Investing in Future Leadership Through the ‘Help to Grow’ Programme

At Greyhound Box, our approach to growth isn’t just about increasing output — it’s about building the people who will lead our business into the future. That’s why we’re proud to be supporting our Head of Design and Marketing, Matt, as he successfully completed the Help to Grow: Management programme at Leeds University Business School earlier this year.

This 12-week course, developed by the Small Business Charter and backed by 90% government funding, is designed to help managers in small and medium-sized businesses develop the strategic, financial, and leadership skills they need to thrive in today’s competitive and rapidly evolving landscape.

Supporting Leadership from Within

For Greyhound Box, investing in internal talent has always been a part of our long-term strategy. With a proud history of innovation in sustainable packaging and a deep-rooted presence in Leeds, we know that the strength of our team determines the strength of our business.

The Help to Grow programme is a natural extension of that belief. It combines practical, real-world teaching with the kind of personal and professional support that helps team members turn ideas into action. Delivered through a mix of online and face-to-face sessions, the course includes 50 hours of teaching, 1:1 business mentoring, and the opportunity to collaborate with peers from other growing UK businesses.

“The programme has offered a solid mix of theory and practical insight, especially through shared experiences with other business leaders,” said Matt.
“I’m walking away with clear strategies and tools I can apply directly to Greyhound Box’s growth and innovation plans.”

Matt completed the programme in March, developing a bespoke business growth plan tailored specifically to Greyhound Box’s goals. We are now actively implementing these strategies across the business.

Practical Tools for Immediate Impact

One of the key strengths of the Help to Grow programme is its action-focused structure. Rather than simply covering business theory, each module — from financial management to innovation and digital adoption — is designed to be applied directly to participants’ day-to-day work. This means the benefits extend beyond individual development to tangible, organisation-wide progress.

“The course gives access to expert guidance across every core business function,” said Louise, Greyhound Box’s Managing Director.
“The structure allows us to implement new ideas quickly and with purpose, supporting both individual development and company-wide progress.”

Since completing the programme, Matt has brought new thinking and leadership strategies back into the business, and Greyhound Box is already seeing value in the form of sharper planning, clearer decision-making, and renewed focus on long-term innovation. This initiative is also a key part of our succession planning efforts, ensuring we have the right people — and the right mindset — in place to guide the business forward for years to come.

Investing in the Local SME Community

We’re pleased to be one of the many forward-thinking local firms chosen to have participated in the Help to Grow programme. As part of the Leeds business community, we know how important it is for SMEs to stay agile, resilient, and ready to adapt — especially in industries like manufacturing, where change is constant and competition is high.

The fact that the programme is 90% funded by the government, with a cost of just £750 to participating businesses, makes it an accessible and highly cost-effective development route for SMEs across the region.

Shaping the Future of Greyhound Box

At Greyhound Box, our commitment to our people goes hand in hand with our commitment to our customers and the community. We believe that the best way to future-proof our business is to give our team the opportunity to grow, lead, and innovate. The Help to Grow programme aligns perfectly with this vision, offering our managers the skills and confidence they need to make a meaningful impact — not just today, but in the future.

Matt’s completion of the course earlier this year is already delivering results for Greyhound Box. As we continue to evolve and expand, we’ll keep looking for new ways to support professional development, create clear pathways to leadership, and ensure that every member of the team has the tools they need to thrive.

Greyhound Box is proud to invest in the next generation of leadership — and even prouder to be growing from the inside out.