With a novel approach to business support, Gloucestershire Growth Hub's Peer Networks is inviting businesspeople across the county to join its next programme.

Businesswoman Karen Pavey worked hard to climb the ranks of Tewkesbury's ACOEM UK Ltd, better known to locals by its former name Air Monitors Ltd. Starting out as a part-time bookkeeper and now finding herself, after a number of promotions, finance director within a multinational, last year found herself looking for some external support to centre her new position.

That's where The Growth Hub's Peer Networks came in. A peer-to-peer support programme which groups leaders in similar sectors or scenarios every fortnight, the workshops helped Ms Pavey to find her confidence in the industry and organisation.

She said: "I found the whole experience absolutely amazing, really enlightening, really useful. Talking to other people who are in similar situations and sharing experiences and challenges: current school of thoughts, getting people back into the office, different businesses and approaches, their best practices.

"To have the ability to share knowledge and experience and feel that you're not out there on your own, Peer Networks gives you that support and mentoring. It's with other local companies, with common issues. Some of the others had been in senior roles longer than me and were very forthcoming in sharing their experiences."

Peer Networks said that within their workshops, participants learn from one another's successes and struggles, under the guidance of a trained facilitator, and build new connections and networks within their industries, over the free 12-week course.

Another of last year's delegates, Brian Cutts, echoed Karen's sentiments about the value of external support after such a tough period in business. As an experienced manufacturing leader, Mr Cutts is the managing director of Cinderford's LEONI Temco Ltd, but has viewed the past year in stark contrast to every other.

He added: "Leadership has never been so tough and sometimes felt like you're out there on your own, as it has in the last 12 months with COVID and Brexit. For me, it was a very welcome beginning to the year as an opportunity to share experience and learn from others' experiences within a group of like minded individuals.

"Peer Networks gave us an opportunity to take time out of the business. You're able to share information and learn from each other's experiences and expertise. If you get the opportunity for your business, I would participate at the drop of a hat."

Gloucestershire's Peer Networks programme is open to leaders of businesses which are at least one year old, employ five full time members of staff and had a pre-COVID turnover of £100k+.

Participants are divided into the following cohorts: manufacturing, construction, agri, food and drink, professional services, voluntary and community services, strategy and risk, digital transformation, innovation and productivity, digital marketing and supply chain management onshoring.

Places are extremely limited. Find out more and apply here.