A report highlighting the potential for a substantial increase in productivity and economic activity in Greater Manchester by addressing barriers faced by Black and Asian business leaders has been released recently. Commissioned by GM Business Growth Hub and conducted by The Black United Representation Network CIC (BURN), the study delves into the challenges encountered by Black and Asian-led businesses in accessing innovation support and networks in the region.
The comprehensive 'Barriers to Inclusion Research' report, spanning 31 pages, incorporates candid interviews and insights from 20 Black and Asian-led businesses. It offers a snapshot of their perspectives on the obstacles within the business support and innovation ecosystem in the city region and outlines their desired changes.
Azhar Quaiyoom, Q Sustain founder, said: “Nearly 30 per cent of Greater Manchester is of a diverse population. My experience of innovation networks does not nearly represent that of the region. Greater EMB representation at the board level for Growth Hub, innovation and grant boards would help to shift the dial.”
Olu Alemoru, Nutmeg Animations founder, said: “Short of a magic wand, I would like to see a seismic change in attitudes amongst those key stakeholders. There are good ideas and talent out there just waiting for those opportunities.”
Amman Ahmed, the owner of Music for Pets is also one of the participants who has contributed to the report. His business focuses on producing relaxing music and TV for cats and dogs, based on in-house research. Getting his business started, one of the major challenges for him was the uniqueness of what he was offering, which led to a lack of support from the community. no infrastructure that we had, there was no like, actual community. “We lacked the necessary infrastructure and a genuine sense of community”, he said.
“I've come to realise the absence of a robust business community within the South Asian context. This absence is particularly noticeable when compared to experiences in other communities, such as the white community, where there seems to be a more established network that provides mutual assistance among businesses”, he added.
The reason behind this lack of support, according to Amman, is that only a limited number of South Asian entrepreneurs are venturing into diverse fields. The prevalent trend often involves individuals opting for more conventional paths like property, pharmacy, or other standard avenues. “Establishing precedents in these areas can be essential to inspire others to pursue unique ventures. I hope that my journey serves as an example, demonstrating that South Asians can venture into unconventional fields, achieve success, and pave the way for others to do the same”, he said.
While Amman’s opinion provides an important insight into where the South Asian businesses and community fall short, the report also underscores a stark reality: a mere fraction of Ethnic Minority Businesses (EMBs) are leveraging available resources, with challenges in fundraising and securing investments identified as significant hurdles.
A stakeholder focus group revealed that proactive engagement of Ethnic Minority Businesses (EMBs) had not been a priority in the past. Additionally, the report highlighted that ethnicity data is inconsistently captured to monitor the number of individuals accessing innovation networks.
The proposed changes aim to not only bridge the £3.8 billion productivity gap but also promote diversity, equity, and inclusion for sustained economic growth in Greater Manchester.
Donna Edwards, Managing Director of Business Support and Business Finance at GC, said: “The barriers faced by EMB owners underscore the urgent need for targeted interventions to create an inclusive and supportive environment for ethnic minority businesses in the region. We hope these findings inspire a stronger, equitable local economy where everyone can thrive.”
