SOMERSET Council is offering local businesses mentoring from the county's best business minds.

After a highly successful mentor-seeking initiative, the council is now ready to assign them to local business owners.

In order to apply to benefit from the initiative, the business must have been trading for at least a year and employ two or more staff.

The council holds that businesses looking to expand their team or introduce new products and services would particularly profit from the scheme.

Somerset County Gazette: Local businesses better be quick as there are only 40 spaces up for grabs!

The 40 mentors range from business leaders of executive and upper management echelons to successful entrepreneurs.

They include a former NASDAQ CEO, an international soft drinks manufacturer who supplies major retailers, and an NHS equipment supplier handling contracts worth millions of pounds.

All the selected mentors comprehend the hardships related to expanding a business and appreciate how an unbiased feedback panel could be of value.

Cllr Ros Wyke at Somerset Council, stated: "Owning a business is more challenging now than ever before.

"This programme offers the invaluable opportunity to bounce ideas off people who have successfully navigated similar challenges.

"Small and emerging businesses are so often critical to economic growth, and I must thank the mentors for coming forward and so generously offering their services."

The mentors possess expertise in various areas including growth strategies, finance, marketing, HR, e-commerce, acquisition, exit strategies, as well as other topics.

Notable mentor Neil Basil from Patient Choice, added: "I believe I have some useful experience in growing a business, having grown my own to £10million turnover and 41 staff.

"I am familiar with many of the growing pains that others may be experiencing and am interested in supporting someone locally to develop their business."

Kerry Hole-Stuart of Transformations Ltd, one of the programme’s mentors, said: "I was raised within a family business and have always had a keen interest in the mechanics of business and want to help others succeed.

"I now own a day spa and a successful country wear retail store."

With only 40 slots up for grabs, businesses are urged to get more information via the website: https://www.somerset.gov.uk/business-economy-and-licences/somerset-business-mentoring/.

This programme arms local businesses with the chance to benefit from six hours of priceless advice.