Ethnic producers to get free business help

A new mentoring scheme for ethnic entrepreneurs running small food and drink companies in the West Midlands has been launched by Heart of England Fine Foods (HEFF).

The scheme, backed by Advantage West Midlands, Business Link, The Learning & Skills Council and the West Midlands Minority Ethnic Business Forum (WMMEBF) will offer support to directors who want to develop and explore new markets by pairing them with experienced mentors.

Mohammed Nazir, chairman of WMMEBF, said: "More and more ethnic businesses are exploring national and international opportunities and the mentoring scheme will enable them to tap into a new source of free expert consultancy so that they can get to where they want to be in less time and with a greater all-round understanding of business issues."

HEFF was formed in 1998 to promote and raise awareness of food and drink from the West Midlands. It is the managing body of the West Midlands Food Partnership, the alliance of food and drink agencies formed in 2006, which includes Advantage West Midlands and the Learning & Skills Council.