SME Centre of Excellence

Empowering SMEs and Inspiring Leaders at BibanGlobal 2024 With immense experience across sectors, Ammar Mirza CBE will be bringing unparalleled insight to BibanGlobal 2024, with over 30 years leading on innovation and enterprise. As a thought leader and champion of innovation, Ammar’s impact is evident across multiple initiatives: 🔹 SME Centre of Excellence: With a track record of supporting over 12,000 businesses, raising £100m+ in investments, and partnering with 300+ service providers, the SME Centre continues to help small businesses start, survive, and thrive. Programs like the Northumberland Small Business Service and In Work Support (IWS) have empowered countless entrepreneurs across the UK. The SME Centre of Excellence is committed to being the leading support hub for SMEs, providing a comprehensive, accessible suite of services designed to foster innovation, inclusivity, and international growth. As the single point of contact for business support across the North of England, we’re dedicated to bridging the gaps in the SME ecosystem, offering tailored solutions that help businesses start, scale, and sustain operations. Through our values of Service Excellence, Trust, Achievement, Continuous Improvement, and Inclusivity, we bring ethical, high-quality support to SMEs at every stage of their journey. 🔹 Yohlar: A pioneer in business education, Yohlar introduced the world’s first Level 6 qualification in Business Model Innovation and the Inclusive Innovation Framework (IIF), propelling forward-thinking solutions for a more equitable business landscape. 🔹 Asian Business Connexions (ABC): Through ABC, Ammar has helped launch over 1,000 startups, supported 13,390 businesses, and created 6,000+ jobs. The InclusionByDefault campaign and annual ABC Awards have become essential platforms, promoting inclusive networking and cultural diversity. 🔹 PIE Project Charity: Through this unique initiative, Ammar has worked with 50+ schools and 3,000 students, delivering vocational qualifications to primary and secondary schools by engaging parents, teachers, and businesses. We’re excited to see Ammar Mirza CBE represent these accomplishments at Biban 2024 at the beginning of November, creating a vibrant SME community and inspiring entrepreneurs worldwide! For more information about Biban 2024 click here: https://bibanglobal.sa/en #connectsupportpromote #abc #inclusionbydefault #ibd #biban2024 Kevin Allen Ammar Mirza CBE BibanGlobal Emon Shakoor إيمان عبد الشكور Yousif Alghamdi يوسف الغامدي  Ali Alwabel

Introduction to Social Media Marketing Workshop! Ready to take your business to the next level with social media? Join us in collaboration with Northumberland Small Business Service as we deliver a comprehensive Introduction to Social Media Marketing workshop. This session covers essential social media strategies to help you: ✅ Build brand awareness ✅ Grow and engage your audience ✅ Develop a strong brand image ✅ Run effective marketing campaigns ✅ Target the right customers at the right time From promoting key products to crafting powerful ads, learn how social media can drive your business forward. 📅 Don’t miss out—secure your spot today: https://bit.ly/40oRfp5 #startsurvivethrive #sme #nsbs #northumberlandsmallbusinessservice #workshop #socialmediamarketing

We can't wait to see everyone at the Northumberland Small Business Service Enterprise Festival next month! This is an incredible opportunity for entrepreneurs to build on their business ideas and make valuable connections. 💡 Team SME will be hosting a one-hour workshop during the event to help entrepreneurs enhance their business plan. These workshops will take place 11:00-12:00 across all three venues. Whether you're just starting out or looking to expand, this is a fantastic chance to learn and collaborate with like-minded professionals. Don’t miss it! See you there! 👋 Ammar Mirza CBE Kevin Allen Phil Andrew Dr. Philip Veal, [D Prof] FRSA Jamie Bossons Lucy Evermore Heather Newton Christopher Dawson Sam Hook

Exciting News: Ammar Mirza CBE at BibanGlobal 2024! We’re thrilled to announce that Ammar Mirza CBE, our Chairman, will be a key speaker at BibanGlobal 2024, the globally renowned forum hosted by MonshaatSA, focused on empowering entrepreneurs in Saudi Arabia and beyond. Ammar has been a driving force behind the success of thousands of businesses across diverse sectors like property, edtech, health-tech, and investment support. His expertise in organisational growth is highly respected, earning him the recognition of being a leading authority in the business world, and a Visiting Professor at Newcastle University. Throughout his distinguished career, Ammar has played influential roles as Chair of the Business Advisory Board for the North East Local Enterprise Partnership, President of the Federation of Asian Business, and Founder of Asian Business Connexions, where he leads the charge to make the North East the most inclusive region by 2025 through the #inclusionbydefault campaign. His dedication to innovation extends beyond business, having launched the Primary Inspiration through Enterprise PIE Project Charity and developing the world’s first formal qualification in Business Model Innovation through Yohlar. BibanGlobal 2024 aligns perfectly with Ammar’s mission of empowering entrepreneurs, providing a platform to strengthen the global entrepreneurial ecosystem. With over 160,000 attendees, 250+ speakers, and discussions around entrepreneurship, investment opportunities, and innovation, this is a pivotal event for growth-minded individuals. We look forward to hearing his insights at Biban 2024 and the impact it will have on entrepreneurs and investors alike! Discover more about this event: https://bibanglobal.sa/en #biban24 #sme #startsurvivethrive #monshaatSA #entrepreneurship

💡 Want to increase the value of your business? Check out our latest blog: "10 Key Strategies to Boost Your Business Value!" From improving customer satisfaction to strengthening your brand, we cover practical steps to enhance your business and set it up for long-term success. 💼 Read now and unlock the full potential of your business: https://bit.ly/4dWpibd #startsurvivethrive #BusinessGrowth #BusinessValue #SME #BusinessStrategy #Entrepreneurship

🌟 ABConnexions 2024 Awards Ceremony - A Celebration of Inclusion and Impact! 🌟 In a world where division, discrimination & disinformation are rife. Bullies hide their contempt & racist behaviour, intent on discrediting the great work that takes place. It is an honour and true privilege to be able to come together with people who share a burning desire to make our world a better place. To recognise and celebrate amazing individuals & organisations that are making a huge difference. The ABConnexions 2024 Awards Ceremony was truly special. How do we know? Because days later, people aren't just talking about what we did or said, but how we made them feel. 💖 Having spent the last four days responding to everyone else’s posts & catching up on work - innovating - I thought I better take the time to reflect myself on the Awards. 🙌 Huge thanks to: -The whole incredible ABC team led by Kevin Allen 🔔 Steven Fee 🔔 & Amit Bahanda! -Tommy Sandhu Sandeep Kapoor & Grand Hotel Gosforth Park. - The ABC Board, our sponsors, partners, and stakeholders! - Two amazing behind-the-scenes rockstars, Tracy Fee (our photographer) and Elizabeth Wood (our admin executive)! 📸 ⭐ Celebrating Amazing People -Our shortlist of finalists & award winners demonstrated the incredible individuals & organisations making a real difference in the world. 🌎 -My Chairman Award Winners – Nicki Clark OBE Kam Chera & Amit Bahanda – exemplify how doing what you love and helping others deserves recognition. These extraordinary individuals are making magic happen day and night! ✨ ✊ Taking a Stand My own sombre reflections were focused on identify and the riots. Explicitly “what we choose to ignore, is what we choose to accept” and “action speaks louder than words”. I am not prepared to turn a blind eye any longer. Rather than accepting defeat from one or two individuals’ intent on causing harm, I am now even more encouraged to: - Stop racist bullies from causing mischief and mayhem. Spreading vexatious lies. Taking credit for other people’s work.  Preventing the critical work that had started over 20 years ago through inclusive innovation. 🚫 - Connect and support those addressing inequalities in health, wealth, and happiness. 🤝 - Continue to celebrate, through all platforms & opportunities, those underrepresented individuals across all communities and social classes. Ensuring we are not marginalising our majorities. Focusing conversations on men AND women, white AND black, young AND old rather than one OR the other. 🎉 🙏 Thank You! Thank you for all the positive feedback & promotion! I'm so grateful for the mentions and shares by everyone who celebrated #Inclusionbydefault. Let's continue to raise aspirations and realise ambitions for all! 🚀 😁 I will continue to smile & encourage all those around me to do the same, in spite of any criticism. 😁 Please do visit our website or read the newsletter links below.  Now to get back to work and deliver upon our endeavours. 

Thinking about merging your business? Our latest blog explores 10 Reasons to Merge Your Business with Another and how it can unlock new growth opportunities, increase revenue, and boost your competitive edge. Whether you're aiming to expand your market reach or streamline operations, a business merger might be the strategic move you need! 📈 Ready to discover more? Read the full blog now: https://bit.ly/4h8LCkL #startsurvivethrive #sme #blog #merger

📈 Ready to take your business to the next level? Join our Creating a Business Plan workshop today and get the tools you need to build a strong foundation for growth! Learn how to craft a comprehensive plan that includes everything from an executive summary to financial projections. Whether you're looking to secure funding or set clear business objectives, this workshop is for you. 🚀 Key Takeaways: -Develop a full business plan covering all essential components. -Set clear objectives and create effective marketing and sales strategies. -Use your plan as a roadmap for growth and funding. Don't miss out! Sign up today: https://bit.ly/3UbIlHz #startsurvivethrive #sme #workshop #businessplan

✨ Innovation, Inclusion, and Internationalisation with a dash of Health and Life Science! 🌍💡 A huge congratulations to Henri Murison, Sarah, and the team at the The Northern Powerhouse Partnership for an outstanding session yesterday morning at Sunderland City Council! 🙌🎉 🔥 Some barnstorming performances and speeches were delivered, celebrating our region at the #NE_GrowthSummit, while also recognising the challenges we face. It was a pleasure to share with Jonathan Reynolds MP Department for Business and Trade the exemplary work already happening across our #NorthEast and encourage regional, national, and international leaders to realise that we don’t need to reinvent the wheel. 🛠️✨ Here are some examples: Regional partnerships through the #HLSPledge have brought together nearly 200 organisations from the private, public, and third sectors—led by Health Innovation North East and North Cumbria and North East and North Cumbria NHS. Together, we: Communicate 🤝 Collaborate 💬 Celebrate each other 🎉 Encouraging, Enabling, and Empowering better innovation that’s saving lives and improving livelihoods. 🌟💪 Pioneering the way in Digital Transformation 💻, several NHS trusts and Digital Health Leaders have come together to create Health Call Solutions, a wholly NHS-owned company that’s: Tackling health inequalities 🌍 Improving patient outcomes 🏥 Reducing costs 💰 With the most functionally rich Patient Engagement Platform on the NHS England Wayfinder Programme! 👏 A true demonstration of collaboration through innovation. 🚀 The work of Asian Business Connexions in partnership with regional stakeholders is helping our #NorthEast and #TeesValley become the most inclusive region in England by 2025. 📅✨ The focus on improving health, wealth, and happiness for all communities was a theme raised several times by the audience. 💖 On the global stage, with relationships across India, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Europe, Asia, and the US, the International Trade Centre at AirView Park (📍Newcastle International Airport) provides an ideal space for businesses to: Soft land 🛬 Launch 🌐 And grow globally 🌍—in partnership with regional stakeholders and government agencies. 💼🤝 Looking forward to a future where our region is recognised for the value we add and the difference we make, without constantly comparing ourselves to others or being labelled as the most deprived or divided. 💪 🌈 It was lovely to see so many proud, passionate, and positive North Easterners—and even a rainbow in the skyline, reminding us that every challenge brings opportunity. 🌈✨

We are proud to be sponsoring the ABC Awards 2024, celebrating businesses and individuals making a difference! At the SME Centre of Excellence, inclusivity is at the heart of everything we do. Through our programmes, we actively support neurodiverse talent and minority communities, helping create a more inclusive business environment and those who need business support. 🙌 Our commitment to the Inclusion By Default (IBD) campaign ensures everyone has equal opportunities to thrive. If you have a business idea, we’re here to help you start, survive, and thrive! Discover all of our inclusive business programmes: https://bit.ly/3U02Y9G #startsurvivethrive #sme #inclusionbydefault #inclusive #abcawards