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Business owners had a day of inspiration and motivation at Â鶹ƵµÀ Leicester (DMU)’s Help to Grow: Management programme alumni day.

DMU’s Dr Danny Buckley, programme director, introduced leadership trainers Compass for Life to help SME owners and entrepreneurs set goals and get clarity ready for their best ever business year in 2024.



Many attendees had been part of the Help to Grow: Management programme, which is delivered by a team from DMU’s business school. Run over 12 weeks online and in person, it aims to develop leadership skills and support SMEs to grow their companies.

Floyd Woodrow MBE founder of Compass and Dr Neil Hawkes ethical business trainer delivered the masterclass on campus. “This is about taking a step back and going on a journey to align your actions to your goals,” explained Floyd. “We have been using the Compass for Life model to get businesses to go on that journey and have that dedicated time to think and plan, as well as build their networks.”



“It was a truly inspirational and engaging event,” said Dr Buckley, who has run Help to Grow at DMU for the past two years. “We were delighted to be able to provide this space for businesses to come together, reflect on their achievements so far and be able to set new goals. The feedback we have had from our businesses has been exceptional.”

Dr Neil Hawkes spoke about the importance of ethical leadership, and creating a values-driven business. “What I enjoyed most was how engaged everyone was in the room and how much the message of putting ethical leadership at the heart of their business resonated.”



Many of the companies who attended had been on the Help to Grow: Management programme delivered at the Eco Village HQ in Market Harborough.  



Laura O Brien, of Market Harborough Montessori said: “It has been brilliant. I enjoyed the Help to Grow programme there were so many local businesses from Harborough which I had not met and it was good to network. This event has really got me thinking. It’s good to take time out to think about where you are going in your business and get some inspiration, and that is what I have had here.”

Alexis Ingles Arkell, of the Braybrooke Beer Company said: “We are expanding in 2024 – it will be quite a large expansion for us and we are very excited for it. That’s why it is important for us to have access to support like Help to Grow at DMU because I can actually put plans in place and discuss ideas.”


Jignesh Thanki, William Freer Ltd was on Help to Grow and is now part of DMU’s senior leader apprentice programme. He said: “Today has been absolutely brilliant, the interactive nature of the sessions, the content of the talks has all resonated so strongly. I have been to corporate events which were much larger and did not get as much value as I did from this event.”