Support for SMEs
Nottingham Business School is looking to give SMEs the support they need to thrive. We run several projects aiming to help entrepreneurs bring their ideas to life, helping them grow and providing access to resources.
Grow your business
Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) can benefit from the vast range of expertise we have here at Nottingham Business School (NBS).
We understand that leadership skills are vital in good times and bad; for motivating staff and developing skills and expertise that will make you leaner and more competitive, whatever sector you are in.
What we offer
- Bespoke training and consultancy
- Both online and face-to-face funded workshops, events and networking opportunities
- Access to student and graduate talent and recruitment
- Benefit from our academic expertise and pool of highly experienced associates
- A range of professional programmes
We will work with you to identify your business needs and provide the most appropriate support for you to enhance your leadership and management skills, benefit your business and fit around busy working lives.
Upskilling you and your staff
At NBS we can support the development of your business through our range of industry focused courses including leadership, sustainability, technology, design, marketing and much more.

Help to Grow: Management Course
The Help to Grow: Management course supports Directors of small and medium sized businesses to boost their business’s performance, resilience, and long-term growth.
The 12-week growth programme, which combines online sessions with face-to-face learning, is 90% funded by the Government and has been designed to allow participants to complete it alongside full-time work.

Women in Leadership
Our hugely successful Women in Leadership course is delivered to organisations and professionals by leading academics from Nottingham Business School.
The three-day course is available for women currently working in or towards leadership and management roles within SMEs and is accredited at Level 7, meaning participants can gain 20 credits towards a postgraduate qualification.

The Big House
Supported by the European Regional Development Fund, The Big House project provides free support to Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire-based creative and digital businesses.
From developing potential ideas and nurturing start-ups, to working with established businesses ambitious for growth, our partner network gives you the skills, knowledge and connections you need to succeed.

Upscaler
If your company is growing at a pace that is hard to manage, then UpScaler could be the ideal solution.
The project is an exclusive, invitation-only scheme for established successful businesses that are scaling up; have the potential to scale; or are ambitious to grow with a proven market and management team in place.
The UpScaler project is part funded by the European Regional Development Fund to support eligible SMEs in the D2N2 region.

Sustainability and Inclusive Leadership
This three-day sustainability course for SME employees explores the global climate crisis and the very real impact that this will have on the economic landscape. Recent developments to the curriculum now include teaching on how businesses can become more sustainable in a post-COVID world.
Find out more about the programmes available to you and your business
Case studies
Women in Leadership: Helen from Snugg Yoga & Tank
Helen of Snugg Yoga and Tank shares her experience of NTU's Women in Leadership course
Sustainability and Inclusive Leadership: Rebel Recruiters
Since September 2020, NTU have delivered the Sustainability and Inclusive Leadership (SAIL) course for SMEs. Here's what Ben from Rebel Recruiters made of it.
MBA students provide Kaefer Limited with “thought provoking” results
Nottingham Business School Master of Business Administration (MBA) students provide Kaefer Limited with “thought provoking and challenging results” for their management consultancy project.
Women in Leadership: Karen from Nottingham Women's Centre
Karen Feely, Operations Manager at Nottingham Women's Centre shares her experience of NTU's Women in Leadership course
Get in Touch
To find out how we can help your business thrive, contact us via email.
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Help to Grow Management Course
Give your business a boost by signing up to the government backed Help to Grow: Management course. The 12-week growth programme supports Directors of small and medium sized businesses to boost their business’s performance, resilience, and long-term growth.