Clydesdale and Yorkshire Bank reveals SME business programme with leading universities

Clydesdale and Yorkshire Bank has launched a new programme to help its SME customers.

In partnership with universities in Scotland and North England, the bank has established The Clydesdale and Yorkshire Bank Greenhouse Programme, in which postgraduate business students can collaborate with companies across various sectors.

Students are said to be able to meet with the business’ decision makers at their university campus for workshops, starting a process to identify how to obtain opportunities.

This culminates in the creation of recommendations within a final report that the students present to the company four weeks later, with a suggested approach.

Speaking about his experience of the programme at Strathclyde, Gordon Clark, business development manager at Centurion Signs UK Ltd, said: “The Greenhouse Programme presented an excellent opportunity to openly voice and share everyday business challenges, encouraging two-way discussions with students…

“It’s an intriguing joint venture and we’re excited that the workshop output will contribute to our approach this year, including taking steps to increase our online presence.”

The programme’s pilot event was held in 2018 at the University of Stirling, but has now expanded across the UK to a larger list of universities, including Sheffield Hallam University, the University of Strathclyde Business School and Heriot Watt University.

The University of Leeds will host the programme in early 2020, as well as Aston University.

Sue Douthwaite, small and medium business director at Clydesdale and Yorkshire Bank, added: “We’re thrilled to be facilitating this service that has benefits and learnings for both students and local SMEs.

“It allows our SME customers to get focused, comprehensive and tangible support, by pooling the resources of talented business students, to help them think outside of the box, while simultaneously giving students valuable and transferable skills.

“We look forward to hosting more greenhouse events as we actively expand the footprint of the programme.”