Business Secretary calls on entrepreneurs to sign up for new course to hone their expertise

Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng visited Brunel University Business School to highlight the government’s Help to Grow: Management scheme
Courses at Brunel and other business schools will take entrepreneurs and senior managers through an executive development programme to level up their business
Kwasi Kwarteng describes Help to Grow: Management as a fantastic scheme to equip ambitious business leaders with the tools to take their business to the next level

Today (11 August) Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng visited Brunel University Business School to meet businesses enrolled on the government’s new Help to Grow: Management course, helping them to level up the way they do business.

The Business Secretary joined a session with local business owners and expert business lecturers to learn more about the value of the programme and the opportunities available to these businesses.

Brunel is one of several leading business schools across the UK offering the government-backed management course to ambitious entrepreneurs.

The Help to Grow: Management programme combines a practical curriculum with 1:1 support from a business mentor, peer-learning sessions and an alumni network. It helps business leaders develop their strategic skills, create jobs and boost their business performance.

Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng said:

UK businesses are global leaders in creativity and innovation, and Government is here to support SMEs to seize every opportunity to grow.

Help to Grow: Management is a fantastic scheme to equip ambitious business leaders with the tools to take their business to the next level, helping create an even more high-productivity, high-wage economy we build back better from the pandemic.

Dean of Brunel Business School Professor Jane Hendy said:

At Brunel Business School, we are pleased to once again be part of national efforts to support small and medium-sized businesses looking to boost their performance, resilience and long-term growth as they recover from the effects of the pandemic.

This programme drew on ground-breaking business theory and cutting-edge business know-how to enabling CEOs, directors and managers in SMEs to develop their business for growth.

Furthering our commitment to support local businesses, we’re here to help businesses keep going, keep gaining and keep growing.

Help to Grow: Management offers a 12 week-programme delivered by leading business schools across the UK and accredited by the Small Business Charter.

Designed to be manageable alongside full-time work, this programme will support small business leaders with key modules covering 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.

Chartered Association of Business Schools CEO Anne Kiem OBE said:

As we continue to grapple with the coronavirus crisis it is also essential we look long term to ensure small businesses are supported to build resilience, survival and growth.

Business schools can provide the expertise and knowledge all business owners and directors need to continue to thrive in uncertain times.

Course participant Rikesh Kothari, Director of Prowise Healthcare Ltd, said:

I’m excited to have secured a place on the programme at Brunel as I believe it will enhance my management and strategic capabilities. I am attracted by the course modules, particularly those on innovation and digital adoption, and I believe the case study on growth and expansion will help me take my business to the next level.

I am also looking forward to connecting with other businesses and other like-minded people in our industry for further expansion.

A total of 30,000 places are available over three years. The programme is 90% subsidised by government – costing only £750 to the business.

Notes to editors

UK businesses from any sector that have been operating for more than one year, with between 5 to 249 employees are eligible to enrol.
The participant should be a decision maker or member of the senior management team within the business e.g. a Chief Executive or Finance Director.
List of participating business schools
Charities are not eligible as the scheme is designed to support commercial enterprises.