Advisory service supported almost 1,800 Leicestershire organisations in bid to be more sustainable

A year-long business advisory service run by the University of Leicester supported almost 1,800 organisations looking to become more sustainable.

Throughout 2025, a team from the University’s School of Business supported more than 400 Leicestershire businesses directly, with more than 1,300 small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and social enterprises using the programme’s tools and resources. Businesses accessed workshops, tailored consultancy, leadership development and practical guidance designed to help them improve efficiency, strengthen competitiveness and prepare for future market expectations.

The evaluation report has just been published for GreenerFuture Leicestershire, delivered as part of the Leicestershire Collaborate to Accelerate Net Zero (LCAN) demonstrator. The programme, funded by Innovate UK, worked with hundreds of county SMEs to help them strengthen their operations, build resilience and unlock new growth opportunities.

The programme’s evaluation shows that participating SMEs reported improved confidence, clearer planning and, in several cases, new marketable opportunities.

Sally Walder, sales director at Robert Travel Group, based in Hugglescote, Leicestershire, said: “The support we have received through GreenerFuture Leicestershire has helped us strengthen our processes and internal efforts towards a sustainable future. Not only has it helped to realign our thinking, but it has also contributed towards winning new commercial contracts.”

Professor Paul Baines, Principal Investigator for the project at the University of Leicester Business School, said: “I am immensely proud of what this programme has achieved. Our team worked closely with businesses across Leicestershire to help them build capability, strengthen their operations and access new opportunities. SMEs are the lifeblood of our regional economy and this project shows what can be achieved when universities, local authorities and business networks come together with a shared purpose.”

This partnership approach ensured that support reached businesses across the county, including those with limited previous engagement in business development programmes.

The evaluation highlights several wider benefits for the region, including:

• measurable cost savings and operational efficiencies reported by participating SMEs,
• strengthened business resilience, helping firms become more competitive in securing contracts and funding,
• a financial boost to the local economy through improved business capability and new commercial opportunities,
• upskilling of staff within local firms, supporting long‑term growth and future‑proofing,
• ·new opportunities for University of Leicester students through placements, consultancy projects and data‑driven learning,
• a scalable advisory model that can be used to support more Leicestershire businesses in future,
• deeper collaboration across the Universities Partnership and local institutions, ensuring support reaches businesses across the county.

The University of Leicester will continue to host the programme’s online tools and resources until November 2028, ensuring ongoing access for local businesses. The findings will also inform future regional initiatives and support ongoing work to help SMEs innovate, grow and contribute to a thriving local economy.

The wider LCAN programme received £2.56 million from Innovate UK and brought together local universities, councils, community energy groups and industry partners to strengthen regional planning and support. Alongside the Business Advisory Service, the programme delivered new governance models, community energy pathways and the county’s first Local Area Energy Plans, creating a shared foundation for future collaboration across Leicestershire.