Ignite your business growth with new council support programme

Local start-ups, entrepreneurs and growing businesses can now tap into a free new support programme set up by Wandsworth Council.

The Ignite business programme has been specially commissioned by the council for businesses and residents in the borough. Free of charge, it provides an on-demand training platform, support through guidance and 1-2-1 sessions as well as business-focused events.

Kemi Akinola, cabinet member for Business, launched the Ignite programme alongside another initiative called Making Business Greener, which helps companies reduce their carbon emissions.

Councillor Kemi Akinola said: “We know starting a business can be tough as well as rewarding so we want to do all we can to make Wandsworth a fairer and more sustainable place to start and grow a business. This is just the latest programme we’re providing to help local businesses thrive. I’m delighted that so many people have already registered to take advantage of all the free support we’ve got on offer.”

The programme is open to:

• Start-ups or businesses already operating
• anyone thinking about locating their business or starting their business in the borough
• or businesses where the majority of their turnover comes from within the borough.

Visit the Wandsworth Enterprise website to access the Ignite link 

About Ignite

Ignite has received £105,875 from the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

Delivered by CPG Executive Consulting Ltd, the programme is running until March 2025 and is open to join at any time up to February 2025.

Helen Roberts, Founder & Managing Director of CPG Executive Consulting said: "It’s especially tough out there right now. First, it was Brexit, then the pandemic and the Cost of Living crisis, but entrepreneurs continue to strive. I am thrilled to be rolling out business support across Wandsworth to work with sole traders, partnerships, micros and SMEs through these challenging times."

Become sustainable

Wandsworth businesses can also join another new free programme called Making Business Greener. The initiative will support local companies to become more sustainable and achieve carbon reductions as well as lead to a Level 1 accreditation of the Green Mark for businesses in Wandsworth.

Run in partnership with Green Mark, the programme gives businesses the opportunity to understand and improve their environmental impact and develop a structured framework for fostering sustainable business growth.

This support from the council will help establish a network of businesses working together to make the borough a greener place.

Find out more and sign up for Making Business Greener

More support for small business

Wandsworth Council has set up other successful business support programmes and events over the past few years, including the popular Recreate programme for creative businesses, Access to Finance and Black History Month events.

We also work with a range of partners including the Wandsworth Chamber of Commerce and Start Up Wandsworth to provide a wide range of business events and workshops throughout the year, as well as sponsoring the annual Wandsworth Business Awards.

The council has also supported several new affordable workspaces which have opened across the borough, such as Tooting Works, Chocolate Films and World Heart Beat.

Sign up for the council's monthly Open4business email newsletters 

Further information

Wandsworth Council is using funding from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund to set up and run these business support programmes.

The UK Shared Prosperity Fund is a central pillar of the UK government’s Levelling Up agenda and provides £2.6 billion of funding for local investment by March 2025. The Fund aims to improve pride in place and increase life chances across the UK investing in communities and place, supporting local business, and people and skills. For more information, visit https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-shared-prosperity-fund-prospectus

All the programmes run to March 2025 and are free to local businesses and residents who want to start or expand a business in the borough.