This story is sponsored by Strive Group.

A connected experience agency in Harrogate is looking to take on more staff to help it expand its services to new clients. 

Strive Group, which works mainly with household names in the automotive sector, is recruiting initially for inside sales positions, based at its head office off Wetherby Road.

The company has several customer-focused teams, all supporting their clients with their customer experience journeys. Whether this be supporting customers through the process of buying a vehicle online, creating lead generation and opportunities for Volvo Corporate Sales, or booking in MOTs and services, and making mystery shopper calls.

Strive is now looking to expand its offering to other automotive manufacturers and is recruiting for Inside Sales Executives.

Helen Falgate, head of employee relations at Strive, said: 

“More customers are buying online now, so we take them through the retail journey, from initial enquiry right through to final purchase. It’s all completed remotely, but they always have just one point of contact, and we ensure that it’s a very personal service.”

Strive currently employs more than 60 people, and works with well-known brands including Volvo and Honda. But Helen said no experience or knowledge of working with cars was necessary for the new roles, as they depend more on having the right attitude: 

“There’s a lot of trust involved. That’s why the people we employ are absolutely essential. They need to be people who want to do their best for the customer. 

“People who have worked in retail and hospitality are often good at this, as they know how to be personable and build up a relationship with someone. Everybody we employ, we employ for their character. 

“But we don’t just want them to be good for us – we want us to be good for them. It’s a case of getting the right quality of people, rather than just getting the right quantity.” 

Strive employee Sarah Chandler, who works in inside sales for client Volvo Cars.

Sarah Chandler has a background in recruitment and started working at Strive in March 2022 as a contact centre executive. In June, she moved to inside sales, and now works with the Volvo team. She said: 

“I never knew much about cars, but Strive helped me build up my knowledge so that I am able to answer any questions a customer might ask. If you’re prepared to put something in, Strive will help you develop in your career as much as you want to progress.

“The rewards are good too. The targets are for the whole team, and very achievable – I’ve earned my bonus every month I’ve been here.

She added:

“This is the most positive environment I’ve ever worked in. It doesn’t feel like there’s a hierarchy – it might sound like a cliché, but it genuinely feels like a family here.” 

For more information about the roles on offer and to apply for any of the posts, go to Strive Group’s careers page by clicking or tapping here.

Education inspector Ofsted has given its seal of approval for the opening of a new school in Harrogate for pupils requiring additional support.

Strive for Education currently provides alternative provision to 28 students aged 14 to 19 from Harrogate, Ripon and Knaresborough for one to three days a week.

Many struggle in a mainstream school environment due to social, emotional or mental health issues and are at risk of exclusion. Often they are referred to Strive by local schools.

Strive now wants to open as an independent school catering for 18 pupils in September, with a view to expanding numbers. Most of the pupils would be on its roll full-time, rather than sent there part-time by other schools

As part of that process, it underwent a pre-registration inspection from Ofsted in November.

The inspector’s report, published last week, concluded the school “is likely to meet all the independent school standards when it opens”.

Andy Brown

Strive, which was set up by former Harrogate Grammar School assistant headteacher Andy Brown and his wife Sonja in 2020, is now awaiting confirmation from the Department for Education that it can open as an independent school in autumn. Mr Brown said:

“We’ve grown and grown and got to the point where we need to be an independent school. It will make a huge difference for students that require extra provision.

“There’s a huge lack of support for special education needs students who need extra support beyond what mainstream schools can offer.”

Local shortage

Mr Brown said local students requiring additional support currently often had to travel to places such as Leeds or Darlington because of a shortage of local provision.

Students with special educational needs can apply to their local education authority for an education, health and care plan, which identifies their needs and the additional support required.

Those assessed to have the greatest need receive personal budgets, which can be used to fund additional support such as that provided by Strive, which will charge annual fees starting from £25,000.

Strive is based on North Park Road in Harrogate and has a workshop in Starbeck.

It will continue to use these sites but Mr Brown said it was “definitely looking for a suitable venue to increase our size and additional numbers”.

If Strive’s plans are successful, it will initially have 12 full-time pupils on its own roll.

It also wants to maintain alternative provision for six pupils to fulfil demand for this from local schools.

Read more:

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Budding entrepreneurs in the Harrogate district can take part in a free seven-week project to help them hone their business skills and win a £2,500 prize.

The Strive project is being run by social enterprise Enterprise Cube, which will have a team of experienced business people on hand to guide 30 local people through a series of workshops, individual advice sessions and start-up challenges.

It is being part-funded by Harrogate Borough Council and is free to anyone in the Harrogate district who has a business idea or a fledgling business.

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During the seven weeks, the group will learn about creating a brand, taking payments, building an online presence, and tackling all the legal and tax issues involved in starting a business. £2,500 will be handed out in prizes at the end of the seven weeks.

Strive was first run in 2012 and has supported over 5,000 people in the UK.

Laura Mumford, director of Strive, said:

“We’re really excited to be bringing Strive to Harrogate. My roots are here, and I love that we’ve got such a strong independent business scene in the area – so it’s great to be able to support it.”

You can find out more and apply at: www.homeofstrive.com/harrogate.