Guidance

Small business support schemes: Small Business Leadership Programme and Peer Networks (closed)

The Small Business Leadership Programme and Peer Network scheme aimed to enhance resilience and recovery from the impact of COVID-19, and enable SMEs to develop their potential for future growth and productivity.

From:
Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy
Published
3 August 2020

This guidance was withdrawn on

These programmes are now closed. Visit Help to Grow and Business finance and support for advice on other support for businesses.

Applies to England

These complementary initiatives are designed to help small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) in England improve their leadership skills and enable learning with peers. The 2 schemes represent a £20 million investment by BEIS.

Small Business Leadership Programme

The Small Business Leadership Programme is a fully-funded programme delivered by a consortium of leading university business schools. You will develop strategic leadership skills, and the confidence to make informed decisions that boost business performance. The curriculum explores leadership, innovation, employee engagement, operational efficiency, marketing, sustainable practices, and finance.

Programme details

  • a free 10 week structured programme that can be managed around busy schedules
  • online delivery (initially)

Eligibility

Your business will:

  • be based in England
  • have been operating for at least one year
  • be small to medium sized (an SME) with 5 to 249 employees

Register your interest

Find out more and register your interest in the Small Business Leadership Programme.

Peer Networks

Peer Networks brings together diverse cohorts of business leaders so you can discuss your business challenges with your peers. Delivered through a series of high impact group sessions, you will gain and reflect on valuable feedback from your peers and identify practical solutions to overcome them. From finance and HR to sales and marketing, our expert facilitators will give you the flexibility to create a trusted support network, helping to build and strengthen your business and improve its overall performance.

Programme details

  • free, virtual group sessions with a trained facilitator
  • delivered locally through local Growth Hubs across England

Eligibility

Your business will:

  • be based in England
  • have been operating for at least one year
  • be small to medium sized (an SME) with 5 to 249 employees
  • have a turnover of over £100,000

Register your interest

Find out more and register your interest in Peer Networks.

Updates to this page

Published 3 August 2020

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