The third in a monthly series of blog posts introducing members of the Business Growth & Investment Team at Shropshire Council.

Delia Yapp, Key Account and Inward Investment Manager  – delia.yapp@shropshire.gov.uk

Delia describes her role within the Business Growth & Investment team as ‘wide, always varied and full of challenges!’

“A major part of my time is spent working with what we refer to as our ‘key accounts’. These are businesses within the county that make a significant contribution and are considered to be key employers in the Shropshire economy.

These businesses may be the largest employer in their area, be looking to expand, move, diversify or may have particular issues for which they need support from the Local Authority. Issues they are facing can range from skills or recruitment, to problems with traffic or licencing, or merely just finding the right person to speak to at the council.

I put businesses in touch with specialists who can help, but also work with them to identify grant opportunities that might also provide a solution. Liaising closely with colleagues at the Marches Growth Hub Shropshire, we want to maximise the funding support available to create jobs and enable the business to become more sustainable.

By establishing relationships with local businesses I can also provide ‘on-the-ground’ intelligence to the wider team at the Council about the need for commercial units and sites. As a result, Shropshire Council is investing in new developments like business parks to boost economic investment in our market towns.

Encouraging Inward Investment is also a key part of my job, that is, working with businesses who are looking to move into Shropshire.

Inward investment can bring new and exciting businesses into the county resulting in new jobs and opportunities that bolster the local economy. I help businesses to find appropriate sites and support the business in whatever way is needed to make their transition into Shropshire a smooth one.

International businesses looking to move into the area are notified to us by the Department for International Trade (DIT) and we work with colleagues there to present a great case for moving businesses to Shropshire. However, in some cases I also liaise directly with domestic and foreign investors.

It’s my job to ‘sell’ Shropshire as a great place to be, not only for its great quality housing, schools and business support, but also for its breath-taking scenery, picturesque towns and its general quality of life which offers such terrific work/life balance.

My work is interesting and fulfilling because I am fortunate to be able to work with many ambitious Shropshire businesses who want to invest in their future and make the County a great place to live, work and grow.”