Sponsors and Supporters
Henley Business Angels is supported by a number of exemplary sponsors and supporters. Their support provides our entrepreneurs and investors with access to professional advice centred around growth, supplying innovative businesses with sought-after expertise.
Sponsors
NatWest
NatWest have a reputation for their commitment to supporting entrepreneurship and fostering innovation. NatWest is one of the largest banking brands in the UK and offers an arsenal of expertise, resources and an extensive network to support startups to thrive and succeed from set up to exit.
Support for entrepreneurs is offered by NatWest in a variety of ways:
Accelerator Programs: The “NatWest Accelerator” and the “NatWest Entrepreneur Accelerator” are aimed at supporting startups and early-stage businesses. These programs provide mentorship, access to networks, and resources to help entrepreneurs grow and scale their businesses.
Incubator Spaces: NatWest provides co-working and incubator spaces in some locations across the UK, offer startups access to office space, networking opportunities, and business support services.
Funding and Finance: NatWest offers various financing options tailored to the needs of startups and entrepreneurs, including business loans, overdrafts, and credit facilities. They also provide guidance on accessing government-backed loan schemes and other sources of funding.
Education and Workshops: NatWest organises workshops, seminars, and educational events aimed at providing entrepreneurs with the knowledge and skills needed to start and run successful businesses. Topics covered may include business planning, financial management, marketing, and legal issues.
Partnerships and Collaborations: NatWest collaborates with other organisations, including universities, business associations, and government agencies, to support the entrepreneurial ecosystem. These partnerships may involve joint initiatives, events, or funding opportunities for startups.
A key strength at NatWest is they can scale with the venture, providing lifecycle support at each stage:
Startup Support: NatWest offers support to startups through accelerator programs, incubator spaces, funding options, educational workshops, and networking opportunities. These resources help startups refine their business ideas, develop their products or services, access funding, and build a strong foundation for growth.
Scale-Up Support: As businesses transition from startup to scale-up, NatWest provides specialised support tailored to their growth needs. This may include access to growth capital, strategic guidance, mentorship from experienced entrepreneurs and industry experts, introductions to potential investors or partners, and assistance with expanding into new markets or sectors.
Business Banking Services: NatWest offers a range of banking and financial services designed to meet the needs of businesses at every stage of their growth journey. This includes business accounts, payment solutions, cash management services, business loans, trade finance, and treasury services.
Digital Tools and Technology: NatWest provides digital tools and technology solutions to help businesses streamline their operations, improve efficiency, and enhance their customer experience. This includes online banking platforms, mobile banking apps, accounting integrations, and access to data analytics and insights.
Contact our South Technology Team to find out more.
Supporters
Harrison Clark Rickerbys Ltd.
HCR is a leading law firm – both within the Thames Valley and nationally. The HCR team has extensive experience in guiding early-stage companies and their founders on the key legal and commercial milestones they are likely to encounter as they grow their businesses and a keen interest in helping to connect business with investment.
We pride ourselves on our accessibility and on delivering targeted commercial advice in as down-to-earth a manner as possible. We recognise that speed is of the essence in early-stage work but this should not be at the expense of sensible terms that do not unnecessarily go beyond what is marketed. The knowledge and experience which we can call upon within our own team and from any of our 800 or so colleagues means that we will always have a useful view that we’re happy to share.
Please don’t hesitate to contact Rachel Turner or Robert Rice if you have any questions.
Address: 49-51 Blagrave Street, Reading, Berkshire RG1 1PL, United Kingdom
Tel: 0118 911 1206
Website: www.hcrlaw.com
BDO
At BDO, everything we do is driven by our core purpose – helping you succeed. BDO is one of the UK’s largest Accountancy and Business Advisory firms providing audit, advisory, tax and business & outsourcing services to organisations across all areas of the economy. With 18 locations and over 7000 professionals in the UK, we also have offices in 164 countries enabling us to support and advise you wherever you are operating or need us.
In the Thames Valley, our experts work with a wide range of ambitious clients from fast-growing businesses to large multinational companies. We have specialist teams dedicated to key and growing sectors of the Thames Valley such as Technology, Manufacturing and Life Sciences. Our people draw on their local knowledge and economic insight to provide ideas and solutions that make a difference to our clients.
Contact our Regional Managing Partner David Brookes to find out more.
Address: Level 12, Thames Tower, Station Road, Reading, RG1 1LX
Tel: 0118 925 4400
Web: www.bdo.co.uk
FinanceHeads
FinanceHeads – we add value to your business
FinanceHeads is a collaboration of independent qualified, experienced accountants who provide support and guidance to SME business managers as their part-time Finance Director or CFO.
We know what equity investors and debt funders are looking for and our hands-on approach will get you investment ready and help you successfully raise seed or growth funding. We always keep things simple and are focused on delivering growth while looking always to protect, enhance and ultimately realise shareholder value.
If you would like the discuss having one of our vastly experienced FinanceHeads working as part of your management team then please get in touch.
HR Dept
HR Dept is run by Director Albert Keeshan and a team of HR professionals, that provides comprehensive HR services in Reading, Maidenhead, Slough, Thames Valley and the South Oxfordshire Area, at a fraction of the cost of an in-house HR professional that the larger corporate enjoys.
With over 20 years of HR experience in a range of business sectors from small to medium-sized companies, our team have worked at a senior level gaining a wealth of knowledge and experience in supporting start-ups and established organisations with recruitment, compensation and benefits, performance management acquisitions and mergers (including TUPE) and HR policy.
We offer an incredibly personalised service, making you feel as though you are contacting your ‘own’ HR department. By working closely with you, we develop an understanding of your business and can support you by offering a personal, flexible and cost-effective service that meets your needs.
Contact Albert Keeshan to arrange a free consultation on the support that The HR Dept can offer your business.
Address: BizSpace, Merlin House, Brunel Road, Theale, Reading, RG7 4AB
Tel: 0118 402 7771
Web: www.hrdept.co.uk
If you’re interested in sponsoring or supporting Henley Business Angels, please reach out to Chris Rees, Managing Director of HBA, below.
