Business leaders across South Wales are being offered a major opportunity to strengthen their companies with the return of a highly successful government-backed scheme.
Swansea University School of Management has announced it will welcome a second cohort onto the Help to Grow management programme in January 2026. Registrations are now officially open for the course, following a hugely impactful first run earlier this year.
What the Help to Grow Programme Offers
The 12-week course is specifically designed for the leaders and senior managers of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which form the backbone of the Welsh economy. It provides 50 hours of practical leadership development, structured to fit around the demanding schedules of business owners.
Participants will gain critical skills in several key areas, including strategic planning, financial management, marketing, and digital adoption. A core benefit is the chance to build a local peer network for sharing ideas and to work one-to-one with an experienced business mentor.
Each mentor has a minimum of five years' recent experience leading an SME or supporting business growth. Together, they help each delegate create a bespoke Growth Action Plan to confidently steer their organisation forward.
A Small Investment for Significant Impact
The programme is 90% funded by the UK Government, meaning participating businesses need only contribute £750. This makes it a highly accessible investment with the potential for substantial returns in performance and resilience.
Suzanne Parry Jones, programme manager at Swansea University School of Management, stated: "We're excited to be taking the next step in our journey to help business leaders and entrepreneurs further develop their leadership, people and growth ambitions."
She added: "We've already seen the positive impact the Help to Grow management course has had on Welsh SMEs, and we're looking forward to seeing firms in South Wales embrace everything the next cohort has to offer."
Proven Success for Local Businesses
The programme's value is demonstrated by local success stories like Stuart Davies, Managing Director of Swansea-based design and print firm BDP Wales.
Reflecting on his experience, Davies said: "The course gave me the tools and confidence to take a more strategic approach to growth. It's helped me step back and work on the business, not just in it - something I've been trying to achieve for some time."
To be eligible, a business must be a UK-based SME that has been operational for at least one year and employs between 5 and 249 people.
Leaders interested in enhancing their company's long-term prospects can find more details by visiting the Help to Grow - Swansea University website or emailing ionleadership@swansea.ac.uk.
