Published: 14 March 2023 at 12:30
Experts to provide support through Small and Mighty Enterprise Programme
ARU Peterborough is supporting sole traders and micro businesses across the UK with a scheme that provides free, targeted assistance to help them plan ahead and boost their growth.
Small Business Britain’s Small and Mighty Enterprise Programme, aimed at helping to supercharge Britain’s smallest firms, is run in conjunction with ARU Peterborough and in partnership with global small business platform Xero.
Designed for the UK’s 5.2 million micro businesses that aren't always suited to or eligible for other forms of support, the programme aims to assist the UK’s smallest businesses in finding new avenues for growth through expert guidance from ARU Peterborough academics, mentoring and peer-to-peer support.
Michelle Ovens CBE, founder of Small Business Britain, said:
ARU Peterborough – a partnership between Anglia Ruskin University, the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority, and Peterborough City Council – helped 300 small business in the autumn as part of the last year’s Small and Mighty Enterprise Programme.
Kicking off again in April, the six-week course will be delivered online and is designed to fit around existing work commitments. It offers inclusive and flexible learning, along with two hours of mentoring.
Dr Tom Williamson, Assistant Principal of ARU Peterborough, said:
Leisa Pickles, owner of Find Me the Leads took part in last year’s Small & Mighty programme to support in planning her business evolution in 2023. Leisa said:
Entrepreneurs will receive weekly expert teaching on topics from business strategy and marketing, to finance and resilience, including touching on guidance around new ’Making Tax Digital’ legislation.
Jo Copestake, Director, small business at Xero, said:
Each business on the Small and Mighty Enterprise programme will also have access to a supportive network of small businesses to share questions, challenges and solutions as they take action on their plan for growth.
Small businesses can sign up to take part in the programme at https://smallbusinessbritain.uk/small-and-mighty