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

Growth Plan maps out £20bn-plus investment journey Mo Isap from the Lancashire Business Board with the plan

Growth Plan maps out £20bn-plus investment journey

18 Sep 2025

2

Post Office future secured as council explores new options Abington Street Post Office

Post Office future secured as council explores new options

17 Sep 2025

3

Airframe Designs supports new defence strategy with pledge to nurture talent Jerrod Hartley

Airframe Designs supports new defence strategy with pledge to nurture talent

17 Sep 2025

4

Fox Group makes second acquisition since Stellex Capital backing Roger Thistlethwaite, managing director NMS Civil Engineering Limited. Paul Fox, CEO Fox Group. John Flood, Executive Director Fox Group

Fox Group makes second acquisition since Stellex Capital backing

17 Sep 2025

5

Villa at Wrea Green bought for £3.6m by Haythornthwaite family The Villa Wrea Green courtesy of The Villa Wrea Green

Villa at Wrea Green bought for £3.6m by Haythornthwaite family

16 Sep 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
LBV124 September/October Launch Event
MBP Arc Cinema Preston Opening 205
Networking
18 Sep 2025

LBV124 September/October Launch Event

The Arc Cinema, Preston, PR1 2BL

08:30 - 10:30

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

Ladies Lunch
Lancs-cham-logo.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
18 Sep 2025 - 18 Sep 2025

Ladies Lunch

Lancaster Golf Club, Lancaster, LA2 0AJ

12:00 - 16:00

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

Your Business, Your Region: Making sense of devolution and Local Government Reorganisation
Chorley Council breakfast event new
LBV Hub Networking
23 Sep 2025 - 23 Sep 2025

Your Business, Your Region: Making sense of devolution and Local Government Reorganisation

Worden Hall, Leyland, PR25 3DH

08:00 - 11:00

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: September
Sept Freelancer (1).png.png
LBV Hub Networking
23 Sep 2025 - 23 Sep 2025

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: September

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

10:00 - 11:30

Speed Networking with BNI
2.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
24 Sep 2025 - 24 Sep 2025

Speed Networking with BNI

Chorley Football Club, Chorley, PR7 3DU

16:00 - 19:00

The Marketing Meetup IRL: Lancashire - September
TMM Lancashire
LBV Hub Networking
25 Sep 2025 - 25 Sep 2025

The Marketing Meetup IRL: Lancashire - September

Chorley, PR7 2SL

18:00 - 20:00

Making Tax Digital for Income Tax Self Assessment (MTD for ITSA) drop-in day
MTD drop in session.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
25 Sep 2025 - 25 Sep 2025

Making Tax Digital for Income Tax Self Assessment (MTD for ITSA) drop-in day

Making Tax Digital for Income Tax Self Assessment (MTD for ITSA) drop-in day, Blackburn, BB1 5QB

10:00 - 16:00

The Marketing Metrics That Matter – Sept 25
Metris 25.09.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
25 Sep 2025 - 25 Sep 2025

The Marketing Metrics That Matter – Sept 25

Door4 Office, Burnley Wharf, Burnley, BB11 1JG

09:00 - 11:00

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

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