Management courses in Leeds: Apply now for January 2027 edition of Help to Grow: Management
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New national research reveals the scale of small businesses are turning to business schools to support their growth ambitions.
With the next Help to Grow: Management course starting in January, Leeds University Business School is encouraging Yorkshire business leaders to take the next step.
Applications are now open for the January 2027 cohort of Help to Grow: Management. With 90% government funding available, eligible businesses can access the programme for just £750.
Running a successful business takes determination, resilience and hard work. But between managing day-to-day operations, looking after customers and leading employees, finding time to focus on long-term growth can be challenging.
New research from the Small Business Charter highlights how thousands of businesses are addressing this challenge.
Its June 2026 report, Local connections, national impact, reveals that 5,615 small and medium-sized businesses participated in growth and leadership programmes delivered by responding accredited business schools during 2024–25. More than 8,000 individuals attended these programmes, highlighting the importance businesses place on developing their leadership capabilities and investing in future success.
Turning ambition into action
The research, drawing on responses from 47 accredited business schools, demonstrates the growing role universities play in supporting businesses beyond the classroom.
During the same academic year, business schools reported 420 Entrepreneurs-in-Residence and almost 1,000 projects involving small businesses and collaborations with other university departments.
At Leeds University Business School, this approach is central to its Help to Grow: Management course, a government-backed programme designed specifically for leaders of small and medium-sized businesses.
The 12-week programme combines academic expertise with practical business experience, helping participants step away from everyday demands and focus on their organisation's future.
A practical approach to business growth
Whether the ambition is to improve productivity, enter new markets or strengthen financial performance, business leaders need the skills and strategy to make it happen.
Help to Grow: Management addresses these challenges through interactive learning, individual mentoring and collaboration with other business leaders.
The programme includes 50 hours of training and up to 10 hours of one-to-one mentoring and peer group learning, covering strategic planning, financial management, marketing, leadership, innovation and digital transformation. Crucially, participants develop a tailored Growth Action Plan, providing a practical roadmap to take back into their business.
Apply now for January 2027 – with funding available
The next cohort at Leeds University Business School starts on 18 January 2027, offering Yorkshire business leaders an opportunity to turn their ambitions for the new year into action.
The programme is open to senior leaders from businesses operating for more than one year and employing between 5 and 249 people, across all sectors. Businesses with 10 or more employees can send 2 participants on the course.