Develop your digital leadership

The fantastic thing about the Leadership Programme was that it forged an impressive bond of trust between the cohort early on, which meant I felt I could talk about the company and our challenges openly. I believe that during the crisis we stayed in touch more than I suspected we would, talking about the challenges and sharing ideas about how to navigate it.

Dan Smith, technical director of Twinfix

• North East

  If you are a small or medium-sized manufacturer based in the North East, you can access: 

  • A one-to-one digital health check 
  • Digital transformation workshops 
  • Guidance from an industrial digital technology (IDT) specialist 
  • Support in identifying possible funding routes to help with the purchase of new technology and equipment 
  • Funding to develop a digital technology intern 
  • A leadership training programme  

  The programme is delivered by the North East Local Enterprise Partnership (North East LEP) and Tees Valley Combined Authority.

• North West

  The North West Adoption Leadership programme is delivered through a blend of workshops, site visits to SME manufacturers who are already on the journey of adopting digital technology, facilitated-learning sessions, and special project sprints to test new ideas. 

  You’ll adopt a holistic view of your enterprise and how to implement hi-tech and digitally-based manufacturing techniques into production processes. 

  Perform an audit to determine the ‘digital readiness’ of your SME, measure the value of any adjustments made to processes, and ensure all stakeholders embrace the digital journey. 

  Special project sprints will enable you to experiment with and learn new ideas in a safe digitalisation environment. 

• West Midlands

  Within the West Midlands we are currently offering the Peer Networks Programme.

  This is a national initiative that’s delivered locally through the Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) network and their respective Growth Hubs.  The programme’s longer-term aims are focused on reducing the UK productivity gap by helping business leaders find practical solutions to strategic and operational challenges.

  The programme will see the creation of a series of peer networks (cohorts) through the Growth Hub network, with each group consisting of 11 owners or managers from the SME business community participating in each network. Led by an experienced facilitator, these peer networks will typically meet fortnightly as part of delivering 18 hours of action learning through 2-3-hour sessions. Individual one-to-one support (coaching, mentoring, or advice) will also be provided either directly by the programme, or from other existing schemes to help to implement and manage change. Active involvement in the peer network will enhance the leadership capabilities, knowledge and confidence of business owners and entrepreneurs within a local region. 

  The programme will help build regional connectivity and strength within the SME business community. The Peer Networks Programme is funded by the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS) in response to a commitment made in the 2019 Business Productivity Review. We will also be exploring the potential to develop a tailored leadership programme for Made Smarter in 2022.

• Other regions

  Made Smarter Leadership development is not currently available in your region, but there are a variety of other digital support programmes available across the UK. Please contact your local Business Growth Hub to see what else is available in your area.