Leeds Business Support News – April 2025
We’re delighted to share an update from Leeds City Council about upcoming opportunities designed to support your business this April.
Free support to hire a graduate Struggling to find time to recruit a graduate? The West Yorkshire Combined Authority can help. They’ve assessed hundreds of graduates to make sure they’re right for your business and they’ve given them extra training to boost their transferable skills. Be one of the first to take part in the Mayor’s graduate programme, designed for local businesses. Get in touch today at www.wybusiness-skills.com/graduates or email graduates@westyorks-ca.gov.uk
Expand your knowledge to include less common and innovative approaches to business and governance. When it comes to setting up a new organisation, or supporting others to do so, all legal frameworks, whether private, mutualistic, or charitable, are a response to some simple questions: Who should own it? Who should benefit from its value?And who should make the decisions? The Alternative Business Models training programme will enable you to choose the most appropriate model based on how you answer those questions. Delivered in partnership by Stir to Action and Co-op Culture’s team of advisors, this training is designed to increase knowledge and capacity around alternative business models, focused on those used by co-operatives and community business, including the support landscape and the key differences in delivery of support to groups adopting alternative business models.
Boost your leadership skills and your business performance. The Help to Grow: Management Course runs over 12 weeks and includes online and face-to-face sessions, 1-to-1 mentoring and peer networking. With just one session a week, it is designed to fit around existing work and personal commitments. You will finish the course ready to lead on the delivery of increased profitability, innovation and growth. Leeds University Business School are now taking registrations for September 2025 Leeds University Business School | Small Business Charter
Join Angel groups, UK Business Angels Association and British Business Bank to explore how investors from diverse backgrounds can shape the future of angel investing. The event will focus on educating new and potential angel investors on the opportunities and challenges of the field, helping existing investors understand how backing diverse founders improves portfolio outcomes and on attracting and supporting investors from a diverse range of backgrounds. Book here: Becoming an Angel Investor Tickets, Mon, May 12, 2025 at 1:00PM | Eventbrite
The Leeds MBA is launching a brand-new Creative & Innovative Thinking & Practice module, bringing companies to collaborate with MBA students on their innovation challenges. Access Innovative Thinking: Tap into the diverse and creative minds of MBA students. Exposure to Cutting-Edge Knowledge: The Leeds MBA includes the latest business theories and practices. By working with students, companies can gain insights into new trends and methodologies. Engage with Future Talent: Interact with the brightest student minds at the university. Businesses can sign up Here, or email Ali@thexpa.com
Carbon Literacy for Businesses training – supported and accredited by the Carbon Literacy Project. Book here: Carbon Literacy For Businesses | Luminate Education Group – Online Store
Save the date, Tuesday 10th June for our next Living lab series: ESG and sustainability for business.
SME Sustainability Webinar Series delivered by WYCA in partnership with Green Economy. Want to find ways to make your business more sustainable? These sessions will cover important challenges whilst providing cost-effective and actionable solutions. SME Sustainability Webinar Series | Eventbrite
Pop down to your local People Planet Pint meetup to find more about what’s going on locally with sustainability and how you can get involved Leeds – Small99’s People, Planet, Pint™: Sustainability Meetup Tickets, Thu 8 May 2025 at 18:00 | Eventbrite
Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) Information Morning at Unity Enterprise 10th April 2024: Meet your local FSB team and find out more about the business support available. Overview ⋮ Leeds FSB Information Morning at Unity Enterprise ⋮ The Federation of Small Businesses ⋮ Events
2025 Leeds Manufacturing Festival – ‘Futureproofing your workforce’. This event will look at how T Levels and industry placements can create pathways for apprenticeship recruitment and how best practice can ensure apprentices successfully complete their training. Futureproofing Workforce: Recruitment & Skills Challenge in Manufacturing Tickets, Thu, Apr 24, 2025 at 8:30 AM | Eventbrite
UK Export Academy Events – grow your export knowledge with our Essentials sessions or build on your existing skills with our Masterclasses, Sector and Market events. Events – UK Export Academy
Elevate & Exchange – Where Ideas Rise With The Sun The Knowledge Exchange Introduces – Elevate & Exchange, the networking event over the summer in the sky! Elevate & Exchange – Where Ideas Rise With The Sun Tickets, Tue, Apr 22, 2025 at 9:00 AM |Eventbrite
LegalTech in Leeds Conference 2025 – this year’s theme, “People & Technology,” explores the critical role of individuals and innovation in driving the adoption of LegalTech and reshaping the legal sector. LegalTech in Leeds Conference 2025 Tickets, Thu, Apr 24, 2025 at 8:30 AM | Eventbrite
SEND Next Choices and Leeds Digital Careers Fair return to Leeds first direct arena in 2025. To find out more click here. To exhibit please email esemployers@leeds.gov.uk
Fuel your business growth: with ChatGPT and Smart Technology To register: Events – Fuel your business growth: with ChatGPT and Smart Technology
Webinar Masterclass: How to engage with Biodiversity find out more through this link. Do you provide #BusinessSupport in the UK? Expand your knowledge of social enterprises, co-operatives, and community businesses and how to better support them. Short course starts 1st May. Book here
West Yorkshire Manufacturing Services have achieved IOSH (Institution of Occupational Safety and Health) certification, underlining their commitment to delivering the highest level of health and safety training. WYMS achieves prestigious IOSH certification. | WYMS – West Yorkshire Manufacturing Services
For any questions or queries about eligibility, please contact Parminder Singh, SME Growth Manager & Senior Economic Development Officer at West Yorkshire Combined Authority at Parminder.Singh@leeds.gov.uk.
