New year, new opportunities for small businesses to bounce back

Small businesses from across the North West can gain vital leadership support as they continue to tackle the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic and turn over a new leaf in 2021.

Lancaster University Management School (LUMS) is delivering the Small Business Leadership Programme (SBLP), a free 10-week training programme for senior leaders in small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) supported by the UK Government Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy.

The SBLP is is a free, 10-week training programme for senior leaders in SMEs fully-funded by the UK Government, who have partnered with the Small Business Charter (SBC). Two new cohorts will start at Lancaster in January.

The programme will enhance small business resilience and recovery from the impact of Covid-19 and develop potential for future growth and productivity. The practical syllabus provides business leaders with access to small business and management experts at some of the UK’s leading business schools.

The SBLP covers a range of practical topics and is delivered online by small business experts – including entrepreneurs, business leaders and academics – from LUMS. It will aid business resilience and future growth in the current climate, through the creation of peer groups to develop stronger leadership, innovation, operational efficiency, marketing and finance.

Dr Danny Soetanto, Senior Lecturer in Entrepreneurship & Strategy in LUMS and one of the academic experts helping to deliver the SBLP, said: “Right now, businesses need to be flexible, to network, to be innovative, and to try to explore and exploit new opportunities. Every crisis will create new opportunities. New type of companies or entrepreneurs will emerge and may dominate the industry – entrepreneurs who can identify an opportunity will benefit.

“Training and programmes like the SBLP bring new perspectives and ideas. We can learn from others who are in similar situations, and that's one of the simple strategies in innovation. Taking part in the programme will allow businesses to acquire new knowledge and build new contacts which will be important moving forward.”

The SBLP’s practical syllabus provides business leaders with access to small business and management experts. It is made up of eight, 90-minute webinars, alongside independent and peer-to-peer learning, all designed to support and fit in with day-to-day business delivery.

Participants must be in senior management roles in businesses which have been operating for at least one year and with 5-249 employees, with at least one person reporting directly to them.

Paulette Swindell, LUMS Programme Leader for the Small Business Leadership Programme, said: “Having been through two national lockdowns, and with many areas under Tier three restrictions afterwards which can have a great impact on business, it is more important than ever that we help companies who might be struggling.

“Our experts at Lancaster University Management School want to use their knowledge of marketing, consultancy and formal planning to help guide businesses across the region through the current climate, so that they can come out of this lockdown thriving.”

The Small Business Leadership programme is part of a £20 million package the government is providing to help small businesses in the long term. It is being delivered across the country by a consortium of business schools accredited by the SBC for their excellence in supporting SMEs and the local economy.

The first LUMS Small Business Leadership Programme is already under way, with two more to start in January. For more information and to register, visit: https://smallbusinesscharter.org/small-business-leadership-programme/

Enjoyed this? Read more from Lancaster University Management School

Latest news

1

New India branch campus on the horizon for Lancaster University Keir Starmer meets Indian PM and included Prof Simon Guy Lancaster University. Pic Simon Dawson

New India branch campus on the horizon for Lancaster University

09 Oct 2025

2

Best events and talented students complete finalists list for Lancashire Tourism Awards 2026 Best Events and Talented students on Lancashire Tourism Awards finalist list

Best events and talented students complete finalists list for Lancashire Tourism Awards 2026

09 Oct 2025

3

East Lancashire Learning Group named UK digital transformation leader in CIO 100 Awards Andrew Dewhurst with the award win

East Lancashire Learning Group named UK digital transformation leader in CIO 100 Awards

09 Oct 2025

4

PHX Training appoints new business leader in Blackpool Jason Davenport PHX Training

PHX Training appoints new business leader in Blackpool

09 Oct 2025

5

Velocity seals Airbus extension worth up to $54m Velocity Composites Has Announced Its Entry Into The Us Market

Velocity seals Airbus extension worth up to $54m

08 Oct 2025

Background image for hub sign up block

LBV Hub

Leverage Lancashire Business View platforms

Post your news
Post your events
Post your offers
Build your network
Improve your SEO
Gain coverage in the magazine
Sign-up
Events
CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course

Preston Campus, Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 17:00

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course

Preston Campus, Preston, PR1 2HE

08:00 - 17:00

Help to grow management course
Help to grow - barriers to growth.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
26 Sep 2025 - 16 Dec 2025

Help to grow management course

Preston Campus , Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 15:00

Advantage: AI – A Workshop for Business Leaders – Oct 10th
Ai 10.10.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
10 Oct 2025 - 10 Oct 2025

Advantage: AI – A Workshop for Business Leaders – Oct 10th

Door4 Office, Burnley Wharf, Burnley, BB11 1JG

09:00 - 12:00

Unlocking major project opportunities in the North West
Lancs-cham-logo.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
15 Oct 2025 - 15 Oct 2025

Unlocking major project opportunities in the North West

Strathmore Hotel, Morecambe, LA4 5AP

08:00 - 10:00

The New Employee Rights Landscape: Day One Compliance Essentials
EventBrite NORi - 15th Oct 2025 Webinar.png.png
LBV Hub Webinar
15 Oct 2025 - 15 Oct 2025

The New Employee Rights Landscape: Day One Compliance Essentials

Microsoft Teams, Microsoft Teams, PR253XH

13:30 - 15:00

October Freelancer Meet-Up
LBV Hub Networking
16 Oct 2025 - 16 Oct 2025

October Freelancer Meet-Up

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

10:00 - 11:30

The Autumn Re set - pour me a wine
LBV Advert_Autumn Reset 1200 x 630px.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
16 Oct 2025 - 16 Oct 2025

The Autumn Re set - pour me a wine

The Artistry House , Preston , PR1 3JJ

17:30 - 19:30

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire
LBV Header (26).png.png
LBV Hub Networking
16 Oct 2025 - 16 Oct 2025

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire

Stanley House, Blackburn, BB2 7NP

11:30 - 14:15

Women scaling up Blackpool Fylde and Wyre
LBV Hub Seminars
22 Oct 2025 - 09 Jan 2026

Women scaling up Blackpool Fylde and Wyre

The Small Business Academy, Blackpool, FY4 5JX

09:30 - 15:30

HR Essentials for pubs, bars and licensed venues
EventBrite NORi - 22nd Oct Webinar.png.png
LBV Hub Webinar
22 Oct 2025 - 22 Oct 2025

HR Essentials for pubs, bars and licensed venues

Online - Teams, Leyland, PR253XH

13:30 - 15:00

RISE - Lancashire's unique leadership programme for women
thumbnail_Emma Weston Illustration WENDY BOWERS RISE Illustrstion.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
22 Oct 2025 - 18 Mar 2026

RISE - Lancashire's unique leadership programme for women

East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce, Clayton le Moors, BB5 5JR

09:30 - 15:30

Advertise with us

Reaching 50,000 members, our print, digital and event platforms offer a fantastic way to raise your business profile and help you grow.

Find out more LBV124 Online Graphic
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin