Addleshaw Goddard and HSBC have announced the return of the Ethnic Business Growth Programme, an initiative which seeks to empower and support UK businesses which are led by entrepreneurs from ethnically diverse backgrounds.

The year-long programme offers dedicated legal and business mentoring, personalised advice and tools for behavioural and business evaluation. It also includes discounts on legal advice; access to seminars, updates and publications; and a dedicated network for cohort and alumni interaction.

First launched in March last year, the programme was set up to understand the unique issues facing underrepresented communities within the business sector, aiming to reduce disparities and promote inclusivity.

The initial cohort supported ten businesses, spanning various industries, but will expand this year to include a total of fourteen businesses based in Greater London and/or Greater Manchester.

Each of the businesses selected for the programme will have access to a range of expert advisors from across Addleshaw Goddard and HSBC, as well as external consultants, and will be able to attend four business related workshops.

There is no specific financial threshold for eligibility to participate in the Ethnic Business Growth Programme, and businesses from any sector are welcome to apply. The programme is exclusively open to individuals from ethnically diverse backgrounds as a means to address and mitigate the specific challenges and systemic barriers these communities often face in the business world.

Applications for Ethnic Business Growth Programme are now open and will close on 28 February 2025. More information about the Ethnic Business Growth Programme and how to get involved can be found here.

Harold Brako and Richard Oman, programme sponsor partners at Addleshaw Goddard, said:

"Last year we had the privilege of working with some remarkable business leaders, spanning various industries from music production to early childhood education and innovative subscription-based services."

Notes to editors

• The ten businesses chosen to take part in the inaugural Ethnic Business Growth Programme in 2024 are as follows: Aurora Incorporated Limited, Studio 88, PolicyCon Limited, ARMRstore, Wise Masterbuilders Childcare Limited, The African Pot Project, Kutemwa Skin, Sol Academy and Digitech Oasis.
• The Ethnic Business Growth Programme 2024 focused on supporting businesses led by Black founders and entrepreneurs based in Greater Manchester. This year's programme will be open to founders and entrepreneurs from any ethnically diverse background which operate in Greater Manchester and/or Greater London.