About us
Business Ready forms part of the Business Growth Warwickshire programme. It is delivered by University of Warwick Science Park on behalf of Warwickshire County Council.
Business Support for the Next Level
Our experienced team of Business Growth Advisers have been delivering business growth and support services to technology-based businesses for over four decades.
Our team is supported by a range of specialist mentors who have successfully ran their own businesses, bringing along expertise and experience in supporting, advising, coaching and mentoring other growth businesses.
Let’s Get Started
Ready to grow your business with expert support? To find out more please get in touch.
How it works
The DNA exercise includes looking at a number of issues within the business including:
- Trading history
- Existing business plans
- Experience of business management
- Growth opportunities
- The capacity and aptitude for change and growth.
We then create a tailored, long-term support plan to help you achieve your objectives.
Depending on your needs, this may include guidance from our in-house advisers, specialist external mentors, and access to workshops designed to take your business to the next level.
Meet the team
With decades of collective experience in strategy, funding, digital transformation, product development, and marketing, we bring real-world expertise to every conversation.
We pride ourselves on delivering tailored, hands-on advice – from helping you refine your growth strategy to connecting you with the right funding, mentoring, and networks.
With Business Ready you’ll find the passionate professionals who stand ready to support your journey at every stage.
Programme Manager
Ian has over 40 years of experience, which translates as being quite old! But, he has held senior management posts in sales, marketing, operations and finance, and has worked and lived all over the world.
Ian leads on our Access to Finance and has a track record of success in business turnaround, business development, change management and M&A. His passion is working with SME businesses to help them to be more successful.
SME Engagement Lead
Dirk is the SME Engagement Lead at the University of Warwick Science Park. He oversees the start-up incubator, supporting companies as they launch and scale. With a career spanning over 20 years, Dirk has advised 1,000+ businesses, contributing to the creation of multiple multi-million-pound ventures.
With a strong focus on innovation and market development, he has helped companies launch hundreds of new products, secure millions in grant, equity and debt funding, and identify profitable markets to drive growth.
Programme Delivery Assistant
Carol has over 20 years’ experience working for the University of Warwick Science Park in administration and has worked on various programmes within Business Support, these include: Team Start, Investment Readiness, Rural Growth Network, Minerva Business Angel Network, Ignite and Business Ready.
Prior to this, Carol worked in administration and secretarial roles for the public and private sector, ranging from SMEs to large corporate businesses.
Business Growth Adviser
Steve has spent over 25 years working in digital marketing, successfully building a well respected agency which he sold in 2020. Over this time he’s consulted with over 500 SMEs in dozens of sectors, creating strategies to help them grow online.
Having been involved in a number of start up businesses, Steve can fully identify with the challenges and opportunities that small businesses face on a day to day basis.
Business Growth Adviser
Fiona is a results-oriented marketing professional with experience with SME’s from start-ups to established enterprises across Warwickshire. With experience within sales, marketing and business development – she has been tailoring digital and traditional marketing support for over a decade.
As a consultant, Fiona has a proven track record in the development strategies to increase visibility, brand awareness and sales across a wide range of industries including professional services, food and beverage, events and digital and creative.
Business Growth Adviser
Mark brings cross-industry experience spanning start-ups and global corporations. He specialises in product development across eCommerce, mobile apps, web platforms and digital payments—helping companies create products customers genuinely value.
Previously a Senior Business Development Manager at Scottish Power, he led multimillion-pound renewable energy projects. Since moving into the start-up world, Mark has been a founding member, adviser and early investor in several ventures across technology, renewables and eCommerce.
Marketing Executive
Aman is a dynamic marketer known for her creativity, strategic mindset and attention to detail. With a degree in Advertising and Marketing and over eight years of experience, she’s developed strong skills in brand management, digital asset creation, social media, email marketing and website management.
She has delivered successful digital campaigns that boost brand visibility and help companies connect more meaningfully with their audiences.
Business Testimonials
“Our mentors have been invaluable in guiding us through the grant process and in the wider sense improving our business. Thank you!”
“Good sound advice and support on a range of strategic business and marketing topics from Business Ready.”
“Very useful for changing the business direction and areas to focus on, as well as digital marketing strategies.”
“Our mentor has been very helpful with regards to helping start and grow the business, his input has been invaluable.”
“Business Ready provided an opportunity for me to work with business advisers who were able to advise me when making key decisions for my business.”
“Our mentor has been excellent; whilst we linked with her to help with recruitment, she has helped improve our knowledge and skills in many other areas of the business.”
