What is the programme?
The Build and Scale Scheme supports growing businesses in Staffordshire with free expert mentoring to help you make smarter decisions, improve operations and plan your next stage of growth. It is aimed at business in our growing sectors; Construction, Trades, Real Estate and the Professional Services.
You will work one-to-one with an experienced business mentor to:
- Understand where your business is now
- Identify key opportunities and challenges
- Build a practical Growth Action Plan
- Take action and track progress over time
What support do you get?
- 8 hours of tailored one-to-one mentoring
- Delivered over 6–8 months
- Time between sessions to reflect and implement changes
The programme includes:
- Diagnostic session: review your business, challenges and growth pressures
- Growth Action Plan: clear priorities and next steps
- One-to-one mentoring: support with real business challenges such as leadership, finance, systems and capacity
- Check-ins: monitor progress and adjust your approach
- Final review: agree next steps for continued growth
You may also be invited to optional masterclasses and peer roundtables with other business owners.
Who will you work with?
Bethan Miles, Founder of Simplify and Scale.
Bethan has over 30 years’ experience across public, private and third sectors and specialises in helping businesses turn ideas into practical, sustainable growth. She is the founder of Simplify & Scale, where she works with founders, business leaders and growing SMEs to build commercially viable, impact-led ventures through clarity, collaboration and confident decision-making.
Bethan has 30 years’ experience working across public, private and third-sector environments, collaborating with industry and academia to deliver innovation and growth programmes. Her work spans strategy, funding and real-world adoption, including leading and supporting complex initiatives during the COVID-19 response through the UK’s National Testing Programme.
Eligibility and Criteria, Who can apply?
You must:
- Be based in Staffordshire (excluding Stoke-on-Trent)
- Have been trading for 2–5 years
- Complete a full application form
- Have a companies house number or Unique Tax Reference number
- Complete a Growth Assessment and pre-programme call
Important conditions
- Support is free but limited and offered on a first come, first served basis
- Only one place per business
- Any additional work outside the programme must be self-funded
- The Council can change or withdraw the scheme at any time
- Decisions are final
Who cannot apply?
Applications will not be accepted from:
- Businesses outside Staffordshire
- Certain sectors including adult industry, gambling, tobacco, illegal or inappropriate activities.
- Any business the Council deems ineligible
- Business that are not deemed as viable, profitable or sustainable.
How are applications assessed?
Applications are reviewed by Council officers and then approved by Programme Managers.
Possible outcomes:
- Approved
- Approved with conditions
- Declined with feedback and alternative support options
If the scheme is oversubscribed, you may be placed on a waiting list.
Data and privacy
Your business data will be stored and shared with delivery partners. You may receive emails about business support and can unsubscribe at any time.
How are your details used?
The Data Protection Act 2018 is the UK’s implementation of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)i that controls how a person’s personal information is used by Staffordshire County Council (SCC).
As the information collected through the delivery of Growth Ladder relates to business data, it does not fall under GDPR regulations.
- If you express an interest in any element of, Growth Ladder, SCC will store your business data electronically and will share it with the businesses providing the support. SCC may share it with the project partners, project evaluators or to comply with auditing or reporting requirements.
- By providing us with your business email address you agree to receive emails related to business support from SCC. You may unsubscribe at any time.
- By signing a completed application form, the business accepts agreement to this guidance and conditions.
How to apply
Complete the full application form, sign the required subsidy control form and email to getstarted@staffordshire.gov.uk.
Final note
This programme is designed to give you time, clarity and practical support to grow your business in a structured and manageable way.