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Senior leaders at SMEs are getting support to increase productivity and grow their businesses at Â鶹´«Ã½ Leicester (Â鶹´«Ã½).

Â鶹´«Ã½’s Leicester Castle Business School is running its fifth cohort under the Government’s Help to Grow: Management programme, a 12-week course providing tailored support to businesses.

Aimed at senior leaders in small and medium businesses, the course covers strategies for growth and innovation, with a focus on sustainability, resilience and productivity.

Learners hear from inspirational business leaders and learn alongside local peers creating new networks in the city and region. It is designed to work around your business and be flexible.

Jayshree Parmar is head of people for business consultants Calibrate Consulting in New Walk, Leicester.  She said: “We have over 100 staff working across the different sites and I want to learn more about strategy and making a bigger impact on the businesses through a business partner approach.”

Phillip Ash is the sales director and Sarah Whitehead is head of sales and marketing at Arnold Wills of Uppingham, which supplies fashion accessories to high street stores.

Mr Ash said: “It’s a chance for us to take a step back and think about what we’re known for, what new developments there are and what we could do in the future.”

Last week (Monday 24) was the first time the cohort had met in person having had their first sessions online.

Dr Dyneshia Johnson is the programme director of the Help to Grow: Management at Â鶹´«Ã½. She said: “We have seen some incredible transformations from the SMEs who have already taken part in the programme and I am excited to see the changes and plans which our new cohort come up with.

“These guys are very keen to move forward and already making some changes in their business as a result of these sessions, which is great to see especially as we are only on week three!”

Help to Grow: Management aims to unlock the potential of companies by ensuring they have access to a team of industry experts to learn the latest in management and business strategies.

The course is worth around £7,000 per participant, but the Government funds 90% of the cost, enabling businesses to sign up for £750.

To be eligible, SMEs must have been in operation for at least one year and have between five and 249 employees. The course is aimed at senior leaders or owners and is delivered as a blend of online and face to face sessions.

Applications are open now for the next which is due to begin on January 23.