Hackney Enterprise Network launched

More than 150 local entrepreneurs and businesses attended what was widely seen as the successful launch of the Hackney Enterprise Network (HEN) yesterday at Shoreditch Town Hall.

The network is run by HBV Enterprise on behalf of Hackney Council and offers tailored support and advice designed to help local entrepreneurs to make new contacts, enter new markets, grow and fund their businesses.

At the yesterday evening’s event, small and medium sized businesses from the borough had the chance to network and to talk to representatives from major organisations, including Hackney Council, about supply chain opportunities.

Speakers at the event included the Mayor of Hackney, Jules Pipe, as well as David Pack, partnerships manager at the City of London Corporation; Jill Lewis from local training and conference centre City Edge; and Grant Findlay, operations director at Carillion, the company building the 2012 media centre in Hackney Wick on the Olympic Park.

Support from HEN includes business to business networking events, business skills workshops, advice on enterprise growth, access to loans and small grants, advice for businesses hit by the economic crisis, and access to business information and initiatives from central Government.

Opening the event, Mayor of Hackney Jules Pipe said, “I am pleased that the Council is able to offer this extra support to the small and medium sized businesses which are at the heart of Hackney’s local economy.

“The Hackney Enterprise Network will provide advice and support that will help its members grow their businesses efficiently and effectively throughout the economic downturn and beyond.”

Richard Abbott, Chief Executive of HBV Enterprise, said, “We’re delighted that so many local businesses attended the launch and look forward to supporting them to become more successful.

“We aim to make Hackney Enterprise Network the gateway to all the right connections for Hackney’s businesses.”

Businesses can register their interest in attending the Hackney Enterprise Network (HEN) launch event by phone: 020 7241 7066, or e-mail: hen@hbv.org.uk

Find out more about HEN here.

Or you can visit HBV Enterprise at 34-38 Dalston Lane E8 2AZ.