Prof. Jon Fairburn

A great opportunity for businesses in Stoke on Trent and the region was launched on 4th November with local MP Jo Gideon and Stoke on Trent City Council leader Abi Brown in attendance.

Martin Jones, Jo Gideon MP and Jon Fairburn

The Help to Grow programme is aimed at SME’s and will provide training and mentoring in business management so that companies can become more resilient, productive and aim to grow.

The programme is 90% subsidised by government, largely delivered online but with some in person workshops. At Stoke on Trent these workshops will be delivered in the brand new Catalyst Building on Leek Road in Stoke on Trent at the University.

Abi Brown, Council Leader for Stoke on Trent

At Staffordshire University we will be using a range of staff to deliver the programme – academics, Entrepreneurs in Residence and business mentors. You will also benefit from some peer mentor sessions discussing your issues with fellow businesses. We will also be running an alumni network after the programme so that you can stay in touch and get further support if you need it.

In the same week of the launch it was also announced that the city had been successful in three levelling up bids totalling £57 million for the city as well as £2.7 million from the Community Renewal Fund (Staffordshire University has received £750,000 for three projects).

The event was well attended with stakeholders from Staffordshire, Shropshire, Cheshire (there is no geographical limit on which businesses can be supported)