Help to Grow: Management Course
Grow your business with a £7,500 leadership programme for just £750
Join SME owners and senior leaders who want to increase sales, improve productivity and build a practical growth plan
Government‑backed · 90% funded · Designed and delivered by the Centre for Sustainable Innovation
“It’s been life-changing to see what can happen as a result of this way of thinking.”
– James Bulmer, Kenyon Hall Farm, Help to Grow: Management alumni
Strengthen your leadership, unlock new revenue opportunities, and build a long‑term growth strategy. The Help to Grow: Management course at the Centre for Sustainable Innovation, University of Salford is a 12‑week, government‑backed programme designed for SME leaders who want to scale confidently and sustainably.
Am I eligible?
You probably qualify if:
- Your business is UK-registered
- You have between 5-249 employees
- You’ve been trading for over one year
- You are in a management position
Limited places available
Applications are now open for the 13 October course. Places are allocated on a first come, first served basis. Bursary support may be available.
Can’t make October? We have another cohort starting in December too.
What you’ll gain
- Stronger strategic decision‑making
- A personalised Growth Action Plan tailored to your business
- Fresh perspectives by stepping back from daily operations
- New ideas and tools for innovation, financial management and digital transformation
- A powerful peer community for shared learning and future collaborations
Programme structure
High‑impact, carefully designed learning journey:
- Learn practical growth strategies without taking excessive time away from your business
- Five in‑person workshops, seven online sessions
- 1-to-1 personalised mentoring
- Peer group calls
- Alumni events and networking opportunities
The government funds 90% of the course, so SME leaders pay only £750. Full details of the course available on the Small Business Charter website.
Eligibility criteria
You’ll:
- Work for a UK‑based SME
- Have five–249 employees
- Be part of the senior leadership team with management responsibility
- Have operated for over one year
Not sure if you qualify? Get in touch with us at sustainable-innovation@salford.ac.uk
Our upcoming courses:
Hear from our community
Explore real success stories from business leaders who have transformed their organisations with Help to Grow: Management.
Frequently asked questions
Who is this course for?
This course is ideal for:
- Business owners
- Directors and senior managers
- Operational leads
- Growth‑focused SME leaders
Whether you’re planning to scale, stabilise, or transform, this programme gives you the structure and support to do it confidently.
Talk to us to find out about specialist rates on offer for alumni, community interest groups and more.
How much time does the course take?
The course runs over 12 sessions, each session is typically 2-3 hours in length, plus some mentoring and peer group sessions.
Do I need to attend every session?
We understand that sometimes things come up and you might need to miss a session. If you have any possible clashes, just have a chat with our team and we can help.
Why is it only £750?
The UK Government funds 90% of the course fee, so the cost to you is only £750. Chat to our team if you want to find out more about bursary support that may be available.
Can more than one person from our company join?
If you have more than ten members of staff in your business, you can send a second member of staff on the course for a special rate.
What happens after I apply?
Once you have completed your registration form, the team will check your business’ eligibility and get in touch to confirm your place.
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Not sure if Help to Grow is the right fit?
Whether you’re exploring the course or unsure about your eligibility, our team is here to help. Not sure if it’s the right fit? Explore our other funded programmes.
Matt Luetchford
Business Development Associate
M.J.Luetchford@salford.ac.uk