Lancaster Uni wins bid to lead SME programme

LANCASTER University have been appointed to advise on a £32m Government programme to boost economic growth in cities across the country.
 
The university’s management school will be working with Government departments and the Cabinet Office Cities Policy Unit on an exciting programme of support to more than 16 cities.

Supported by the Government’s Regional Growth Fund the programme – which does not include any locations in this region – is designed to help cities to support local businesses and to provide co-ordinated access to national and local business support packages.
 
Lancaster, which was named as a top-ten university for SME engagement in the recent Witty Review, had to bid to run the programme, which it won due to its track record of SME support.
 
Dr Ellie Hamilton, associate Dean and founder of the University’s Institute for Entrepreneurship and Enterprise Development, will lead the Programme.
 
She said: “We have demonstrated our credentials over a number of years and through different programmes, which have had outstanding impact for business. We draw on our research understanding to help not only businesses, but also those that support business to implement what we know works.”

Areas benefiting from the funding include Coventry, Norwich and Stoke-on-Trent.