Unlock your business’s potential with Help to Grow: Management

Canterbury Christ Church University’s Business School has received additional funding to continue to deliver the 12 week programme. Tailored for business owners and senior leaders of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), the course is accredited by the Small Business Charter and is 90 per cent subsidised by the government.

The University’s Business School has run three cohorts so far, with nearly 50 local SMEs welcoming the opportunity to strengthen leadership skills and create effective strategies across all areas of their business, supporting their business planning and identifying opportunities for growth.

The next course will run from September 2025, with applications now open.

It comprises of a mixture of face-to-face and online leaning with 12 consecutive weekly modules, as well as access to 10 hours of 1:1 mentoring. By the end of the programme participants will have developed a growth action plan based on the learnings from the modules, which include topics such as strategic planning, employee engagement, finance and marketing.

It is heavily subsidised by the government, who fund 90% of the course, with businesses paying just £750 per person.

John Robinson is from Down to Earth in Sevenoaks, whose specialist teams provide a wide range of tree management and consultancy services. He joined the course last spring, seeking practical, tailored advice on how to grow and strengthen the business and to gain new insights into local market opportunities.

He said: “The course gave me an understanding of how to identify growth opportunities, improve my marketing approach, refine my business operations, and make use of available business support resources.

“We’ve implemented several strategies from the course, including the customer feedback techniques to help improve customer engagement. This has led to a noticeable boost in customer satisfaction, retention and repeat business. We have also applied some social media strategies that were learnt, which improved our online presence and attracted new clients. We’ve also made our internal processes more efficient, saving both time and money.

“The best thing about the course was how practical and relevant it was. It wasn’t just theory, it was hands-on, with real examples and support from others on the course, who were all experiencing similar issues to each other. Connecting with other local businesses and sharing experiences was incredibly valuable.

“I would definitely recommend this course to any local business looking to grow, whether you’re just starting out or already established. It’s a great opportunity to gain expert advice, connect with peers, and walk away with strategies that really work in the Kent and Medway business environment.”

Kate Keane, Senior Lecturer and Programme Director for Help to Grow, said: “We understand the daily challenges SMEs face, and how running a business, especially now, can be daunting, lonely and at times overwhelming. That’s why we are so pleased to be able to continue to deliver the Help to Grow: Management course to our local business leaders and support them be part of the UK’s Growth Agenda.

“Our local SMEs are at the heart of our region’s economy, providing career opportunities and driving economic growth for the south east. We know from our previous participants that this course can deliver dividends to local businesses, helping them strengthen their leadership skills, transform their operations, and grow their businesses with expert guidance and real-world insights.”

For more information and to book your place visit the University’s Help to Grow page Or you can email:htgmanagement@canterbury.ac.uk.

Note to editors

Help to Grow: Management Course is open to:

• small or medium-sized enterprise based in the United Kingdom
• any businesses that employ between 5 and 249 employees
• anyone who is member of the senior leadership team or have direct reports.