Insider Media Limited

The West Midlands has been chosen as the pilot location to launch a new membership package for small and medium sized businesses. Business in the Community (BITC) is managing the new venture. Steve Fitzgerald, membership director West Midlands, told Insider that the region's small businesses would benefit from advice, support and access to an 800-strong BITC network.

The project is the organisation's first SME membership package to be offered to West Midlands businesses.

Fitzgerald said BITC, which is the UK’s largest knowledge network for companies involved in responsible business, has signed up six members before the scheme has launched.

Founder members include Birmingham’s New World Solar and Warwickshire-based Alumet Systems (UK).

Support will be offered to businesses in the form of advice and support, employee development and community impact and profile and networking.

Fitzgerald said: "We answered a call from both the smaller businesses saying they wanted tailor made, appropriate support like the larger companies receive – but we were also taking on board suggestions made by the bigger companies, which said they wanted to help the smaller, more local businesses down the supply chain.

"We recognised that smaller businesses are closer to their communities – they trade to and from other local firms, and the process is much quicker and easier."

Companies which join the BITC network will have an annual strategy meeting, tailored action plan and guided access to website training.

They will also have quarterly team meetings and a support network as well as access to the 800 company strong BITC Network.

David Darlaston, BITC's regional director, said: "Being a responsible business is not just for the big corporates, small and medium enterprises have their role to play and also deserve to enjoy the bottom line benefits that come with it.

"From talking to firms all over the West Midlands it was evident that there was a huge demand for us to introduce a new SME membership package that would cater for companies with less than 250 people."

The scheme will officially launch later this year.