Michael Hayman MBE, Chair of Small Business Charter, and Kevin Hollinrake MP, Minister for Enterprise, Markets and Small Business, took to the stage at this year’s SME Xpo in London to highlight the importance of supporting SME business leaders as they scale up and grow their businesses, outlining why the Government has today launched Help to Grow: Management Essentials.

In a move set to increase support for UK SMEs, Help to Grow: Management Essentials is a free online training course that provides practical advice and vital resources to help small businesses to scale up and grow.

Essentials is an introductory version of the comprehensive, 12-week Help to Grow: Management Course that is delivered by Small Business Charter accredited business schools. Thousands of SMEs have completed the course over the past three years, boosting their leadership skills and business performance.

The new Essentials course is specifically tailored to address the needs of newer SMEs or micro businesses looking to gain the foundational knowledge of business growth and management.

Michael Hayman emphasised the importance of the new resource alongside Kevin Hollinrake MP in a panel discussion, revealing how Help to Grow: Management Essentials can help more small business leaders unleash their full growth potential.

Michael Hayman said: “Small businesses are the backbone of the UK economy, and it is vital that we help them to unlock their business potential. Help to Grow: Management Essentials will do just that. It provides SMEs with the tools they need to thrive in today’s competitive market and will empower small business leaders, especially those at the infancy of their journeys and micro businesses, to accelerate growth, productivity and innovation.”

Kevin Hollinrake, Minister for Small Business said: “The SMEs are all out there, we just need to show people the first step, and that is what Help to Grow: Management Essentials does. The course can reach millions of business people. It’s free, it’s online, it’s a wonderful resource, go out and use it!”

For more information and to register for the new course, please visit: https://smallbusinesscharter.org/about-help-to-grow-management-essentials