Cheshire East Council

Cheshire East Council

Business Vitality Programme

Female Leaders and Entrepreneurs Programme

The Alison Rose review addressed the challenges that we face to build back a strong economy following the pandemic. As part of this recovery it is more relevant now to increase the number of successful female leaders and female-led businesses. The aim of this programme is to address the imbalance, provide a forum for women to explore their businesses, develop a support network and gain an insight into the current marketplace and opportunities for growth.


This dedicated programme, offers the opportunity to grow your business through a series of collaborative, confidential and inclusive, online workshops in small groups of other female business leaders. Led by an experienced, industry expert, your group will meet regularly as part of an innovative and exciting programme.

Who is it for?

The programme is for individuals who are:

  • ambitious female business leaders and owners, looking to grow their business
  • looking to develop skills as a business leader
  • wanting to gain best practice knowledge to transform your organisation through innovation
  • looking to gain unique insights and experiences from other similar organisations on the innovation journey
  • wishing to build a trusted network of other women in business to support you now and in the future
  • inspired by how other women are growing their businesses
  • wanting the opportunity to discuss your business challenges; recognise and act on new opportunities

Why apply?

By completing the programme, you will:

  • Invest time in working ‘on’ the business, not ‘in’ the business.
  • Take time to pause, reflect and focus.
  • Overcome business challenges and recognise and act on new opportunities.
  • Build a trusted network of local female business connections to support you now and in the future.
  • Improve your long-term personal and business performance.
  • Receive support to help you tackle the short-term issues that are affecting your business now.
  • Receive 1:1 tailored support from an expert female business mentor.
  • Gain access to the wider business support hub team.

About the programme

The programme includes:

  • Interactive action learning
  • Expert female business mentor with real-word, hands-on SME business leadership 
  • Small cohorts of non-competing businesses
  • Best-practice masterclasses
  • Focussed and flexible , real-world business topics
  • 1:1 mentoring and coaching support

Do I qualify?

Businesses must meet the following criteria:

  • based in Cheshire East
  • be a decision maker in the business
  • female business leader or entrepreneur
  • is a micro, small, or medium-sized SME
  • appetite to scale and grow


Next steps

Apply online

Complete the questionnaire with details of your business and what you want to achieve from the programme.




Review and cohort selection

Our team will review your application and will allocate you to the best cohort of like-minded businesses. If you are not successful, we will refer you to other suitable programmes.

Access the programme

You will be assigned a business mentor, and start the programme of masterclasses, peer group action-learning and growth plan development.


Full programme timetable and details will be provided.


1:1 support from a dedicated business mentor and coach.

Ongoing support and collaboration

Access to a secure portal will be provided with all on-demand resources, guides and templates. You will access our business community network for further collaboration.

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