Hull and Humber Chamber selected to support SMEs to navigate through Covid-19 and plan for growth

Pauline Wade – delivering the Peer Networks programme.  

THE Hull & Humber Chamber of Commerce is working in partnership with the Humber Business Growth Hub to deliver a programme to assist selective Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) to navigate the challenges of recovery presented against the backdrop of Covid-19 and the uncertainty around Brexit. More importantly, it is designed to assist organisations plan for sustainable growth.

The programme, supported and fully funded by the UK Government, is designed to work with owners, leaders and senior managers from selected SMEs to provide a collaborative approach through enabling leaders to take time to reflect and share some of the challenges that they face and explore potential strategies and plans for growth.

Known as the Peer Networks Programme, the initiative has been designed by an international team, with experience in industry, academia and government, adopting a structured approach and methodology and focuses on practical solutions to address the challenges business face. It covers a range of topics through weekly sessions and is delivered by business owners and trained facilitators who have advised SMEs globally as well as delivered Executive MBAs and they appreciate the challenges and stress that SMEs are going through at the moment.

Furthermore, in addition to the 18 hours of collaborative weekly workshops, all attendees will benefit from one-to-one mentoring and coaching sessions that will enable them to craft a focused plan for themselves and their business to plan for recovery and growth and potentially export.

The groups are small and participants benefit from peer support having the opportunity for leaders to create a trusted support network and explore solutions to strengthen their business and improve performance in a safe environment. Given how challenging this year has been for all businesses, the peer groups will offer a supportive environment where business leaders can mutually support each other, overseen by an experienced facilitator.     

The Chamber’s Director of International Trade, Pauline Wade, is leading the programme. She says: “We are delighted to welcome to the Humber region expert facilitators with first hand national and international business experience to help us position our local businesses to get through these challenging times and build a foundation for sustainable growth”.

“This is a unique opportunity that is fully funded by the Humber Business Growth Hub and delivered in partnership with the Hull & Humber Chamber of Commerce”.

The Chamber’s business recruitment and selection process is currently underway. The programme will be delivered virtually and will run from November 2020 to March 2021.

If you would like further information and to be considered for a place on the programme, please email the Peer Network Programme Team at Peernetwork@hhchamber.co.uk

More information about the programme and eligibility requirements can also be found here www.humbergrowthhub.org/business-support/peer-networks