19 May 2024
STANTA (St Albans Enterprise Agency) welcomed over 100 guests to mark its 40th anniversary.
Attendees at the OAK Sport Club included past clients of the Agency, fellow business contacts from the St Albans and Harpenden community, along with representatives from other enterprise agencies and representative bodies.
Also attending were local dignitaries including Daisy Cooper MP, St Albans Mayor Cllr Anthony Rowlands, Annie Brewster, High Sheriff of Hertfordshire, and Cllr Paul De Kort, now leader of SADC.
The guests received a warm welcome from STANTA’s management team who provided a short video presentation and speeches from the recently retired executive director Mel Hilbrown and the soon-to-retire operations director, Ginny Cooper.
New executive director Steve Bedford gave thanks on behalf of all those present for the incredible dedication and long service of both individuals, which amounts to a total of 43 years!
Focusing on the future, Steve envisages further in-person support for start-ups and young businesses in St Albans, Harpenden and surrounding villages, whether through personal advice meetings, business planning sessions or attendance at STANTA’s wide range of workshops. Despite an uncertain national funding scene for enterprise agencies, STANTA’s long-term planning should enable the agency to play an increasingly active role in the local community.
Thanks were also provided to the sponsors that made the event possible: Debenhams Ottaway, Visionary Accountants, Franklin Insurance and Insite M&A. Thanks also went to musical duo Katie plus Juan for the entertainment, Old Albanians RFC for hosting the event, and Heaven is a Cupcake for the celebratory cake.
