Support programme launched to help high-growth business owners prepare for investment

By Boost Business Lancashire

26 Apr 2022

scale-to-sale-image.jpg

A targeted Lancashire County Council-backed business support programme has begun in the county, which will help the owners of eight fast-growing Lancashire businesses to prepare their companies for investment or sale.

Scale to Sale is a first of its kind collaboration being led by Lancashire County Council’s scaleup support service Two Zero and delivered by award-winning Lancashire-based sales and business strategy consultancy Sales Geek.

The eight scaleup companies on the six-month programme have combined revenue of about £16m and collectively employ around 180 staff. They include well-known names in Lancashire’s economy such as Chorley-based Rivington Accountants and Scope Fire & Security in Blackburn.

Over a six-month period, the companies will work with Sales Geek’s experts to begin to grow their firm in a sustainable way and plan for their future. They will also learn what makes a company attractive to investors and investees and implement this knowledge.

Martin Horton, director, Rivington Accounts said: “We will all leave our business one day so it’s important to make sure that it’s in the best shape possible when we do.

“As well as helping me better understand my own options for the company, taking part in the Scale to Sale programme will also help Rivington to better advise our clients so they can realise the best value for their businesses when they wish to sell.”

Scott Chapman, managing director, Scope Fire & Security, said the company had seen strong growth over the past two years and although there were no plans to sell, he wanted to continue to scale and grow while ensuring the business remained in a healthy position.

“The programme is helping us put some science, strategy and key performance metrics into the business which will help us track and monitor progress and ensure it is always performing at its optimum level,” he said.

The companies have already taken part in their first group masterclass with Sales Geek’s experts including founder Richard Few which explored the reasons the companies were seeking investment and their ultimate goals for the business.

Amin Vepari, programme manager, Two Zero, said: “Since Lancashire County Council launched our Two Zero scaleup support service in January 2020, the subject of investment readiness has always been a key topic for fast growing business.

“For some, the priority is raising private equity or other sources of funding to continue their rapid expansion, while other business owners may be looking at their exit strategy and how they can introduce a new management team to take the business through its next phase.

“This unique programme will give these business owners the tools to consider the options available to them and begin to prepare their business so it can grow in a structured way which is attractive to investors.”

Scale to Sale is specifically for scaleup businesses which have grown at least 20 per cent per year (staff or turnover) over each of the past three years with a minimum of 10 staff.

It is two thirds funded by Lancashire County Council, which will contribute £2,000. Businesses are expected to contribute the remaining £1,000.

Due to high demand, Two Zero will repeat the Scale to Sale programme with a cohort of up to ten further scaleup businesses, which will run in Autumn 2022. Businesses can register their interest in the next Scale to Sale cohort via the Two Zero website:

https://www.twozerolancs.com/programmes/scaletosale/

Latest news

1

Kerakoll UK and Barnfield Construction sign contract to build new Preston plant Barnfield team on new Kerakoll site

Kerakoll UK and Barnfield Construction sign contract to build new Preston plant

27 Jun 2025

2

Scout Moor II meteorological mast gets the green light Cubico

Scout Moor II meteorological mast gets the green light

26 Jun 2025

3

Breck acquires 21-acre Ravenhead Brickworks site for 300 new homes Ravenhead

Breck acquires 21-acre Ravenhead Brickworks site for 300 new homes

26 Jun 2025

4

Conlon marks Employee Ownership Day with family fun celebration, ushering in a new era after 60 years in business Conlon celebrating its first EOT Day with family at Ribby Hall Village

Conlon marks Employee Ownership Day with family fun celebration, ushering in a new era after 60 years in business

26 Jun 2025

5

Lancashire Skills & Employment Hub announces Skills Bootcamps partnership with Northcoders Northcoders skills support

Lancashire Skills & Employment Hub announces Skills Bootcamps partnership with Northcoders

26 Jun 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
LBV123 July/August Launch Event
Lancashire Business View magazine launch
Networking
16 Jul 2025

LBV123 July/August Launch Event

Burnley

08:30 - 10:30

Lancashire Built Environment Conference 2025
BEC 315 X 315 Px
Networking
25 Sep 2025

Lancashire Built Environment Conference 2025

Blackpool Football Club, Blackpool, FY1 6HX

08:30 - 13:00

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

Business Bike Club – July
Chamber Logo1.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
01 Jul 2025 - 01 Jul 2025

Business Bike Club – July

Various, Lancaster, LA

08:00 - 09:30

Chamber Breakfast Networking – July
Chamber Logo1.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
02 Jul 2025 - 02 Jul 2025

Chamber Breakfast Networking – July

St John's Hospice, Slyne Road, Lancaster, LA2 6ST

08:00 - 10:00

The Marketing Metrics that Matter – July 4
LBV Hub Seminars
04 Jul 2025 - 04 Jul 2025

The Marketing Metrics that Matter – July 4

Door4 Office, Burnley Wharf, Burnley, BB11 1JG

08:30 - 11:00

Chamber Summer BBQ
LBV Hub Social
17 Jul 2025 - 17 Jul 2025

Chamber Summer BBQ

The Borough, Dalton Square, Lancaster, LA1 1PP

17:30 - 20:00

Preston Tech Connection: Web3 is Dead. Or is It?
July Longer Banner.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
29 Jul 2025 - 29 Jul 2025

Preston Tech Connection: Web3 is Dead. Or is It?

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

18:00 - 19:30

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: July
Longer July Banner.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
31 Jul 2025 - 31 Jul 2025

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: July

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

10:00 - 11:30

Cumbria Business Expo 2025
https---cdn.evbuc.com-images-880461633-4862066883-1-original.20241022-110415.jpeg.jpg
LBV Hub Exhibitions
19 Sep 2025 - 19 Sep 2025

Cumbria Business Expo 2025

Carlisle Racecourse, Carlisle, CA2 4TS

09:00 - 15:00

North West Business Expo 2025
https---cdn.evbuc.com-images-880456273-4862066883-1-original.20241022-105445.jpeg.jpg
LBV Hub Exhibitions
24 Oct 2025 - 24 Oct 2025

North West Business Expo 2025

Bolton Stadium Hotel, Bolton, BL6 6SF

09:00 - 15:00

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 LBV122 Online Graphic
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin