New dates for the 90% government-funded Help to Grow: Management Course cohorts across England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland have been announced.
The small business leadership course was launched in April 2021 to help business leaders and senior managers to boost leadership skills and increase resilience, innovation, and growth within their organisations. Delivered by the Small Business Charter and its network of accredited business schools across the UK, it comprises 12 modules which have been updated multiple times since launch to ensure they continue to address the changing challenges that SME leaders face. The course includes 10 hours of 1-2-1 business mentoring, peer learning, and access to a dedicated alumni network for ongoing support and development.
More than 10,000 small business leaders across the UK have already enrolled on the Help to Grow: Management Course to provide them with the knowledge and confidence to boost their business performance. According to the latest independent evaluation carried out by Ipsos*, 91% of alumni surveyed reported improved leadership and management skills and 74% said that the course increased their business’ resilience.
Flora Hamilton, executive director at the Small Business Charter, said “We are delighted to be announcing 2025/2026 dates for the Help to Grow: Management Course. Delivered by our network of more than 60 Small Business Charter accredited business schools, the course provides the practical knowledge and local support that small business leaders need to lead with increased confidence.
“With 91% of alumni surveyed reporting improved leadership and management of their business and 82% of feeling better supported to make business decisions, the course speaks for itself in terms of the impact that Help to Grow: Management is having for small businesses across the UK.”
Martin Gate, business analytics manager at Preston-based UK Carline, who completed the Help to Grow: Management Course at the University of Central Lancashire, School of Business, said: “As part of a small senior management team in a well-established and growing business, I often found myself caught up in the daily demands rather than focusing on long-term growth. The Help to Grow: Management Course provided me with the tools and fresh perspective I needed to prioritise strategic development. The course has not only enhanced my leadership skills but also reshaped my approach to business growth and how with the right tools and mindset, you can achieve what you at first thought was impossible.
Small business leaders can find their nearest Help to Grow: Management Course here.
* Evaluation of Help to Grow: Management end of year 3 evaluation report
About Help to Grow: Management
Help to Grow: Management is a 12-week course designed to support business leaders and their senior managers to increase resilience, innovation, and growth within their organisations.
Developed and delivered by the network of Small Business Charter accredited business schools, the course is available in more than 60 locations across the UK and is 90% government funded. It is designed to fit around existing work and personal commitments, providing business leaders with more than 50 hours of online and in person training including 10 hours of one-to-one mentoring. Individuals completing the course automatically join the Alumni Network, where they have access to exclusive events, content and partner offers, as well as the support of a UK-wide peer network.
The Small Business Charter (SBC) empowers small business success through its network of expert business schools. Developed 10 years ago by Lord Young, the previous Department for Business, and the Chartered Association of Business Schools, the SBC was established to signpost entrepreneurs, small businesses, and local economic stakeholders to business schools in their region with the expertise to help them thrive.
There are 68 SBC accredited business school centres of excellence across the UK which are trusted partners of local stakeholders and the national government to deliver effective leadership and productivity programmes and small business support to drive economic growth.