Peer Networks

What is the Business Support?

Peer Networks is a national peer-to-peer networking programme for SME leaders that want to grow and develop their organisation for future success.

Delivered locally by The Business Lincolnshire Growth Hub, we create diverse cohort groups of individuals to collaboratively work through common business issues. Through interactive action learning, we enable you to discuss your own challenges, gain and reflect on valuable feedback and implement practical solutions to overcome them.

Our expert facilitators give you the flexibility to create a trusted support network that works for you, helping you to build and strengthen your business and improve its overall performance.

The Business Lincolnshire Growth Hub is delivering the following sector-specific networks:

• High Growth

Centre for Management & Business Development - mike@cmbd.org.uk

• Manufacturing

Oxford Innovation - shall@oxin.co.uk

• General (including networks for Women and Family Businesses)

Centre for Management & Business Development - mike@cmbd.org.uk

Greenborough management - rcopley@greenborough.com

• Rural

Skills Reach - roy.harper@skillsreach.co.uk

• Visitor Economy

Visit Lincoln - justin@visitlincoln.com

• Charities

Skills Reach - roy.harper@skillsreach.co.uk

• Health and Care

Pym's Consulting - kate@pymsconsultancy.co.uk (Health & Care)

Skills for Care - renny.wodynska@skillsforcare.org.uk (Care)

• Agriculture

Lincolnshire Chamber of Commerce - simon.beardsley@lincs-chamber.co.uk

Restrictions

The Peer Networks programme is targeted at companies which meet the criteria of the EU SME definition.

Participants must be drawn from businesses that employ staff through PAYE.  LEPs will have discretion in recruiting and assembling the SME cohorts, but a preference should be given to SMEs fitting the profile shown below:

Essential criteria:

• In operation for 1 year+
• At least 5 employees*
• An aspiration to improve​
• A turnover of at least £100,000​

Desirable:

• Businesses that have the potential to scale up
• Businesses who already export, or who have the potential to become an exporter

*For creative industry businesses the minimum number of employees can include Associates.

The business should have a trading address within the relevant LEP area.

Participants must be senior decision makers and can be drawn from almost any industry sector – note the limited sectoral restrictions under the De Minimis Regulation.  The nature of the programme funding allows participants to be drawn from a wider range of organisations than are permitted by many business support programmes including, for example, the visitor economy, social enterprises, construction, hospitality and health and care – allowing engagement with a more diverse range of entrepreneurs, business owners and business leaders.

What could it do for your company?

Businesses that seek external advice or undertake formal training are more likely to improve their overall performance, but many prefer to take advice from trusted sources, such as their peers, when presented with external challenges and opportunities.

Peer Networks enables you to make connections that go far beyond networking.

By completing Peer Networks, you will:

• Overcome business challenges and recognise and act on new opportunities

• Build a trusted network of connections to support you now and in the future

• Improve your long-term personal and business performance

Who runs it?

The Business Lincolnshire Growth Hub

How to find out more?

For further information please email:

businesslincolnshire@lincolnshire.gov.uk

Or, download our Peer Networks brochure and flyer.

To contact individual Peer Networks, see the table below: