Supporting East Renfrewshire Council to develop local business funding model
Overview
Throughout 2018 and 2019, CJM Lumina supported East Renfrewshire Council to consolidate and refine the model for delivering grants to the area’s local businesses and third sector organisations.
Brief
In East Renfrewshire, businesses are able to apply for a range of grants, some supported by the European Regional Development Fund, and others by the European Research Council. At the time of CJM Lumina’s appointment, these included:
- The New Start Growth Fund
- The Growth Fund
- The Property Support Grant
- The Micro Grant
With numerous grants available, each with a different set of criteria, reporting, and governance requirements, CJM Lumina were tasked with taking on the management and review of these. The overarching objective was to successfully deliver the grants, raise awareness amongst businesses and third sector organisations in the region, and refine the administrative processes in line with both local authority and European requirements.
Delivery
Across the duration of the project, CJM Lumina delivered the following:
- Led the appraisal and monitoring of aforementioned grant applications
- Assisted in the scoring of Business Loans Scotland applications
- Developed an awareness campaign for Business Loans Scotland, targeting local businesses
- Led the marketing of East Renfrewshire Council’s business support products and services
- Delivered an event to launch the new ERDF funded, grant programme
- Developed a set of procedures to monitor and report on ERDF funded grants
- Built strong working relationships with business interest groups such as the Chamber of Commerce and Business Improvement Districts (BIDs)
- Shared key findings and input to inform the operation of future grant systems (include insights into ERC single point of contact, consultation process, and skill requirements)
- Delivered home-based business initiatives
- Played a pivotal part in the development of a new business support brochure for East Renfrewshire
Results
By continually evaluating the delivery of grants, we not only successfully delivered the end-to-end requirements for the grants programme but were able to also aid in the design of a more efficient delivery process. Through our unique understanding of regional economic development efforts, we were also able to inform the ongoing work to market the grants programme to businesses and organisations across East Renfrewshire.
Testimonial
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Suzanne Smith Regional Manager dh Recruitment & Driver Hire, Fife – December 2023
I had 3 of my staff on your webinar this morning
. I was listening in and I have to say this has been one of the best training sessions I have ever heard.
Once they got in their heads to use what you were saying in our business lots of things clicked.
And a lot of what you said they were all saying 'that's what you say to us' so thank you for concreting that I give them good advise and training.Read more -
Jim, Northwood Central November 2023
This is the first Business Gateway seminar that I have attended and it will certainly not be the last. I missed the start so unfortunately I didn't pick up the presenter's name. He has a relaxed, easy style of presenting that I found to be very comfortable. He covered a lot of ground but made it easy to follow. Many of the things he said were reminders of things we should be doing rather than new things but this is great reinforcement. He gave us some really useful ways of considering things such as closing, developing a business plan and looking at things for the potential customer's point of view and considering why people buy.
Great seminar (10 out of 10)Read more -
Tom September 2023
Great presentation and really hit the mark for me. No nonsense, straight to the point. Will definitely take a lot of confidence from your advice.
Good luck for the future.Read more -
Lucy Todd Safe Place Beds EU. Rest Assured – August 2023
Thanks for all the help starting up. I still regularly dip into the BG webinars. They are really helpful.
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Hugh Lightbody Chief Officer, Business Gateway National Unit – May 2021
CJM have a wealth of experience and knowledge in the business support sector coupled to a pragmatic and practical approach. CJM are focussed on the customer and their friendly and approachable style ensures that clients feel supported, engaged and open to the considerable learning that they can share. CJM ensures effective delivery of the client brief and responds to the customers requirements, adding value to the process, and increasing the effectiveness of the work their staff engage in through the insight they bring to the table.
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Richard Campbell Business Team Manager, North Ayrshire Council – May 2021
The team at CJM provide an exceptional service to small businesses. The breadth of their expertise, professionalism and ability to build lasting relationships with small businesses, make them a great choice for growth, development and specialist financial advice.
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Craig Rutherford Business Team Co-ordinator, Business Gateway Fife – May 2021
CJM are a supplier on our Specialist Framework, delivering financial services to businesses in Fife. They are friendly, very helpful and diligent in providing a fantastic service. I would happily recommend them
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Rory Grosse Business Administrator, North Ayrshire Council – May 2021
CJM are 100% professional, easy to work with and perfectly balance delivering exactly what is promised with a method that is easy for everyone to follow no matter what their own level of understanding or experience is. CJM's approach is very flexible and always based around the individual needs of their clients, making them a reliably sound choice and a pleasure to work with. I would highly recommend CJM for their vast expertise and consistent excellence for any project.
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Christine Penman CMgr, FCMI – May 2021
CJM are highly skilled specialists in the field of finance. Their expertise in Project Financial Management, and supporting Economic Development and SME's is second to none.
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Kerry McGuire Business Adviser, North Ayrshire Council – May 2021CJM are a pleasure to work with. I would highly recommend them to anyone as I am sure they will impress with their knowledge, skills connections and professionalism.Read more
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Craig Hume Director, Utopia Computers – May 2021Talented and determined to get the best for the client. I was impressed with CJM's ability to understand the key drivers that were important to my team and connect them to actions that they could deliver.Read more
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Sandy Rose Project Analyst, SCMGCJM have provided expert advice, training and support to a range of clients from the private, public and third sector, assisting them to sustain and grow their businesses and organisations.Read more
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Oliver Buhlinger Head of Technology, New Intelligence – June 2021CJM have supported GO LEAN Ltd for the last two years, providing financial management, business planning, fundraising support and smart accountancy services. The service delivery is seamless and digitalised, and I can recommend CJM to any business owner or charity.Read more
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Nicola Cosgrove Investment Readiness Officer, DSL Investment – June 2021CJM go above and beyond to help clients especially when they are new start businesses and are still learning the world of business. CJM ensures both the business understands their financial planning and business plan but also that they are in a format for a lender.Read more
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Jacquelyn O’Brien Business Growth Adviser, - August 2021CJM have provided excellent advice to businesses, both large and small, in a wide variety of sectors including non-profits. They bring clarity to complex decision making with their superb technical knowledge and strong ability to communicate.Read more
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Willie Stewart Director, Stewart Travel Consultancy Ltd – May 2021CJM are consummate professionals and a pleasure to work with. They are knowledgeable, extremely well connected and will bring to you and your team a dynamic dimension that will add impetus to whatever they are tasked with.Read more
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Emma McConalogue Founder of Kesero – May 2021CJM's early direction and encouragement have been instrumental in going from idea to launching an MVP, which is where I am now. I would encourage anyone to take the time to talk to them.Read more
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Vicky Mustard Digital Marketing Strategist – May 2021CJM have considerable knowledge of many subjects and are continually looking for innovative ways to improve and help others succeed.Read more
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Alistair Hastie Owner/Managing Director, UK Storage Solutions Ltd – May 2021CJM provide us with an excellent on point service, allowing us to concentrate on what we do. Over 2 years later we are growing as a company and I would have no issue recommending CJM to any company, start up or existingRead more
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Laura Molloy MCIM Business Owner, Goody Foody Gardens – May 2021CJM are always professional, committed and goes the extra mile to help everyone. They have a great deal of integrity and I would recommend them to anyone.Read more
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Catherine Lawson Business Owner and Educationalist – May 2021CJM supported our small business through every stage; business planning, cash flow forecasts, financial management and funding applications. We can’t thank CJM enough.Read more
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Gary Ennis Trainer and Consultant, DigitalBoost – May 2021Professional but approachable, expert but modest. An excellent team to work with!Read more
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Susan Earle Chartered MCIPD, Associate HR Consultant, Connect Three – May 2021CJM are consummate professionals with a client centred approach. They go above and beyond to ensure that clients get the best standard of service in the most efficient way.Read more