A £4.9 million mentoring programme has been launched by the Warrington-based North West Development Agency (NWDA).
The three-year scheme will offer leaders and senior managers of small and micro-businesses the chance to access free mentoring, to guide and support them to grow their business. 
The high quality service will be demand-led and delivered in accordance with a regional quality framework. Mentoring support will last between six and 12 months and depend upon the level of support required.
The programme is part of the Solutions for Business’ portfolio, the Government’s simplified package of business support products.
At first, the programme will be delivered by a range of highly qualified and experienced mentors. Combined with a wider programme that will include group and e-mentoring and support, a total of 3,000 high quality mentoring relationships will be established across the region.
Steven Broomhead, NWDA chief executive (pictured) said: “Mentoring is a key element of the agency’s Leadership and Management Framework for Action.
“We understand that by helping businesses to invest in the development of their leaders and managers we can help create robust and competitive businesses that will ultimately contribute significantly to the economic success of England’s North West.”
Delivery of one-to-one mentoring will commence for small businesses that have been trading for more than 12 months and have less than £2 million sales turnover per annum.
It will initially be delivered by seven providers from across the region including Business Venture Group Limited, Community and Business Partners, Designated Associates, Enterprise4All, G and M Associates Limited, LeaderGen Limited and Urquhart Partnership Limited.
Businesses wishing to access the mentoring programme should contact Business Link Northwest on 0845 00 66 888 or at www.businesslinknw.co.uk/mentoring
Three-year mentoring programme
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Gary Skentelbery
Experienced journalist for more than 40 years. Managing Director of magazine publishing group with three in-house titles and on-line daily newspaper for Warrington. Experienced writer, photographer, PR consultant and media expert having written for local, regional and national newspapers. Specialties: PR, media, social networking, photographer, networking, advertising, sales, media crisis management. Chair of Warrington Healthwatch Director Warrington Chamber of Commerce Patron Tim Parry Johnathan Ball Foundation for Peace. Trustee Warrington Disability Partnership. Former Chairman of Warrington Town FC.
