Happy Birthday to us! Here's to 43 years of supporting brilliant businesses.

43 years ago, Wenta was founded with one simple belief: nobody should have to build a business alone.

Since 1983, we've had the privilege of supporting more than 110,000 businesses across Hertfordshire, North London and beyond. From kitchen-table start-ups and side hustles to established SMEs, we've worked with everyone from bakers to biotech founders, consultants to creatives, tradespeople to tech innovators. If you've got a business idea (or even just the spark of one), chances are we'd love to help.

Today, we're still doing what we do best: providing free, impartial business advice, expert coaching, practical workshops and webinars, alongside affordable offices, co-working spaces, meeting rooms and specialist programmes designed to help businesses at every stage of their journey.

As a not-for-profit social enterprise, everything we do is driven by one simple mission: making it easier for people to start, run and grow successful businesses.

A new chapter begins

This birthday isn't just about looking back; it's about looking ahead.

Earlier this summer, we welcomed Peter Abel as our new Chief Executive Officer. He takes over from Ed Jordan, who led Wenta for nine and a half years.  

Under Ed's leadership, we strengthened our position as one of the UK's leading business support organisations, helping thousands of businesses navigate some of the toughest years in recent history, including the pandemic.

Now, with Peter at the helm, we're building on those strong foundations while continuing to evolve the way we support entrepreneurs and small businesses.

Over the next year, we'll be expanding our digital content through Wenta TV and our brand-new Air Your Business podcast, while continuing to deliver our successful Get Enterprising programme in partnership with Hertfordshire Futures.

It's also been a landmark year for our workspaces. We've secured a new long-term contract to continue managing The Business & Technology Centre and Chells Industrial Units in Stevenage until 2030, ensuring hundreds more businesses can benefit from affordable workspace and a thriving entrepreneurial community for years to come.

And we're not stopping there. Later this year, we'll break ground on DomeWorks in North Watford – a state-of-the-art sustainable innovation hub that will create even more opportunities for businesses to innovate, collaborate and grow.

Looking to the future

Peter Abel, new CEO of Wenta, said: "Wenta has built an outstanding reputation over more than 42 years for supporting entrepreneurs, start-ups and small businesses, and for creating genuine economic and social impact in the communities it serves.  

“What particularly resonates with me is Wenta's mission to make it easier and greener for everyone to start and run a successful business. Small businesses are an instrumental part of our economy, and I am passionate about ensuring they have access to the support, skills, workspaces and opportunities they need to thrive.  

“I look forward to working alongside our talented team, partners and stakeholders to build on Wenta's strong foundations and help even more businesses to achieve their ambitions."

Happy Birthday Wenta! 

Forty-three years later, one thing hasn't changed: we still believe nobody should have to build a business alone.

To everyone who's been part of our story over the last four decades – our clients, partners, supporters and brilliant team – thank you. 

Whether you've attended a webinar, asked one of our business coaches for advice, rented an office, or simply cheered us on from the sidelines, you've helped make Wenta what it is today.

Here's to the next chapter, the next generation of entrepreneurs, and many more businesses we'll have the privilege of helping to start, grow and thrive.