Huddersfield Business School, part of the University of Huddersfield, is launching its third Help to Grow programme in January 2023.

The Help to Grow programme delivered by the Business School is a 12-week Government-backed management course designed to support senior managers of small and medium-sized businesses to boost their business performance, resilience and long-term growth.

Opening the doors to the next cohort on Tuesday January 31 2023, Huddersfield Business School is excited to welcome a new round of businesses to help them accelerate their growth plans.

Help to Grow is 90% funded by the Government, and the fee for businesses looking to join is £750.

Companies that employ more than 10 people and would like two from their organisation to join will receive a 50% discount on the second attendee.

Huddersfield Business School delivered its first Help to Grow programme at the end of April 2022, and its second cohort kicked off in October 2022.

The course aims to enhance business management and strategic capabilities, with the outcome being a growth plan for companies taking part.

Huddersfield entrepreneur Oliver North, CEO of emergency vehicle manufacturer Venari, spoke at the Help to Grow programme

Thomas Burwell, head of sales and operations at Brighouse-based Boss Training, decided to participate in the second cohort to expand his business into new markets and diversify his offering.

Thomas said: “The course has been incredible for my development, and it’s given me a proper understanding of how businesses function from start to finish.”

Business development manager at Mirfield-based Actiform, Shellie O’Connor, said: “I didn’t have experience in business before I started at Actiform, so Help to Grow has given me a crash course on the topic, and I now feel of real value to my team.”

Organisations accepted onto January’s cohort can expect to take part in 12 course modules – online and face-to-face – starting with Strategy and Innovation and ending with Implementing Growth Plans.

Other topics that will be covered during the 12 weeks will include Digital Adoption, Building a Brand, Organisational Design, and Financial Management, to name a few.

Nicola Stenberg, director of executive education at Huddersfield Business School, said: “It’s been a delight to witness so many organisations across Huddersfield and other local areas develop their business acumen by joining our Help to Grow programme.

“When we asked the most recent cohort for evaluation feedback focused on their time on the course, it really highlighted to us why the Business School delivers this programme.

“As businesses reflected on their experience, all 12 organisations agreed that the face-to-face workshops and online sessions were extremely valuable learning experiences.

“The feedback also highlights that businesses found their mentors and teachers on the course supportive and instrumental in helping them develop their understanding of key programme materials.

The latest cohort at work

“Following this, all of the organisations agreed that the course has given them the tools they need to go away and strengthen their growth plans that will drive tangible results for their business.

“Each individual has taken away something valuable from their time with us. We’ve already been made aware of participants from cohort two actioning their learnings and sharing them with their wider team.

“We’re looking forward to welcoming a new cohort in January to offer them the same opportunity.”

If you’d like to find out more about Huddersfield Business School’s third Help to Grow programme commencing in January 2023, please visit: https://www.hud.ac.uk/helptogrow/ 

Alternatively, please fill out this form to register for the course and take your business to the next level.