Mitie, in partnership with Industrial Solutions Hub (iSH), OneAIM and AtkinsRéalis, has announced the winners of the third Mitie Business Boost competition, an initiative designed to support entrepreneurs and small businesses across West Cumbria. This year’s theme was Digital, Technology and Innovation, encouraging participants to explore how digital adoption can enhance productivity and long‑term growth.
At a finale event held at the historic, Grade I listed Muncaster Castle, Fellpath Planning, a local town planning consultancy, and JointEffort.io, a digital platform that helps organisations collaborate and find specialist partners, were announced as joint winners of the competition. Both businesses impressed the judging panel with their strong business strategies and clear potential to deliver positive economic impact across the region. Each business has been awarded £20,000 in funding to invest in digital tools, support business expansion and build long term resilience.
Now in its third year, Mitie Business Boost continues to empower start‑ups, entrepreneurs and SMEs in West Cumbria through expert‑led workshops, tailored mentoring and practical business support. Delivered in support of Sellafield Ltd’s social impact strategy, the initiative is helping to strengthen the local business ecosystem by supporting entrepreneurship and creating economic value within West Cumbria.
David Wright, Founder, Fellpath Planning, said:
“The Mitie Business Boost funding will help accelerate the development of our digital planning tools, making it easier for people to understand what they can build, the value of their land and the steps needed to secure planning permission. We can’t wait to get going.”
Rob Hankin, Founder, JointEffort.io, said:
“This is a fantastic opportunity for the business. The support will allow us to further develop our AI‑led features, and run a pilot trial in West Cumbria, continue our internship programme, helping us take the next step in our growth.”
Lesley Sewell, Nuclear Sector Director Sellafield Ltd, Mitie, said:
“Mitie Business Boost is about backing local ambition and giving small businesses the tools, confidence and support they need to grow sustainably. West Cumbria has a strong entrepreneurial community, and this programme gives them the chance to build on that potential.
“Congratulations to Fellpath Planning and JointEffort.io. Both businesses demonstrated clear potential to grow and make a positive impact across the region, and we’re proud to support them on the next stage of their journey.”
Jon Kinnell Sullivan, Associate, ESG & Social Impact Nuclear, AtkinsRéalis, said:
“At AtkinsRéalis, we believe innovation thrives when industry works hand in hand with the entrepreneurs, local businesses and enterprise who are shaping the future. We joined the Mitie Business Boost because SMEs are often the ones holding the spark, the new idea, specialist capability, or unique technology that can help us push boundaries and deliver smarter, more resilient solutions for our clients.
“Supporting this programme is also an investment in local industry. By helping emerging enterprises grow, we’re building stronger supply chains and contributing to a more diverse and resilient regional economy that can thrive far beyond the nuclear sector. Being part of Business Boost allows us to champion local talent while identifying the partners and innovations that will drive the next generation of progress.”
Gary McKeating, Managing Director, Industrial Solutions Hub, said:
“This is our second year with the Boost. The industrial solutions hub exists to deliver inclusive business growth in West Cumbria. The two winners stood out as companies that will deliver on this aim using digital innovation. We look forward to seeing them grow and progress.”
Notes to editors
Notes to editors
About Mitie: The Future of High Performing Places
Founded in 1987, Mitie employs 84,000 colleagues and is the leading technology-led Facilities Management, Transformation and Compliance company in the UK. We are a trusted partner to around 3,000 customers across the public and private sectors, working with them to transform their built estates, and the lived experience for their colleagues and customers, as well as providing data-driven insights to inform better decision-making.
In each of our core services of engineering (hard services) and security and hygiene (soft services) we hold market leadership positions. We also deliver transformational projects in the areas of power and grid connections, building fit outs & modernisation, decarbonisation, fire safety & security and telecoms infrastructure, alongside compliance capabilities in fire safety & security and environmental services. Our sector expertise includes central government, critical national infrastructure, defence, financial services, healthcare & life sciences, local government & education, retail & logistics, manufacturing & media and transport & aviation.
We hold industry-leading ESG credentials, including a place on the CDP Climate change A List, and we have received multiple awards including Best Low Carbon Solution and Net Zero Carbon Strategy of the year. We have validated science-based targets that support our ambitions to reach Net Zero. We have been recognised as a UK Top Employer for the seventh consecutive year and Most Admired Company in the Support Services sector. We are also ranked 16th in the Top 100 Apprenticeship employers and ninth in the Inclusive Top 50 UK Employers list. Find out more at www.mitie.com