How do we know so much about business support you might ask?
Learn more about our history, from then to now. Here's a timeline summary of our journey so far:
We've partnered with Watford Borough Council to launch 'The Business Recovery & Growth Programme' in Watford.
This programme has been launched for Watford based businesses and residents free business support, tailored to the needs of the local community.
The BRG Programme offers free of charge access to services such as one-to-one business advice, skills training webinars and workshops, access to co-working and incubation space for small businesses, plus a range of specialist support. The programme is available to all Watford businesses as well as residents that are thinking of becoming self-employed. Read the news article and explore the programme here.
Image shows Watford based business and Wenta clients, the 'D20 Boardgame Cafe' (left), with Wenta's CEO - Ed Jordan and Watford's Mayor - Peter Taylor (right).
Due to the Coronavirus pandemic, Wenta has been supporting the business community with a strong focus on small business survival and rebuilding, running alongside the support for start-ups and small business growth.
As part of that support, Wenta's CEO, Ed Jordan, launched a Government petition to extend cash grants to small businesses that fall outside of the support shown to those who qualify for SBRR (Small Business Rates Relief). Read more.
Wenta launches two new co-workspaces at our business centres in Enfield and Potters Bar designed for start-ups (business incubation), small businesses and other business professionals. These are known as 'The Collaboration Stations'.
This year marked the beginning of our 35th Anniversary celebrations. Proceedings started off in August with the launch of The Business Bookshelf, an online resource full of useful articles, templates, tips and tricks to help small businesses start-up and grow! Further celebrations will continue well into 2019!
Want to know more? Take a look at our annual review!
Chris Pichon hands over the reigns of Chief Executive to Ed Jordan, ex-Chief Executive of The Peel Institute and ex-Chief Operating Officer at Coin Street Community Builders.
We launched a new Wenta website and the Wenta Online Community platform.
Wenta launched its online business support portal, Wenta Online. This was the beginning of our free live chat business advice service, accessible directly from the Wenta website. plus, clients are able to join and create their own group discussions within the Wenta Online Community area, as well as access business support resources.
Wenta receives 'Pride of Stevenage' Award for the support provided at the btc.
Wenta (btc) is crowned the winner of 'The Enterprise Award' at the Pride of Stevenage Awards 2016 in recognition of the outstanding business support provided to Stevenage residents and businesses.
Wenta's Chief Executive, Chris Pichon, receives Queen's Award for Enterprise Promotion - Lifetime Achievement Award.
Wenta Chief Executive, Chris Pichon, receives The Queen's Award for Enterprise Promotion - Lifetime Achievement Award at Buckingham Palace reflecting all the great work achieved at Wenta.
Wenta awarded 'The Future of Enterprise Support' Award for a pioneering approach to business support.
Wenta celebrated its 30th Anniversary with the purchase of a 5th location and launch online business advice service!
Wenta was awarded 'Future of Enterprise Support' Award and we were visited by HRH The Duke of Edinburgh:
My Incubator continues to support pre-starts and start-up businesses and expands into Watford and Potters Bar.
During this time, The Enterprise Centre in Potters Bar receives a £250,000 makeover.
Following the success of My Incubator at the btc, a second shared workspace facility for start-ups is launched in Luton.
Wenta are awarded the 'National Enterprise Award for Innovation' by The National Enterprise Network (NEN) for Wenta's business incubation facilities and start-up services.
Wenta are awarded a contract by Stevenage Borough Council to manage The Business and Technology Centre and Chells Industrial Units in Stevenage.
2009 sees the launch of our ground-breaking business incubation facility within the btc, ‘My Incubator’. This service gives new businesses an ideal environment to start and grow their business in, complete with on-site business advisor, meeting room facilities and free training courses.
Wenta celebrates its 25th anniversary with a conference at Hatfield House around the theme ‘inspiring enterprise’.
Small business owners and thought leaders gather to celebrate 25 years of enterprise support.
Wenta Business Services is re-branded to Wenta and our current brand elements are created.
The Wenta Business Centre in Watford undergoes re-development and a new eco-office block is erected providing 24 new offices for small businesses.
Marking our 20th anniversary, Watford Enterprise Agency is re-branded to Wenta Business Services.
Watford Enterprise Agency are awarded the 'Investor in People Award' for ‘excellence and making a difference every day’.
2000 was also the year that we launched our first ever website!
Watford Enterprise Agency introduce a ground-breaking programme for inspiring enterprise in schools - delivering training courses and events to students throughout Hertfordshire and educating them that self-employment is a viable option when leaving school.
Ken Hards, our first Chief Executive, stands down and hands the reigns over to ex Watford Enterprise Agency client, Chris Pichon.
Construction finishes and The Enterprise Centre is formally opened by cricket legend, Graham Gooch. Watford Enterprise Agency now operates two business centres in Hertfordshire.
After seeing the success of our first business centre in Watford, Hertsmere Borough Council approach us to construct a new business centre in Potters Bar. Construction starts in late 1989.
HRH Prince Charles formally opens our first business centre (now known as 'The Wenta Business Centre') in Watford - where our Head Office is still based today.
A disused factory site in Watford is converted into offices and workshops, providing affordable space to small businesses and valuable funding for our business advice service.
Wenta, originally named as Watford Enterprise Agency, was founded in 1983 by a group of local business men in Watford to support small business owners.
