Enterprise Hub team grows ahead of launch
The Wrexham Enterprise Hub has appointed three new members to its team as work continues to develop the centre ahead of its launch in the coming months.
Carl Turner joins the team as community manager alongside Pete Rogers and Victoria Williams as community assistants.
Formerly a community manager for NatWest Bank, Mr Turner will be responsible for finding and supporting new members, sourcing and organising business mentors, organising events and the general day-today running of the Hub.
Mr Rogers, a freelance film producer and touring poet, will manage the Hub’s website, social media and general marketing materials. Ms Williams, who comes to the centre from a career in the financial sector, will manage the administrative tasks.
The Wrexham Enterprise Hub will be delivered by Town Square Spaces for Business Wales and is funded by the European Regional Development Fund through the Welsh Government. The two-year pilot will focus on securing at least £1m of private investment for its members as well as building a community of entrepreneurs that will boost the local economy.
Gareth Jones, founder of Town Square Spaces, said the new appointees are the next positive steps to a burgeoning start-up space: “Work on the Hub at Queen’s Square is progressing well. However, it’s communities that decide the success of start-up spaces, and they are built of positive people. All the successful hubs, spaces and co-working areas across the world succeed when they build a community of like-minded individuals who, through collaboration and mutual support, grow their businesses together.
“In Carl, we have someone with the skills, experience and most importantly, the attitude to engage and invigorate the huge potential Wrexham has for start-ups and small business. Similarly, in Pete and Victoria, we have some incredibly able team members who will do all they can to make the Hub as open and supportive as possible.”
Mr Turner, who is already on the hunt for founding members for the Hub, said keeping the community engaged would be key to its development: “Apart from sourcing enough coffee to keep the Hub running, the biggest challenge will be keeping member events and opportunities fresh and engaging. Fortunately, in myself, Pete, Victoria and founders Gareth and Mandy, we have a creative crew that’s more than up to the task.
“I’d like to encourage anyone with an idea or a desire to start their own business to get in touch with us, by phone or email. We can offer support to anyone in the early stages of their business; from someone working from home who wants to take advantage of the natural networking opportunities that come with being part of a community, to the individual with a promising idea who can’t quite quit their day job yet – we can help.”