Mansfield Innovation Centre businesses secure High Growth Awards to drive continued expansion

Four businesses based at the Mansfield Innovation Centre have secured grants through the East Midlands Combined County Authority’s High Growth Accelerator programme, supporting their continued expansion and contribution to local job creation.

Block Property Solutions, Wenham Mortgages, Staff for Education and Online Bedrooms Ltd have all reported significant business growth since joining the centre, and each has now been awarded funding to support their next stage of growth.

Managed by Oxford Innovation Space, Mansfield Innovation Centre provides flexible workspace alongside in-house business support services, including one-to-one sessions with an Innovation Director, peer learning opportunities, in-person events, and a suite of online resources and webinars. The combination of space and support has enabled resident businesses to accelerate their growth and expand their teams.

Founded in 2019, Block Property Solutions joined Mansfield Innovation Centre in 2021 and has received regular one-to-one coaching to support its growth plans. Having grown to a team of four employees and expanded its customer base, the specialist property management company has been awarded an £8,000 high growth grant to support the development of an online payment portal, which aims to streamline operations, increase productivity and enhance customer experience.

Shahin Ahad, Managing Director of Block Property Solutions, explains: “David Smith and the team at Mansfield Innovation Centre have been instrumental to the success of my business, keeping me informed of relevant funding and events. David is extremely knowledgeable and has been a great sounding board. He was even able to guide me through the entire application process for the High Growth grant.”

“As well as offering expert business support, the centre provides me with a professional space to meet clients and connect with other entrepreneurs. It is a real asset to the local business community.”

Wenham Mortgages is another success story. Having moved into the centre in 2020 as a team of three, the company has since created 17 local jobs. Founded by Daniel Wenham, the financial services company was awarded an £8,000 high growth grant to support its expansion into new markets, which is expected to create further new roles as it continues its impressive growth trajectory.

Staff for Education, which has been based at the centre for two years, has also successfully secured a £750 grant to fund a place on the Help to Grow management programme for one employee. Managing Director, Louise Hamby contacted the centre when she was starting up her specialist recruitment agency, which now employs four people. The centre team were able to support her through the initial startup phase and most recently with the grant application process.

Online Bedrooms Ltd, which sells made-to-measure bedroom furniture online, has seen exponential growth since starting in 2020 and moving into Mansfield Innovation Centre in 2022. Founded by brothers, Ben & Scott Slater, the business has been able to easily expand its space in the Centre as its grown and has now secured grant funding to help facilitate the launch of a new product line.

David Smith, Innovation Director at Oxford Innovation Space, explains: “The success of Block Property Solutions, Staff for Education, Wenham Mortgages and Online Bedrooms highlights the important role Mansfield Innovation Centre plays in nurturing startups and driving local economic growth. Securing High Growth Accelerator grants will help these four companies continue to innovate, expand and create more new jobs locally.”

Mansfield Innovation Centre has become a thriving hub for entrepreneurs and is now home to over 35 ambitious businesses. The centre runs a comprehensive series of events for resident businesses throughout the year. In addition, the centre recently delivered three workshops for local businesses on behalf of Mansfield District Council. Attracting over 50 attendees, the fully booked events focused on networking, AI for productivity, and the importance of Wills and lasting powers of attorney for business owners.

Oxford Innovation Space employs a holistic approach to supporting entrepreneurs by designing and managing space with their needs in mind. Currently supporting over 900 businesses throughout its network of over 30 centres across the UK and Ireland, the company plays an integral role in building communities of SMEs, championing innovation and driving local economic growth.

Photo caption:

Left to right: Ben Slater of Online Bedrooms Ltd; Louise Hamby of Staff for Education Ltd; Shahin Ahad of Block Property Solutions Ltd; David Smith from Oxford Innovation Space and Daniel Wenham of Wenham Mortgages Ltd at Mansfield Innovation Centre.

About Oxford Innovation Space

Oxford Innovation Space is the UK’s leading operator of innovation centres, with over 30 managed centres in the UK & Ireland, providing flexible, cost-effective office, laboratory, and workshop solutions for entrepreneurs, start-ups and growing businesses. Working closely with universities, local authorities, science parks, developers and investors, Oxford Innovation Space helps to transform places and local economies by creating supportive environments where innovative businesses come together and thrive.