CUMBRIA small business guru Richard Knowles has joined Cumbria Rural Enterprise Agency to head-up its new Business Mentoring Service, which will operate throughout Cumbria.

The former director of Made in Cumbria has just returned from a 14-month trip travelling Europe in a motor home with his wife Heather. He is now on the hunt for volunteers to act as business mentors to small Cumbrian enterprises.

Richard said: "I'm recruiting 20 or more potential mentors who could help people within the county who are starting their own businesses. In particular, I'm looking for retired business people or those that could offer half a day each month to help with understanding business problems and finding solutions."

He explained that business mentoring was not the same as business advising and counselling, but more a hand-holding service for new and young businesses where an experienced business person became a regular contact and sounding board.

"Mentors could help with the plethora of issues facing a small business such as marketing, finance, administration, regulation, personnel, and strategies, and I will aim to match the strengths of the mentor with the needs of the business."

The Business Mentoring Service will operate from the Kendal Offices of CREA with support from Cumbria Local Enterprise Agency Network.

Bob Clark, executive director of CREA, said: "Richard is already very widely known for his flair and entrepreneurial skills during his time at Made in Cumbria. He will be a great asset to our team and add another service to the growing portfolio of help for new and existing businesses"

Anyone interested in becoming a business mentor can contact Richard Knowles on 015242-63100 or email: richard@bvmcumbria.co.uk.