Coordination of West Midlands Green Business clubs in order to increase their impact in local LEP areas and collectively lever in and share resources.
Introduction
Research by SWM on competitive low carbon places indicates that a key factor for success is the ability of local businesses to rapidly share ideas, good practice, and resources in order to deliver action. Local green business clubs are vital for this, and have a role distinct to that of national or regional business networks. In addition, national investors (such as the Carbon Trust, Innovate UK, the Environment Agency, and Climate UK) are more likely to engage with a locally focussed network and the businesses they represent.
SWM have established and coordinate the Green Business Clubs Network to increase their impact in their local enterprise partnership (LEP) area and their ability to collectively lever in and share resources.
Why run this network
Launched: 2011
Meetings for this network are held bi-annually and allow representatives from local green business clubs to share good practice, provide peer support for each others events and activities, and provide opportunities for national organisations to quickly engage with all local clubs and their members.
Audience
This network is only open to those involved in the running of a local green business club.
Chair of the network
Andy Whyle, Chair at BESST (Business Environment Support Scheme for Telford) chairs this network. Andy has worked at Ricoh in Telford for over 27 years giving him a unique perspective both as a representative of the green business clubs but also as a business member. Andy is also a member of the Local Nature Partnership and trustee for Shropshire Wildlife Trust. Andy works closely with SWM in ensuring that the network meets its objectives.
Key resource and tools
Green Business Clubs Good Practice Guide Dec 2011 (pdf)
The following list shows local green business clubs by LEP area:
Staffordshire Business & Environment Network (sben)
- Contact: Jackie Lavelle
- Email: jacqueline.lavelle@staffordshire.gov.uk
- Web: www.sben.co.uk
- Staffordshire LEP Area
Groundwork West Midlands Sustainable Business Services
- Contact: Cailin Young
- Tel: 0121 530 5510
- Email: Cailin.Young@groundwork.org.uk
- Web: Groundwork SBS
- West Midlands
Coventry & Warwickshire Green Business Network
- Contact: Denise Osbourne
- Tel: 0300 060 3747
- Email: greenbusiness@coventry.gov.uk
- Web: Information here
- Based in Coventry and Warwickshire LEP but also national coverage
Solihull Sustainability Visioning Group
- Contact: Colin Maltby
- Tel: 0121 704 8791
- Email: colin.maltby@solihull.gov.uk
- Web: www.solihullforsuccess.com/solihull-sustainability-visioning
- Solihull area within Greater Birmingham and Solihull LEP
Business Futures Forum
- Contact: Energy and Environmental Management
- TeamTel: 01432 383262
- Email: eem@herefordshire.gov.uk
- Herefordshire within Marches LEP
The Business Environment Network (TBEN)
- Contact: Shropshire Chamber of Commerce
- Tel: 01952 208200
- Email: hello@tben.uk
- Web: https://www.tben.uk/
- Shropshire within Marches LEP
Worcestershire Clean Tech Innovators Network
- Contact: Helen Turner
- Tel: 01905 643587
- Email: Hturner2@worcestershire.gov.uk
- Webs: http://www.business-central.co.uk/launch-new-worcestershire-clean-tech-innovators-network/
- Worcestershire LEP Area
Join
This network is only open to those involved in the running of a local green business club.