Gareth Shackleton from Christon Bank is the owner of the North East and Cumbria franchise of ActionCOACH, the number one business coaching franchise in the world. Working as part of a national initiative, Gareth has identified a number of ways to help businesses grow despite the withdrawal of the Growth Accelerator scheme.
Launched in 2012, Growth Accelerator was a £200m scheme designed to help up to 26,000 small businesses in England grow. It was a scheme that many businesses in the North East chose to take up, giving them access to subsidised business advisers and coaches.
Under the Growth Accelerator scheme, SMEs had the opportunity to receive double the amount of investment they put in. So a business investing £1,500 would receive £3000 worth of business expertise and advice.
Now with thousands of businesses left reeling after the scheme’s funding was cut in the budget, as part of the Government’s £84m saving plan, Gareth says he will still honour the deal.
“The Growth Accelerator initiative has been a huge commercial success. Without exception, businesses I have coached as part of GA have shown remarkable increases in profitability and job creation as well as giving them the impetus to do even better in 2016.”
Indeed, a North East construction firm increased its turnover by more than 60% in 2015 and increased headcount by nearly 40% on the back of Gareth’s coaching. Likewise, a Newcastle based commercial services company is on course to increase turnover by around 87% this tax year having already smashed last years turnover in just eight months and is planning to double its workforce in the first part of 2016.
By removing financial support the government has passed the gauntlet to those in the private sector to support business growth, and many support services will face an overwhelming challenge. Gareth however, is confident that his organisation is best placed to help businesses thanks to its proven track record for success and a real passion for demonstrable business growth.
“ At ActionCOACH, we understand that business owners are willing to invest in commercial value which gives back a good return on investment. For example, since 1993 we’ve been testing and measuring over 3,500 business growth strategies and tactics and we know what works and what doesn’t. Our toolkit takes away the worry and uncertainty from business owners and helps them to grow with the help of a national company that really knows business inside out..
“SMEs are the backbone of the UK economy and I’m really disappointed that the government has shelved this scheme so early in their term. This type of funding is essential for small businesses. It’s a matter of principle and that’s why I am so committed to supporting our local businesses however I can.”