21st birthday for business centre

BALLARAT Business Centre is celebrating its twenty-first anniversary.

The not-for-profit provides business support, mentoring, training, and office spaces to start-ups and small businesses at four sites across the city.

The organisation has supported more than 550 growing businesses since its launch in 2001 and is soon set to expand to support trade and catering industries, and local producers.

Staff, the BBC board, and guests recently enjoyed cake and drinks together to mark the milestone, while welcoming new executive officer Peter Grigg.

BBC facilities and relationship manager Simone Anderson said Mr Grigg’s initial focus will be to work with the board on the centre’s strategic plan.

He will also aim to bring more innovative ideas and initiatives to the centre, to benefit clients, the broader local business community, and the city.

Mr Grigg is a new Ballarat resident, with a background in information technology and telecommunications, professional services, consulting, hospitality, and has accounting qualifications.

He has worked in start-ups, small and medium-sized businesses, and the corporate sector, and said he is looking forward to meeting stakeholders throughout the Ballarat business community.