Richard established GC Business Growth Hub, which has developed into a £20m per annum enterprise, now employing over 150 people.
Richard currently leads the Hub’s wide range of business support services, which include support around funding options, in-depth insights about exploring new markets at home and abroad, supplying expert advice on the latest innovations and digital tech, sustainable growth solutions, and business strategies that shape workforces. He currently manages over £60m worth of publicly backed business support programmes including over £30m of ERDF projects.
Richard has over two decades experience in developing, implementing and evaluating business growth strategies and services. He has worked at various senior levels in the private and public sectors designing and implementing an extensive range of business support services for regional, national and international organisations.
Richard gained extensive international and domestic experience as a management consultant developing and delivering commercial services to private sector high-growth clients. These clients ranged from North of England-based SMEs to global corporations including Cargill Dow, BASF and Burberry.
Joining the Manchester GrowthCompany in 2011 as the BusinessGrowthHub Manager, Chris was instrumental in developing the Hub’s growth services, from initial design through to the current level of activity.
Following the significant expansion of the Hub over the last two years, Chris’s current role gives him responsibility for the development of future Hub programmes, Innovation services and partner development. He also supports the contract management of the Hub’s ERDF and RGF funded growth programme.
Chris previously worked at various senior levels in the private and public sectors, designing and implementing business innovation services and finance products at a local, regional and European level.
Janine is an experienced operational and development director specialising in managing multi-million-pound successful contracts and programmes both in the public and private sectors in the business support, workforce development and education sectors.
Janine started her career in sales and marketing for a national property development company before moving into teaching where she taught Business and Management Studies. 12 years ago Janine entered the world of business support where she was initially a workforce development adviser before moving into management roles with Business Link and then becoming a director of a Lancashire based enterprise agency.
Colin heads up our strategic engagement with public and private sector partners, ensuring that The Growth Company is well positioned within the Greater Manchester social and economic landscape and that we are meeting the expectations of funders and partners. Colin is building on the Hub’s relationships with key stakeholders to identify gaps in service and support future opportunities.
Colin’s 25 year background in financial services and business support has seen him develop a robust knowledge of the needs of small and medium businesses. Following a successful 10 years running a Chamber of Commerce, Colin is well connected in business circles. Having also spent time working for a small charity, Colin also brings a knowledge of the needs of enterprises within the third sector.
Catriona leads on strategic planning, performance and contract management for GC Business Growth Hub, leading the Operations team to deliver support services across the company covering contract compliance, quality, procurement, project management, finance, management intelligence and standardisation. Catriona also manages funder relationships and ensures best value for money for our contracts and services.
Prior to moving to this position, Catriona worked within The Growth Company, first joining GC as a Student Placement in 1999.
