£3million boost for Bentley Motors

The investment is expected to create 500 new jobs and secure 200 existing posts at the company's headquarters in Crewe. It will be used to fund an innovative new engine research and development project aimed at helping the company expand into overseas markets, including China. "It is fantastic to be announcing 500 new and 200 protected jobs here in Crewe today. Creating jobs and growth is my number one priority for Britain right now," said Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg. "For too long the UK economy has been too focused on the City of London. The Regional Growth Fund is helping companies across the country to grow their businesses and create jobs." Bentley in January received £1.69m of Regional Growth Fund money, which was used to up-skill existing employees and train new ones. Bentley's chief executive Wolfgang Duerheimer said: "The funding we have received from the Regional Growth Fund will help us in two key ways. First, it will help ensure that we have a skilled workforce we need to deliver our projects and remain globally competitive. Second, the R&D support enables us to work on a key engine development project that will help us expand in key markets." The announcement brings the total number of successful Regional Growth Fund bids to 70, and the total investment available to companies to nearly £540m.