History

1983

 Watford Enterprise Agency founded by a group of local businessmen.

The purpose of the Agency was to provide advice and support to Watford residents wishing to start their own small enterprises. At this time the Agency served clients who were unable to find work locally or who had been made redundant following the closure of the town’s major manufacturing industries which were at that time the area’s principal employers.

In the early years Wenta saw 4-5 clients per month, less than 50 clients per year.

1984

 Premises found on Colne Way, Watford. Disused factory site converted into offices and workshops providing affordable accommodation to small businesses and providing valuable funding for the Enterprise Agency’s business advisory service.

1986

 HRH Prince Charles formally opens The Wenta Business Centre, Watford.

1989

 Hertsmere Borough Council approaches Wenta to build a new centre in Potters Bar.

1991

 Graham Gooch formally opens The Enterprise Centre.

1995

 Ken Hards stands down as Chief Executive. Chris Pichon, an ex-Wenta client, is appointed new Chief Executive.

1996

 Client numbers increase to 200 a year witha team of three part-time business advisors.

1999

 Wenta introduce new schools programme called YoYo.

2002

 Wenta Advisory
New client numbers reach 650 and 1120 advisory sessions supported by team of seven part-time business advisors.

2003

 Wenta Advisory
Wenta expands into the Dacorum Borough and two new advisory service offices opened in Hemel Hempstead and Borehamwood.

Watford Enterprise Agency is rebranded to Wenta Business Services.

2004

 Wenta Property
New eco-office block at Watford opened providing 24 new offices.

2006

 Chris Green appointed Chairman of the Wenta Board.

Wenta Advisory
Client numbers reach record levels with over 1200 new clients advised and over 2500 advisory sessions carried out by 15 full and part-time business advisors team.  Also awarded Job Centre Plus New Deal contract covering 5 Job Centres in Hertfordshire.

Wenta Education
New Beacon programmes delivered to 35 local schools, 2 local further education colleges and the University of Hertfordshire.

2007

 Wenta Business Services is rebranded as Wenta.

Wenta Advisory
Wenta expands into Bedfordshire opening two new office locations in Bedford and Luton.  Also awarded Job Centre Plus New Deal contract for a further 4 Job Centres in Bedfordshire.

Wenta Property
Launch new range of virtual office services to clients.

Wenta Education
Receive National Award for Education Links at the National Federation of Enterprise Agencies first ever Enterprise Awards ceremony.

2008

Wenta celebrates its 25th Anniversary.

Wenta Advisory
Has assisted over 13,000 clients and over 3,500 start-ups in the last 25 years.

Wenta Education
has assisted over 5000 students through our Beacon, Shell Step and other training programmes.

Wenta Property
Has accommodated 0ver 1000 businesses at our managed workspace centres.

Wenta Marketing
Receive National Award for Marketing at the National Federation of Enterprise Agencies Enterprise Awards ceremony.

2009

 Wenta awarded management contract of the Business & Technology Centre (btc) in Stevenage.