Provision of Specialist Business Advice (Lot 1) and Presenters (Lot 2)

LOT 1 - Provision of Specialist Business Advice

• Specialist expertise in any or all of the following disciplines: marketing, PR, tender writing, social media, business planning, HR, operations, ICT, exports, finance and funding, strategy, legals etc. This, however, represents a sample of disciplines and innovative proposals and other specialisms are welcomed. • To provide a minimum of 12 hours of support to each allocated SME client over a number of engagements.

• Ideally professional qualifications. • Experience and knowledge of working with existing SMEs. • Experience of being self employed / running your own business / enterprise at a senior level. • Ability to deliver one to one sessions with SMEs (on site) or group sessions at short notice as need arises. • Ability to work with a wide range of SME clients from many different backgrounds and to adapt style to meet the needs of different SME client groups. • No volumes are specified but we would expect Advisors to be available on a call down basis across Cheshire & Warrington.

LOT 2- Provision of Workshop Presenters

• Specialist expertise in any or all of the following disciplines: marketing, PR, tender writing, social media, business planning, HR, operations, finance and funding, ICT, strategy, legals etc. This, however, represents a sample of disciplines and innovative proposals and other specialisms are welcomed. • To deliver workshops on an on-demand basis. • Ideally relevant professional qualifications; • Experience of delivering training / workshops to groups of around 6-18 individuals. • Experience and knowledge of working with existing businesses / SMEs. • Experience of being self employed / running your own business / enterprise at a senior level. • Ability to work with a wide range of clients from many different backgrounds and to adapt style to meet the needs of different client groups. • Flexible availability with the ability to respond rapidly to need as it arises.

Additional information: The Cheshire & Warrington Growth Hub (run by Blue Orchid Enterprise Solutions Ltd) is in the process of completing a final application for the provision of the “Cheshire & Warrington Growth Hub and Grant Service”, a new ERDF programme to commence in early 2016. The Cheshire & Warrington Growth Hub web site is found at www.candwgrowthhub.co.uk.

The service comprises a range of business advisory and grant awarding services to growth SMEs. To meet the needs of this service, we wish to: • Appoint a number of Specialist Business Advisors to support local SMEs in a range of disciplines across Cheshire and Warrington. • Appoint a number of Specialist Presenters to deliver workshops across a range of topics to support local SMEs across Cheshire and Warrington.

This will be procured in 2 Lots:

• LOT 1 – Provision of Specialist Business Advice • LOT 2 – Provision of Workshop Presenters

Please note: Applicants may tender for either or both of the LOTs.