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    05

    Mar 2024

    Last Updated: 04/03/2024

    Business Breakfast: Harrogate BID launches international work experience scheme

    by Lauren Ryan

    | 05 Mar, 2024
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    Harrogate Business Improvement District has launched a match-funding scheme, offering members the chance to gain experience working overseas with Harrogate’s twinned towns.

    The available twinned towns are Luchon in France, Montecatini in Italy, Barrie in Canada and Wellington in New Zealand.

    The International Work Experience Grant from the BID allows staff from levy-paying businesses to travel to one of Harrogate’s four twin towns to represent their sector and learn more about working overseas.

    The scheme is planned to encourage staff retention and a wider recruitment pool into Harrogate, as some businesses in the town centre face unprecedented pressures for resource and recruitment.

    Harrogate BID manager, Matthew Chapman, said:

    “I’m very excited to see this project come to fruition. Our members have consistently told us that recruitment and retention of staff has been challenging for a while now, so to be able to support them through a meaningful way is really exciting.”


    Dennis Richards, chair of the Harrogate International Partnerships, added:

    “There is increasing awareness that Harrogate is uniquely privileged in having four long standing links with towns in the Commonwealth and in Europe. Congratulations to BID on this exciting initiative. Barrie in Canada is a great place for such a project.”


    The grant is open to all BID Members and is available on a first come first serve basis. The BID will provide match funding up to £750, with terms and conditions applicable.

    Harrogate bid specialist appoints new CEO


    Big Bamboo BIDS, a Harrogate bid specialist has appointed a chief executive.

    Ken Erskine has been promoted to the role after spending the last six months as managing director.

    Big Bamboo BIDS was incorporated in May 2022, since then it has won and retained work with clients in the construction, engineering, soft and hard FM and infrastructure sectors.

    Mr Erskine said:

    “I am delighted, and feel privileged, to take on this role as we continue to grow Big Bamboo BIDS into one of the leading consultancies in its field. We have achieved a great deal in the six months that I have been here as managing director, working alongside Racheal Gregory and Jamie O’Neill.”


    Big Bamboo founding director, Nicola Stamford, said:

    “Ken joined the business in September and has since made a huge difference to what was essentially a start-up business, with only one year of trading behind it."


    Women's business group celebrates first anniversary


    Harrogate Ladies Who Latte, which offers support and inspiration to working women, has celebrated its first birthday.

    Part of a nationwide network, the group launched last February and was the first in North Yorkshire and has since has inspired a sister group in York. It is led by Harrogate women Sarah Shaw, a senior public engagement manager, and Carol Beeley, director of On The Spot Accountants.

    Ms Shaw said:

    "I think our success is down to the informal and friendly nature of the group. There are no speakers, no membership fees, no agenda, and no pitches or presentations. It’s just a really friendly, vibrant and professional space for like-minded working women to support and inspire each other."


    Ms Beeley added:

    “Many of our members have already built strong relationships with each other, both on a personal and business level.”


    Knaresborough solicitor wins Women in Business award


    Camilla Greenwood, director of Greenwoods Solicitors, has won a Triumph over Adversity award in the Women in Business UK awards 2024.

    The Triumph over Adversity is a award national award with other winners including HSBC and IBM. The Knaresborough law firm was founded in 1991, by Ms Greenwood's mother Lynda. When Lynda died in 2022 she took over the firm and continued her mother's legacy.



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