The year-long programme offers dedicated legal and business mentoring, personalised advice, and tools for behavioural and business evaluation. It also includes discounts on legal advice; access to seminars, updates and publications; and a dedicated network for cohort and alumni interaction.

First launched in March 2024, the programme was set up to understand the unique issues facing underrepresented communities within the business sector, aiming to reduce disparities and promote inclusivity.

The initial cohort supported ten businesses, spanning various industries, but will expand this year to include a total of fourteen businesses based in Greater London and/or Greater Manchester.

Each of the businesses selected for the programme will have access to a range of expert advisors from across Addleshaw Goddard and HSBC, as well as external consultants, and will be able to attend four business related workshops.

There is no specific financial threshold for eligibility to participate in the Ethnic Business Growth Programme, and businesses from any sector are welcome to apply. The programme is exclusively open to individuals from ethnically diverse backgrounds as a means to address and mitigate the specific challenges and systemic barriers these communities often face in the business world.

Applications for Ethnic Business Growth Programme are now open and will close on 28 February 2025.

Harold Brako and Richard Oman, Partners and Programme Sponsors at Addleshaw Goddard, said: "Last year we had the privilege of working with some remarkable business leaders, spanning various industries from music production to early childhood education and innovative subscription-based services.

"The Ethnic Business Growth Programme is dedicated to fostering the growth of underrepresented communities in business by providing mentorship and creating opportunities for collaboration and development. Working in partnership with HSBC, our mission is to help address existing disparities in support and amplify the success of ethnically diverse businesses."

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