Edge Hill University | SME Productivity & Innovation Centre

SMEs across the Liverpool City Region who are looking to scale-up but have not yet built a coherent strategy to get there, can access fully-funded support from our #SME Growth Experts. Hear from some of the #SMEs including Door4, Inscape Interiors Ltd and KM Chartered Accountants, that we have helped to increase productivity, profitability, improve demand and eradicate inefficiencies. The SME Productivity & Innovation Centre has worked with over 205+ SMEs since 2018 helping SMEs drive an average 29% growth. To find out more head to www.edgehill.ac.uk/pic Working in Partnership with: Boost; Lancashire's Business Growth Hub Growth Platform - Liverpool City Region Growth Company #GrowingLancashire #AmbitionThroughInnovation #ScaleUps

Another great Knowledge Transfer Partnership up and running between Edge Hill's Computer Science Department and Wirral-based SME Water. A great example of academic expertise driving real-world impact! Full story 👇 👇 👇

🌱 April brings exciting news for LCR SMEs! We're thrilled to announce that we’re extending our support to help local businesses unlock their full potential. Whether you're planning to scale up your business, develop your leadership team, or explore new technologies, we have fully funded programmes designed to support you: Strategic Scaling Support Helping you build robust plans for sustainable growth. Leadership & Management Development Equipping strategic leaders and operational managers with the skills to drive performance and lead transformational change. NEW: AI Adoption Readiness Programme – Launching June 2025 Guiding your business through the complexities of AI and helping you capitalise on the commercial opportunities it offers. 📅 Join us at the UKSPF the regions Business Support Showcase event, Thursday 1st May (Details below), to learn more about what’s available to you. Discover how our programmes can support your growth journey. Register for free here https://lnkd.in/e-4wXMx3 Growth Platform

As my 3-month placement at the Productivity & Innovation Centre (PIC) at Edge Hill University has recently come to an end, I just want to reflect on what a brilliant experience it’s been. Working as part of the Edge Hill University | SME Productivity & Innovation Centre I had the opportunity to collaborate directly with small businesses, helping them tackle real challenges and explore opportunities for growth. It’s been incredibly rewarding to contribute to projects that make a tangible impact, and I’ve learned so much along the way — from research and analysis to client engagement and strategy development. A massive thank you to Steve McArdle, Lucy Woods and Julie Anne Strahan and the rest of the team for their guidance, support, and encouragement throughout the placement. Your insights and leadership made a huge difference, and I’m truly grateful for the experience. I’m leaving with new skills and a better understanding of what I want to do next. Looking forward to what comes next! #Placement #SME #Consulting #PIC #EdgeHillUniversity #LearningByDoing

This week we brought together SMEs from across the LCR and Lancashire for Connect to Grow, an event we offer to those businesses who complete our award winning Innovation Sprint Programme. It was inspiring to see so many businesses that have made significant progress. From boosting productivity to creating new jobs, from refining processes to transforming business models—our SMEs are proving that innovation isn’t just about ideas, but about real, tangible impact. This event wasn’t just about looking back; it was about looking forward—expanding networks, sharing insights, and setting the stage for even bigger successes. A huge thank you to everyone who attended and contributed to this thriving community of innovators. Growth Platform Boost; Lancashire's Business Growth Hub Liverpool City Region Combined Authority

Employers based in the Liverpool City Region! Southport College is delivering a fully funded, 2-day course on Emerging Technologies & AI – and it’s open to a wide range of businesses and employees! Whether you’re part of an SME, a larger employer, or a sole trader, this training is designed to help you stay ahead in the rapidly evolving tech landscape. 📈 🔹 Course Details: ✅ Duration: 2 days ✅ Delivered by: Southport College ✅ Open to: SMEs, large businesses, sole traders & more ✅ Availability: March 20th-21st If you or your team are interested, book your place: AI & Emerging Technologies Course: https://lnkd.in/dqKFe25d | Southport College On behalf of Liverpool City Region Combined Authority Growth Platform

We’re delighted to announce that The Business School and SME Productivity & Innovation Centre have been shortlisted for the Educate North Award in the Business Engagement, Employer Award category! 🎉 This recognition highlights the impact of our Leadership for Growth programme, designed to support small and medium-sized businesses in developing the skills of their leadership teams to overcome challenges and drive productivity. Through tailored, flexible support, we empower business leaders to unlock new opportunities for growth. A huge thank you to our partners, participants, and dedicated team who make this programme a success. 👏 West Lancashire Borough Council Growth Platform

Edge Hill University’s Computer Science department has secured £225,452 in government funding to help scale HRH International, a leading UK food exporter! Through this partnership, a cutting-edge data platform will be developed to enhance customer management, order processing, and supplier purchasing, boosting efficiency and market growth. 🔹 Advanced AI-driven innovation 🔹 Supporting business expansion 🔹 Creating a skilled tech workforce This collaboration, funded by Innovate UK’s Knowledge Transfer Partnerships, highlights the power of academia and industry working together to drive real-world impact. Read the full story here: https://lnkd.in/esuTu4FN

We’re thrilled to share how Quickline Couriers, a leading Liverpool-based same-day delivery and haulage business, has embraced digital transformation to fuel growth, boost revenues, and create new apprenticeships! It was a pleasure to work with Andy Martin and his team on our Innovation Sprint Programme through the Horizons project. Read the full story here: https://lnkd.in/e829vthx

We had the pleasure of showcasing the positive impact of the West Lancashire Collaborative Innovation Programme at the first Skelmersdale Ambassadors Cultivating Connections event of 2025. Hearing from so many inspiring SMEs sharing their growth stories was a highlight of the day. Special thanks to Peter Hughes of HRH International Exports and Jane Stuart-Puttnam, Director of Strategic Partnerships at Stuart Energy Ltd, for sharing valuable insights on their experiences with the programme and how it has supported their growth. The energy and enthusiasm in the room were undeniable, with local businesses coming together to foster growth, innovation, and success across Skelmersdale and West Lancashire. Excited to see this momentum continue as we build an even stronger, more connected business community! West Lancashire Borough Council Boost; Lancashire's Business Growth Hub #Skelmersdale