A Nantgarw contact centre has been awarded a grant from the Wales Economic Growth Fund (WEGF), allowing it to create 16 new jobs.
Connect Assist, a specialist supplier of helplines and digital services for charity and third sector organisations, has received a grant of £100,000 to support its ambitious growth plans.
As well as creating new job roles, the grant will help Connect Assist to expand its Nantgarw site, creating additional space for further development.
Economy Minister Edwina Hart said: “The Wales Economic Growth Fund was created to help businesses across Wales expand and create jobs and I am pleased to hear it is supporting Connect Assist’s growth plans.
“This social enterprise has won a number of important contracts and continues to play an important role in the community, creating jobs and new opportunities as it expands and I wish it every success in the future.”
The grant marked a notable end to 2013 for the social business which won the prestigious Institute of Welsh Affairs (IWA) Company of the Year award in December last year.
The award, sponsored by ACCA Cymru Wales, acknowledged the success of businesses that turnover less than £10 million per annum and recognises Connect Assist’s outstanding growth, innovation and commitment to Wales in recent years.
Connect Assist has seen rapid growth in the past year, with staff numbers increasing to 86 and turnover figures up to £3.1 million per year, having won contracts with the likes of the Royal British Legion, Network Rail and Barnardo’s.
Patrick Nash, Chief Executive Officer at Connect Assist, said: “We are delighted to have secured a substantial grant from the WEGF, which will allow us to create new jobs for the local community.
“We are proud to be based in Wales and are committed to creating jobs and boosting the skills of those in the Welsh Valleys.
“Winning the IWA Company of the Year award has also capped a fantastic month and year for everybody at Connect Assist.
“2013 has seen us win a number of significant contracts and we hope to build upon this success in the next year and in the future.”