A free workshop offering advice to SMEs that want to boost their turnover is being organised by the newly-formed 'Business and Innovation Group' - a partnership incorporating Keele University Science and Business Park (KUSBP), North Staffordshire Chamber of Commerce and Keele and Staffordshire Universities.

Taking place on 8th December 2011 at Staffordshire University, the event will include presentations from experts on tax, marketing, PR and social media. Attendees will also get the chance to take part in roundtable discussions on the topics. 

Caroline Mairs, head of KUSBP and a member of the Business and Innovation Group said: "This is the first of a number of workshops we have planned over the next 12 months to help high-growth businesses across the region. The sessions form part of a wider programme aimed at supporting ambitious companies, including potential access to funds, student placements, office space, mentoring and grants up to the value of £1,500."

Part funded by Stoke-on-Trent City Council, the workshop is open to organisations in the businesses-to-business sector that have between 10 and 250 employees and want to significantly expand over the next three years. The speakers are Ann Diggins, director of tax at RSM Tenon and Andrew Thelwell marketing executive at Keele University.

The 'Business and Innovation Group' was launched in August this year to encourage and support high-growth businesses across Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire. The team is working closely with the Stoke and Staffordshire Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) to deliver the service to companies across sectors, including professional services, creative, medical, manufacturing, technology and environmental.