About Us

Avon CDA was incorporated in 1988 as an enterprise agency and received funding from Avon County Council to promote the co-operative option and support the development of new and existing co-operative businesses. In April 2002 the agency became an integral part of BRAVE enterprise agency.

Interest in setting up co-operative businesses in Bristol, Bath and the former Avon area has never been higher. The CDA sees an increase in enquiries every year and many new co-operatives have begun trading with our help and support.

The CDA is committed to providing a high quality, efficient co-operative development service, relevant to individual clients needs. The CDA, as an integral part of BRAVE, is independent, and is not tied to any government department, local council or commercial concern. However, we are funded by Bristol City Council and the Co-operative Fund. For more about the services CDA can offer see "CDA Services"

The CDA is part of a national network of Co-operative Development and Support Organisations. Our three main objectives are:

The CDA Team

CDA staff
Hilary Sudbury - CDA Co-ordinator

Consultants working on behalf of Avon CDA:
Co-operative Assistance Network Limited - specialising in Co-operative Development
Keith Bates Development Services - specialising in Social Firms and Supported Co-operatives

BRAVE - Background info

BRAVE was formed in 1979 when it was one of the first Enterprise Agencies to set up in the UK. BRAVE has a strong reputation for providing quality advice to new entrepreneurs, has a highly motivated team of staff and is supported by a group of professional advisers.

BRAVE's three main objectives are:

For more information about BRAVE see the BRAVE website at www.brave.org.uk