FIRMS in the Tees Valley can expect to be served by a business support organisation that is more customer-focussed.

That's the promise made by businessman Rob Shotton, newly appointed chair of the new Small Business Service (SBS) board in the Tees Valley. He said the new SBS franchise will think and act like a small business.

And he stressed that, while the new service will operate under the well-established Business Link Tees Valley brand, it will be different in a number of key ways.

It will be run by people with practical experience in the small to medium-enterprise (SME) field.

"The new board is dominated by people involved in SMEs and clearly the thinking will be more in line with the thinking of SMEs," said Mr Shotton.

"We expect to be more aligned with what they think and need."

Another change is that business advisers will act as project managers but will not be expected to solve every client problem. Instead, they will seek out and recommend solution providers from across the Tees Valley.

The SBS franchise was awarded to the Tees Valley Partnership, a group made up of key local organisations, in October this year. The bid originally submitted by Business Link Tees Valley failed in May to win the franchise, and the partnership was established to spearhead the renewed effort.

The new service will cover start-ups and very small business and will encourage the development of businesses in socially disadvantaged areas and communities.

"We have a very strong private sector-led board with all directors keen to be actively involved," said Mr Shotton. "I am delighted by the very positive response we have had from our existing Business Link staff and those who may be transferring from the Tees Valley TEC."

Mr Shotton founded Orchid Drinks in Hartlepool and served as MD before its recent sale to Britvik.

Other board members are local business people or are a part of the business support delivery process. They are: Terry Owens; Eric Lloyd; Araf Din; Brian Coady; Valda Morris; Veronica Wilkie; Alan Pearson; Caroline Hughes; and Professor Brian Hobbs of the University of Teesside. Councillors Bob Gibson and Ken Walker are also members.

One of the Board's first tasks is to appoint a new chief executive to replace outgoing Business Link director George Rafferty. To date there have been 170 applicants and an announcement on the top position is expected soon