10 Years of Growth Springboard

It was with great pride that we recently celebrated the 10^th anniversary of the original Growth Springboard group, which was set up in 2015. This group of business owners and leaders came together when they completed the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Programme which Lily Newman, founder of Morgan James Consulting, delivered the leadership and cultural elements of both the North West and the national programmes.

After completing the GS10KSB programme, this group of directors was hungry for more and wanted to ensure that they continued to work with like-minded people who were committed to growing their businesses. The group members would act as a sounding board, capable of supporting them in tough times and challenging them to take their businesses to the next level. Hence, Growth Springboard was born in 2015, offering facilitated days that enabled members to bring their greatest opportunities and their most difficult challenges to the table in a confidential and supportive setting.

We cannot believe how far Springboard members, Punk Takiar, Mick Howard, Rob Lomax, Matt Hubbard, Sam Perona and Rob Henderson (not pictured) have come. The past decade has seen a range of mergers, acquisitions, buyouts, coveted national awards, and in some cases, hockey stick growth. This dynamic group has supported each other through the peaks and troughs of business during one of the most challenging economic times that the UK has seen, developing unity, honesty, and collaboration between them over the last 10 years. Members commit to meeting bi-monthly, six full days a year, taking time out of their businesses to discuss relevant topics and support each other in their business journeys. The Growth Springboard programme has also introduced them to a whole range of innovative and inspirational speakers, from international athletes to global entrepreneurs, financial experts and venture capitalists, to world record breakers and similar SME business owners who have successfully sold their businesses and set up new ventures. Springboard also brings relevant models, business simulations, and ideas to the group to ensure that each leader continues to learn and grow through the experience.

By prioritising a fun and open approach, the group has developed a deep and lasting trust amongst the members. However, it is the setting of clearly defined, measurable objectives each year, with a bi-monthly update of their performance plan, that has had a significant impact on their success. Knowing that you will be challenged by your peers is a fantastic way to focus the mind and hold yourself to account!  

For the last session of the year, a celebratory meal at The Hive, Callow Hall in the rolling hills of Derbyshire provided the perfect setting to generate creativity and new ideas for driving business growth. We are thrilled that every member has signed up for their 11^th year and look forward to seeing what the next decade brings to this fantastic group of entrepreneurs.

If the last decade is anything to go by, it certainly WON’T be boring!