SFEDI (Small Firms Development Initiative)

In partnership with Assessment North East Ltd, appointed regional SFEDI license award body for the north east of England.

Founded in 1996, SFEDI is an entrepeneur led, independant and not for profit government standards setting body for business support and enterprise development in the UK.

SFEDI accreditation provides a set of quality standards and leading practice guidelines that you can use to improve the personal and organisational support given to those considering starting up and running their own business. Staff involved in advice or provision of information can be accredited as having successfully met these SFEDI requirements.

Licensed centres help industry professionals have greater access to SFEDI assessment and accreditation.


Who should seek SFEDI accreditation?

Assessment North East (ANE) are responsible for ensuring that individuals who work for public and private organisations providing business advice and support in the North East have been sufficiently assessed against the national SFEDI standards e.g. Business Link, Enterprise Agencies, Banks and Independant Business Advisors. Relevant roles include business advisors, business trainers, busines mentors, social enterprise advisors and business information staff.


The process

Following an initial discussion, an ANE SFEDI Assessor will be assigned to work with the individual. The applicant will be registered with SFEDI and an assessment plan will be agreed, which will involve shadowing client interviews and questioning the applicant throughout the process. If successful, advisors will be issued with a SFEDI certificate and have the right to use the SFEDI logo on promotional products and business cards.


Benefits to business support staff:


If you are interested in coming forward for assessment or would like to talk to someone about SFEDI, our Practitioner and Projects Executive would be happy to speak to you.