business Mentor / Advisor Award . Aimee has worked with more than 100 founders since 2020 .