The Small Business Charter, the awards scheme aimed at driving local economic growth through business school support for entrepreneurs and small businesses, today announces the launch of its tailored Growth Voucher programme. The initiative provides match funding to small businesses to pay for and access high quality leadership and management advice from a national consortium of top business schools.
Thousands of businesses have already benefited from strategic support via business schools holding the Small Business Charter and through Government Growth Vouchers. This new roll out of Growth Vouchers, by six leading business schools who hold the Small Business Charter, will allow more entrepreneurs to access world class support to expand their businesses. The Small Business Charter was launched at an event at No.10 on 5th June.
Ian McNaught, Executive Director of the Small Business Charter said: “I am thrilled and excited that business schools awarded with the Small Business Charter are now at the frontline of Government’s support network for ambitious small businesses. Growth Vouchers are a great new weapon in our armoury as we work to link the expertise of Britain’s world class business schools with the dynamism of our ever growing ranks of entrepreneurs.”
Enterprise Adviser to the Prime Minister, Lord Young, said: “Strategic advice is key to business success and I welcome the arrival of a number of the Small Business Charter Business Schools as a partner delivering the Growth Vouchers Programme. With their support, more small businesses will be able to access the advice they need to succeed and grow and create more jobs and opportunities.”
Small Business Charter business schools have directly helped over 8000 small businesses – working with them through workshops, mentoring and other business support. These schools have been behind 800 business start ups and have helped 4,700 students to find work placements in Britain’s exciting micro-business and start-up sector. Teaming up with the Government’s Growth Voucher programme is yet another way in which Small Business Charter schools are helping to support the small business community.
Eligible businesses can apply for a voucher to match fund up to £2,000 towards the cost of strategic advice in cash flow and general financial management, marketing and sales strategies and planning the next steps for your business with a mentor.
