Leading merchant bank Close Brothers has launched an SME Masterclass Series to support manufacturing and engineering businesses who are ready to accelerate their growth plans and unlock their business potential.
The SME Masterclass Series will offer 40 manufacturing and engineering SMEs in the Sheffield and Birmingham areas the opportunity to help define and achieve their longer term growth strategy through an intensive programme of specialist business support.
The announcement comes as Close Brothers looks to build on the success of its SME Apprenticeship Programme, now in its second year, which supports SMEs in both the Sheffield and Birmingham area to recruit and train apprentices in advanced manufacturing.
The SME Masterclass Series is also designed to help close the planning gap currently hindering many SMEs. Close Brothers’ research shows that a lack of suitable advice and support is undermining SMEs’ long term planning, with only 28% of SMEs currently planning their needs for finance more than a year in advance and 8% of SMEs not engaging in planning at all.
The SME Masterclass Series will be delivered in connection with GetSet for Growth, who are specialists in business growth strategies. Businesses that are accepted onto the programme will benefit from strategic and highly practical growth workshops and hands-on 1:1 support relevant to their specific businesses challenges.
Businesses that would like to register their interest or find out more are invited to attend one of Close Brothers Inspiring Growth in Manufacturing and Engineering events. The first event will be held at the AMRC in Sheffield on 14th March 2017 and the second event at EEF in Birmingham on 5th April 2017. Anne Wilson, MBE Engineering and Managing Director of Numill Ltd will be the keynote speaker at the AMRC event in Sheffield.
Adrian Sainsbury, Managing Director of Close Brothers Banking Division, comments:
“We are proud to announce the launch of the SME Masterclass Series as part of commitment to supporting small and medium sized enterprises in the UK. The aim of the programme is to help SMEs to tackle some of the key challenges they are facing. The SME Masterclass Series will focus on SMEs in the manufacturing and engineering sectors around Sheffield and Birmingham and help equip these businesses with the tools they need to unlock their growth potential”.
Bev Hurley CBE, CEO of GetSet for Growth comments:
“SMEs in the UK are often overlooked when it comes growth support; and yet they make up 99% of all UK business. And a thriving engineering and manufacturing sector is critical for the success of our economy. We’re delighted to be working with Close Brothers to bring our expertise to the table through the SME Masterclass Series to help them overcome their growth challenges.”
