The Future for VBB

We are aiming to scale up our network of volunteer veteran advisors throughout the UK to 30 by 2027

The Future

Our five your plan for Veterans Business Base

Since our launch in 2009, the reputation of Veterans Business Base has spread widely throughout the veteran community and the number of approaches and level of user engagement is now higher than it has ever been.

VBB is responding to this opportunity by seeking external funding for the first time to:

Build a durable, financially secure charity which can support all veterans with ambitions to be self-employed;
Expand user engagement by scaling up the delivery model and creating a nationwide network of support and advice on self-employment for veterans in the future.
Working with the University of Northumbria’s Mapping Survey, we will focus our activities on areas of high veteran accommodation and employment density throughout England and Wales;
Promote VBB as widely as possible within the veteran community using social media linked to a stronger website;
Create networking events for VBB veterans;
Develop collaborative working partnerships with the Armed Forces, Service Charities, Local Authorities, Job Centres, Community Hubs etc;
Spread the word about the virtues of self-employment by making presentations on VBB’s work to other charities and organisations;
Inform/lobby policy and decision-makers who are responsible for veteran welfare;
Enhance VBB’s digital capacity by investing in our website and digital connectivity (iPhone/tablet) with regional Veteran Advisors.

Our Targets

Organic, sustainable growth.

VBB is aiming to scale up its network of volunteer veteran advisors throughout the UK to 30 by 2027. This network will service all garrison towns in the UK in addition to any veterans who are located elsewhere and will have the capacity for around 450 user engagements per annum supporting the development of 200 business start-ups, and ensuring support in the future.

	2022	2023	2024	2025	2026	2027
Number of Advisors	8	12	16	20	25	30
Number of user engagements	50	120	150	200	300	450
Number of businesses created	25	75	100	120	150	200
VBB Business Network members	300	350	400	450	500	650
VBB networking events	2	4	10	16	20	25

Building our advisor network

We currently have six veteran advisors in the VBB programme:

Over the next five years, we are aiming to create a nationwide network of 30 advisors with the same commitment to bespoke, proactive veteran support that has become the hallmark of VBB since its launch.

The overarching objective of the veteran support network is to harness the experience of seasoned business owners and managers who are prepared to commit time and effort to respond promptly to requests for support from veterans who are seeking advice on a business matter. Suitable candidates are likely to be a) veterans who have established their own businesses or b) professionals whose business activity includes training or advising veterans.

Managing the advisor network

Every VA will be provided with a laptop or IPad. On first meeting a veteran the VA will be required to complete the VBB Sign-on Form which will ensure that the Data is collected. The data will be assessed by VBB centrally to ensure compliance with Charity Commission’s regulations. VBB will also have the appropriate insurance in place to cover the VAs. The information will be used to identify details of the business sector in which the Start-Up is involved which will be cross-referenced with others in the same sectors. Data will also be compared region by region. By analyzing the data collected, VBB will be able to target other veteran hubs and organisations that have contact with veterans eg: DWP, Enhanced Learning Administration, training providers, supportive employers, FSB and others.

Funding requirement

Between 2009 and 2022, Malcolm and Bridget committed their time, energy and resources assisting veterans with Start-Up businesses. Due to a huge increase in demand for their services, VBB is seeking funding to scale up their work.