The Mayor of Stevenage, Councillor Jim Brown meets with local entrepreneurs at btc

The day began with a tour of the btc facilities. The Mayor, Councillor Jim Brown, visited several businesses at the btc, a well-established centre for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The btc not only provides office space but also offers business support, networking opportunities and advice for SMEs to help them succeed.

At one of the stops, the Mayor visited Majesty Grading Company (MGC), the UK’s leading specialist in grading collectibles like Pokémon and sports cards. MGC’s Director, Jake Kirkham, even prepared a special card for the Mayor as a memento, which they made together during the visit, giving the Mayor a chance to try the grading process himself.

Jake shared his positive experience of being based at btc, stating, “We’re in a great spot here. The support and flexibility we receive allow us to focus on what we do best.” He added with a smile, “The only challenge is resisting all the fast food nearby!” 

Following the tour, Councillor Jim Brown addressed the audience, highlighting the importance of supporting small businesses and how they contribute to a strong, connected community. He spoke about the need for a local economy where residents can live and work in the same town, fostering a vibrant community.

Reflecting on his visit, Councillor Brown commented, “It was an honour to visit the btc and meet lots of Stevenage entrepreneurs. I enjoyed hearing about their experiences of developing a business, in different sectors and how they access support from the btc and the council. It was wonderful to meet local businessowners who are contributing to the economy and creating new jobs.” 

Several key speakers also shared their insights:

• Kelly Notley from Lawrence Dean Recruitment spoke about the company’s focus on helping people find jobs and supporting clients beyond just filling positions. They regularly host free events at btc, providing Stevenage residents with job opportunities, career advice and CV support.
• Michael Martin from Wenta highlighted the importance of sustainable business practices and talked about Wenta’s revolutionary Action Zero Programme, which helps small businesses reduce their carbon footprint by producing greener products and services, leading to a cleaner and healthier local environment.
• Sam Weightman from Haven Charity shared inspiring stories of how businesses can play a crucial role in supporting people in need within the community.  
• Tracy Goodenough from North Hertfordshire College highlighted the benefits of apprenticeships for both businesses and the wider community.

The event concluded with a networking session, where many businesses introduced themselves during a ‘pass the mic’ session before breaking out for further networking and collaboration.

Reflecting on the event, Kelly Notley, Director at Lawrence Dean Recruitment noted, “The event really showcased the business community here at btc, and it was a pleasure to be involved”. Jennifer Condon, Director of Client Services and Engagement at Wenta, also praised the day, commenting, “It was a pleasure to welcome the Mayor of Stevenage, Councillor Jim Brown, to The Business and Technology Centre. Our clients were pleased to have the opportunity to talk to him about their business journeys and products, as well as the business advice and support provided by Wenta. It was excellent to learn that the Mayor is also a regular customer of one of the small businesses here, Stevenage Injury Clinic.”

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