More than 10,000 people running small businesses have enrolled in the Help to Grow: Management programme, a government-subsidised training initiative designed to enhance leadership and boost productivity.

By September, 10,635 individuals had signed up, with 7,860 completing the 12-week course since its launch in June 2021. The scheme, which costs business owners £750 each, is 90 per cent funded by the Treasury and has cost the government £53 million over the past three years.

The enrolment figure falls short of the initial target set by Rishi Sunak, who, as chancellor, aimed for 30,000 business leaders to complete the training by April this year. Participation rates have also eased recently: 1,835 leaders finished the course in the first nine months of 2024 compared with 2,310 completions previously.

However, feedback on the programme has been largely positive. According to an independent review by Ipsos Mori, 91 per cent of participants would recommend the scheme to other business leaders. Many reported improvements in leadership and management skills, with 62 per cent saying it helped increase their revenues.

In her autumn budget, Chancellor Rachel Reeves extended funding for Help to Grow: Management until the end of March 2026. The Treasury estimates that for every £1 spent, the scheme delivers £2.30 in value. Provided through more than 60 UK business schools, the 12-week programme offers 50 hours of classroom-style training and ten hours of mentoring, along with networking opportunities through events and alumni activities.

Emma Jones, founder and chief executive of the small business network Enterprise Nation, praised the initiative: “For ambitious business leaders who want to strengthen their leadership skills, Help to Grow: Management is an absolute no-brainer.”

Enterprise Nation works alongside the Association of Business Mentors and Newable—a London-based enterprise development agency—to deliver mentoring match-ups. The contract for these mentoring services was advertised in 2022 as worth £8 million annually. According to the review, 89 per cent of participants were satisfied with the advice and support provided by mentors.

The Department for Business and Trade highlighted that improved management practices can boost a company’s productivity by 10 per cent. A spokesperson said: “Our most recent evaluation shows 92 per cent of participants are satisfied with the programme, so we’d encourage any interested businesses to enrol.”

For more information or to sign up, visit:https://www.gov.uk/business-finance-support/help-to-grow-management-uk#how-to-apply