PROFILE

Leeds Business School launches government-backed Help to Grow Management programme

Leeds Beckett University is adding to its extensive portfolio of support for small and medium-sized enterprises (SME) in Yorkshire by launching a new practical management training programme for local SME leaders this autumn. The new ‘Help to Grow’ Management scheme is backed by £220 million from the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS) and aims to boost economic recovery from the impact of COVID-19 by helping SMEs. The programme supports the leadership skills needed to boost business performance and resilience to future crises, and achieve long-term growth. The 12-week programme is 90% funded by the Government – with only £750 per business to contribute. It has been designed to be completed by senior managers of SMEs, alongside full-time work. Olga Munroe, Help to Grow Programme Director, explained: “The course consists of a blend of online webinars by our academic experts and bespoke support through one-on-one business mentorship, peer to peer discussions, and sessions exploring case studies from relatable SMEs – including some of the many Yorkshire-based businesses that are part of our Leeds Beckett network. “We focus on practical problem-solving techniques and all businesses come away with an action plan to embed in their organisation from the word ‘go’.” Help to Grow builds on the success of the Government’s pilot scheme – the Small Business Leadership Programme (SBLP). More than 100 Yorkshire businesses have now completed the SBLP with Leeds Beckett. Peter Needham, Managing Director of Watermill Plumbing and Heating Ltd, based in Ripon, said: “The SBLP has already given me some quite significant insights, ideas and confirmations of strategies I'm taking with my business. I am finding it really valuable and think it will make a significant difference to what I might achieve. It is pragmatic, inspiring, relevant and to the point, and straight away applicable to my business plans.” Olga Munroe added: “Our delivery team consists of academic colleagues with strong practitioners’ skills - people who either owned or still own a business. Their experience means that they understand the challenges of SMEs and can effectively translate theory into practice.” Following the programme, businesses become part of the Leeds Beckett alumni community – allowing them continued access to Leeds Beckett’s wide range of SME support programmes and network of regional businesses: including guest lectures with industry experts, networking events, part-funded Management Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (mKTPS), Institute of Leadership and Management (ILM) courses, and student and graduate recruitment and placements. The first programme begins this September, with further groups starting from October. To find out more, and register your interest, please email Help2Grow@leedsbeckett.ac.uk

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