Members of the Partnership

Business Link Berkshire and Wiltshire (BLBW): Business Link helps organisations prosper and succeed, whether they have just started up or have been established for years. Across Berkshire and Wiltshire its advisors are able to help virtually any business in any situation. They have a comprehensive understanding of business issues that come only from years of experience.
Services include: a comprehensive business start-up programme, business information service, finance and funding support, export and international trade advice, specialist support for rural and farm based businesses, a family business centre, ICT and e-commerce advice and support to develop your workforce. Call 0845 600 4141, email info@blbw.co.uk.

Great Western Enterprise (GWE): Is an economic development company committed to encouraging and assisting the growth of small and medium sized companies and to developing the regional economy. As a company-based organisation, limited by guarantee, GWE focuses on activities and services to develop the economy and any surpluses are reinvested in support of the community.
Services are delivered through various divisions and subsidiary companies. The Property Division offers a portfolio of 18,000 sq. m. of managed office, workshop and laboratory space accommodating over 300 companies. The Economic Development Division is a partnership with Wiltshire County Council providing economic development initiatives in economic policy, regeneration and tourism. The Centre for Professional Development delivers training programmes which support organisations and their people through growth and change. GWE's Research and Consultancy Division offers economic research services to companies and organisations needing a better understanding of their economic or business environment. Business Link Berkshire and Wiltshire is a wholly owned subsidiary of GWE.

Institute of Directors, West of England: the local branch of the Institute representing company directors. The IoD has over 64,000 individual members in the UK and about two thirds of these are from the SME sector. The IoD seeks to promote the principle and practice of "Enterprise with Integrity". Its main objectives include - bringing the experience of Business Leaders to bear on the conduct of public affairs for the common good and encouraging and helping members improve their professional competence.

Wiltshire College: is the major provider of post-16 education and training in the area. Its main campuses are at Trowbridge, Lackham and Chippenham, with satellite centres in many of the market towns of central Wiltshire, (including Melksham, Devizes, and Warminster ) and Shaftesbury. The college has 2,700 full time students, 13,000 part-time students on courses leading to qualifications and some 8,000 people on leisure programmes. Through its commercial units, Arc Training and the Chippenham Training Partnership, the college works extensively with local and regional businesses to train some 3,000 employees per year. It is now a major provider to businesses under the Learning and Skills Council's Free 2 Learn initiative. The College works closely with the University of Bath and is the main provider of higher education in the area with around 600 students on HE courses delivered at Wiltshire College. Wiltshire College is able to offer the full range of provision through its many centres, specialist facilities and expert staff. With approximately 900 employees (763 FTE) it is able to respond to the significant needs of the local community. It is heavily engaged in developing 'on- line' learning, running flexible courses in village halls and community centres and responding to those who have been excluded from learning for some time. In support of the county Economic Strategy the College has achieved the award of a Centre of Vocational Excellence for the Digital and Broadcast Media industry - a developing business sector in the county.

Wessex Association of Chambers of Commerce: the main organisation representing local businesses. Twelve Chambers belong to the Association, including the five West Wiltshire town chambers and chambers in Chippenham, Corsham, Frome, Shepton Mallett, Wootton Bassett, Marlborough and Devizes. The Association has some 1,000 members in total with 600 in West Wiltshire. Its West Wiltshire members employ more than 50,000 people. The Association delivers a range of services to its members, including a programme of training and events jointly with Business Link. The Association also runs major business events such as the West Wilts Show. The association provides management services to the partnership.

West Wiltshire District Council (WWDC): WWDC shares local government responsibility for West Wiltshire with Wiltshire County Council. It has a statutory duty for the economic wellbeing of those living in West Wiltshire. Its Economic Development team is based at Trinity House and works closely with the Partnership Manager. The District Council is the main backer of the Economic Partnership. It supports the Partnership financially and aligns its economic development programme with that of the Partnership. The District Council is especially keen to support sustainable economic development, with economic, social and environmental objectives in balance.

Jobcentre Plus - West Wiltshire: With effect from 1/4/02, Benefits Agency and the Employment Service have joined forces to form Jobcentre Plus. With three job centres in Warminster, Trowbridge and Melksham, Jobcentre Plus is responsible for helping the unemployed back into work. In 2001/2 the three West Wiltshire Jobcentres handled almost 8500 job vacancies and placed 2500 people into employment. Jobcentre Plus plays an important role in helping employed job seekers find new positions and supports employers in finding suitable staff. Jobcentre Plus is responsible for the Government's New Deal initiative that provides special assistance to help disadvantaged groups back into work. Other services include support for employers and employees facing large scale redundancies, and helping companies setting up relocating or expanding in West Wiltshire with advice on the local work force, rates of pay, skills etc as well as advice and support on recruitment.

West Wiltshire Learning Partnership: One of four local learning partnerships in the county financially supported by the Wiltshire and Swindon Learning and Skills Council through the Wiltshire and Swindon Lifelong Learning Partnership. The aim is to promote and encourage all forms of learning to everyone in the district. Membership of more than 60 organisations is drawn from all sectors of the community and includes county and district councils; Wiltshire College and the seven district secondary schools; private training providers; voluntary groups and a wide range of business interests. It fosters links between schools, both secondary and primary, and local businesses through a number of programmes and is closely involved with the WWEP on training and skills development. Contact Mike Perry for more information (01225) 355553 mike@wessexchambers.org.uk.

Wiltshire County Council: the County Council has Economic Development responsibilities covering the whole County. The County Council is a strong supporter of the Partnership working at local and sub regional level. Its team has specialist functions in the fields of external funding, rural development and economic information.

The Federation of Small Businesses: The FSB is the largest campaigning pressure group promoting and protecting the interests of the self-employed and owners of small firms. Formed in 1974, it now has over 185,000 members across 33 regions and 230 branches. Membership benefits include assistance and support 24 hours a day while its lobbying arm - led by the Westminster Press and Parliamentary office - applies pressure on MPs, Government and Whitehall, lobbies politicians in their constituencies and puts the FSB viewpoint over to the media. The FSB is non-profit making and non-party political. It has a legal helpline operating 24 hours a day.

The Learning and Skills Council: The vision of the LSC is that by 2010 young people and adults in England will have the knowledge and productive skills matching the best in the world. Its work covers: further education and sixth forms, work based learning for young people, workforce development, adult and community learning, information, advice and guidance for adults, education business links.

Community First: is a charitable company working to improve the quality of life and the economic well being of people throughout Wiltshire and Swindon. With the aim of strengthening local communities and empowering people, our professional staff team provides technical advice and funding support for a wide range of community-based projects.
Working in close collaboration with voluntary organisations, statuary agencies and privade fundets, Community First also develops and manages countywide rural development schemes to bring social, economic and environmental benefits to people in local communities.

Country Land and Business Association: CLA represents and supports 45,000 businesses in rural communities, covering all aspects of land use and management, professional, retail and commercial services, tourism and light industry businesses. The CLA is working to secure the long term prosperity and stability of the rural economy. Members' businesses spread across 250 different sectors. Together these members own and manage five million hectares - almost half the agricultural land in England and Wales - and are key to the success of the rural economy.
The CLA believes that economic prosperity in rural areas is dependent upon successful and vibrant rural communities. It works closely with key stakeholders in Government, NGOs, academia, business and rural groups to ensure that rural people have the support they need to succeed in the changing rural economy. CLA develops rigorous and detailed policy recommendations on issues as diverse as affordable housing, planning reform, education, rights of way and local transport, it aims to provide workable solutions to problems affecting rural people.

Voluntary Action West Wilts: Voluntary Action is the umbrella organisation for West Wilts voluntary Sector. It supports hundreds of local organisation and helps to establish new voluntary sector services where a need is identified. VAWW provides a full training programme, funding advice with access to a comprehensive funding database and library as well as offering help or advice for anyone wanting to get their good ideas off the ground.
The organisation also signposts people to volunteering opportunities in west wiltshire. Management committees can go to VAWW for help on a range of issues related to running and managing an organisation. Contact 01225 767993.