Helping you to achieve the business growth you want
We are here to help to develop your business, whether you’re looking to grow, become more resilient or are ready to explore new markets. Our expert advisers can help you to navigate the variety of support available and ensure that you’re connected with the right solution for your business.
Our aim is to help businesses like yours to innovate, be more creative, resilient and adaptable, and to find new ways of accelerating growth, from increased domestic sales through to exporting goods and services across international boundaries.
Case Study: Joe Butler – Director, Croglin Ltd.
– Please could you describe your business?
"Croglin is an SME, based in Cumbria. We are predominantly wood engineers who work with a variety of materials, including wood, glass, leather and metal, to offer individually crafted, hand-finished products at scale. We make packaging for luxury products, display pieces for venues and events, as well as more experimental products.We focus on catering for three particular market sectors: packaging, merchandise and point of sale."
– Were you facing any challenges as an SME before you embarked on the Help to Grow programme?
"Yes, lots. Like most SMEs, we faced a variety of problems – from cash flow management to recruiting the right people with the right level of skills.
"The unpredictable nature of our work means that cash flow can be a bit lumpy, so I’d say that the biggest challenge was smoothing out our cash flow to ease the peaks and troughs."
Joe Butler, Founder and Creative Director, Croglin Ltd.
– What key learnings have you already implemented?
"One key concept that stood out for me during the programme was the idea of transitioning from a ‘transactional’ approach to a ‘transformational’ one. This concept helped me to reimagine the operations and business strategy – allowing the team to be more transformational in the early design process but taking a transactional approach when it comes to production.
"We make components, so when we get a new project there’s a lot of room for experimentation. However, as we move into production, I’ve learned that we need to be more transactional; to know exactly how many items we are making and what finish they need – and document it. In this manner, the programme has been very helpful."
– What have been the key benefits for your personal development?
"My understanding of the business plan is much better now, and that translates into better communication with the rest of the team so we can all head in the right direction.
"When I started the programme, I knew quite a lot about business, but I didn’t have the theory behind it. In that way, it clarified and structured my practical knowledge, providing me with a valuable framework for my experiences."
– What would you say to another business considering whether to sign up for Help to Grow?
"I would certainly recommend the programme; especially to startups or businesses that want to pivot and approach things in a different light. If you are looking to do something new but you don’t know how to, taking this programme will really help you."
Useful Links
Contracts Finder is free and easy to use and provides information on opportunities valued at £10,000 and above. Foreign Owned Company Support
The Business Hub has a dedicated Key Account Manager ready to provide dedicated advice and support. Better Business for All
BBFA is a partnership between business and regulators promoting business growth and compliance. Be the Business
A joint venture between government and big business, set up to investigate ways to make improvements in leadership and management capability. Fit 4 Nuclear
A unique service to help UK manufacturing companies with 10 or more employees and a turnover of £1.6m+ get ready to bid for work in the nuclear supply chain. Fit for Offshore Renewables
This programme aims to support the development of a competent, capable and competitive UK offshore renewable energy supply chain. Made Smarter
North West programme created to support manufacturing and engineering SMEs to adopt industrial digital technologies. Princes Trust Enterprise Programme
The Princes Trust provides a free four stage programme tailored especially for young entrepreneurs. The Intellectual Property Office
The IPO can help you to identify and protect the intellectual property you own and use in your business.
Business Support Helpline 
0800 069 6444