City News

Representatives from food and drink businesses across the West Midlands lent their support to a new mentoring scheme launched by HEART of ENGLAND fine foods (HEFF) on Wednesday 14th April at Lasans Restaurant, in Birmingham’s burgeoning Jewellery Quarter.

The scheme, backed by Advantage West Midlands, Business Link, The Learning & Skills Council and the West Midlands Minority Ethnic Business Forum will offer director level support to SME ethnic minority food and drink companies, through the matching of experienced mentors in a non-competitive field to ethnic entrepreneurs wishing to progress their growth and development and explore new markets.

After an opening address by HEFF Chief Executive Karen Davies, one of the newly recruited mentors, Wade Lyn, MD of Cleone Foods Ltd, made an enthusiastic appeal to other Midlands directors to step forward and ‘give something back’ to the region’s business community.

He says, ‘Mostly it's the everyday routine that stifles a small business and prevents them from moving to the next stage. I already mentor one Birmingham business and have been able to help them save money by using my contacts to bring their business and banking rates down, I’ve shown how swapping amenities suppliers can get them a better deal on power and been able to make suggestions on IT advancements such as integrated accountancy software and website design - things that to me are now familiar and very easy to advise upon.’

Another mentor is Ken Jollens, MD of Robertson’s Ledbury Preserves who has over 30 years experience in the food industry, including expertise in the flour milling and pasta sectors. He also recognises the value of having someone to turn to: ‘At many stages during my career I have benefited greatly from the advice and support of mentors, on both a formal and an informal basis. We can all learn from each other and this applies both to small and large businesses. There are great opportunities for entrepreneurs from all ethnic communities and backgrounds and I would be delighted if I can help in any way through this new mentoring scheme.’

Mohammed Nazir, Chairman of the West Midlands Minority Ethnic Business Forum endorses the aims of the scheme: ‘More and more ethnic businesses are exploring national and international opportunities and the mentoring scheme will enable them to tap into a new source of free, expert consultancy so they can get to where they want to be in less time and with a greater all round understanding of today’s business issues.’

Ethnic food companies operating within the West Midlands are invited to contact HEART of ENGLAND fine foods for an information pack. All participants in the scheme will become members of HEART of ENGLAND fine foods giving them access to their extensive range of trade and marketing support programmes.

For further information on becoming a mentor or a mentoree, contact HEFF on 01746 785185 or email office@heff.co.uk.