The UK Government’s Help to Grow programme is designed to help small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) across the UK learn new skills, reach new customers and boost profits.
The programme has two strands:
Help to Grow: Management – an Executive Development programme that could help improve business performance and growth potential
Help to Grow: Digital – free online advice and discounts on software that could help save time and reduce costs
Help to Grow: Management
This is a 12-week programme for SMEs that will begin in June 2021. It will be delivered by leading business schools across the UK, with 30,000 places available over 3 years.
The programme will combine a practical curriculum, with 1-to-1 support from a mentor, peer-learning sessions and an alumni network.
The programme is designed to be manageable alongside full-time work, to help small business leaders develop their strategic skills. The main modules will cover financial management, innovation and digital adoption.
By the end of the programme, participants will develop a tailored business growth plan to lead their business to its full potential.
Help to Grow: Digital
The online platform will be launching in autumn 2021 to provide free impartial advice for SMEs on how technology can boost their performance.
Eligible businesses will also be able to get a discount of up to 50% on the costs of approved software, worth up to £5,000. Vouchers are initially expected to be available for software that helps businesses:
- build customer relationships and increase sales
- make the most of selling online
- manage their accounts and finances digitally
Eligibility
Help to Grow: Management
UK businesses from any sector that have been operating for more than 1 year, with between 5 to 249 employees are eligible. The participant should be a decision maker or member of the senior management team within the business – for example, the chief executive or finance director. Charities are not eligible.
Help to Grow: Digital
All businesses can access the free online advice on the platform.
The discount voucher for software is expected to be available to UK business that:
- employ between 5 and 249 employees and are registered at Companies House
- have been trading for more than 12 months
- are purchasing the discounted software for the first time
Full details on the businesses and software eligible for the voucher will be published in summer 2021.
What does it cost?
The Help to Grow: Management programme is 90% subsidised by government – participants will be charged £750. The Help to Grow: Digital online platform is free to use. Businesses receiving a discount voucher for software must cover the remaining cost of the software.
Visit the Help to Grow website for more information and to register your interest –
https://helptogrow.campaign.gov.uk/
If you need further information regarding this programme, please email info@thomsoncooper.com.