Member Article

Leeds’ Howard Civil Engineering MD invited to Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses programme

Michael Howard, managing director of Leeds-based Howard Civil Engineering (HCE), was one of just 22 entrepreneurs invited to take part in the prestigious Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses UK Alumni programme at Oxford University’s Said Business School.

Michael Howard founded Howard Civil Engineering in 2003. The £15 million turnover company based at Acorn Business Park, Killingbeck Drive, Leeds, employs 120 people across the UK.

Posting a 70% growth in the last 12 months, it has ambitious plans to increase staff numbers to 200 after securing several major contracts.

The founder of the of construction company was selected from 700 outstanding leaders of small businesses who had previously attended the first stage of the world-class Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Business UK programme, which is run in partnership with four leading university management schools.

Michael is an alumnus of the programme run at Leeds University Business School.

Michael said: “To be accepted onto the Goldman Sachs course and then selected for this high growth programme was an excellent achievement for both myself and Howard Civil Engineering.

“As a small business, it is reassuring to know that there are schemes such as this designed to provide high-quality support which can only help create jobs and stimulate economic growth.

“The quality of the information we were given and the opportunity of being in a room with like-minded people was amazing. What was especially useful was the insight I gained from other business leaders.

“The challenge now is returning to the business and working out a strategy which will enable me to implement the ideas I picked up.”

Fiona Reid, associate fellow at Said Business School, added: “Howard Civil Engineering was one of the businesses that impressed us with its calibre and potential. To be eligible, businesses have to have double digit growth year on year, meet turnover criteria and all the CEOs must want to accelerate their rate of growth.

“Our objective is to equip business leaders with the skills, confidence and a network of support to achieve this.”

The 10,000 Small Businesses UK programme was launched by Goldman Sachs in 2010 to specifically address the support gap for small enterprises. The aim of the scheme is to provide business owners with greater access to education, capital and business support services. It is funded by Goldman Sachs and the Goldman Sachs Foundation.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Clare Burnett .