Leadership and management
Help to Grow: Management
The Help to Grow: Management course supports managers of SMEs to boost their business’ performance, resilience and long-term growth.
The 12 week programme can be completed alongside full-time work and follows an in-depth curriculum that will help you build your skills in leadership, innovation, digital areas, employee engagement, marketing, responsible business and financial management. By the end of the course, you will have created a business growth plan to help you lead your business to release its full potential.
The cost to attend this course is 90% government funded.
By the end of the course, you will:
- Develop a Growth Action Plan uniquely tailored to helping you lead and grow your business.
- Develop your leadership and management skills, enhancing employee wellbeing and engagement in the process.
- Recognise what drives productivity and growth in your market.
- Learn how to drive responsible business practices, including creating an inclusive and greener workplace.
- Understand how to innovate your business model by investing in digital technology.
- Develop strategies to improve efficiency and save time and money.
For more information on these programmes, get in touch and we’ll connect you to the expertise and resources you need.
Articles
Farm Diversification: Where to start
According to DEFRA, 71% of farm businesses in 2023/24 have some form of diversified activity, up from 61% in 2014/15. Income from these activities produced £1.393 billion in 23/24, up from £1.321 in the previous year. This demonstrates how important these income streams have become.
Scams warning as Self Assessment customers targeted
Scammers often impersonate HMRC, offering fake refunds or demanding urgent payments to steal personal and banking information. They may say it’s safe to share personal details. It’s not. Passwords, usernames, and access codes are private and customers should never share them, even with someone they trust or who helps them with their tax.
York and North Yorkshire farms urged to apply for sustainability funding
Farms and businesses that have had an energy audit can now apply for funding up to £49,950 to help decarbonise their businesses. York and North Yorkshire’s Business Sustainability Programme will help farms and businesses implement changes that have been recommended by the local authority or Grow Yorkshire decarbonisation support programme or one which has been done by a suitable private sector organisation.
Events
21st August 202510:00 am - 11:30 amFREE
🌎 Business Basics Webinar: Accessing Capital for Growth
Gaining access to outside investment means you don’t have to give up on your dream. So how do you prove to any potential investor that your business model is worth investing in. What information will they need from you? What timescales are involved and what are the likely costs/cash flow implications.
28th August 202510:00 am - 11:30 amFREE
🌎 Business Basics Webinar: Forecasting
It is really important to have up to date numbers. Those representing the trading to date can really help any stakeholder to understand the business. But we can no longer influence what has already happened, so the key to successful decision making is in forecasting.
02nd September 20257:00 pm - 9:00 pmFREE
🟢 Strive Live Start-up Incubator: September 2025
If you are currently running or looking to launch a start-up based in York & North Yorkshire, join this award-winning incubator designed to help grassroots entrepreneurs launch their business. Strive Live blends weekly live online training with regular one-to-one advice and on-demand online learning to make it simple and exciting to start a business. Plus, you could win up to £2,500 in micro grants at the end of the programme.
Resources
Business Basics Series Part 2: Webinar Recordings & Blogs
These resources provide a guide to key subjects such as tax, pricing and all things numbers. Jo Tomlinson is a qualified Management Accountant, certified QuickBooks Advanced ProAdvisor, Making Tax Digital ProAdvisor and 1 of only 11 Certified QuickBooks Trainers’ that work on behalf of QuickBooks, training accountants across the UK.
Webinar: How to get higher in Google: The basics
Want your website to be seen by as many potential customers as possible? Get practical tips from an experienced Search Engine Optimisation professional on how to woo those elusive search engine robots and climb the rankings.
Vibrant and Sustainable High Street Fund Phase 2 - Webinar Series
This webinar series is designed to provide practical guidance and in-depth support with your application. Applications for Phase Two of the Vibrant and Sustainable High Streets Fund are now open, and will close at 5pm on the 31st July.