Scaleup programmes
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Entrepreneurs’ Forum: Scale-up Leaders’ Academy
Leadership Capacity
Key sectors
The Scale-up Leaders’ Academy (SULA) is the Entrepreneurs’ Forum’s flagship programme for scaling entrepreneurs in the North East. Established following engagement with the ScaleUp Institute’s Driving Local Economic Growth through Scaleup Ecosystems course, the programme fosters a high-growth mindset, enabling business leaders to connect, challenge, and inspire one another. Since its inception, 68 scaling businesses have participated, with all participants in the latest cohort reporting increased leadership confidence.
Delivered in six-month cohorts, SULA combines peer group learning, expert coaching, and applied strategy sessions, alongside a leadership development programme for senior teams. Key themes include scaling mindset, leadership, people, strategy, and execution, with a core focus on developing a one-page strategic plan.
Participants benefit from peer-to-peer mentoring, pairing them with experienced entrepreneurs, and gain access to 60+ inspirational events annually as part of the Entrepreneurs’ Forum’s Scale-up Leaders’ Academy network. They are also invited to Fortune Favours the Brave, the Forum’s annual entrepreneurial conference.
The programme fully integrates four dedicated workshops on team effectiveness, core values, sales, and strategic planning, with strong engagement from senior leadership teams. On average, three senior executives attend alongside each scaleup leader, reinforcing leadership alignment.
This year, expanded social opportunities have strengthened cohort connections, including a visit to Samuel Knight International Ltd. Its founder, a 2018 SULA participant, has scaled the business internationally to £20 million turnover. During the visit, this year’s cohort gained first-hand insights into his growth journey and practical guidance on maximising the programme’s impact.
