New enterprise support figures released show significant impact on small business

“Enterprise support services hold the key to the success of hundreds of thousands of small businesses across the country” National Enterprise Network’s Chief Executive Dawn Whiteley has said; in support of new figures published by the organisation today.

The latest NEN Membership impact figures, published just a few short weeks before the National Enterprise Network annual conference, show a significant increase in both the number of clients supported and the number of businesses created between April 2014 and March 2015.

During the period surveyed, 174,165 clients across England accessed advice, support and from NEN Members. Of this number, 84,412 were individuals looking to start a business; a figure that NEN believes clearly demonstrates the attractiveness and viability of the self-employment option. 30,042 new businesses were also started under the guidance of NEN Members - 62% of which were set up by those who were previously unemployed.

The figures also highlight the key focus NEN members place on the importance of business sustainability too, with the national average one year survival rate sitting at 81% for those businesses established with NEN network support in the surveyed period.

An additional 59,711 existing small businesses were also supported – a clear indication of the growth aspirations of these businesses and the impact NEN Member services add to the mix. NEN Members also had a hand in 32,820 new jobs that were created in the businesses they supported during the year.

These numbers once again demonstrate the impact the NEN network of enterprise support organisations across the country, and ultimately to the economy, in the support of pre start and start-up businesses.

For the first time, this year’s statistics also confirm that 100% of the English population is able to access services from the NEN network of organisations. The network also continues to be wholly representative in the client groups it serves - with 45% of those clients seen across the country being female and 23% from an ethnic background.

NEN Chief Executive Dawn Whiteley said: “We are delighted to see such a large take up of the enterprise support services provided by our members – higher than in the previous two years surveyed. These services are at the very heart of what our member organisations offer as long standing, independent enterprise support organisations embedded in the local communities that they serve. It is clear to see that these organisations play a significant role in the support of small businesses – whether at pre start, start up or established business stage.”

The NEN Membership figures were collated from standardised data provided to National Enterprise Network from each of its members; predominantly, but not exclusively, not-for-profit organisations providing independent and impartial advice, training and mentoring to new and established businesses.

The overall impact of the network will be a key part of discussions at the 2015 National Enterprise Network Annual Conference at the NatWest conference centre in London on Friday 27th November 2015.


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About National Enterprise Network

National Enterprise Network’s Mission is to represent, unite and support all organisations who are passionate about inspiring and encouraging enterprise. We support our membership by: Representing their interests to government and others in the public and private sector, showcasing a unique national network of credible, quality assured enterprise support organisations. Promoting the successes they achieve and demonstrating the value they add to local communities and the wider economy. Connecting them to people and projects inside and outside the Network, to share valuable knowledge, skills and opportunities for even greater success.


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