A new, mouth-watering business coaching programme has recently launched at the Growth Hub.

Aimed at new entrants within the food and drink sector the Cotswold Taste Skills Academy was successfully launched on Wednesday, June 19.

Member-owned co-operative Cotswold Taste has partnered with GAINS, a business coaching programme from The University of Gloucestershire, to create the Academy.

It aims to help local food and drink businesses grow through acquiring new skills and linking learning to business performance and market positioning - either through competing or working in partnerships.

Nick Waloff, Cotswold Taste's executive chair, said: "We need to be much better at encouraging growth and change. Cotswold Taste Skills Academy will play a much-needed role in supporting the region's future and business success."

Around 40 guests from across Gloucestershire heard keynote speaker at the launch, Simon Ashburner, MD and co-founder of Gloucester-based snack producer Pulsin Ltd, share the company's growth journey from a start-up 10 years ago to a multi-million-pound turnover business today.

Paul Drabble of Stroud-based management consultancy CBG Ltd, which will administer and deliver the Skills Academy's programme for Cotswold Taste, said: "The skills that Cotswold Taste Skills Academy plans to focus on will be driven by the very latest industry research, insights and data."

Mr Drabble also emphasised the importance of focusing on high growth market sectors and using new technology to effectively meet customer needs.

The 'Cotswold Taste Skills Academy' will be delivered in conjunction with the University of Gloucestershire 'GAINS' programme.

For more information, visit www.cotswoldtaste.co.uk or email nick@cotswoldtaste.co.uk.