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Leadership Toolkit

Business leaders are at the heart of steering their companies to success. An important part of being a leader is to understand and plan for business needs both now and in the future. 

From developing your own leadership skills, to making use of the support available, this toolkit is designed to champion leaders and share information to help businesses prosper.

Business and Life Coach, Sam Hook (Uniquethinking), discusses the benefits of business coaching on leadership and growth

Sam Hook is qualified Business and Life Coach based in Newcastle upon Tyne where she runs her company, Uniquethinking.

Sam spoke to us about how business coaching can support business owners/entrepreneurs to become better leaders, and how setting goals and having accountability can stimulate business growth.

She also touches on some of the common themes / issues business owners need help with, and where people can access support in the North East Combined Authority area.

"Coaching is truly transformational - I’ve experienced it firsthand and see its impact every day in my clients’ personal and business growth. Coaching is like a secret weapon - it’s only when you experience it that you realise its power."


Leadership development resources

Useful downloads, guides, and other resources to help you with your leadership journey.

What type of Entrepreneur are you?

Take this 2 minute assessment to understand where your entrepreneurship will take you.

Acas advice and support

Acas provides impartial information, advice, training, conciliation and other services for employers and employees to help prevent or resolve workplace problems.

In conversation with Dr Matt Sutherland

Hear from Dr Matt Sutherland from Newcastle Business School at Northumbria University, about the Help to Grow: Management leadership programme for SMEs

Growth resources

Help to Grow: Management

A practical 12-week training programme for senior leaders in SMEs, providing key skills to help businesses innovate and drive future growth.

Scale-up North East

Supporting businesses that can demonstrate the hunger and potential to achieve high levels of growth.

Scale-up Leaders' Academy

Helping ambitious business owners to prepare for sustainable high-growth.

Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses

Designed to provide high-quality, practical education and business support to leaders of high-growth small businesses and social enterprises. 

News and insights

Talk to one of our team who will help you connect to the support you need to grow and develop your business.

if your local authority isn't listed above, you can view details of how to get in touch with your local Growth Hub

Schemes

Find out more about the Business Support, Finance, and Funding schemes on offer across the region.

Deutsche Bank Awards for Creative Entrepreneurs

For 32 years the Deutsche Bank Awards for Creative Entrepreneurs has helped creatives bring their ideas and business goals to life.
Finance & funding Grant Business support Start-up Trading business Newcastle upon Tyne Sunderland County Durham Gateshead South Tyneside North Tyneside Northumberland Finance Leadership

Sunderland Software City Accelerate! Programme

Access startup support and accelerate growth for your tech business
Business support Start-up Newcastle upon Tyne Sunderland County Durham Gateshead South Tyneside North Tyneside Northumberland Leadership Markets

North East Digital Technologies Launchpad

Helping innovative digital businesses across the North East to collaborate, commercialise and attract finance.
Business support Start-up Trading business Newcastle upon Tyne Sunderland County Durham Gateshead South Tyneside North Tyneside Northumberland Leadership Markets

Expo Sunderland

Expo Sunderland will explore the future of homes, living and cities in an extraordinary series of events.
Business support Start-up Trading business Sunderland Leadership Products and services

Early Connect

The Early Connect Employer Service is your one-stop-shop for expert apprenticeship guidance and advice.
Finance & funding Business support Trading business Newcastle upon Tyne Sunderland County Durham Gateshead South Tyneside North Tyneside Northumberland Leadership People and skills

Help to Grow: Management Essentials

Help to Grow: Management Essentials is a free, online course that explains the essential business concepts required for growth.
Business support Trading business Newcastle upon Tyne Sunderland County Durham Gateshead South Tyneside North Tyneside Northumberland Leadership Operations

Innovate UK innovation loans future economy

UK registered businesses can apply for loans for innovative projects with strong commercial potential to significantly improve the UK economy.
Finance & funding Loan Trading business Newcastle upon Tyne Sunderland County Durham Gateshead South Tyneside North Tyneside Northumberland Leadership

SONIC Labs -Technology Access Programme

SONIC Labs Technology Access Programme (TAP) is an 8-month structured programme developed by Digital Catapult in collaboration with Ofcom, running from June 2024 to January 2025.
Business support Start-up Trading business Newcastle upon Tyne Sunderland County Durham Gateshead South Tyneside North Tyneside Northumberland Leadership People and skills