The role of the economic growth team at Shropshire Council is wide and varied. In the latest in a series of posts talking about the work of the team, this case study outlines how our Key Account and Investment Officers work to support major local companies like ARH Group:

Our Key Account & Investment officers recognise that supporting major employers in Shropshire is important to maintain economic stability in the county.

These companies make a significant contribution to the Shropshire economy and are therefore considered to be key employers.

Key Account & Investment Officer Ruth Westwood (right) has been working closely in recent months to provide business support to ARH Group based in Shrewsbury.

ARH Group is a leading Nationwide Facilities Management and Building Services provider. The company offers a diverse range of services, including reactive callouts, planned maintenance and turnkey project managed installations. Their energy services teams specialise in Electric Vehicle Chargers, Heat Pumps, Solar PV, and Battery Storage Solutions. ARH Group employs nearly 120 staff and has big plans.

Although based in Shrewsbury since the company was formed in 1990, most of their business has been outside the county but with this latest expansion, their sights are set very firmly on Shropshire.

Chris Horton, ARH Managing Director, explains:

“Although our home is in Shrewsbury, most of our work is nationwide. Our next steps in our strategic growth plans for our business across the UK, have significant opportunities for us to focus and concentrate our offer in the Shropshire area.”

Previously ARH has had a focus on the B2B (business-to-business) market, but they are now making a leap into the B2C (business-to -customer) or residential market.

Chris continues,

“The green energy market is growing, and we saw this as a major opportunity.  We have put significant investment into developing energy services for domestic clients and consequently have set up a new business to develop this.  It’s been a major project with the development of a very different operating model and, of course, new branding and marketing.

We have also recently become a key supplier to several of the biggest manufacturers rolling out the commercial charging equipment that is shaping the infrastructure of the electric vehicle charging network, another major new market where we are concentrating our efforts. Promoting sustainability, and environmental technologies is a key industry for us and for Shropshire, so it features strongly in our plans for the future.”

Ruth has been in regular contact with the company and has advised on grant funding and networking opportunities. Ruth also suggested links with various local organisations that could support the company’s plans and alerted them to relevant local events and contacts.

This included contacts within the Council itself which led to ARH applying to be an ‘accredited partner’ with the Council’s Warm Homes Team.

Chris comments,

“It is very useful to have Ruth as a point of contact, not only in relation to finding people within the Council we need to speak to, but also for intel on the local business community.  Ruth can also advise on grants that are in the pipeline and other potential initiatives and support, so we don’t miss out on an opportunity. “

Matt Potts, Business Growth and Investment Services Manager with Shropshire Council’s economic growth service explains the importance of this activity within the economic growth team.

“ These businesses are vital to the economic stability and prosperity of the county. Our key account and investment officers are tasked with engaging on a regular basis with a list of over 200 key companies.  Sometimes they don’t require our help, but many do, and we do our best to work with them to remove barriers or help with relevant support so that they can flourish and grow in the county.

These officers are also a point of contact for businesses looking to move to Shropshire and are happy to assist anyone with finding premises and local advice and support.”

Find out more about commercial opportunities in Shropshire 

Find out more about business support services in Shropshire and how our team can help