Local businesses offered ‘Help to Grow’ opportunity With New Government Scheme Delivered By Solent Business School Southampton.

Business in the Southern region are now able to join a new management training programme, Solent Business School, Southampton has announced today, Monday 6 September.

The Help to Grow: Management programme is designed to provide the management tools needed to help talented business leaders innovate and grow their business, driving our economic recovery from coronavirus (COVID-19).

Designed to be manageable alongside full-time work, modules cover financial management, strategies for growth and innovation, leading a high-performance workplace and digital adoption.

By the end of the programme, business leaders will develop a tailored business growth plan to help lead your business to its full potential with access to mentoring and an alumni network.

Courses at Solent Business School are now open for applications. Visit our website to find out more.

Caroline Walsh, Director of Solent Business School, says, “Aimed at senior leaders of small and medium businesses, this new course will help businesses drive growth and protect jobs.

“Following the success of the Small Business Leadership programme - working with over 140 businesses across the region -, it’s great to be able to continue to support the growth of small businesses in the south, she added.”

Having seen the positive impacts that Help to Grow’s forerunner the Small Business Leaders Programme had on their members Leigh-Sara Timberlake, Group CEO Business South, welcomes this new initiative and says, “It’s a chance to learn, to question, to improve what you do, network, get expert mentoring so you can add value, aid recovery, build resilience and develop potential – if you mean business and are eligible this can help.”

After attending the Small Business Leaders Programme with Solent Business School, Lakbir Singh Head of Group Operations at UKESG/Planet Education and Head of Special Projects - India Business Group says, “I wholeheartedly recommend SMEs make time for the Help To Grow Management programme, which Solent are also now delivering. The chance to gain expert knowledge, new insights to focus on strategic and global opportunities, learn contemporary techniques with mentors and interact with peers, enabled us to become more resilient and productive, so it’s well worth participation”.

The 12-week programme is 90% subsidised by the government as part of its Plan for Jobs to help businesses to drive growth and protect jobs and is aimed at senior leaders of small and medium businesses.

Small Business Minister Paul Scully says, “Seizing opportunity is what being a business leader is all about, and our Help to Grow Management Scheme gives entrepreneurs the chance to access the very best advice on how to innovate, reach new customers and boost profits.

“The practical training scheme is 90% funded by the government and designed around busy business owners’ schedules, so I would encourage entrepreneurs across the UK to get involved and maximise the potential of their business.”