STANTA was incorporated in 1984

STANTA’s mission is to provide business advice to people in the local district. This was complemented in 1986 with opening of the St Albans Enterprise Centre which provided small, low risk, licensed office units to SMEs.

In 2005 STANTA opened its new purpose-built offices in St Albans at STANTA Business Centre, which eventually superseded its original leased premises.

The building is owned by STANTA and is designed to provide free business support in the district, as well as a home to a number of expanding small businesses.

STANTA is a Not for Profit enterprise with surplus property income used to fund free and low cost business advice to the local community

For more information call us today on 01727 837760 and or email us at advice@stanta.co.uk

2014 –  Celebrating 30 years

In May, at Old Albanians Sports Club, St Albans MP Anne Main, St Albans City and District Mayor, Annie Brewster and new Harpenden Mayor, Mary Maynard, joined 150 local business people to celebrate STANTA’s 30 years supporting local businesses. The Board took the opportunity to launch its new brand and website.

2015 – Proud award winners

STANTA usually works away quietly in the background – partly because we fund our free services from our own office premises business and do not yet have the funding to expand these. However, in the last 18 months,we relaunched our brand, with a new website and business information resource centre, and launched a series of training courses to add to our free one-to-one business advice for new businesses. We thought it was time to make a bit more noise, and as such are particularly gratified to receive the Community Business Award from the Federation of Small Businesses, whose services to small business are so useful, and who lobby so hard for the sector.

2015 – Inaugural St Albans Business Festival

We were delighted to support this Chamber initiative, attending networking events and exhibiting at the Hertfordshire Business Expo. The EXPO brought businesses together across the county and across all business sectors, inspiring the local business community. This was a perfect opportunity to spread the word about how STANTA can help new and small businesses to Start, Grow and Develop.

Aarti and Ginny manning the Stand

2016 – Founding directors retire

Two of our founding Directors, Peter Burton and Colin Gaskell retired after over 30 years service. To mark their contribution to STANTA, and to thank them for their hard work, we met to say our good-byes on a lovely summer evening at St Michaels Manor.

2020 – Ginny celebrates 20th anniversary

In July 2020, Ginny Cooper, Director of Operations celebrated 20 years of working at STANTA.

May 2023 – Ian Dunn steps down as Chairman

After 20 years Ian Dunn steps down and Beric Read takes up the mantle as Chairman.

Sept 2023 – Steve Bedford is appointed as Executive Director

Steve joins part time as Executive Director whilst also working for local marketing agency, Conical.

March 2024 – Mel Hilbrown, Executive Director retires

After 19 years Mel Hilbrown retired from his Executive Director position.

May 2024 – STANTA celebrates 40th anniversary

STANTA celebrated its 40th anniversary and the recent retirement of Mel Hilbrown, formerly Executive Director, with a party at Old Albanian Rugby Club.

Jeni Peacock joined the STANTA Team in the role of Operations Manager – Marketing. Read more about how we celebrated in our blog.

July 2024 – Ginny retires

After 24 years’ service Ginny Cooper retired from her Operations Director position.

Eva Lambe and Jeni Peacock now share the role of managing STANTA’s operations.