Business support programme design and delivery

A business support programme is only as good as its design. Set the wrong targets, choose the wrong cohort or run it without the right governance, and the money is spent without the outcomes. We design programmes that deliver value for both the public body commissioning them and the businesses they support, and we run them effectively.

We specialise in designing business support programmes that turn that understanding into results. Our programmes range from start-up support for people taking their first steps into self-employment, through to intensive, expert, tailored support for ambitious SMEs looking to overcome the barriers to sustainable growth. High growth programmes are usually delivered in partnership with regional authorities or innovation agencies.

Because we also work directly with private companies on their own expansion, we bring a practical understanding of what businesses actually need from a programme, which multiplies the value the programme generates.

The programme has been hugely successful, adding real value to the business and accelerating our growth. It has enabled us to expand our service capacity, strengthen our infrastructure, and modernise both our business and marketing approach.
Javed Parvez, Director, ASRA Health and Social Care

What this covers

  • UK and regional business support programmes: tailored initiatives that drive UK market expansion and entry, regional development, economic growth, inward investment and business resilience.
  • Gateley Global Business Builder: a dedicated resource for entrepreneurs navigating the early stages of business development, from start-up through scale-up, with the tools, insight and support needed to build scalable, resilient companies and champion innovation.
  • High growth programmes: the next step. More intensive, expert, tailored support designed to help ambitious SMEs overcome barriers and unlock sustainable growth, usually delivered in partnership with leading regional authorities or innovation agencies.

Who do we help?

Often mobilising at pace, we work with combined authorities, growth companies, councils and local partnerships that need a support, accelerator or high-growth programme to be designed, mobilised and delivered. We also support Freeports and Green Freeports, working to turn the ambition of the UK Freeport initiative into measurable regional growth, particularly in areas with higher deprivation and lower employment.

Recent programme clients include the West Midlands Combined Authority, the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority, and Local London, covering five boroughs in east and south east London.

How can we help?

Programme types

  • Sector-focused accelerator programmes. Intensive support for a selected cohort of high-growth businesses aiming to unlock growth, create jobs, improve productivity and drive innovation.
  • Market access programme competitions. Programmes that identify innovative companies in a target sector and convert them into inward investment. 
  • Inbound and outbound trade missions, virtual and physical. Curated experiences that connect businesses with global opportunities as part of a wider business support programme. 
  • In-market training sessions. 
  • International partnership programmes.
  • Go global export support delivery programmes. 
  • Business start-up and enterprise programmes. Tailored support that helps economically inactive residents move into self-employment, with one-to-one business planning, training in financial management, marketing and AI tools, and grants toward start-up costs.
You exceeded your targets, and your programme management and approach was excellent. You have handled everything really well and efficiently.
Nigel Parkinson, Chair, CPCA GrowthCo

Recent delivery

  • West Midlands Combined Authority High Growth Accelerator Programme: working with 50 high-growth SMEs to attract external investment and create new jobs.
  • West Midlands Combined Authority High Growth Programme, Cohort 2: working with 25 high-growth-potential businesses to attract external investment and create new jobs.
  • Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority Business Growth Programme: supporting over 3,000 companies, creating over 6,000 jobs and 800 apprenticeships.
  • Think Start-Up (Tower Hamlets): over 100 residents engaged, including a high proportion from under-represented groups.
  • Pivot Project (Tower Hamlets): £200,000+ in grants distributed and over 190 businesses supported.

ASRA Health and Social Care in Smethwick, a fast-growing social care provider, is one of many businesses on the High Growth Programme. With tailored support, it has increased turnover by more than a third, expanded its service capacity and created new jobs, including an apprenticeship in business operations.

It’s a pleasure to announce that Gateley Global are now working with some of our boroughs to help people set up their own businesses. This Trailblazer programme is exciting because it allows our boroughs to explore innovative ways to remove barriers to work, including childcare contributions, business start up support, job guidance and training. Take up has exceeded expectations, and with Gateley Global now in post, we can help even more people become financially independent.
Gateley Global client