The well-attended launch underlines the University’s commitment to supporting local businesses to drive sustainable growth, innovation and long-term resilience.
Delivered in partnership with the UK Government and accredited by the Small Business Charter, the Help to Grow: Management programme equips SME leaders with the skills, confidence and networks they need to strengthen leadership and boost productivity.
Through 12 online and face-to-face sessions, participants explore key themes including innovation, digital adoption, financial management and strategic planning, with digital transformation forming a central strand of Edge Hill’s offer.
Welcoming the cohort, Professor Jay Cullen, Director of Edge Hill University Business School, said: “We are delighted to be part of this national initiative supporting the backbone of the UK economy – its small and medium-sized enterprises.
“The Help to Grow Management programme gives local business leaders access to world-class expertise and a supportive learning community that will help them unlock the potential of their organisations.”
The first cohort brings together a diverse mix of organisations and sectors, reflecting the breadth of the Business School’s regional engagement. Participating businesses include:
• Lancashire Wildlife Enterprises Ltd
• Erap (Consultant Ecologists) Ltd
• Elite Foods (Tuna) Importers Ltd
• 5 A.M. Contract Cleaners Ltd
• Elite Foods Cheese Importers Ltd
• R.P. Tyson Construction Limited
Business leaders from the cohort highlighted how the programme will support their ambitions for growth and development…
Helen Bridge, Director at Mew and Friends Ltd, said the company’s main challenge is to establish a clear business baseline and develop a more focused plan for growth, particularly by strengthening its social media presence and exploring new channels. The programme offers an opportunity to address these priorities and set a strong foundation for future success.
Oliver Clarke, Director at Baa Bar Ltd, explained that the business is focused on developing a clear plan for the next stage of growth, with ambitions to expand in 2026 through the launch of new venues across the UK. He said the programme will support this expansion.
Robert and Gail Godson, Directors at Home Instead, aim to take their business to the next level by acquiring new clients through strategic acquisitions and exploring a potential transition to a franchise model. They also highlighted their focus on incorporating wellbeing as a core element of their offer.
Tony Garner, Managing Director at Viva PR Limited, said that, following the success of being named Small PR Agency of the Year, the company has ambitious plans for growth. He emphasised the importance of refining the business model and developing a strong structure to ensure the right people are in the right roles.
James Hall, Head of Green Finance at Lancashire Wildlife Enterprises Ltd, described how the organisation reinvests all profits and is seeking to grow membership and diversify income streams through land management plans and expanded commercial services. He noted that improving the business model and finding more effective ways to connect with the public are key priorities.
Ian Gordon, Director at IKO Ventures Limited, said that operating across three sites has presented challenges, particularly following a rapid post-pandemic journey that has been somewhat unstructured. He described the programme as an ideal opportunity to consolidate, take stock and realign the business model for sustainable growth.
Thomas Jordan, Director at Blackoak Contracts Ltd, explained that the company is currently experiencing a dip in contracts despite operating in a growth industry. He is using the Help to Grow programme to support rebranding and refocusing strategy to attract new clients in a highly competitive market.
Victoria Burrows, Director at Erap (Consultant Ecologists) Ltd, highlighted the need to take a more strategic view of the business and create a plan for the next stage of growth, particularly in ecology and through recruiting new staff. She added that, while the company has kept pace with technological developments, it is keen to deepen its understanding of data and explore how innovation can support growth.
Jack McCartan, Managing Director at 5 A.M. Contract Cleaners Ltd, said the operation is currently profitable and performing effectively, but the priority now is to drive sales through a structured outbound approach rather than relying on organic growth. The programme is helping the company research and develop a comprehensive sales strategy.
Tom Wignall, Chartered Surveyor at Wignalls Services Ltd, commented that the business has a strong pipeline of work but is now focused on expanding by increasing staffing and improving visibility across social media channels to drive growth and attract high-quality graduates. Developing the capability to analyse business data, processes and people more effectively is also a key priority.
Tom Wareing, Operations Director at ITP Packaging Ltd, explained that the business grew rapidly after entering the Amazon marketplace and other channels but has now reached a plateau. Holding around 5% of the packaging market, the company wants to increase its share, and the programme will provide strategic insight and tools to refine the business model, explore new opportunities and strengthen marketing and customer engagement.
Kate and Ryan Crosby, Directors at Elite Foods Cheese Importers Ltd, said their focus is on driving growth with a clear and structured approach. They reflected on the valuable insights gained from a previous engagement with Edge Hill’s Innovation Sprint Programme, which supported growth from £1 million to £7 million turnover, and see Help to Grow as an opportunity to build on that roadmap by refining the business structure and developing a robust model for future expansion.
Cheryl Ralfs, Director of Operations at St. Helens Rota Limited, is interested in broadening learning through the course and taking an open-minded view of growth ideas to expand the business.
Zara Harris, Growth and Engagement Coordinator at R.P. Tyson Construction Limited, said that although Tyson Construction is a £33 million company, the team wants to use the programme to modernise the business model and the technology it uses.
Sean Jones, Company Director at Basnett Jones & Sons Ltd, aims to take the business to the next level and increase employee headcount, while stepping back from day-to-day operational work to focus on strategic oversight. Increasing productivity through refining the business model is a central goal.
Matt Pilling, FM director at Momentum FM, stated that the main priority is to boost productivity by refining the business model, implementing a clear growth strategy and developing skills across the organisation.
Alice Weir, clinical manager at Dr Rez Ltd, outlined how the business is growing rapidly from three dentist sites to seven, with the challenge of managing expectations while ensuring profitability. She is keen to scale the organisation and introduce repeatable processes to support an expanding team.
The Help to Grow: Management programme is one of a range of initiatives delivered by Edge Hill University Business School through its award-winning Productivity and Innovation Centre, which supports organisations across sectors to improve productivity, innovate and grow.
Further information about the support available to businesses can be found on the Productivity and Innovation Centre page.
November 28, 2025