Launching November 2025, the Royal Docks School of Business and Law (RDSBL) at UEL announces the start of a new cohort of the UK government’s prestigious Help to Grow: Management Course to strengthen small to medium enterprises (SMEs) in their leadership acumen and business growth.
Supporting up to 30 SMEs employing between five and 249 employees, this programme not only bolsters their leadership and management skills but also aims to increase their business resilience and performance for long-term success.
The 12-week programme provides cohort-based learning which includes over 50 hours of expert and academic-led support, blending interactive online lessons with face-to-face case study workshops, 8 peer-to-peer sessions and networking opportunities held at UEL’s Docklands Campus.
Beyond topics covered such as digital transformation, strategy, financial management, and operations, participants also benefit from 10 hours of one-to-one business mentorship with experts, an invaluable peer-to-peer network with other senior leaders across the region, and access to a UK-wide Alumni Network once they have completed the course.
Dr. Yuliana Topazly, MBE, Associate Professor of Enterprise and Innovation at UEL’s Royal Docks School of Business and Law and Director of the Help to Grow Management course, said,
“We understand the challenges facing SMEs in East London and across the UK, particularly around scaling and growth. Our goal is to provide practical support, ensuring every participant can confidently navigate change and turn economic pressures into true growth opportunities for them and their business.
“This is more than just a course – it’s an investment in the future of our region’s economy. As a leading Business and Law School, reflected in our recent nomination for ‘Business School of the Year’ in the Times Higher Education Awards, we are proud to deliver a programme that translates academic insights into real-world business growth.”
With the government spearheading plans to make the UK the best place to start, scale, and grow businesses, this programme provides an accessible avenue for business owners and senior leaders to gain best-in-class support.
The Help to Grow: Management Course is a 90% government-funded management training and education programme delivered by Small Business Charter accredited business schools across the UK. Royal Docks School of Business and Law is proud to be one of the business schools accredited to deliver this prestigious programme.
Professor Fatima Annan-Diab, Executive Dean, Royal Docks School of Business and Law says:
“Small businesses are the backbone of our economy, and the Help to Grow: Management Course gives local entrepreneurs the tools and confidence to unlock new opportunities for growth. At the Royal Docks School of Business and Law, we are proud to work with the Small Business Charter to provide expert guidance and practical support that help business leaders hone their skills and take their enterprises to the next level of building resilient, financially viable, successful, and forward-looking businesses in East London and beyond.”
The Royal Docks School of Business and Law at UEL is committed to developing industry-ready leaders across business verticals and supporting local economic growth through high-quality teaching, research, and entrepreneurial engagement within the business community.
With 91% of participants reporting improvement of their leadership and management skills in the Ipsos evaluation, the Help to Grow: Management Course will continue to propel the mission of the institution.
