SMEs in Wirral, Chester and North Wales are being offered access to a Government-funded business support programme run by Liverpool John Moores University. Tony McDonough reports

Liverpool John Moores University (LJMU) is inviting applications for a business support programme starting in September to SMEs in Wirral, Chester and North Wales.

Liverpool Business School, part of LJMU, has been running the Help to Grow: Management programme and is now extending the geographical reach to other parts of the city region and beyond.

Delivered in partnership with the Small Business Charter and 90% funded by the UK Government, the 12-week course is aimed at established SMEs looking to strengthen leadership capability, improve performance and plan for long-term growth.

It is open to businesses with between five and 249 employees that have been operating for at least one year.

Senior client and project manager Jonathan Britten, said: “There are many ambitious businesses throughout the wider region that are performing well day to day but often struggle to find the time and space to step back and think about what comes next.

“Many SME leaders are making important decisions under constant pressure, often without the opportunity to think about the wider direction of the business.

|Help to Grow gives people the chance to think more strategically, learn alongside other business owners and develop practical approaches to areas such as productivity, leadership, staffing and sustainable growth.”

By delivering part of the programme from the Wirral, Liverpool Business School is aiming to make leadership and business support more accessible. The September intake marks the second cohort delivered in partnership with Wirral Chamber of Commerce.

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In-person sessions will take place at Wirral Chamber of Commerce alongside online learning, with the blended format designed to work around existing business commitments.

Applications for the September 2026 Help to Grow: Management programme are now open, with businesses in Liverpool city region, Wirral, Chester and North Wales encouraged to apply by clicking here.