Heathrow is offering 20 SMEs the chance to each win a grant of £2,000 to fund trade missions to help them reach new markets.

The 2019 World of Opportunity Programme is now open for entries. In partnership with Exporting is GREAT, Heathrow will help successful applicants prepare for international trade.

An expert judging panel - including representatives from Heathrow Airport and The Department of International Trade - will decide the winners.

Entering is easy - simply fill out your details and submit your proposal for how you would use the grant here.

The competition runs until Friday 18 October (23:59 BST) 2019. Terms and conditions apply.

Good luck!

image: Heathrow Airport Limited

Regus Chertsey, located in the magnificent Hillswood Business Park, is set for a major capital investment.

The exciting programme includes the creation of a stylish and contemporary cafe as well as a professional high-tech business lounge and an ungraded co-working area.

The project is due for completion before Christmas and will reintroduce the centre's credentials as the area's most premium serviced office proposition. The business centre over-looks spectacular wooded parkland with lakes featuring numerous walk trails.

Private offices are available from 1 to 100+ workstation and prices start from as little as £186 per person per month.

To celebrate this exciting news Regus are offering Business Runnymede members an introductory 10% discount off the standard price.

For more information and to arrange a tour of the centre, please contact Sales Manager Peter Doyle on 07827 842255 or at [email protected].

image: Regus Chertsey

Surrey Chambers is running a series of Brexit preparation events around the county.

These events are designed for all businesses and not just exporters. They are completely free to all businesses and will be beneficial to companies of all sizes.

The locations are as follows:

• Wednesday 9th October, Sandown Racecourse - book here
• Friday 11th October, HG Wells Conference & Events Centre - book here
• Thursday 24th October, Denbies Wine Estate - book here

These events are in addition to government-run events taking place across the country - find out more about those on our events page here.

For more information and support - check out our Brexit page.

image: gov.uk

In Spring 2020, Runnymede Borough Council will launch its new Corporate Business Plan for 2020 - 2024.

A consultation for businesses is now open. It will be live until 24th November 2019.

To help the Council set the direction and draw up priorities for the next four years they would like to ask your views. Therefore, they are going to randomly select one person who completes this survey to win One4all multi-store gift vouchers to a value of £100 (which can be accepted by thousands of shops and over 130 high street brands). Terms and conditions for the prize draw can be found at www.runnymede.gov.uk/article/18763/Your-opinions-will-help-Council-set-future-direction.

While it is not clear how the Government's Fair Funding Review and changes to the Business Rates system will change Government funding in the future, the Council has been preparing for significant falls in government grants by generating sustainable income through:

• a regeneration and property investment strategy;
• making efficiencies, e.g. reduced costs through new contracts, shared services and automating processes; and
• expanding their services to create additional income streams, e.g. CCTV, community transport, “Meals at Home”, etc.

As a result, the Council have not had to stop delivering any of their services, discretionary or statutory, during this period.

The Council are mindful that they will still need an ability to be flexible so that they can react to challenges as they occur, both with themselves and their partners.

Help shape the borough's direction for the next four years now by completing the survey: www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/RBCbusiness

image: Runnymede Borough Council

The Enterprise M3 Growth Hub are offering bespoke, one-hour clinics for businesses in ICT and digital media, aerospace and defence, pharmaceuticals, and professional and business services.

The Growth Hub is fully funded to help businesses located in Runnymede with their plans for growth.

These confidential business clinics focus on:

• exploration of new markets
• developing innovation
• increasing workforce
• sustainable growth

If you are interested in booking a clinic, please contact us at [email protected]. Eligibility rules apply.

image: Enterprise M3 Growth Hub

To mark the launch of their draft Transport Strategy next month and subsequent public consultation period (7th October 2019 - 10th January 2020), Transport for the South East have organised a series of events across the region.

These events offer an opportunity to learn more about Transport for the South East, the strategy's contents, and the consultation process.

The events will be split into two parts: the first will be a more detailed and in-depth look at the strategies aims and its implications. This will be particularly benefical for key business representatives, transport operators and transport user group representatives.

The second part will be an informal drop in session open to all, and will provide a brief opportunity to have a look at some of the printed materials and to talk to the Transport for the South East team. This part of the event will be useful for local user and interest groups, businesses, members of the public.

The nearest event to Runnymede will be held at The WWF Living Planet Centre in Woking on 17th October, but you are welcome to attend any one of the five regional events.

To book your place for the more in-depth session please follow the below link:

• Woking, Living Planet Centre, 17th October, 1.30pm - 4pm

To sign up to attend the informal drop-in session, please use the below link:

• Woking, Living Planet Centre, 17 October, 4.30pm to 6pm

Transport for the South East was established as a shadow sub-national transport body (STB) in June 2017. Since then, it has emerged as a powerful and effective partnership bringing together 16 local transport authorities, five local enterprise partnerships and other stakeholders including protected landscapes, transport operators, district and borough authorities and national agencies to speak with one voice on the region’s strategic transport needs.

image: Transport for the South East

Royal Holloway, University of London, has risen five places to become a top 20 UK university in The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2020.

At position 19 in the national rankings, Royal Holloway has also been shortlisted for University of the Year 2020. Alastair McCall, editor of The Sunday Times Good University Guide, describers Royal Holloway as "...ambitious for the future, ambitious for its students and delivering on all fronts."

The rankings provide a comprehensive overview of higher education in Britain. The ratings include performance of universities in the 2019 National Student Survey, and statistics on degree results, employment prospects and course completion rates.

Through a series of investments to improve student experience, including a £57m library and student services centre, Royal Holloway's position has risen in the number of league tables over the last few years. Alastair McCall noted "Royal Holloway has moved stealthily back into our elite top 20 institutions after three successive rises in our rankings ... heavy investment on campus sets up the university well for its future."

Congratulations to Royal Holloway!

image: Royal Holloway, University of London

Has your business taken on new staff or moved into new offices? Are you planning an event? Do you have a new service or good you are offering customers?

If you or your business has news that you think our readers would find useful or interesting, get in touch with us at [email protected] and propose an idea for an article.

It may be a short announcement or a more in-depth read - all ideas are welcome!

image: Pixabay

Unmissable for any business interested in giving back to communities, the fourth annual social value event will be an exciting exhibition engaging business and communities in making Surrey a better place to live and work.

This year's keynote speaker is Fran Boorman, an award winning entrepreneur who has supported over 1000 individuals to start their own business and become a spokesperson for social enterprises, women in enterprise and SMEs in the UK. She has also authored a international bestseller and is a regular contributor to BBC radio discussing business and social issues.

What else you can expect on the day:

• A panel discussions with Balfour Beatty, the Institute of Directors and other leading Surrey businesses
• A speed networking forum where you can connect with local voluntary, community and faith sector organisations who will inspire you to get started with your own social value
• A 'Hidden Talent' workshop hosted by Surrey Youth Focus and the Careers & Enterprise Company
• Social Value Recognition awards ceremony.

The awards will celebrate businesses across Surrey who are making positive contributions to communities in innovative and impactful ways. You can nominate your own business or another that you feel deserves recognition here.

To sponsor this year's event, contact [email protected].

We are Surrey 2019 will be held at Guildford Cathedral on Wednesday 13th November, from 12.30pm - 5pm. Register your place here.

image: Surrey County Council