The UK’s 9 Regional Development Agencies were launched in 1999 with the aim of bringing ‘fresh vitality to economic development and social and physical regeneration in the regions’ through a business-led approach.

Since 2002, the RDAs says they have created or safeguarded more than half a million jobs, created over 56,000 new businesses and regenerated over 5,600 hectares of brownfield land.

Business Link

Each of the government-funded organisations encompasses a Business Link service, designed to advise businesses on anything from starting up to international trade rules.

Business Link’s Information and Intelligence Centre incorporates a website, telephone advice line and email answering service to help you find the exact information you are looking for.

Andy Berrow, client service manager for the organisation, says the level of assistance the service offers will vary depending on the amount of advice a business is perceived to need, but the first step is always to get in touch. “If it’s obvious you need to talk to someone we will set up a meeting with one of our customer service advisers,” he says.

Once you have had a consultation with Business Link, the next step will be for them to refer you to your local Enterprise Support Organisation (ESO) – a specialist support network for start-ups and small businesses.

Max Walkington from London ESO Prevista says once the client has been referred on to them, the process is very simple. “We arrange for them to meet us with a business adviser. They can come to our office or we can meet up with them at one of our events,” he says.

Although the organisation will always make sure the adviser you are given is tailored to your business’ needs, most are well-qualified to handle the needs of most sectors. “Some of our advisers have more specialist experience than others, but most are qualified to deal with most businesses,” he says.

For more information on the RDAs, visit http://www.englandsrdas.com/ or call 020 7222 8180, or, if you wish to contact Business Link, visit http://www.businesslink.gov.uk/ or call 08457 17 16 15.