Senior business leaders in Cumbria are being given the chance to develop new skills alongside managers from across a range of sectors in the north of England.

Lancaster University Management School (LUMS) is running its Help to Grow Management Programme again this year, with cohorts beginning on February 8 and March 21.

The 12-week programme, delivered by LUMS in association with the Chartered Association of Business Schools and the UK Government Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, focuses on increasing skills and knowledge to boost growth potential in businesses in a constantly-changing operating environment.

The course is designed to be manageable alongside full-time work and includes key modules covering financial management, innovation and digital adoption.

Participants will take part eight two-hour sessions, four practical workshops and receive one-to-one support from a mentor to help them develop their business growth plan.

Sam Beattie, a senior quantity surveyor with Workington-based TSP Engineering, was one of the first cohort to complete the programme, alongside managers and senior figures from companies based throughout the North West and across sectors ranging from care homes to marketing to medical device manufacturers.

“The most useful part was the support network,” says Sam.

“The course provides access to amazing subject matter experts and like-minded business professionals, who are all exceptionally enthusiastic about business development, promoting critical thinking and reflective discussion.”

TSP Engineering’s business involves delivering technical solutions to complex problems across sectors including nuclear, steelmaking, defence and oil and gas.

Sam signed up for Help to Grow to develop his business and strategic skills, allowing him to investigate growth opportunities and implement change within the business.

“The mentor and peer discussions were exceptionally beneficial,” he says.

“Through discussions with a concentrated group of like-minded business professionals, we were able to support one another and offer independent guidance from our own experiences within varying sectors of business.

“The weekly thought-provoking one-on-one sessions have really helped me to critically explore my ideas, develop my thoughts and form a structured growth action plan.

“I also enjoyed the case studies where we were able to review and reflect upon real-world growth examples. We were able to identify similarities and links to our own businesses and recognise opportunities for change and growth, which I found especially beneficial.”

Sam adds he would encourage others to take part in the programme.

“Go for it. This course has given me the tools and the push I required to really drive continuous improvement and change within the business. I’m hoping to implement a lot of changes which can hopefully provide a solid platform for steady, manageable growth.”

LUMS Help to Grow programme leader Dr Radka Newton says: “Sam’s experience of the Help to Grow programme demonstrates how we are able to bring together business people from across the region and work alongside them to help their companies grow and develop in sustainable, forward-looking ways.

“Our academic and practical business expertise, combined with the first-hand experience of every member of the cohort, combines to provide valuable inspiration when looking ahead to what comes next.”