A specially designed programme starting this autumn will give ambitious small and medium-size enterprises (SMEs) in Cumbria the chance to grow.
The Cumbria Forum — run by Lancaster University Management School (LUMS) — will help 90 SMEs in the county, as it looks to boost the local economy and create jobs (
www.lancaster.ac.uk/lums).
It will use £1 million of funding from the European Regional Development Fund to deliver a programme of activities, including interactive workshops and master-classes, until December 2021.
One of the key elements is a six-month business growth programme to equip delegates with the tools and knowledge needed to drive business expansion.
It will provide a space for the owner-managers of SMEs to step away from their businesses and ‘develop themselves’ in a supportive environment — with help from their peers, academics from LUMS and business experts.
Ewan Pullan, LUMS programme manager for the Cumbria Forum, said: “The programme has already helped dozens of Cumbrian businesses to grow and develop, boosting the county’s economy as a result.
“We would encourage small and medium-size companies from all sectors of the Cumbrian economy to become involved and take advantage of this excellent programme.”
The most recent Cumbria Forum helped 75 businesses; it resulted in the creation of 38 new jobs, plus 18 new products and services.
The next cohort will start in November. Business leaders interested in taking part can meet the Cumbria Forum team at the North Lakes Hotel and Spa, Penrith, on 17 September (from 5.30pm).