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

College restaurant honoured with top culinary award from prestigious chefs’ guild Karen Lilley Front Of House Lecturer David McKown David Lyon Scholars Manager And Blackburn College Principal Dr Fazal Dad

College restaurant honoured with top culinary award from prestigious chefs’ guild

10 Jun 2025

2

Cosmetic manufacturer lets new unit on Frontier Park, Burnley Badgequo have agreed to let the site on Frontier Park

Cosmetic manufacturer lets new unit on Frontier Park, Burnley

10 Jun 2025

3

SQ Digital celebrates 25 years and enters new era with CEO appointment Kamal Essa

SQ Digital celebrates 25 years and enters new era with CEO appointment

09 Jun 2025

4

New chair appointed to Atlas BFW Management Graham Cowley

New chair appointed to Atlas BFW Management

09 Jun 2025

5

Napthens makes key appointments to further growth strategy of newly appointed managing director Napthens appointments Jayna Mistry, Onyeka-Obedi and Rebecca Rhodes

Napthens makes key appointments to further growth strategy of newly appointed managing director

09 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
Sub36 Networking
Sub36 Social1200pxandi Lewis
Networking
11 Jun 2025

Sub36 Networking

Mytton Fold Hotel , Blackburn , BB6 8AB

09:30 - 11:00

Lancashire Net Zero Carbon Conference
Net Zero Carbon Social 1200pxtrident 2
Networking
18 Jun 2025

Lancashire Net Zero Carbon Conference

Crow Wood Hotel & Spa Resort, Burnley, BB12 0RT

08:30 - 13:00

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

LBV123 July/August Launch Event

Burnley College Industry Hub, Burnley, BB120AN

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 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

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

RISE - The Academy for Female Leaders and Managers
WENDY BOWERS RISE Illustrstion copy.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
02 Apr 2025 - 08 Oct 2025

RISE - The Academy for Female Leaders and Managers

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

09:00 - 15:30

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire
LBV Hub Networking
12 Jun 2025 - 12 Jun 2025

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire

Stanley House, Blackburn, BB2 7NP

11:30 - 14:15

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up
LBV Hub Networking
12 Jun 2025 - 12 Jun 2025

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

10:00 - 11:30

Midnight Oil: The Entrepreneur’s Journey: Scaling Strategies with Brad Waldron
BU-June-Event-BRAD-1.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
18 Jun 2025 - 18 Jun 2025

Midnight Oil: The Entrepreneur’s Journey: Scaling Strategies with Brad Waldron

Blackpool Football Club, Bloomfield Rd, Seasiders Way, Blackpool, FY1 6JJ

08:30 - 11:30

Chamber Business Lunch – June
Chamber Logo1.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
20 Jun 2025 - 20 Jun 2025

Chamber Business Lunch – June

Lancaster House Hotel, Bailrigg, Lancaster, LA1 4GL

11:00 - 13:30

90 day Business Planning Workshop
LBV Event Header.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
20 Jun 2025 - 20 Jun 2025

90 day Business Planning Workshop

Bolton Arena, Arena Approach, Horwich, BL6 6LB

09:00 - 16:30

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 LBV122 Online Graphic
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin