A business group for bosses of high-growth and entrepreneurially-minded companies in Brighton and Hove is being copied by the French.

The Hub 100, based in Old Steine, is being used as a model of "best practice" across the English Channel, The Argus can exclusively reveal.

As part of a Europe-funded scheme, the Hub will be used as a template to create links between companies in Brittany and Normandy with those in Kent and Sussex.

Managing director Phil Green said: "We have been asked to help with an equivalent project in Europe to provide business links between northern France and the south of England."

The organisation was set up in September 2002 by SEEDA, the regional development agency, to help managing directors and chief executives achieve their growth plans.

It involves work groups, regular seminars and a business buddy scheme. Meetings take place during work hours and demand trust and confidentiality amongst those who attend.

Members of the Hub include managers of companies with turnovers as small as £50,000 a year and as large as £40 million.

SEEDA ploughed £500,000 into the group, which used to be based at the Sussex Innovation Centre in Falmer, but its role as sole-provider came to an end last October The Hub 100 now operates as a not-for-profit company which relies on an annual membership fee and commercial sponsorship for its funding. It now has 63 members.

Mr Green, who runs his own people development company in Brighton and Hove, said the concept was still unique and one that he hopes to see develop elsewhere in the UK.

"We call the Hub a club, because that's actually what it is. We meet and support each other openly and confidentially. In 230 meetings, I have never heard of any leaks.

"People can talk and share their experiences openly. That's really powerful. I don't know of any other network of this kind, anywhere, that exclusively focuses on MDs and growth markets."

One of the Hub 100's aims is to help private companies grow by tapping into a wealth of experience and knowledge in the public sector and its board reflects this ambition.

Members include Scott Marshall, head of economic development and regeneration at Brighton and Hove City Council, Bill Taylor, managing director of Brighton Sheet Metal, Pete Tyler, managing director of Neilson Active Holidays, Greg Roach, director of Image XPS, Tony Nisbett, managing director of Helmstone Communications, Christina Grzasko, managing director of Anya Designs, Malcom Duffitt, managing director of Dreamteam Design, Simon Conroy, managing director of Madgex and Rod Scott, managing director of WAER Systems.

Tuesday, December 6, 2005