New mentoring programme to connect North East SMEs with UK’s biggest businesses

A new mentoring scheme that pairs small businesses with senior figures from some of the UK’s biggest companies is calling for applicants from the North East.

Mentoring for Growth will give the region’s SMEs access to mentors from firms including Amazon, BAE Systems, BT, Cisco, EY, GSK, John Lewis Partnership, KPMG and Siemens UK.

Participants will receive expert support and advice over 12 months to help them improve productivity.

The programme, created by London’s Be the Business, is coming to the North East following pilot schemes centred on Manchester and Birmingham.

Research commissioned by Be the Business found that 58% of the region’s small business leaders have never had a business mentor. But of those who have been mentored, 46% said it helped them think strategically about their company and 37% implemented new processes as a direct result. Just 13% reported it making no difference.

The programme will be led in the region by the North East Local Enterprise Partnership and delivered through the North East Growth Hub.

LEP business growth director Colin Bell said: “The North East is home to one of the fastest growing economies in the UK and we have a huge number of talented SMEs looking to be the big businesses of tomorrow.

“The North East currently has a number of successful mentoring schemes and the addition of the national Mentoring for Growth programme is great news for our region’s businesses as it gives them access to more advice, support and guidance from some of the UK’s best business minds.”

He added: “We recognise that mentoring can play a huge role in helping businesses grow and that’s something we’d like to see across the North East.”

Sir Charlie Mayfield, chairman of Be the Business, said: “Mentoring is a proven way to help ambitious leaders become even more successful, and with Mentoring for Growth, some of the UK’s leading businesses are lending their experience.

“The feedback from our pilots in Greater Manchester and the West Midlands has been fantastic, so I am delighted that many more SMEs will be able to benefit from being mentored.”

Business Secretary Greg Clark commented: “Small businesses are the backbone of our economy which is why our modern Industrial Strategy is building the environment that ensures they continue to thrive.

“Mentoring for Growth delivered fantastic results during its pilot phase and is a great example of what can be achieved when large businesses share their insight with our small businesses to improve their productivity and help them grow.”

Looking to promote your product/service to SME businesses in your region? Find out how Bdaily can help →