Official data released today has revealed that more than 10,000 small business leaders have now completed the Help to Grow: Management Course. The milestone follows the Government's designation of the programme as a key pillar in its Small Business Plan, with Blair McDougall MP, Minister for Small Business and Economic Transformation, reconfirming its commitment.
The Department for Business & Trade data shows that, since launching in July 2021, the Help to Grow: Management Course has enrolled 13,355 business leaders, with 10,035 completions.
The data revealed that the programme is delivering strong diversity outcomes. Four-in-ten (39%) participants are female leaders - more than double the 15% of UK SMEs that are female-led - while 14% come from ethnic minority backgrounds, seven percentage points above overall UK SME leaders.
Blair McDougall MP, Minister for Small Business and Economic Transformation commented: “Future proofing business skills is a key pillar of the Government’s Small Business Plan. Giving more business leaders the skills and networks they need to grow is vital to the success of UK small and medium-sized businesses.
“This SME support programme has been a great success, and I’m delighted to confirm renewed government commitment to the course until 2029 as we set out in the Small Business Plan.”
Since launching Help to Grow: Management, the Small Business Charter team has continuously evolved the course content, to address emerging business priorities, including its most recent curriculum update to increase focus on digital transformation and AI implementation. Independent evaluation from Ipsos UK confirms this approach is working, with 91% of participants reporting improved leadership and management skills after completing the course.
Delivered by over 60 Small Business Charter-accredited business schools across the UK, the 12-week programme was created to address the UK's productivity gap. It combines online and face-to-face sessions with one-to-one business mentoring and peer networking. Small business leaders completing the course go on to become a member of the Help to Grow: Management Alumni Network with access to a programme of events, webinars and content to support their continued development and growth.
Flora Hamilton, CEO of the Chartered Association of Business Schools and Executive Director of the Small Business Charter, said: "Developing the leadership and management capabilities of SMEs is key to increasing productivity and generating sustainable economic growth. I’m immensely proud that our network of Small Business Charter accredited business schools across the UK has now inspired more than 10,000 small business leaders with the knowledge and confidence to increase productivity, innovation and resilience.
“That has been the Help to Grow: Management programme's mission since launch, and these results verify its significant impact for our UK-wide alumni community. We’re pleased that this has been recognised in the Government’s re-commitment to the programme until 2029.”
Pruden & Smith, bespoke and handmade luxury jeweller, achieved record revenues a year after its creative director Rebecca Smith completed the 90% government-funded Help to Grow: Management Course at University of Brighton, School of Business and Law.
The business has achieved an overall revenue increase of 26% in the 12 months following the course – fuelled by the creation of an ecommerce site which has increased online sales by 250% in the first 12 months from a standing start. Since Rebecca completed the course, the business has expanded its sales team, invested in re-fitting its workshop and expanded the functionality of its website to allow customers to design their own jewellery online.
Entrepreneur and creative director at Pruden & Smith, Rebecca Smith, said: "I had been looking for something to help us grow for a couple of years when I spotted details about the Help to Grow: Management Course in a local magazine. It was exactly what I was looking for, for me personally as a leader and for the business, so I signed up immediately. The course gave us what we needed - it provided us with the structures and support to take our business to the next level."
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 67 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.