Small businesses hit by Covid-19 in the North of England can access support through a multi-million pound government-funded partnership with Northumbria University, Newcastle.
Newcastle Business School, at Northumbria University, is working
with the Small Business Charter to deliver a specialised government funded programme
for leaders of small businesses across the North East and North West region to
survive and thrive in the coming months and post coronavirus.
This new scheme
comes as part of a £20 million package the government are providing to help
small businesses in the long term.
To aid business resilience and future growth in the current climate, the Small Business Leadership Programme (SBLP) will create peer groups to develop stronger leadership,
innovation, operational efficiency, marketing and finance.
Newcastle
Business School was accredited by the Small Business Charter (SBC) in 2015, a
national accreditation awarded by small businesses to business schools who
excel in supporting SMEs and the local economy.
Coronavirus has
put untold pressure on directors and CEOs of small companies trying to navigate
unchartered waters. According to a recent McKinsey online survey of UK SMEs, 80
percent of small businesses reported their revenues were declining in June in
2020.
The Government has made up to £30 billion available to
support economic recovery ahead of the Autumn and businesses can continue to
draw upon a range of financial support during this challenging time, including
loans, tax deferrals and cash grants. The SBLP will help businesses to bounce
back from the impact of coronavirus and prepare for any future disruption.
The practical syllabus provides business leaders with access
to small business and management experts from Newcastle Business School. The
Small Business Leadership
Programme is free and fully funded by the Government to enhance
small business resilience and recovery from the impact of COVID-19 and develop
potential for future growth and productivity.
The short and
focused programme will be delivered online through a structured course of eight
90-minute webinars over the course of 10 weeks and will provide the
knowledge needed for businesses to tackle crisis situations. It will also give
businesses the opportunity to strengthen their business network. Participants will develop strategic leadership
skills and the confidence to make informed decisions to boost business
performance.
Professor Andrew Wathey CBE, Vice-Chancellor and Chief
Executive of Northumbria University, said: “Universities have a key role to play in supporting the country’s
economic recovery both during and after Covid-19. Northumbria University is
well placed to support the resilience, recovery and growth of SMEs as part of
the Small Business Leadership Programme.
“We are committed
to supporting SME leaders to enhance and develop their businesses throughout
this challenging period, and to finding innovative ways of applying our
expertise to deliver demonstrable benefits and impact for business across the
North East”.
Dr Hannah Hesselgreaves, who is
co-leading the programme alongside Dr Matthew Sutherland at Newcastle Business
School, said: “At Northumbria, we have a strong track record in leadership
development, business coaching, and expertise in supporting SMEs to increase
productivity. Our approach is collaborative, engaging, and focused on a
business’ needs.
“We would
like to hear from owners, managers, and leaders within SMEs in the North East
and North West of England, who want to harness a free opportunity to hone their
leadership and management skills and improve their resilience, productivity,
and sustainability.”
Northumbria University, Durham University, Newcastle
University, Sunderland University and Teesside University are all members of
the North East COVID-19 Economic Response Group, which was established by the North
East Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) at the beginning of the coronavirus
pandemic to provide business resilience and ensure a collective response to the
economic impact of COVID-19 on the North East economy.
Helen Golightly, Chief Executive of the North East LEP,
said: “Universities play a very active role within our SME community and the
support, expertise and knowledge sharing they provide will be vital as our
economy begins to recover from the coronavirus pandemic.
“Businesses need access to additional support right now as
many are having to adapt or diversify so they can continue trading. Northumbria
University’s role on the Small Business Leadership Programme is another example
of how our universities are strengthening the region’s economic recovery and
ensuring North East businesses have the skills they need to not only survive
this current crisis but achieve growth in the future too."
Anne Kiem, OBE, CEO of Chartered Association
of Business Schools and Executive Director of the Small Business Charter: “As we continue to grapple with the Coronavirus crisis it
is also essential, we look long term to ensure small businesses are supported
to build resilience, survival and growth. Business schools can provide the
expertise and knowledge all business owners and directors need to continue to
thrive in uncertain times.”
Small Business Minister Paul Scully said: “The strength of
small businesses up and down the country will be vital as we begin to bounce
back from coronavirus and re-build our economy. The Small Business Leadership
Programme will help to equip small business leaders with the leadership and
problem-solving skills they need to grow their firms in the wake of this
pandemic.”
The programme will begin in September 2020. Newcastle Business School will be running 11 start dates in the North East and North West and registrations must be received before December 2020.
For more details and to register with Newcastle Business School, email s.e.a.stephenson@northumbria.ac.uk
