Salford Business School is set to offer the government-supported Help to Grow programme once more, with three cohorts already scheduled for this year. This programme is designed to assist existing businesses in their expansion efforts, featuring workshops conducted by the School's experts, and providing customised support to aid business owners in managing their growth plans. Open to companies from any sector, participants will complete the course with a bespoke growth action plan, ready for independent implementation.

The inaugural cohort for 2024 will commence in April and the programme spans 12 weeks. Workshops will be conducted in person at Salford Business School, located on the University of Salford’s Peel Park campus.

With 90% of the funding provided by the government, the cost for an individual to participate in the programme is a mere £750, making it an accessible option for SMEs throughout the North West and beyond.

Catherine Whelan, Founder and CEO of Wellness and Beauty for All, and an alumnus of a previous Help to Grow cohort, shared her experience: “The Help to Grow programme was a surprise for me, because I didn’t even know support like this existed. It made me realise the gaps that I had in my knowledge and in my leadership. With the tools that Help to Grow has given me I can continue to build my business. For example, our marketing strategy has always relied on word-of-mouth in the past, but I am now equipped with the skills needed to expand this and grow our client base further.”

The Help to Grow programme is a part of the new services offered by Salford Business School’s Centre for Sustainable Innovation, which provides businesses an opportunity to collaborate with the University for expert guidance in key areas such as sustainability, digital innovation, and change management.

Dr Ann Mulhaney, Associate Professor at the Centre for Sustainable Innovation, expressed her enthusiasm: “I’m delighted to be able to offer the Help to Grow programme here in Salford once again this year. It’s an opportunity not just to access specialist advice and build a growth mindset for your business, but also a chance to connect with likeminded businesspeople. The five face-to-face sessions provide a fantastic opportunity for building connections with people from a whole range of different industries. It’s just one way we continue to support the Salford community and the wider North West business landscape through our new Centre for Sustainable Innovation.”

To register your interest for the next available cohort visit Help to grow | University of Salford.