Help to Grow: Management alumni recognised for achievements

The Help to Grow: Management Course was launched in 2021. The goal of the course was to improve productivity in the UK's small-to-medium-sized enterprises, in turn helping to close the UK’s productivity gap. The theory was that by first increasing the leadership and management practices of the SME leaders, through a 12-week course delivered by experts across the country, this would be achieved. 

Since its launch the programme has grown and is now available at 60 Small Business Charter business schools across the country with over 11, 850 SME leaders and managers already enrolled on the course.   

The course has been received positively by SMEs. An independent Ipsos evaluation of the course has reported that 91% report increased awareness of factors that drive business productivity and growth. We’re immensely proud of what our alumni have achieved. 17% had reported that sales had increased by 10% or more because of Help to Grow: Management as of June 2024.  

This pride continues as we were delighted to see the success of 4 of our alumni feature in business growth lists compiled by the Sunday Times and Business Leader.   

The Sunday Times Hundred recognises entrepreneurs who are driving economic growth despite smaller consumer spending. The companies recognised in the 2025 list have “created 10,500 new jobs in the past three years and are planning 5,300 more over the next 12 months.”  

Part of this illustrious list that included the likes of Stormzy and Jeremy Clarkson are companies who have benefited from the Help to Grow: Management Course. The two alumni from companies on the list are Martin Glinski, Managing Director of St Ewe Free Range Eggs Ltd, and Anthony Clark, Head of Client Relationships at education and technology company, Cambridge Spark Limited.  

Elsewhere, the Growth 500 list put together by British business magazine Business Leader analysed the public annual accounts of UK-owned companies between May 1, 2024, and April 23, 2025 to see which had seen the greatest revenue growth.  

Bicycle sharing company Beryl and the science organisation bit.bio were both featured in this list and saw a staggering 143% and 1338% growth between 2024 and 2025. The Help to Grow: Management alumni in these companies were Damjana Nurkovic, Corporate Communications Co-ordinator at bit.bio, and Patrick Donnelly, Head of Policy at Beryl.  

Flora Hamilton, Executive Director of the Small Business Charter and CEO of the Chartered Association of Business Schools, said: “Running and managing a small business in the current climate is incredibly challenging, and every SME recognised in these lists has had to overcome significant challenges to achieve growth. Any business leader who takes the time to step back from their business to invest in their leadership and management skills, understand their position in the market, and develop a strategy for growth deserves to be celebrated. Recognising SMEs for their commitment to growing their business is important, and it’s fantastic to see alumni of the Help to Grow: Management Course among those being recognised. 

“Through the Help to Grow: Management Course, our network of Small Business Charter business schools across the UK continue to support thousands of SME leaders every year and we look forward to seeing more alumni recognised for their efforts.”