A new collective is tapping into a global trend to help small businesses in Berwickshire overcome obstacles to grow.

With small population sizes and low footfall, rural businesses have always faced unique challenges.

The growth of the internet and online markets has helped the Borders to widen its reach – but with employee costs rising and recruitment a growing challenge, small firms in the area are reporting significant existential threats.

The ‘Borders Fractional Growth Partners’ are five independent entrepreneurs based across the region who are banding together to provide on-the-ground support. #

From left, Giles Etherington, Lee-Anne Gillie, Colin Sturrock, Moira Wilson and David Ferguson.

placeholder image — From left, Giles Etherington, Lee-Anne Gillie, Colin Sturrock, Moira Wilson and David Ferguson.

They will be holding a series of events each month through the summer, with the first for Berwickshire businesses in Duns on Monday, June 1 followed by Peebles, Galashiels, Kelso and Hawick.

Colin Sturrock, an experienced senior HR leader and qualified mediator, has HR and operational experience across private, public and not-for-profit sectors.

Giles Etherington started his marketing career in London with J. Walter Thompson, working on ad campaigns for Andrex, Esso, Kellogg’s, Jaguar, Nintendo and Persil, among many others. After working for major brands across Europe, he moved to the Borders and brought up his family here, and now supporters a range of local and global clients with his firm Brand Satellite.

Lee-Anne Gillie has a strong business development background, having helped to develop a multi-million business in the Borders and gone on to support rapid growth companies around the world.

Moira Wilson’s career developed across HR, workforce development and employer partnerships with Royal Mail, RBS and UK employment and health and well-being firm Ingeus. She is a former chair of the Scottish Borders Chamber of Commerce and supports a range of business enterprises and government initiatives.

The final member is David Ferguson, a local and national press and broadcast journalist of 35 years, whose firm Ferguson Media supports a wide range of public, private and third sector clients with communications and media coverage.

Lee-Anne said: “‘Fractional growth’ is something that I have seen working first-hand around the world, where small businesses bring in expertise from experienced professionals on a short-term or project basis.

“The Partners is a collective, but it is five individuals who provide independent support where local firms need it.”

For more information about the collective, go to www.bfg.partners