School of Business

Oadby and Wigston Growth and Innovation Programme

Welcome to the Oadby and Wigston Growth and Innovation Programme, a series of practical business masterclasses focussed on enhancing growth, productivity and innovation in the local economy, delivered by the University of Leicester School of Business and fully-funded by Oadby and Wigston Borough Council.

If you are an SME, sole trader, microbusiness, social enterprise or start-up within the borough and are looking to harness, develop and drive forward your approach to innovation and growth, then this programme is designed to inspire and support you.

The programme, running between September 2026 and February 2027, is available on a fully-funded basis to any registered business or social enterprise with 1-249 employees, including start-ups, within Oadby and Wigston.


Programme overview

This bespoke programme is designed to stimulate business growth and innovation through active participation in:

  • An initial diagnostic: This short questionnaire explores your current skills and knowledge across key topics enabling your learning to be tailored to ensure your course experience is relevant, effective and impactful.
  • In-person masterclass: Five thematic half-day masterclasses at the University of Leicester School of Business with breakout group activities organised according to business size, sector and business maturity. Make the most of the dedicated Q&A time at the end of each masterclass by putting your business-related questions directly to our experts.
  • Online peer coaching: 'Growth Leadership Peer Coaching' is designed to support you in turning your learning in to practical actions that drive your organisation forward.

All sessions are interactive and practical, helping you not only to gain new knowledge and skills but to apply your learning within your own work context.

Masterclass delivery

Duration: 9:30am - 1:30pm
Format: In-person interactive workshops at the University of Leicester School of Business
Certificates: A Certificate of Completion will be presented to participants attending 4 out of 5 masterclasses across the programme.

1. The Business Strategy Growth Masterclass

Date: 24 September 2026

Facilitator: Tobias Gould, Honorary Fellow at the University of Leicester School of Business and Director of Business Innovation at Community Enterprise Engine.

Session overview:
This masterclass will get you excited about strategic business planning.  You will learn about the power of strategy to improve decision making, communications, products and services.  It will help you think big and set new directions.

Learning outcomes:
By the end of the masterclass you will:

  • Be able to describe strategy and the power of strategic thinking to a friend or colleague.
  • Develop or review your long-term vision and goals.
  • Be able to select which planning tools to use to create strategic options.
  • Be able to harness the power of strategy to improve your business plans, models and offerings.

2. The AI for Marketing Masterclass

Date: 14 October 2026

Facilitator: Professor Paul Baines, Head of Executive Education and Professor of Political Marketing

Session overview:
This introductory masterclass is designed to demystify artificial intelligence and show how you can leverage AI tools to enhance your marketing efforts - without needing technical expertise or large budgets.

Learning outcomes:
By the end of the masterclass you will:

  • Understand the basics of AI and its relevance to marketing.
  • Be able to identify AI tools suitable for your business.
  • Gain confidence in experimenting with AI-driven marketing strategies.
  • Leave with a simple, actionable plan to start using AI.

 

3. The Innovation and Entrepreneurship Masterclass

Date: 12 November 2026

Facilitator: Dr Francis Donbesuur, Associate Professor in Entrepreneurship

Session overview:
This masterclass will share practical strategies to identify new business opportunities and engage you in hands-on activities that drive innovation and creativity.  Is it designed to help you explore ideas and approaches to drive growth and stay competitive in changing markets.

Learning outcomes:
By the end of the masterclass you will:

  • Be able to identify and evaluate local (and global) business opportunities.
  • Apply creative problem-solving techniques to generate innovative solutions, products and services.
  • Leverage resources, partnerships, networks and entrepreneurial ecosystems for scaling and growth.
  • Develop an innovative action plan.

4. The Finance for Growth Masterclass

Date: 2 December 2026

Facilitator: Dr Rachel English, Associate Professor of Accountancy

Session overview:
Led by Dr Rachel English, Chartered Accountant, this masterclass will empower you to develop budgets to enable financial planning for decision making.  It will guide you on how to design a cashflow forecast and evaluate when a business may need finance.  You will investigate different sources of finance available to small businesses and start-ups.

Learning outcomes:
By the end of the masterclass you will:

  • Have a sound understanding of budgets and monetary control.
  • Be able to create a cashflow forecast.
  • Identify when extra finance will be required.
  • Be able to gain knowledge on the various types of financing available to start ups and small businesses.

5a. The Export Masterclass

Date: 14 January 2027

Facilitator: Dr Ash Sadeghi, Associate Professor in International Business

Session overview:
This practical masterclass introduces the essentials of exporting, explaining why you should consider internationalisation, how to assess export readiness and how to evaluate opportunities and risks when entering new markets.  You will be introduced to key references for sourcing reliable information on international markets and for conducting market analysis.  Using real-world tools and examples, the masterclass will guide you in developing export strategies, managing operations, and achieving sustainable growth in international markets.  Finally, you will learn how to formulate a comprehensive export growth plan, integrating market selection, entry strategy, and resource allocation tailored to SME conditions.

Learning outcomes:
By the end of the masterclass you will:

  • Explain why you should consider internationalisation, identifying motivations and the push and pull factors that drive exporting.
  • Assess the readiness of your business, recognising strengths and weaknesses, and resource gaps that affect the ability to expand internationally.
  • Conduct market analysis and selection for exporting, applying structured tools to evaluate the opportunities and risks in different markets and prioritise international markets.
  • Develop effective entry strategies for exporting, choosing modes such as direct exporting, agents, distributors, partnerships, or digital channels in line with your context.

5b. The Leadership Masterclass

Date: 14 January 2027

Facilitator: Jane Partridge, Associate Professor in Human Resource Management

Session overview:
This masterclass focuses on the leadership skills required to support growth in small and growing businesses. Participants will explore practical approaches to lead people during periods of growth and uncertainty.

Learning outcomes:
By the end of the masterclass you will:

  • Be able to assess your own leadership style.
  • Explain key people management approaches relevant to growing and evolving businesses.
  • Apply practical tools to motivate and engage teams.
  • Identify clear actions to strengthen leadership capability to support of business growth.

Growth Leadership Peer Coaching Sessions

Choice of one of the following sessions:

Dates: 10 February 2027, 10:00am - 12:00noon OR 24 February 2027, 2:00pm - 4:00pm

Format: Online, two-hours

Facilitator: Tim Elliott, experienced business coach and mentor

A tailored peer coaching session aimed at embedding the learning from masterclasses and continuing to stimulate development of your growth action plan. 

Why join?

Many business owners, managers and leaders have undertaken little or no management training and may be lacking the confidence, knowledge or skills needed to take a serious, thoughtful and informed approach to effective innovation, successful change and impactful growth.

This programme is designed to help you tackle challenges and realise opportunities, gain fresh perspectives and build your confidence, develop skills and stimulate innovation and renewed productivity.  Our interactive, problem-focused approach ensures participants leave with practical tools and strategies to grow their businesses for the long term. 

Eligibility

This programme is available to Oadby and Wigston based businesses or social enterprises with owners or directors typically participating but with the flexibility for any employees for whom it would be beneficial to take part. Up to two places per organisation are available.

There is flexibility for business owners to decide if this opportunity is for themselves or which employees would gain most value from attending. Please note that, by registering, each participant is committing to attend the full series of masterclasses and one online peer coaching session.

Next steps

Testimonials

Birring & Bagri Limited

“The programme provided the structure, clarity and strategic discipline required to transition the business from reactive delivery to focused, sustainable growth.”

Birring & Bagri Limited is a professional services consultancy based in Oadby, specialising in regulatory, governance and commercial advisory work. Founded in 2025 by Director Rajbinder Kaur, the firm supports SMEs, public sector organisations and private clients across domestic and international markets, with expertise spanning compliance, procurement strategy and organisational development.

Upon joining the Oadby and Wigston Growth and Innovation Programme in October 2025, the business had strong technical capability and early traction, but growth was largely reactive and relationship‑led. A broad service offer made it difficult to articulate a clear value proposition, prioritise opportunities or operate at scale, while increasing capacity pressures limited time for strategic development.

The programme provided structured learning, practical tools and peer challenge, allowing Rajbinder to step back from day‑to‑day delivery and critically assess the business and leadership approach. This space for reflection proved pivotal.

Following the programme, Birring & Bagri refined its market positioning, clearly defining core service lines and target clients. Decision‑making frameworks and improved time management were introduced, embedding strategic planning and business development into everyday operations.

As a result, the business now has greater clarity, improved operational efficiency and stronger client engagement. Leadership has shifted towards a more intentional, strategic focus, strengthening confidence and consistency. With firmer foundations in place, Birring & Bagri is well positioned for sustainable growth and the pursuit of more complex, higher‑value work.

“The combination of structured learning, practical tools and peer to peer insight was both challenging and constructive.”

Additional resources

You may also be interested in three complementary programmes providing related support:

  1. Help to Grow: Management Essentials: A short, video-based government-funded course available at no cost and focuses on the essential business concepts required for growth, helping you think about these ideas in the context of your business.
  2. Help to Grow: Management: A 12-week programme next starting on 18 September 2026 for owners and senior leaders in businesses, social enterprises or community interest companies with 5-249 employees focussed on innovation, resilience, productivity and growth. 90% government-funded with an additional 10% bursary available from the School of Business.
  3. Carbon Literacy Masterclass for Organisations: Whether your organisation is beginning its sustainability journey or already taking action, this accredited Carbon Literacy training will equip you with the knowledge, skills and confidence to drive meaningful, measurable change. Participants will explore the carbon impacts of everyday organisational activities and learn how to take accountable action to reduce emissions, strengthen resilience, and enhance strategic sustainability performance for your organisation.

    

 

Back to top
MENU