Are you a Cumberland business looking to strengthen your leadership resilience and build a business plan that works in today’s evolving landscape? We are launching an exclusive programme designed to support you in navigating change, making strategic decisions, and ensuring long-term success.

We will bring together a cohort of 10 businesses, creating a unique opportunity to work on individual plans while benefiting from peer learning and expert guidance. Over several months, Thomas Jardine & Co will lead you through a structured mix of face to face and online peer sessions, strategic one-on-one discussions, and targeted business insights designed to keep your business adaptable and future focused.

We begin with an in-person onboarding session, where participants scope out their opportunities and establish meaningful connections with fellow business leaders. This sets the foundation for a collaborative and supportive learning environment.

Following this, we facilitate three online peer group sessions, encouraging mutual support, shared progress, and fresh perspectives on leadership and business planning. A dedicated online group chat ensures ongoing discussions, keeping ideas and momentum flowing between sessions.

We will complete the journey with an in-person celebration session where we will set plans for your business’s future.

To provide tailored guidance, each business will receive a three-hour, one-on-one strategic planning session, either face-to-face or as three separate one-hour online discussions. These sessions will help refine business strategies, strengthen decision-making, and create practical action plans.

Below are some quotes from food & drink businesses who took part in a similar programme, this programme is open to any business sector and we encourage a diverse range of businesses to come forward to express interest.

“I found that as a group you really helped us trust and feel like we were in a safe space to talk about our business, the bit that surprised me the most was how much I actually got from working with the lego! I feel like I left the programme with the tools to move forward my ideas.” Amanda Wilson (Pie Mill)

“Before the course I hadn’t spent time with other food business owners, and it was a great source of comfort and inspiration to see that we all face similar challenges and obstacles. Jacqui and Keith are so friendly and extremely knowledgeable in the field of business. I’ve learned lots of new strategies and the programme has motivated me to accomplish goals faster and more efficiently. The one to one’s were vey useful in discussing areas I needed advice on. I look forward to keeping in touch with everyone I’ve met and am very grateful to Jacqui and Keith for the opportunity. It’s been a valuable experience for me and my business.” Gill Hutton (Nacho Nacho)

“Being part of a peer group has been invaluable and has enabled me to grow through discussion and active problem solving. Our group was diverse, but everyone was keen to learn so we could all prosper. Jacqui and Keith were always supportive and have amazing connections in the food and drink industry which they generously shared.” Kathryn Graves (The Toffee Shop)

This is your opportunity to develop a business plan that works, strengthen your leadership resilience and collaborate with a cohort of like-minded Cumberland business owners. Join us on this journey and gain the insights, skills, and connections needed to navigate change with confidence.

Express your interest in joining this programme by emailing lesleyr@cumbriachamber.co.uk – only 10 places available. This programme is free thanks to funding by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund through Cumberland Council.

Sign up today and future-proof your business – let’s move forward together!