A West Midlands-based private sector programme, devised to attract and support inward investment, has helped a Danish helicopter transport firm land safely in the UK.
The UK Market Access Program (UKMAP) sees several partners from across the region come together to help European companies grow into the UK.
It was established just over a year ago to replace a previous initiative and has already helped around 100 companies settle on these shores.
The latest ‘win’ is the arrival of Dancopter, which has set up a UK base on the Norfolk coast, to service a new contract with a major energy firm.
Dancopter, which was established in 2003, provides helicopter transport services to offshore landing platforms at energy installations such as oil, gas and wind.
Initially, the move has created around 20 new jobs and the company will look to expand its UK operations after a successful start – that could have been grounded without support.
UKMAP helped Dancopter with day-to-day issues such establishing payroll, VAT, car leasing, administration and back office support.
Lars Skov Christenson of Dancopter, said: “Without the practical support provided by EBS during the set up stage we would not have progressed so far in such a short space of time.”
Martin Williams, of EBS (European Business Solutions) – a partner in UKMAP, said: “The UK is seen across Europe as a very strong market and as a place where businesses feel they can invest and expand.
“Our work proves that and Dancopter is another great example of how crucial it is to support a firm when it is first established itself here.
“Once that happens, they can fly and provide an economic boost to the country.”
Dirk Schafer, of the University of Warwick Science Park – another partner in UKMAP, said: “The programme is proving to be very successful and this is another example of that.
“We are attracting and supporting a range of companies to the UK. Sometimes we go out and seek the businesses because we feel they would benefit from a base here, we also pick up referrals from other organisations who know the support we can offer a company wanting to move to the UK.”
