The University of Worcester has been granted early approval to deliver the latest cohort of the government-funded Help to Grow Management programme.
The course, offered by Worcester Business School at the University of Worcester, is a 12-week programme designed to give participants the tools to strengthen their business in areas including brand development and strategic growth.
The course, which is 90% government-funded, is aimed at senior managers in small and medium-sized businesses, covering approaches to digital adoption, financial management and responsible business practices.
Dr Scott Andrews, Head of Worcester Business School, said: “Being given the go-ahead to deliver another Help to Grow Management cohort is a really big deal for us. We’re one of only a small number of business schools across the UK to have been granted early approval to launch a cohort from April, ahead of the release of the full list of providers nationally.”
“We already had a growing waiting list before Christmas,” added Dr Andrews. “This meant we could demonstrate our readiness to deliver the next cohort well in advance.”
He said: “The momentum we’ve built over the previous six cohorts has been crucial. Businesses across the region have seen the impact the programme has had for others, and that’s driving demand.”
The programme has now produced graduates from more than 120 businesses across Herefordshire and Worcestershire, who have formed a tight-knit community, supporting one another and new students entering the course.
Dr Andrews said: “One of the strongest endorsements of the programme is when businesses choose to send more than one person on the course, or when they actively recommend it to others in their networks. We see that advocacy happening regularly.”
He added: “The network continues long after the course ends. We continue to provide alumni with access to masterclasses, networking events and ongoing development opportunities, and increasingly we’re seeing our alumni contributing back into that community; in some cases Help to Grow graduates are leading specialist development sessions for other alumni, which shows how the programme has developed beyond a traditional university-delivered course into something more collaborative and self-supporting.”
“What we’re seeing now is more than just individual organisations improving their performance,” said Dr Andrews. “It’s an ecosystem of businesses working together, sharing expertise, building relationships and supporting each other’s growth, and that has had a positive impact not just for the businesses involved, but for the wider regional economy as well.”
The course has produced impressive results for businesses. Last year, local firm CJC Aggregates shared that learning from the course sparked a 50% growth in their retail business.
Adam Bate is the founder of Worcestershire‑based business Spring Forward Landscaping.
He first took part in the Help to Grow Management programme as part of its initial cohort in 2023. Having seen the benefits first‑hand, he later enrolled a senior member of his team onto the course.
“Help to Grow gave me the space to step away from the day‑to‑day running of the business and really think clearly about what we needed to do next,” said Adam. “When you’re in the thick of it, you don’t always have that time or headspace.”
Founded in 2018, Spring Forward Landscaping has grown through significant economic challenges and has diversified its services to balance project‑based work with recurring revenue streams.
“The course gave me the confidence to scale,” Adam added. “While you don’t get everything right first time, it gives you the tools and understanding to learn quickly and apply those lessons as you move into the next stage of growth.”
Since completing Help to Grow, Adam has grown the business from five to 12 employees and achieved 70% turnover growth in 2024. A key shift was a change in Adam’s approach to his own role within the business.
“One of the biggest changes was stepping off the tools,” he said. “If you want to grow, you can’t be everywhere all the time. You have to trust people, build systems and focus on leading the business rather than just working in it.”
Adam remains actively involved in the Help to Grow alumni community and sits on the Worcester Business School Business Advisory Board, helping to ensure smaller businesses have a voice in regional economic discussions. He continues to advocate for the programme and regularly recommends it to other business owners.
“It’s a no‑brainer in terms of return on investment,” he said. “The amount you get out of the programme in just 12 weeks, the learning, the networking, the personal development and continued access to alumni events, far outweighs the cost.”
Adam’s experience is one of many examples of how local businesses are using the programme to strengthen their leadership and adapt to a changing economy.
Sharon Smith, Chief Executive of Herefordshire and Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce, said: “It’s great to see businesses engaging in the Help to Grow Management Programme and hearing about the impact the course has made to local businesses.”
“Although it can be challenging,” she added, “business leaders need to take the time and space out of the day to day running of the business to work on growth. We know that upskilling ourselves in areas like leadership, strategic planning, and technology, can increase productivity, generate innovation, and support growth through todays fast paced changes and markets.”
She said: “Business growth is a vital element of a thriving economy, and I would encourage all business leaders to harness this opportunity.”
To learn more about the Help to Grow Management Course, including how to apply, visit the University of Worcester’s website.
For information on courses at University of Worcester visit www.worcester.ac.uk or for application enquiries telephone 01905 855111 or email [email protected]