About us

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Meet the Team

We’re passionate about helping businesses of all sizes thrive in our dynamic region. Our team of experienced professionals can provide you with the support and resources you need to succeed. We work closely with our colleagues at City of York Council and North Yorkshire Council to bring you the best local business support has to offer.

Contact us today to learn more about how York & North Yorkshire Growth Hub can help your business. We’re here to support you every step of the way.

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Harriet Stainton

Interim Growth Hub Delivery Manager

I manage the delivery of the Growth Hub’s support. Talk to me about what you can offer our business community.

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Nicholas White

Business Relationship Manager

I specialise in Agriculture and Farming. Talk to me if your business is based in Richmondshire.

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Karen Booth

Business Relationship Manager

I provide support to start up businesses and female enterprise. Talk to me if you are in the early stages of running your business based in the Harrogate area.

Picture of Emma Rollason-Taylor

Emma Rollason-Taylor

Business Relationship Manager

I specialise in digital, creative and innovation. Talk to me about digital transformation.

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Photograph of Joseph Midgley

Joseph Midgley

Contracts and Relationships Officer

I run the delivery of programmes for the Growth Hub. Talk to me if you want to join our supplier register.

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Picture of Mike Pennington

Mike Pennington

Business Relationship Manager

I manage the Made Smarter Programme. Talk to me for Tech support, digital road mapping and grant support to digitise your manufacturing business.

Picture of Jack Colding

Jack Colding

Business Relationship Manager

I am the specialist for environment and sustainability. Talk to me to save money on your waste and energy bills.

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Picture of Faye Greer Pickup

Faye Greer-Pickup

Growth Hub Delivery Officer

I manage the help desk and support pre-start businesses. Talk to me to get your business started.

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Photograph of Simon Middleton

Simon Middleton

Growth Hub Delivery Manager

I manage the delivery of the Growth Hub’s support. Talk to me about what you can offer our business community in York and North Yorkshire.

By its very geography, York and North Yorkshire is home to a diverse range of businesses.

Regardless of size or sector, the York & North Yorkshire Growth Hub is here to provide free and impartial business support. We are government-funded but locally based, which means that we provide tailored support based around the needs of our unique region. 

How we’ve helped other businesses like yours

Click on the videos below to see how we have helped other businesses in the region or read more of our case studies here.

Screengrab for case study video titled 'How we helped Sylatech'
Screengrab for a case study video called 'How we helped Hetty and Betty' showing the title

What is a Growth Hub?

York & North Yorkshire Growth Hub

We’re one of 38 Growth Hubs set up by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy.

Helping you access support and funding

Accessing funding and finance for your business can be confusing and overwhelming at times. You can contact our helpdesk and our team will be able to assess your business needs and introduce you to the providers of the appropriate support. You can contact them by emailing support@ynygrowthhub.com.

Remaining local

We know your time is limited and you need to access information quickly. Our website provides information on local support schemes in relation to skills, finance, sustainability, import and export, and more. In addition, we have details of events across the region and you can find out how we’ve supported other local businesses to expand their set up.

Good for you, great for York and North Yorkshire

Ensuring your business has everything it needs to succeed is not only great for you but also for our regional economy, so getting you the support you need and at the right time is our key priority.

“It’s about creating conversations, not paperwork. When running a small business, time is one of your most valuable assets and mistakes are costly. We want small business owners to be able to quickly find someone they can trust.”

David Kerfoot MBE, Chairman, Kerfoot Group

Articles

Posted on October 8, 2025 |

Export magic as York business nears 1 million sales milestone

A York-based business owner is set to export 1 million drinks to the US this year and wants more of the region’s businesses to follow in his footsteps. Phil Pinder from the Potions Cauldron will be one of the experts taking part in the export roadshows this month, organised by York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority.  The team will visit venues across two weeks including Tadcaster, Harrogate, Scarborough, York, Catterick and Skipton.

Exports News

Posted on October 8, 2025 |

Business Basics - Directors Loans and Dividends

Often business owners will inject cash into a business where they are a Director. This could be when the business is starting out, or to help with cash flow along the way. But how are these cash injections accounted for, and when can they be withdrawn?

Events

15th October 20259:30 am - 12:15 pmFREE

[FULL] Export Roadshow: Harrogate

This roadshow is a great opportunity to network with other businesses looking to grow and ask questions of the experts. It will provide you with helpful advice, routes for support beyond the event, including the UK Export Academy, and information about other funding opportunities. 

In person Exports

16th October 20259:30 am - 12:15 pmFREE

Export Roadshow: Scarborough

This roadshow is a great opportunity to network with other businesses looking to grow and ask questions of the experts. It will provide you with helpful advice, routes for support beyond the event, including the UK Export Academy, and information about other funding opportunities. 

In person Exports

Resources

Posted on October 13, 2025 |

Webinar Series: Data Analytics for Smarter Decisions

Data Analytics for Smarter Decisions, is a nine part online workshop series designed to help businesses at every stage of their data journey, from those just starting out to those ready to explore artificial intelligence and compliance. Each session is practical, jargon free and grounded in real business use cases, ensuring participants leave with tools and knowledge they can apply immediately.

Steps into Digital Webinars