Small businesses in Rutland are being encouraged to sign up to a national support programme that aims to help them recover from the impact of COVID-19.

The new Small Business Leadership Programme (SBLP) will support small and medium-sized businesses to become more resilient, as well as helping them to develop their potential for future growth and productivity.

The 10-week programme is fully funded by the Government's Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy. It will be delivered online by small business and enterprise experts from world-leading business schools.

Businesses are eligible to join the programme if they meet the following criteria:

· They must be a Small or Medium-sized Enterprise (SME) based in England

· They need to employ between 5 and 249 people and have been operational for at least one year

· The participant should be a decision maker or member of the senior management team within the business, with at least one person reporting directly to them

The participant must be able to commit to attending the full programme

Coun Oliver Hemsley, Leader of Rutland County Council, said: "Businesses have had to work incredibly hard to stay afloat during the pandemic. Lockdown has had a massive effect on the UK economy. Although many businesses have now reopened they continue to face challenges and considerable uncertainty.

"The new Small Business Leadership Programme is a great opportunity for business owners to develop their leadership skills and the confidence to make decisions that can help boost performance.

"The programme is fully-funded by government and I would encourage as many businesses as possible to check their eligibility and apply."

For more information about the SBLP and how to register, please visit: smallbusinesscharter.org/small-business-leadership-programme.