The 12-week programme advises startups and small and medium enterprises on how to innovate, reach new customers and grow. It combines a practical curriculum, 1:1 support from a business mentor, peer-learning sessions and access to an alumni network. Eligible businesses are also given vouchers to get up to 50% off the purchase of new productivity-enhancing software, up to £5,000 each.
The programme, supported by Barclays, supports small business leaders to develop their strategic skills with key modules covering financial management, innovation and digital adoption. It is designed to be manageable alongside full-time work.
There are 30,000 places available over 3 years. It is 90% subsidised by Government with a cost of £750 for successful applicants. It is open to businesses with more than five employees that have been trading for over a year.
You can apply for the programme here.
The leading UK business schools taking part are:
- Aberdeen Business School, Robert Gordon University
- Aston University, Aston Business School
- Birmingham City Business School, Birmingham City University
- Bournemouth University Business School
- Brunel Business School
- Cardiff Business School
- Coventry University, Coventry Business School
- Derby Business School, University of Derby
- Kingston University, Kingston Business School
- Lancaster University Management School
- Leeds Business School, Leeds Beckett University
- Leicester Castle Business School
- Manchester Metropolitan University Business School
- Newcastle Business School, Northumbria University
- Oxford Brookes Business School
- School of Business, London South Bank University
- Sheffield Business School
- Solent University - Solent Business School
- Staffordshire Business School
- Stirling Management School, University of Stirling
- Strathclyde Business School
- University of Bedfordshire Business School
- University of Bradford School of Management
- University of Nottingham, Nottingham University Business School
- University of Portsmouth, Portsmouth Business School
- University of Salford, Salford Business School
- University of the West of England, Bristol Business School
- Winchester Business School.
Barclays and other major banks are supporting thousands of places on the executive training programme and contributing their expertise to the curriculum, mentoring programme and alumni network.
Hannah Bernard, Head of Business Banking at Barclays, said, “We firmly believe that unlocking business skills and talent can drive the UK’s economic recovery at pace. Barclays has invested in skills for many years, through LifeSkills, our Eagle Labs network, as well as a number of our accelerator programmes.
“We’re pleased to support the Government with this drive to boost business growth and further develop the skills of the nation’s small business owners.”
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