Sale talent agency hails impact of university business growth programme
A Sale talent agency has hailed the impact of a programme designed to help businesses scale more sustainably through better leadership, systems and strategic planning.
Chanice Forrester (Aim Sky High Talent Ltd) © The University of Salford
Salford Business School, based at the University of Salford, began delivering the Government-backed course Help to Grow: Management five years ago, combining academic insight with real-world business experience.
It has now supported 252 businesses across more than 60 sectors, helping leaders strengthen decision-making, improve operational resilience and build stronger foundations for growth.
Among the latest to benefit is Sale-based AIM Sky High Talent Ltd, which represents talent across TV, digital influencers, modelling, sport and dance, including high-profile clients such as Mary Earps.
Chanice Forrester, marketing assistant at AIM Sky High Talent Ltd, said: “We had reached a point where we felt stuck and needed some direction. The programme really opened my eyes. You only know what you know, and hearing different perspectives on selling, marketing and how other businesses operate was incredibly valuable.
“It felt comfortable talking to everyone and sharing ideas. Being able to ask questions and get honest feedback helped us see things differently and gave us new ways to approach our challenges.
“On a personal level, it has made me more assertive and given me the confidence to step up and lead more. It has also helped us think differently about new markets and how we can grow the business.
“It has given us the push we needed to move forward with more clarity and confidence.”
AIM Sky High was among the 18th cohort to complete the 12-week programme. Participants took part in workshops, one-to-one mentoring and peer learning, using the programme to develop clearer growth plans, introduce more structured systems and strengthen leadership within their organisations.
Business leaders reported immediate benefits, including stronger financial and operational decision-making, clearer organisational structures, more confident brand positioning, and greater readiness to adopt digital technologies and artificial intelligence to improve efficiency and support future growth.
Dr Ann Mulhaney, associate professor for Change Management at the University of Salford, said: “This latest cohort marks an important milestone for the programme as we pass 250 SME leaders supported over the past five years.
“What has been particularly encouraging is seeing how businesses are using the programme to strengthen leadership, improve operational discipline and create more sustainable foundations for growth.
“The calibre of leadership, openness to challenge and willingness to reflect has been exceptional. Over the 12 weeks, we’ve seen participants move from firefighting to making confident, informed decisions about how their businesses grow, lead their people and adopt new ways of working.”
Help to Grow: Management is delivered through a national network of 64 accredited business schools, with the ambition to support 30,000 SMEs across the UK.
The 12-week, 50-hour programme is 90 per cent government-funded, reducing the cost to £750 per participant. On completion, participants join a national alumni network, providing ongoing opportunities for support, collaboration and continued development.
