Scaleup programmes

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Programme

Vistage

Leadership Capacity

Impact for scaleups

45,000

international community of members across 35 countries

x2.2

Faster growth rate than non-participating SMEs

116

participating scaleup businesses

50+

Annual events and webinars on key scaleup challenges

Key sectors

Healthcare Impact ventures / Social Impact Life Sciences & Biotech Building & Construction Manufacturing / Advanced Manufacturing Creative, digital, film, games & media Professional services Defence & security Technology & Communications Engineering / Advanced Engineering Transport & Logistics Environmental Science & Technology Farming, fisheries & forestry Finance Food & drink

Vistage has over 65 years of global experience and 36 years in the UK and Ireland, providing confidential peer advisory groups for scaleup leaders, supported by one-to-one executive coaching from seasoned business leaders. Members additionally gain access to Vistage’s global network of 45,000 peers across 40 countries, including 1,200 in the UK and Ireland. 

Members meet monthly in select groups led by a Vistage Chair—an experienced business leader with scaleup expertise who also provides individual mentorship and coaching. These meetings offer a trusted, non-competitive space for leaders to address challenges, evaluate opportunities, and refine strategies, enriched by insights from 115 accredited expert speakers and thought leaders across the UK. Vistage also supports the scaleup pipeline through its Small Business Programme, tailored to the needs of early-stage growing companies. By providing access to experienced Chairs, curated expert sessions, and growth-focused peer learning environments, this programme strengthens leadership capability at every stage of growth. 

Vistage members gain confidence, sharpen leadership skills, and drive business growth. According to Dun & Bradstreet benchmarking, grow 2.2 times faster than non-members, demonstrating clear advantages in resilience and performance through economic cycles. During the 2008 financial crisis, Vistage members achieved 5.8% annual revenue growth while non-members saw a 9.2% decline, and during the COVID-19 pandemic, Vistage CEOs recorded 4.6% annual revenue growth compared to a 4.7% decline among non-members. 

Vistage currently supports 116 scaleup businesses and has supported more than 200+ 200 leaders since the Scaleup Programme launched in 2021. Performance across participating businesses remains consistently strong. Case studies show year-on-year turnover growth of up to 200%, 33% annual employment growth, and major gains in profitability and productivity across sectors including manufacturing and digital technology. In addition,over 500 senior and emerging leaders across the extended Vistage community have benefited from participation in dedicated Leadership Programmes designed to strengthen management capability and succession planning. 

Over the past year, Scaleup members have secured private investment, expanded internationally, and delivered significant cultural and structural change. Many have achieved 25–30% annual growth, streamlined operations saving over £100,000 annually, and strengthened management teams through peer support and Chair guidance. Diversity and inclusion remain integral to the organisation, with 28% of business leaders within Vistage being female, while its data-driven model and expanding ecosystem continue to help ambitious founders build resilient, high-growth businesses. 

 

“These meetings are a vital opportunity to step away from the business and plan for growth. I’ve never had the support or openness created in these meetings anywhere else. We are on track for 30% growth in a difficult year.” –Dolores Sanders, Total Control Pro 

“Our group is extremely dynamic and well led by Jo. With the new members added over the last 12 months integrated into the team it is an invaluable resource for me as we scale our business and the WhatsApp group also gives us a resource to raise immediate issues between formal meetings. Of all of the support we have received from Scottish Enterprise, Innovate UK and Scale Up institute, this peer group is one of the best initiatives. In the hectic journey of a scaling business, this group is an oasis of calm, refection, support and critical thinking. It is a crucial half day in my monthly diary.”  – Nick Meakin, Aqualution Systems

Vistage website