10,000 Small Businesses: Graduation equals growth for thestudio

AN innovative meeting and event space in Birmingham is celebrating its graduation from the prestigious Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses programme.

thestudio on Cannon Street was one of only 25 businesses in the Midlands to be selected for a recent cohort of the high growth initiative, which aims to unlock the growth potential of SMEs.

This story is part of a supplement on the 10,000 Small Businesses programme, produced in association with Goldman Sachs. To read more click here.

Emma Jennings, director at independently-owned thestudio was presented with her graduation certificate by Professor Mark Hart, programme director at Aston Business School.

Emma said: “We’re thrilled to have graduated from such a high-status programme and very thankful to Goldman Sachs and Aston Business School for the advice and mentoring which we have received throughout the process.

“We have ambitious expansion plans ahead of us and this experience has enabled us to refine and develop our approach to ensure that we are in the best possible position to drive them forward though a finely-tuned five  year growth plan.”

Currently a three-storey conferencing facility complete with outdoor terrace, thestudio will unveiling its expansion plans over the summer.

Professor Hart said: “We have been incredibly impressed with the ambition demonstrated by thestudio and their innovation to grow their business.”

“One of the essential criteria set out to participants is that they strive to develop and grow their businesses; Emma and her co-director Nigel Boyd-Thorpe have developed exciting plans to enable the business to realise its high growth potential.”

The Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses programme aims to encourage business growth through a combination of education and support. 

10,000 Small Businesses UK is funded by Goldman Sachs and the Goldman Sachs Foundation and is provided on a fully funded basis to successful applicants.