Business development

The aim of the Arun Business Partnership is to help companies do more business locally, or to "profit through partnership". It’s a group of local companies who want to improve and grow their business, which was set up because companies want to work together for the benefit of both themselves and their area. Please see the partnership's website for more details. Alternatively, you can email miriam.nicholls@arun.gov.uk or phone 01903 737845.

Many nationally and internationally known businesses are located in Arun. These include the Body Shop's UK head quarters, Butlin’s and Rolls Royce. The district is home to companies of all sizes who provide products and services to worldwide markets.

The support we can offer is wide ranging and if we can’t help we probably know someone who can (and we like a challenge!).

You can contact us by emailing miriam.nicholls@arun.gov.uk or calling 01903 737845. 

The Coast to Capital Growth Hub team provides fully funded advice, support, investment and strategic leadership to help small and medium sized enterprises drive sustainable business success and regional economic growth in West Sussex, Greater Brighton and East Surrey.

They do this by:

• challenging, encouraging and enabling strategic change
• connecting you to business support programmes, experts, peer business leaders and funding opportunities
• helping you develop national and international opportunities

The Growth Relationship Managers

The Growth Relationship Manager provides you with long term free and impartial support. As part of their support they can undertake analysis to diagnose key areas of business improvement, helping you to unlock potential in your business operations.

Growth Champions

The Growth Champions are a network of consultants, all experts in their respected fields. The network can provide specialist support for businesses to unlock further growth. Coast to Capital are able to fully fund a day of specialist support from this Network.

GROWTHmapper Diagnostics & DNAsix

The Growth Relationship Manager can provide comprehensive business diagnostics through GROWTHmapper which includes a set of assessment questions designed to underpin coaching and advice, as well as a digital coaching programme ‘DNAsix’ that can help your business survive, compete and ultimately thrive in today’s digital marketplace. 

Investment in the Coast to Capital area

The Growth Hub supports investment enquiries and opportunities in partnership with the Department for International Trade and local partners. The team help identify solutions and support for existing and potential investors including those from overseas.

Contact the Growth Hub

The Growth Hub website is regularly maintained with links to partner support and government information. Keep up to date with the latest news, information and events on Twitter and subscribe to the newsletter.

Our free one to one business support programme puts business owners in touch with some expert eyes that will look at your business and give you help to improve. The team have worked for House of Fraser, Harrods, The Sears Group and Hamleys and many others. They will bring you big store expertise and make it relevant to your business at no cost (that means it's free and there is no further commitment) and will take just a couple of hours of your time. Businesses that have taken part so far have been delighted with the results. Book this in by emailing Miriam or call her on 01903 737845.

RISE project, the Universities of Brighton and Sussex are offering free business innovation support to small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in West Sussex. We’ll help you progress your innovation approach, whether you’re just getting started or already have an idea that you’d like to develop. RISE can help you develop unique collaborations and give you access to cutting edge technologies and approaches.

RISE intensive support will focus on businesses based in West Sussex, with an emphasis on rural West Sussex, coastal West Sussex and the Crawley/Gatwick Diamond areas. All SMEs from across the region are welcome to join the network as either members or friends of RISE, depending on their eligibility for the full level of support.

The benefits of being a member of RISE include:

• a free in-depth business diagnostic to help you develop your innovation approach,
• a knowledgeable innovation partner who can act as coach and advisor,
• expert guidance in research and development, helping you improve processes, products and services,
• training, funding and networking opportunities through the RISE portal.