Scaleup programmes
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Cranfield School of Management: Business Growth Programme
Leadership Capacity
Impact for scaleups
3,200+
Business leaders participated since 1988
30%
Average sales increase after completing BGP
200+
Smaller high-growth firms participated in the R4S and R4NZG programmes
Key sectors
Cranfield School of Management: Business Growth Programme (BGP) is for ambitious leaders looking to scale and grow their business that have been in operation for at least three years; have a turnover of between £0.5 million and £30 million and a staff of 5 to 100.
BGP combines the latest academic thinking with peer-to-peer learning and more than 3,200 business leaders have participated in Cranfield’s Business Growth Programme (BGP) since its launch in 1988. BGP combines the latest academic thinking with peer-to-peer learning, guiding participants through key topics for scaling up and equipping them with a robust business growth plan, which is reviewed by independent advisors and reassessed after six months. BGP alumni report an average 30% increase in sales and profits post-completion, with notable graduates including Cobra Beer, Thatchers Cider, Hotel Chocolat, and Go Ape. Its impact is evident in entrepreneurs returning to tackle new scaling challenges. To extend its reach, Cranfield has partnered with local councils to offer full scholarships for its Ready for Scale programme, designed to bring the BGP ethos to ambitious micro and small SMEs.
In addition to its focus on business strategy, BGP places significant emphasis on the development of the business leader themselves. Participants are supported to step back from day-to-day operations, strengthen strategic decision-making, and address behavioural and organisational barriers that can constrain growth. The programme’s residential, cohort-based structure creates an immersive environment that encourages candid discussion, peer accountability, and strong networks that continue well beyond the formal programme.
Central to the BGP experience is the creation of a personalised and practical business growth plan that covers strategy, finance, operations, talent, leadership, and market development. This is underpinned by a series of diagnostic tools and structured reviews which help participants critically assess the health of their business and identify priority areas for intervention. Alumni also benefit from ongoing support and access to Cranfield’s wider entrepreneurial ecosystem, drawing on the University’s long-standing expertise in SME growth and its practitioner-led faculty. The programme attracts businesses from a wide range of sectors, including manufacturing, technology, consumer goods, engineering, food and drink, and professional services, reinforcing its relevance across the scaling landscape.
Cranfield School of Management: Business Growth Programme website
