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Funding Boost For Connect Assist

A social enterprise has received a £123,000 grant from the Wales Economic Growth Fund.

Nantgarw-based Connect Assist provides contact centre solutions to charities and the public sector. The money will help to create and safeguard 23 jobs.

The Wales Economic Growth Fund was set up by the Welsh Government to provide businesses with fast-track access to finance to support capital investment and business growth.

As a result of the grant and associated business success, Connect Assist aims to have 75 full-time employees by December. At the end of 2011, the venture employed 44 people.

Patrick Nash, chief executive of Connect Assist, said: “This grant is a great financial boost to us at a time of growth.

“We have already landed some new contracts and are seeing high levels of interest in our services. We need to ensure that we have the right number of people in the right positions. This grant enables us to build our successful team and continue to create new jobs in South Wales.”

Business Minister Edwina Hart said she was pleased the fund was supporting the growth of businesses and social enterprises around Wales.

“We know there are very many companies of all sizes that want to expand and take advantage of new business opportunities but cannot access finance through the traditional routes. The Welsh Government’s Economic Growth Fund is providing an important stopgap and I am pleased to hear it will help Connect Assist expand,” she said.

Connect Assist will use the grant to scale up its Wales sales team, which operates on a national basis to provide contact centre technology and support to charities and the public sector. The social enterprise is also looking to increase its digital service delivery development team and multi-channel helpline management team.

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/business-in-wales/business-news/2012/03/31/funding-boost-for-connect-assist-91466-30663017/