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Four Weeks to Go as Liverpool Business School Urges SME Leaders to Apply for September Help to Grow Programme

SME leaders across Liverpool City Region, Wirral, Chester and North Wales are being encouraged to apply for Liverpool Business School’s next Help to Grow: Management programme, with just four weeks to go until the September cohort gets underway.

Part of Liverpool John Moores University (LJMU), Liverpool Business School is preparing to welcome its latest group of business leaders to the 12-week programme, which is 90% funded by the UK Government and designed to help established SMEs strengthen leadership skills, improve performance and plan for growth.

Applications remain open ahead of the September 10th deadline, with some of the in-person sessions being delivered at Wirral Chamber of Commerce alongside online learning.

Christine Walters, Liverpool John Moores Business Liaison, said: “September is always a good time to look at what you want from the remainder of the year and beyond, and for business leaders it can be an opportunity to think about where the business is heading and what could be done differently.

“With four weeks to go, we want to make sure businesses across the region know that there is still time to apply. Help to Grow is designed around the realities of running an SME, giving leaders practical knowledge and ideas they can take back into their businesses, as well as the opportunity to learn alongside people facing many of the same challenges.”

The programme combines online and in-person learning covering areas including strategy and innovation, marketing, employee engagement, financial management and building a sustainable and agile business.

The September cohort will mark the second year Liverpool Business School has delivered Help to Grow in partnership with Wirral Chamber of Commerce, helping to make the programme accessible to businesses across Wirral and the wider region.

Previous cohorts have attracted organisations from sectors including manufacturing, professional services, hospitality, digital and healthcare.

Beth O’Neill, Business Development Executive at Wirral Chamber of Commerce, said: “Working with Liverpool Business School to deliver Help to Grow has given business leaders from Wirral and beyond the chance to learn from experts, but also from each other.

“The conversations and connections that develop between participants are a really valuable part of the programme. Leaders from very different businesses often find they are facing similar challenges, and sharing those experiences can lead to ideas and solutions they can use within their own organisations.”

Help to Grow: Management is delivered in partnership with the Small Business Charter and is 90% funded by the UK Government.

Liverpool Business School works with businesses across the region, combining academic expertise with practical business support to improve productivity, employability and innovation.

The school was named Business School of the Year at both the Times Higher Education Awards and the Educate North Awards in 2025, recognising its achievements across teaching, research and partnerships with employers and communities.

To apply for the September 2026 Help to Grow: Management programme, visit here: https://smallbusinesscharter.org/h2gmcourse/liverpool-business-school-2 or contact Christine Walters on c.m.walters@ljmu.ac.uk 

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Oliver Thomas .