SC20081 – Kent and Medway Growth Hub

Growth Hubs are locally based, Government-backed services linked to the national business support helpline. They enable businesses to access local and national business support. Government funding for Growth Hubs is made available via the 39 Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs). The South East Local Enterprise Partnership (SELEP) covers Kent and Medway, Essex, Southend, Thurrock and East Sussex. It is the largest LEP in England. The SELEP (via Essex County Council as its accountable body) receives funding from Government for a Growth Hub. The SELEP operates a federal model, with local partnerships for each economic area within the LEP. For Kent and Medway, this is the Kent and Medway Economic Partnership (KMEP). The Growth Hub for the SELEP area reflects this federal model, with separately procured and managed services in Kent and Medway, Essex and East Sussex.

The Council wishes to procure a local Growth Hub service across the Kent and Medway Economic Partnership. The Growth Hub aims to simplify and coordinate access to business support in local areas, connecting businesses with the best support available from the private and public sectors. It will target support on those businesses with the opportunity, ambition, and greatest potential to grow.