Month: March 2025

Renรฉeโ€™s Round-Up of Grants and Funding – Marchย 

Published 28 March 2025

Funding and grants

Welcome to the first of Renรฉe’s Grants and Funding Roundups. Each month the Business Surrey team receives a wealth of information about new grants and funding.

We want to share these with you in the most helpful way, so Enterprise Mentor, Renรฉe will collate and summarise them into a monthly roundup. Check back regularly (or sign up to our monthly newsletter) to be kept informed of both national and local grants and funding that could benefit your business.

For each item, Renรฉe has shared an overview but also links for you to double check the eligibility and requirements of each individual grant.  Note the closing dates and times, as some are very specific! 

The Surrey Economic Growth Fund

This is funding to drive growth across Surrey. The Surrey Economic Growth Fund has been created by pooling a range of public and investment streams, such asย UK Shared Prosperity Fundingย from government, into one Economic Growth Fund.

The Fund is administered by Surrey County Council and is now open for applications across three funding streams: Business Growth Grants, Future Surrey Fund, and Innovation Spaces Fund. The Council is seeking bold, innovative ideas that will drive sustainable economic growth across the county and align with Surreyโ€™s strategic priorities.

Closing date: the current round of applications is open until 31 May 2025. Other rounds may follow.

Start your application for funding from the Surrey Economic Growth Fund here.

Surrey Hills Farming in Protected Landscapes (FiPL) grants 

The Farming in Protected Landscapes (FiPL) programme provides grants to farmers and land managers in the Surrey Hills for one-off projects to make improvements to the natural environment, climate change mitigation, cultural heritage and public access on their land.   

Closing date : has been extended but to be confirmed 

Apply here for a Farming in Protected Landscapes grant.

B Corp: Creating Positive Impacts through Business Competition 

Channel 4, in partnership with B Lab UK, has launched a competition to support B Corporations (businesses that are certified for their social impact) by providing winners with commercial airtime.  The initiative aims to help businesses highlight their social and environmental impact to a wider audience. 

Up to five B Corps will each receive ยฃ100,000 worth of advertising spend on Channel 4.  The funding is intended to assist businesses in showcasing their purpose-driven work while reaching new customers. 

Closing date: 11 April 2025 

Apply here to enter the Channel 4 B Corp initiative.

F100 Growth Fund 

Through the F100 Growth Fund, Sky and BEO are supporting Black entrepreneurs to grow their businesses.  The most innovative businesses applying will be able to pitch for funding up to ยฃ15,000 and also be offered a free Sky Business broadband and phone package for 12 months.   Additionally, they will take part in a tailored 10-week programme to help them scale their operations through a series of workshops, mentorship, supply chain support and investment readiness support. 

Closing Date : 14 April 2025 (24:00 hours). 

Applications are made online at the programme website.

The Elevator of Dreams Campaign 

The Elevator of Dreams campaign allows individuals to submit a short pitch via a video doorbell outside the Founders Room at the Virgin Hotels London in Shoreditch.  Selected pitches will receive feedback from Richard Branson and Simon Squibb, with insights shared through their social media channels. Available prizes include:  

  • One pitch will be selected every week to win ยฃ1,000 that will be supplied by HelpBnk. 
  • At the Judges’ discretion, one pitch during the campaign duration may be chosen to receive the following prizes instead of the ยฃ1,000: 
  • Entrepreneurs Getaway (includes a one-night stay at Virgin Hotels London-Shoreditch in a standard room, no blackout dates). 
  • Virgin StartUp mentor access (30 minutes of mentoring with Simon Squibb, date and time TBD). 

Closing Date: 17 April 2025 (subject to extension beyond this closing date) 

All submissions must be made through the Ring doorbell at the Virgin Hotels London-Shoreditch.  More information is available at the Elevator Of Dreams website.

Innovate UK โ€“ BridgeAI Competition 

Innovate UKโ€™s BridgeAI competition is for grants between ยฃ25,000 – ยฃ50,000 for innovation projects that address a business challenge or opportunity within one of their challenge holder organisations: 

The Bicycle Association,  United Living,  Sustrans and Lichfields 

The winning projects will be used to develop Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) driven proof concepts.  More details can be found in the Innovate UK competition brief.  

Closing Date : 23 April 2025 at 11am 

Apply on the Innovation Funding Service (gov) website.

UK Games Fund – Transfuzer 

Tranzfuser is intended to support new UK games graduates, taking ideas from concept and prototyping through to publishing.  

Teams will have the opportunity to pitch from the UK Games Fund for up to ยฃ25,000 of grant support for the commercial development of their game. All teams will receive ยฃ7,500 prize during the course of the competition. 

Tranzfuser is specifically aimed at teams who wish to explore the possibility of establishing an indie development business. Teams must have between three and six members.  Applicants may be skilled developers, but need support in the business development side of setting up a studio.  

Closing Date: 28 April at 12 noon. 

Apply on the Tranzfuser website.

AXA StartUp Angel Competition 

The AXA Startup Angel Competition has been created to support entrepreneurs hoping to realise their business ambitions. The contest offers a variety of prizes to would-be businesses from across the UK to help them through the next phase of their startup journey. 

There are six opportunities to win in 2025. Two winners will receive the top prize of ยฃ25,000 to fund their business idea. These winners will also be awarded mentoring from the AXA Startup Angels and business insurance for a year. 

There are also four runners-up prizes featuring over ยฃ18,000 of media, mentoring and exposure.  Each runner-up will receive a profile on their business in The Standard, mentoring with a member of The Standard team, plus VIP access to SME XPO 2026. 

Closing Date : 6 July 2025 (23:59 hrs) 

Apply on the Axa Startup Angel webpage.

Future Leaders Fellowships 

Future Leaders Fellowship (FLF) support talented people in universities, businesses, and other research and innovation environments.  They also allow universities, research institutes, independent research organisations and businesses to develop their most talented early career researchers and innovators or to attract new people to their organisations. 

The aim of this competition is to: 

  • Support ambitious research and innovation to tackle difficult and novel challenges. 
  • Support excellence in innovation, across interdisciplinary boundaries and sectors. 
  • Develop, retain, and attract the next wave of research and innovation leaders. 

Working with a host organisation a Future Leaders Fellow will receive at least four yearsโ€™ of funding to pursue an ambitious programme of innovation.  

Applications will open on 23 June 2025 and close on 5 November 2025 at 11am. 

More information can be accessed at the IUK website. 

The Workplace Charging Scheme 

The Workplace Charging Scheme provides support for organisations towards the cost of installing up to 40 electric vehicle chargepoint sockets at their sites. 

The scheme covers up to 75% of the total costs of the purchase and installation of EV chargepoints (including VAT), capped at a maximum of: 

  • ยฃ350 per socket 
  • 40 sockets across all sites per applicant โ€“ for instance, if you want to install them at 40 sites, you will have 1 socket available per site 

All chargepoints must be installed by anโ€ฏOZEV authorised installer. 

Closing Date: 31st March 2026 

Apply here for a Workplace Charging Scheme Voucher.

Business support in Surrey

If you can’t see anything in this roundup that suits your specific needs, check out our Support Directory, or contact our team of experts via our Business Support Form.

Sign up to our newsletter for regular updates on funding, business news, events and support for all Surrey businesses.

A group of people at a business event, greeting each other. Business Surrey

Marketing toolkit now available to Surrey businesses

Published 19 March 2025

Advice and support, Business news

A marketing toolkit to help Surrey businesses start, grow and thrive is now available via the Business Surrey website.

As part of our work to support businesses of all sizes across Surrey, we’ve developed a series of online training videos focusing on promoting and selling companies to customers.

Marketing is one of the most requested areas of support that we receive from Surrey businesses.

And this toolkit will help increase your understanding and confidence around marketing techniques while developing a bespoke approach to grow your customer base and increase sales.

You can access the toolkit in just a few clicks by completing the form on the Marketing Toolkit page.

What is the Business Surrey marketing toolkit?

The Marketing Toolkit videos are hosted by members of the Business Surrey team in conversation with specialist adviser Daniel Chidley. He has over 20 years of experience in supporting businesses of all sizes with marketing support.

The four videos cover a range of topics on a “learn as you go” basis.

Each one comes with a DIY worksheet document available for downloading. These can be completed as you go – meaning the learning can be directly applied to your own business.

Two completed case studies are also available to provide help and inspiration.

The videos are designed to be watched as a series and cover:

  1. Marketing Strategy
    • why a strategy and plan are crucial foundations on which to build your marketing activities.
  2. Understanding Your Customer
    • defining your target audience, identifying the channels you need to use to reach customers, and creating content to use in your communications
  3. Marketing Technologies
    • focusing on media channels, the importance of a website and social media โ€“ plus customer relationship management tools.
  4. Your Marketing Action Plan
    • covering off budgeting and how much you should be spending, while also looking at who should carry out marketing activities.

Download the guide in just a few clicks via our Marketing Toolkit form.

The toolkit has been funded by UK government as part of our Surrey Growth Hub service. The videos were filmed at Tannery Studios in Send by Lamplight Media.

Need additional support?

The Business Surrey Marketing Toolkit uses technology to provide a different way of providing bespoke business support.

But we recognise that some business owners may need additional help, either via email, phone or face-to-face.

So you can get in touch with our business advisors at any point.

You can also:

Filming of the Business Surrey marketing toolkit - two people sat in chairs look at laptops as filming takes place in the background
A man with glasses, beard and a purple shirt is presenting in an engaging way. He is looking to the right of the picture. A lamplight is in the background.

Made Smarter expands to the South East to drive UK manufacturing forwardย with digital technologies, innovation and skills

Published 18 March 2025

Advice and support, Funding and grants

The Made Smarter Adoption programme is set to revolutionize the manufacturing landscape for SMEs and makers in the South East of England.

After operating successfully in the North West since 2019, and further expanding to cover the North East, Humber and the West Midlands, it is now rolling-out to the South East from April 2025.

This initiative is targeted at small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that have a manufacturing element to their business. It aims to provide them with the tools and support they need to embrace digital technologies so they can improve productivity, boost their bottom line and achieve long term sustainable growth.

The Made Smarter Adoption programme โ€“ backed by world-renowned businesses and funded by UK government, is focused on digital transformation delivered by specialist advisors.
Applicants can get access to a range of personalised support to help them make everyday improvements to their operations and improve their competitiveness.

Businesses can register their interest now, in readiness for the April launch.

Advice, skills and workforce support, plus funding

Made Smarter can support businesses in a number of ways, including:

  • Funding: up to 50% match funding available to help business implement new technologies
  • Skills: training and development opportunities for those working in the sector. This includes workshops, mentoring and expert advice
  • Sustainability: promotion and adoption of energy-efficient technologies to reduce environmental impact and enhance reputation with customers.

Coverage in the South East

The South East programme covers a wide area, with Surrey County Council acting as the lead and coordinator. The regions included are Berkshire, Brighton & Hove, Buckinghamshire, East Sussex, West Sussex, Hampshire, Kent, Medway, Oxfordshire, Solent, and Surrey.

Manufacturing SMEs and makers within the South East area of coverage are encouraged to register their interest now in preparation for when the programme launches in April 2025. Once the programme is live, the Made Smarter team will contact registered businesses to start the process with a free, personalised assessment carried out by a Technology Adoption Specialist advisor.

By leveraging the support and resources offered by the Made Smarter Adoption programme, SME manufacturers and makers can boost their productivity, competitiveness, and sustainability, securing their future in the digital age.

Register your interest now: Digital transformation support in the South East | Made Smarter

Other support to boost your manufacturing SME

Business Surrey is Surrey County Councilโ€™s service providing free and accessible support for all businesses across Surrey.

Whatever your business, our experts are here to help you succeed by providing access to quality resources, expert local knowledge and professional insight. Our offer incudes:

You can also register to receive our regular newsletter, packed with the latest news on funding, events, free training and support for all Surrey businesses. We’ll be including regular Made Smarter updates in the newsletter and on this website.

Roundup of Surrey events in April

Published 17 March 2025

Events and awards

If you prefer in-person events to online, next month won’t disappoint, with a selection of upcoming Surrey events in April specifically created to help Surrey professionals build their local networks.

Don’t forget to check back again soon, as new events are being added to the directory regularly.

Learn something new

We begin April with a repeat of our own highly popular in-person workshop on How to accelerate growth and win more customers. This 2025 reboot, again presented by business growth expert Roya Croudace, will be hosted by Business Surrey in partnership with Guildford Borough Council and Waverley Borough Council, and held at Guildford Pavilion on 3rd April. There was high demand for this topic when we first ran this workshop last year, so book early to avoid disappointment.

Networking in April

If you like to do your networking in the morning, why not head to Surrey Chambers’ Business Breakfast at Nescot College on 9th April. These monthly Business Breakfasts are a wonderful opportunity to meet a range of Surrey businesses over a delicious breakfast.

If you’re not a morning person, you might prefer to try Woking Means Business, on 16th April at 12noon. This networking event is being offered free in order to introduce the Woking Means Business exhibition, Woking Chamber of Commerce and Hilton Woking, the new home of Woking Means Business, to as many local businesses as possible.

Young professionals

Now something a bit different – Surrey Chambers are launching Generation Nextย โ€“ a brand-new initiative designed to empower and connect young professionals (18-35) across Surrey, at the Tesla Centre (Guildford) on 10th April, 5.30-8pm. The evening will include the opportunity to test drive an EV, as well as networking and nibbles.

Submit your own event

Our own events directory is a great way to promote your own business events to a wider audience, at no cost. If your organisation is hosting or sponsoring a business event in Surrey over the next few months, you can submit it for inclusion in the directory by completingย this form.

Free support for Surrey SMEs

Business Surrey offers free and accessible support for all businesses in Surrey.

Our experts are on hand to provide tailored advice to help your SME grow and succeed. Get in touch with a member of the team via our business support form.

And make sure you always hear about upcoming events by registering for our regular e-newsletter.

Networking scene - business people gathered at a networking event

Local government reorganisation interim proposals put forward by Surrey leaders

Published 14 March 2025

Business news

Local government reorganisation in Surrey is moving a step forward as leaders of all 12 Surrey councils agree on the key points of an interim proposal for the county.

Under the plans – which need to be signed off by ministers – Surrey Council Council along with the county’s 11 district and borough councils could be dissolved by April 2027. They would be replaced by a series of new unitary councils.

Ministers say streamlining local government could lead to greater efficiencies, improved service delivery, and economic growth for businesses in the area.

Government adds that Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) in Surrey will then unlock further devolution in the county. This could see greater responsibilities transferred out of Whitehall to local leaders to drive economic growth.

Local government reorganisation in Surrey

In February, government asked Surrey to move forward quickly with plans for local government reorganisation and devolution.

All Surrey Council Leaders have worked together over recent weeks, agreeing key areas of collaboration and principles for reorganisation and devolution in the county.

Surrey County Councilโ€™s Cabinet are meeting next week (March 18) to agree and submit its interim proposals ahead of the governmentโ€™s March 21 deadline.

The proposal sets out how the county council will work jointly with district and borough councils through LGR and devolution. It also highlights opportunities for residents and businesses across Surrey.

District and borough councils in Surrey are also discussing options for reorganisation and will publish their recommendations in due course.

Government will give direction on whether any of these options should be developed further. A full business case will then be submitted on 9 May.โ€ฏ A final decision is expected from ministers in the Autumn.

LGR – what council leaders are saying

Tim Oliver, Leader of Surrey County Council said: โ€œIโ€™m pleased that Surreyโ€™s Leaders have come together to agree the principles of a local government reorganisation proposal โ€“ which makes Surrey the first area in the country to agree a collective plan with all councils.

“I am clear that two unitary councils would bring the most benefits for Surreyโ€™s residents. It would create a simpler model of local government that is more efficient, offers better value for money and improved outcomes for all.

“We are well prepared for change in Surrey and our proposal would set the foundations for better public service alignment and unlock further devolution, meaning we can elect a mayor which will bring more power, flexibility and funding. 

“Throughout the development of this proposal we’ve engaged with partners across Surrey to ensure weโ€™re putting the best option forward to government. Itโ€™s important to consider how all council services, as well as other bodies like the police, fire service, health services operate, so any new system makes sense for residents.”

Hannah Dalton, Chair of Surrey Leaders Group said: “The leaders of Surreyโ€™s councils have been meeting weekly to discuss how local government will be structured here in Surrey.

“Today, district and borough councils will publish a report outlining potential options on what form local government reorganisation may take, which will include scenarios for two and three unitary councils. The vast majority of the 11 districts and boroughs are supporting three unitaries.

“Next week, Extraordinary Council Meetings will take place across the county, at which councillors are invited to note the initial submission.

“We remain committed to working together to agree a proposal that achieves the best possible outcomes for our residents.”

How will LGR and devolution impact Surrey businesses?

The creation of new unitary councils across Surrey will affect businesses across the county.

From a practical point of view, who you pay business rates to will change. Other local services like commercial waste, planning, licensing, environmental health and trading standards could also move to a new authority.

Devolution could have an even greater impact. Evidence from areas like Greater Manchester and West Midlands shows that handing greater powers to regional leaders can drive growth. It can also strengthen local economies.

Surrey is already benefiting from some devolved responsibilities. This includes business support delivered via Business Surrey’s Growth Hub service and Surrey Careers Hub.

Additional devolution could see transport, skills, employment support and strategic planning move under an elected regional mayor.

This will mean greater control and local accountability over the development of Surrey’s economy.

What happens next?

Government has asked Surrey County Council to submit an interim plan by next week (March 21). A final proposal is due by May 9. Ministers will then decide on the best option for Surrey by Autumn this year.

To help meet the ambitious timelines, government has postponed County Council elections for one year to May 2026. โ€‹

Elections to new ‘shadow’ unitary councils are expected to take place in May 2026. They could officially go live in April 2027 when existing councils will dissolve. โ€‹

Devolution is set to follow once LGR is complete. This could see a Mayoral Strategic Authority (MSA) created for the county, enabling further devolution across Surrey. Or Surrey could join a neighbouring MSA.

The draft LGR business plan will be available on Surrey County Council’s Devolution and Local Government Reorganisation page when published.

Visit the FAQs page on the County Council website for further information.

Aerial image of Surrey UK

Surrey Careers Hub hosts successful Transitions Fair for Surrey young people with additional needs and disabilities

Published 14 March 2025

Skills and workforce

Over 200 young people attended Surrey Careers Hubโ€™s successful Transitions Fair at Surrey County Councilโ€™s Woodhatch Place, Reigate, as part of National Careers Week (Friday, March 7, 2025).

This event was specifically created to enable young people being educated in specialist schools and alternative provision to understand the options available for their transition from education to employment, further education, training or social settings.

The Fair saw enthusiastic participation from 12 Surrey schools, bringing together over 200 students.

The event was supported by over 20 exhibitors, including colleges and educators, employers, employment support organisations, apprenticeship providers and social settings, all dedicated to offering valuable guidance and information to the young people in attendance.

Bringing careers to life

The Careers Hub also partnered with Macro staff employed on the councilโ€™s facilities management contract to showcase to students the people and the jobs that keep Woodhatch Place a safe, welcoming and accessible working environment.

Matt Furniss, Surrey County Council Cabinet Member for Highways, Transport, and Economic Growth, attended the event to meet with students and exhibitors. He shared his positive reflections:

 “The Transitions Fair is a testament to our commitment to ensuring that every young person in Surrey, regardless of their educational needs, has access to the resources and support they need to succeed, with no one left behind. It was inspiring to see so many young people engaging with the exhibitors and exploring the range of options for their future.”

Clare Curran, Cabinet Member for Children, Families and Lifelong Learning said: โ€œThis Transitions Fair, and the work of the Surrey Careers Hub in general, is so important in helping to ensure Surrey children and young people with additional needs and disabilities are informed about the range of opportunities available for them as they head towards adulthood. Iโ€™m sure those attending left feeling inspired about their futures.โ€ 

A teacher who attended said: โ€œThe fair was well organised, quieter and catered well to the needs of our students. The short film [about Macro staff] was brilliant and extremely engaging. All my students loved it and felt a sense of empowerment that they too can go and work for Surrey County Council in all different departments.โ€

Students were highly engaged and appreciated the opportunity to meet exhibitors. One commented: โ€œOrpheus has amazing music program, flats on campus and help with getting houses once you’ve left. Sounds amazing.โ€

While another said:โ€œI loved talking to the ‘Project Radio’ people and this is something where I can see myself going.โ€

About Surrey Careers Hub

The Surrey Careers Hub plays a pivotal role in bridging the gap between education and employment, ensuring that all young people, including those with additional needs and disabilities, have the opportunity to find their best next step. The Careers Hub ethos is that every young person deserves the best possible start to their adult life: to choose their own path and fulfil their potential.

A group of students speak to exhibitors at the Fair

The Careers Hub sits within Surrey County Councilโ€™s Economy and Growth Team. In partnership with The Careers and Enterprise Company, the Careers Hub works with Careers Leaders, educators, employers and training providers to inspire and prepare young people in education with modern, 21st century careers education.

Exhibitors in attendance:

Digital changes coming for Surrey businesses

Published 13 March 2025

Advice and support, Innovation

Digital changes are coming for Surrey businesses of all sizes, which may impact how customers and suppliers contact, pay and invoice you.

In less than two years, all analogue landlines in the UK will be switched off. This could impact how customers contact your Surrey business and how they pay for your services.

Government is also considering the roll out of e-invoicing, which could improve productivity and automate business processes.

Below we set out how and when these changes are coming into force. And why your Surrey business should start thinking about futureproofing your business today.

Digital changes: phone lines

Landlines in the UK are going digital – but is your business ready?

The existing analogue technology – the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) – which has supported phone and broadband services for decades is being retired and switched off. This is because the network is old, and becoming harder and more expensive to maintain.

So by early 2027, all landline calls will be delivered over digital technology, called Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP). You might also see this referred to as โ€˜digital phoneโ€™ or โ€˜digital voiceโ€™.

This is not happening only in the UK. These changes are taking place all over the world.

Business benefits of digital phone lines

Trade magazine ISPreview estimates one in five (22%) of all UK businesses are still using analogue systems.

New digital phone lines will allow communications providers (such as BT, Virgin Media O2, Sky and Vodafone) to offer consumers and businesses clearer and better quality phone calls. There could also be new features such as anonymous caller rejection or three-way calling. 

VoIP is also more resistant to severe weather. The cables used are waterproof and less prone to damage during a storm or other severe weather events.

Landlines may also be used for alternative devices such as lift alarms, fax machines, burglar alarms and card payment systems.

BT has taken the decision to retire its PSTN by January 2027. This means other providers that use BTโ€™s network must follow the same timescale – so, at most, Surrey businesses have 18 months to move over to a new digital network.

Communications providers will not know which devices are connected to their network. So it is important for you to review which devices you’re using and decide if they need replacing or upgrading.

Then contact your current communications provider to discuss alternatives.

To help, Ofcom has published a list of FAQs and prompts. Openreach has also published factsheets for businesses who use phone lines to deliver services. This will help you understand how the move to VoIP services may affect you.

Digital changes: Electronic invoicing

Would electronic invoicing help your Surrey business? Government is seeking views on standardising and increasing its adoption across UK businesses.

E-invoicing is the digital exchange of invoice information directly between buyersโ€™ and suppliersโ€™ financial systems, even if these systems are different. The invoice is then automatically written into the buyerโ€™s financial system without manual processing.

Increased e-invoicing uptake may support economic growth, business productivity, improve business cashflow and reduce errors in tax returns. It has the potential to both support businesses and tax administration.

HMRC and the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) are currently running a joint consultation to understand how e-invoicing may align with you or your customersโ€™ businesses.

Businesses of all sizes โ€“ whether they use e-invoicing or not โ€“ are encouraged to take part, along with interest groups, representative bodies, industry bodies and individuals.

Responses will take a few minutes to complete via this online form.

Looking for further support?

Our team of experts can provide tailored advice to help your business grow and succeed. Get in touch to find out more via our business support form.

You can also register to receive our newsletter, to receive the latest information on events, funding and more, for all Surrey businesses, direct to your inbox every month.

A man sat a desk with a laptop in front of him smiles while looking at a phone. He is in a business environment. There is a pot plant on the table too.

Surrey County Council launches workforce wellbeing programme to boost business performance

Published 12 March 2025

Advice and support, Skills and workforce

Businesses today face increasing pressure to balance operational demands while supporting their employees, and maintaining a competitive edge. ย 

While employee wellbeing often falls down the list of priorities, research shows that organisations which prioritise employee wellbeing experience a number of business benefits including:  

  • Fewer absences and greater productivity
  • Improved employee satisfaction and morale
  • Enhanced recruitment and retention

To help businesses improve mental heath and wellbeing across their teams, Surrey County Council has launched the Workforce Wellbeing programme. This is a free initiative aimed at Surrey businesses with 10 or more employees, and provides a clear path to improving workplace wellbeing and create healthier, more engaged workplaces (without increasing anyoneโ€™s workload).

Empowering businesses with tailored support

The Workforce Wellbeing Programme is designed to tackle the daily hurdles businesses encounter, from tight deadlines to workplace stress. By offering customised support, practical tools, and evidence-based strategies, this programme empowers organisations to improve employee engagement and build a workplace culture based on trust and wellbeing.

A comprehensive framework for success

The programme is built around six key pillars, providing businesses with a clear roadmap to improve workplace wellbeing. Through this initiative, organisations can access a wealth of free resources that make a tangible difference, including:

  • Customised Solutions: Tailored to meet each organisationโ€™s unique needs.
  • Self-Assessment Tools: Identify key areas for improvement.
  • Engagement Materials: Inspire and involve employees in wellbeing initiatives.
  • Expert-Led Training: Training sessions provided by Surrey County Council experts.
  • Research-Backed Strategies: Practical strategies supported by evidence.
  • Collaborative Network: Join a supportive community of businesses prioritising workforce health.

The programme is flexible and accessible and designed to integrate into organisations of all sizes, from ten employees to several hundred or more.

Invitation to Surrey businesses

Surrey County Council invites organisations with 10 or more employees to take part in this free support programme. Whether youโ€™re beginning your wellbeing journey or seeking to build on existing initiatives, this programme provides the tools, expertise, and community needed to succeed.

For more information and to register your organisation, visit the Surrey County Council Workforce Wellbeing page.

Looking for further support?

Use theย Contact Us form on the Business Surrey website.

SME Surrey Business Awards 2025 deadline approaches

Published 11 March 2025

Events and awards

The countdown is on for Surrey businesses to enter the Surrey SME Business Awards 2025.

The SME Surrey Awards are an exciting opportunity to support and share in our vision to raise the profile of industrious, hardworking and enterprising SMEs in Surrey.

Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are businesses whose personnel numbers are 250 employees or less.

SMEs are also said to be responsible for driving innovation and competition in many economic sectors. These awards are the perfect chance to showcase your work to a wider audience.

As the organisers of the event say: “Business awards are a sought after accolade of achievement, a veritable endorsement of success in business which offers exceptional marketing and PR opportunities as well as increasing your credibility and standing in the eyes of your peers and your customers. Of course, it feels pretty wonderful too!”

The deadline to enter is currently midday on March 27. Full details are on the SME Surrey Business Awards website.

All entries are judged by up to four of the awards’ national panel of judges.

The winners will be announced at a ceremony in the Harbour Hotel, Guilford, on June 10.

SME Surrey Business Awards 2025 categories

There are 20 categories to enter, including:

  • Apprentice of the Year
  • Best Enterprising Business
  • Best New Business
  • Business Person of the Year
  • Employer of the Year
  • Corporate Social Responsibility Award
  • Community Business of the Year
  • High Growth Business of the Year
  • Young Business Person of the Year
  • Service Excellence
  • Website of the Year

There are also two separate Business of the Year Awards – one for businesses with fewer than 50 employees; and one for those with more than 50 employees.

You may enter up to 3 awards categories and 1 public vote category. Each entry costs ยฃ21.50 plus VAT.

View the categories on the SME Surrey Awards website.

Further support for Surrey SMEs

Our team of experts can provide tailored advice to help your business grow and succeed. Get in touch to find out more via our business support form.

You can also register to receive our newsletter, packed with the latest information on events, funding and more, for all Surrey businesses.

Group of people in party clothes celebrating an award win

From pop-up to permanent: how a Multiply course helped Rita achieve her dream business

Published 6 March 2025

Advice and support, Surrey Success Stories

When Rita gave up her job in a creative agency for health reasons, she knew she wanted to do something different next: she wanted to help people in some way, and make use of the love and knowledge of plants she learned from her grandmother, (also named Rita). Here’s how a Multiply course helped make that happen.

Rita landed on the idea to open a plant shop with a difference – one with a strong community ethos and emphasis on mental health.

Rita and Nonna Rita - how a Multiply course helped Rita

โ€œI just envisioned a place where it would be more of a community-based business. I wanted to not just have a plant shop, my goal was to create a space for people to feel more themselves.โ€

However, she wasnโ€™t sure how to get started. She felt lacking in investment funds and business knowledge, and crucially, was also lacking in confidence about her numeracy skills.

And thatโ€™s where Rita discovered Multiply. Funded by government, Multiply courses were created to help adults without Maths GCSE to improve their maths skills and number confidence. There have been a huge range of different courses offered under the Multiply programme, including many with a practical element, or focusing on specific interests that are related to, but not limited to, maths and numeracy.

Rita was able to take a Multiply course on ‘How to start your own business without money’ run by The Rebel Business School (a Multiply provider for Surrey County Council). It didnโ€™t cost her anything, and boosted her number confidence from a score of 1 out of 5 before the course, to a score of 4 out of 5 on completion.

Importantly the course helped her to understand tax, VAT, and the basics of setting up and running a small business so that she felt confident to make the leap and start her own. She says,

โ€œIn terms of numeracy, [the course] really boosted my knowledge. And then I got the confidence when I got through it.โ€

Following the Multiply course, although Rita still didnโ€™t have any funds to invest in starting a business, she took the resilience and adaptability skills sheโ€™d learned on the course and applied to a business competition to win a pop-up-shop premises in Guildford.

โ€œI didn’t have a lot of things to help me to go where I wanted, but [the course] pushed me to find alternative routes. They taught me skills of dig deep, keep looking, just keep going, it will happen, you’ve just got to keep searching, it might take longer but you’ll get there. And how to barter, how to get things.โ€

Rita won the pop-up premises, and made such a success of it that her plant shop, Rita Botanicals (named after her Nonna Rita), now has a permanent home in Guildfordโ€™s White Lion Walk. All thanks to that initial Multiply course she took.

How a Multiply course helped Rita open her dream shop

And has Rita fulfilled her dream of running a business that is also a place for the community to benefit from? She says,

โ€œIt’s like this bridge between generations and a common interest, which is really nice to see. And also a lot of people get educated on nature again, because they don’t have the means to get out and about. ย Whatever they’re going through it encourages them to bring it home. And I think that really helps a lot of people with their anxieties as well. I have a lot of people with depression that come through and I see how much they feel more at ease in the shop and I love that. So it’s not just a business it’s more of a place as well.โ€

Support for Surrey businesses

Although the Multiply programme comes to an end in March 2025, there are still many opportunities for Surrey residents to gain skills. Find out more on the Surrey County Council website.

And if you’re looking for support for your Surrey business, speak to our team of experts who can provide tailored advice to help your business grow and succeed. Get in touch to find out more viaย our business support form.

You can also register to receive our newsletter, packed with the latest information on events, funding and more, for all Surrey businesses.