Help to Grow: Management
Help to Grow: Management
A 12-week leadership programme for UK SME leaders
Develop the strategic capabilities to scale your business with expert-led training, peer learning, and personalised mentoring — all delivered by ESCP Business School in North-West London
About the programme
About the Programme
A government-backed leadership development programme designed specifically for UK SME leaders
What You'll Experience
The Help to Grow: Management Course is a government-backed programme developed by the Small Business Charter and delivered by accredited business schools across the UK. At ESCP, we bring world-class academic expertise and an unparalleled international network to help you grow your business.
Designed for senior leaders of small and medium-sized enterprises, this 12-week course combines practical management training, peer learning, and 1-to-1 mentoring — all built around your own business growth challenges.
Programme Structure
- 50 hours of leadership training
Expert-led sessions covering strategy, marketing, finance, and operations - 10 hours of 1-to-1 voluntary mentoring
Personalised guidance from experienced business leaders - 8 hours of structured peer group sessions
Collaborative learning with fellow SME leaders - Hybrid learning — online and in-person sessions
Flexible blend of virtual and face-to-face delivery at ESCP London - Delivered at ESCP's London campus
Prime Central London location with world-class facilities
Programme Impact
93%
would recommend to peers
87%
of SME owners say they need more support to grow
50+
Business schools in the UK delivering Help to Grow
1000s
of SMEs already transformed since 2021
Source: Evaluation of Help to Grow: Management business – Department for Business and Trade
Why Apply for Help to Grow: Management?
Why Apply for Help to Grow: Management?
Six compelling reasons to invest in your leadership development
Practical & Actionable
Not just theory: You will build a real Growth Action Plan for your business from day one, applying each module directly to your own challenges.
Government Funded
The course is 90% funded by the UK Government — you pay just £750 per participant. Bursaries and scholarships may be available.
Expert-Led at ESCP
Taught by ESCP's world-class faculty with deep expertise in strategy, marketing, finance, leadership, and innovation.
Peer-Learning Network
Join a cohort of like-minded SME leaders. Share challenges, exchange ideas, and build a professional network that lasts beyond the programme.
1-to-1 Mentoring
Personalised guidance at every stage of your growth journey via 10 hours of voluntary mentoring from experienced business leaders.
ESCP Ecosystem
As an ESCP programme participant, gain access to internship opportunities, custom consulting projects, and ESCP's international alumni network.
Why ESCP Business School?
Why ESCP Business School?
Founded in 1819, ESCP is the oldest business school in the world. Our prestigious global reputation brings a truly international perspective to business education.
Multi-accredited internationally with 7 national higher education accreditations
A Legacy of Excellence, A Vision for Growth
ESCP Business School is the world’s oldest business school, founded in 1819, with over 200 years of experience in developing effective, forward-thinking leaders. Consistently ranked among the top institutions globally by the Financial Times and QS, ESCP operates across six major European economic hubs: London, Berlin, Madrid, Paris, Turin, and Warsaw.
Its unique multi-campus model provides insights into different economies, cultures, and regulatory environments, offering a practical, international perspective on the complex challenges faced by managers and businesses operating in the UK and internationally.
#4
Ranked in Europe (FT 2025)
6
European Campuses
90K+
Global Alumni Network
207
Years of Excellence
Blue Factory
In London, we're also home to the Blue Factory, our own European start-up incubator supporting entrepreneurs across the capital. Help to Grow: Management draws on that same entrepreneurial expertise, giving your business practical, hands-on support to grow.
Our Distinctive Approach
ESCP brings a uniquely European, sustainable, and inclusive perspective to business leadership development
European Market Access
Six campuses across Europe, in London, Paris, Berlin, Madrid, Turin and Warsaw. Access multicultural perspectives and unparalleled networks to expand your business internationally.
Sustainability
Strong commitment to responsible business practices and ESG principles. Build sustainable growth strategies that create long-term value for your business and society.
Social Impact
Dedicated support for underrepresented founders and businesses creating positive change. We believe in widening access and building an inclusive ecosystem.
Leadership
Develop capabilities to inspire teams, drive change, and build high-performing organisations with decades of faculty expertise in leadership development.
Innovation & Entrepreneurship
Foster innovation and entrepreneurial thinking. Learn to identify opportunities, navigate disruption, and build agile business models for changing markets.
Creativity Marketing
Master cutting-edge strategies combining creativity with data-driven insights from world-leading experts in consumer behaviour and brand positioning.
The 12-Week Curriculum
The 12-Week Curriculum
A comprehensive leadership development journey designed specifically for SME growth
01
Foundations of High Performance
Growth mindset, self-assessment, and building your Growth Action Plan.
02
Strategy & Innovation
Competitive positioning, business model review, disruptive innovation.
03
Vision & Purpose
Articulating your business vision; aligning team culture with strategy.
04
Marketing for Growth
Customer segmentation, digital marketing, brand positioning.
05
Building Winning Teams
Talent management, delegation, managing performance and culture.
06
Financing for Growth
Access to finance, investment readiness, financial planning.
07
Developing Sales
Sales strategy, pipeline management, pricing and conversion.
08
Organisational Design
Structuring for scale, process efficiency, operational resilience.
09
Leading Change & Innovation
Change management, embedding innovation, overcoming growth barriers.
10
Becoming a Responsible Business
ESG, sustainability, ethical leadership, corporate responsibility.
11
Peer Learning & Action Planning
Peer review of Growth Action Plans; collaborative problem-solving.
12
Graduation & Next Steps
Final Growth Action Plan presentation; alumni network onboarding.
Are You Eligible?
Are You Eligible?
✓ You ARE eligible if:
✓You work for a UK-based business or social enterprise
✓Your business employs between 5 and 249 people
✓Your business has been trading for more than 1 year
✓You are a senior decision-maker with at least one direct report (e.g. CEO, MD, Finance Director, Operations Director)
✓Your organisation is not a charity or public sector body
✗ You are NOT eligible if:
✗Your organisation is a charity or not-for-profit
✗Your business has fewer than 5 employees
✗Your business is based outside the UK
✗You are not in a senior leadership role with direct reports
✗Your business is less than 1 year old
Businesses with 10 or more employees may send up to 2 participants
For example, the CEO and CTO, or the CEO and CFO.
Not sure if you qualify? Get in touch:
Coursee costs
Course Costs
£750
per participant
What is included:
- Full 12-module programme (50 hours of expert-led training)
- All course materials
- 10 hours of voluntary 1-to-1 mentoring
- Peer group learning sessions
- Growth Action Plan support throughout
- Access to the national HtGM Alumni Network
- Certificate of completion
ESCP is committed to widening access to the Help to Grow: Management Course. A limited number of bursaries are available. To find out more, please contact us at helptogrow@escp.eu.
Meet Your Expert Instructors
Meet Your Expert Instructors
ESCP's faculty bring real-world business experience and academic rigour to every session.
Davide Sola
Professor of Strategy & Entrepreneurship
Davide leads ESCP's Help to Grow programme, combining 200 years of academic excellence with deep understanding of what it takes to scale a business in today's complex environment.
Profile →
Ben Voyer
Professor of Behavioural Science & Entrepreneurship
Ben is an internationally recognised expert in consumer behaviour, marketing, and behavioural science. He brings cutting-edge insights on how people think, make decisions, and behave, helping organisations better understand their customers and develop more effective marketing and business strategies.
Profile →
Alisa Sydow
Associate Professor of Entrepreneurship & Innovation
Alisa specialises in entrepreneurship and innovation, with a focus on new technologies and impact. Her research and teaching focus on how founders and business leaders grow and scale their companies, particularly in fast-changing or challenging markets, including in the context of technology-led and women-led businesses.
Profile →
Christina Bartholomew
Lecturer in Sustainability & Responsible Business
Christina specialises in ESG integration, sustainable business practices, and corporate responsibility. She helps SME leaders build resilient, responsible businesses that create long-term value.
LinkedIn Profile →Beyond the Programme
Beyond the Programme
Your relationship with ESCP does not end when the course does. Join a thriving ecosystem of support, networking, and continuous growth.
Help to Grow Alumni Benefits
As a Help to Grow graduate, you'll join a dedicated national network with exclusive access to resources, events, and ongoing ESCP support designed specifically for SME leaders.
Alumni Events & Content
Free alumni events, webinars, and expert-led content to support your continued growth
Growth Action Plan
Your completed Growth Action Plan as a living business tool you can continue to develop
Peer Network
Peer connections with fellow SME leaders across the UK for ongoing collaboration
Speaking Opportunities
Opportunities to speak at future ESCP events and to new cohorts, sharing your journey
Student Internships
Access ESCP's talent pool. Place a motivated student intern in your business for a project or placement, bringing fresh ideas and dedicated support
Student Consulting Projects
Work with ESCP MBA and Masters students on a real business challenge. Our consulting projects give you structured analysis and recommendations.
Thought Leadership Platform
Share your journey. ESCP regularly invites business leaders to speak at events, panels, and in the classroom — raising your profile and expanding your network
Global Alumni Network
Join a community of 90,000+ ESCP alumni across 193 countries. Access events, peer introductions, and collaboration opportunities
ESCP Ecosystem Access
Continued access to ESCP's business support ecosystem and resources
Businesses We've Supported
Hugging Face
AI & Machine Learning
Leading AI company revolutionizing natural language processing and open-source ML tools. Through the Help to Grow programme, their leadership team developed strategic frameworks to scale their innovative platform globally.
Featured Case Study
Shop Circle
E-commerce Technology
Building essential apps and tools that power thousands of online stores globally.
Giggling Squid
Hospitality & Dining
Award-winning Thai restaurant group bringing authentic flavours and hospitality to communities across the UK.
Get in touch
Get In Touch
Alice Ivanoff
Senior Manager, ESCP Business School
Alice Ivanoff is the Programme Manager for ESCP Business School's
Help to Grow: Management programme in London, and Head of Blue
Factory London, ESCP's European Start-up incubator.
She has spent her career supporting SMEs and entrepreneurs, from
WeWork's Creator Awards to Amazon's Small Business Accelerator,
and is an exited founder of an AI-powered edtech business. She is
also a mentor to different business owners and a volunteer for
The Entrepreneurial Refugee Network.
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Email
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Address
527 Finchley Rd, London NW3 7BG
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Office Hours
Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm