The CWLEP officially closed on Friday following the Government’s announcement in the Levelling-Up White Paper that LEPs in England are to integrate into local democratic institutions after 12 years of driving growth in the area.

The reconfigured Coventry and Warwickshire Growth Hub will be a stand-alone organisation and will remain an independent business-led support service.

Since 2014, the Growth Hub has created some 10,500 jobs, added £400 million in gross value to the local economy, and leveraged some £300 million in private sector investment for businesses with the funding support, help and information it has provided to firms across Coventry and Warwickshire – from sole traders to international companies in a myriad of sectors.

Annual performance data and firm level data has highlighted that the Coventry and Warwickshire Growth Hub has an average of 22 per cent engagement – almost triple the average of other Growth Hubs.

Craig Humphrey, the Chief Executive Officer of the Coventry and Warwickshire Growth Hub, said there are exciting times ahead as they continue to build on their great work over the last nine years.

He said: “We will continue to be the front door to business support in Coventry and Warwickshire to provide one-to-one advice and ongoing support.

“We can now reach close to 10,000 companies in the area and regionally, through collaboration, the number rises to over 110,000 firms.

“That is due to the support of our partners throughout the region and the excellent partnerships we have developed with the West Midlands Combined Authority and our local authorities and district and borough councils which will continue to underpin our service.

“That is vital to ensuring Coventry and Warwickshire businesses continue to receive high-quality business advice and support and is the reasoning behind our new social media campaign #HereforCWBusiness which we are shortly launching. 

“The Growth Hub will now be a stand-alone entity but we remain committed to helping businesses manage the many challenges that they are currently facing alongside seizing the opportunities for growth because the eco-system of support is well established across Coventry and Warwickshire and it works well. 

“The change in Government policy will also see the Coventry and Warwickshire Growth Hub integrate Coventry & Warwickshire Champions into the new group and we look forward to working with our Local Authority partners and stakeholders to continue to provide the best possible support available to our business community. The CW Growth Hub is run by business, for business!”

The Growth Hub is supported by funders including Coventry City Council, Warwickshire County Council and Warwickshire’s District and Borough Councils.

Pictured: Craig Humphrey, the Chief Executive Officer of the Coventry and Warwickshire Growth Hub