Press release
Business leaders receive Help to Grow from University experts
A cohort of Tayside business leaders will apply lessons learned from University of Dundee experts to help their organisations grow and thrive after successfully completing an innovative management initiative.
Published on 2 April 2026
The 2026 Help to Grow: Management course brought 22 leaders from across the region together each stepping back from day-to-day operations to focus on strategy, leadership and growth planning within their companies.
The 12-week programme featured sessions with academics from the University’s School of Business as well as expert speakers from industry. This course was designed with support from business leaders, using real-world case studies from UK businesses. It combined in-person and online teaching, designed to be manageable alongside full-time work.
Andrew Kinnear, Director for the Help to Grow: Management programme at the University, said, “Congratulations to the Class of 2026, who really engaged with a thought-provoking programme delivered by academics and experts from industry.
“Help to Grow: Management will enable small business enterprises to develop their strategic skills. In turn, this will allow them to increase productivity, resilience and capacity to innovate.
“They also benefit from access to a network of fellow business professionals that have taken part and the opportunity to attend events and build peer support throughout the duration of the course and beyond.”
Over the past three months, the cohort engaged with core themes including strategy and innovation, operations, finance, marketing and organisational development, supported by peer learning and one-to-one mentoring.
Help to Grow: Management is 90% funded by the UK Government and delivered through Small Business Charter-accredited business schools. This year the programme was also supported by Dundee City Council through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
Organisations with 5-249 employees that have been operating for more than a year and that are based in the UK are eligible to send senior decision-makers on the programme.
Businesses represented in the 2026 cohort include 1Office Technologies, Ace Aquatec, Cascade Water Products, Direct Soccer, Molke Ltd, Tay Veterinary Centre, Avertical World, Dundee Plant Company Limited, Jon Frullani Architect Ltd, METALtech uk, Whitehall Theatre, Wells Gibson Limited, Whole Life Consultants Limited, Albacom Ltd, Vascular Flow Technologies Ltd and Hydrus Group.
More information about joining a future cohort of Help to Grow: Management at the University is available by visiting www.dundee.ac.uk/short/help-grow-management or emailing [email protected].