Growth Catalyst business owner visits Downing Street
A Merseyside business owner from the University of Liverpool’s Growth Catalyst programme is recognised at 10 Downing Street.
Wirral-based company Seasoned Pioneers were one of only 100 businesses from across the UK to be invited to Downing Street to mark Small Business Saturday. Company owner, Matt Webster joined fellow businessmen and women as well as Small Business Minister, Margot James at a reception at number 10 on Thursday 1st December.
Over the last 8 months Matt Webster has been participating in the Management School's Growth Catalyst programme, a leadership development programme incorporating a two-day retreat, masterclasses, coaching, action learning and a business exchange. The programme has been designed specifically for owner managers of small businesses across Merseyside.
Seasoned Pioneers are a small artisan spice supplier engaged in manufacturing worldwide spice blends with a team of 7 employees. Matt recognises that their products, customer service, values and work ethic are all factors in their success.
He said: "The University of Liverpool Growth Catalyst programme has provided me with invaluable support and encouragement to enter the small business Saturday initiative".
"The support and encouragement from the Growth Catalyst team and the other owner managers on the programme has been invaluable. Over the last eight months I have grown as a leader and put this and much of our recent success down to the Growth Catalyst programme".
Small Business Saturday, a grassroots, not-for-profit campaign, places small independent businesses from communities across the country in the national spotlight. It is especially important at this time of year to encourage the public to spend money with these businesses but the campaign hopes to generate custom and create a platform for small businesses all year round, reinforcing the small business sector and local economies.
As a small business owner, Matt acknowledges that consumers should embrace the efforts of their local suppliers and producers by choosing to buy their goods from them, as these businesses are vital to the UK economy. He said; “In doing so they will help to maintain the provision of jobs, a wide choice of high quality goods, retain vibrant local communities and support sustainable agriculture.”
Professor Ossie Jones, programme Director of the Growth Catalyst programme said: "We are delighted that Seasoned Pioneers have received this award and are very pleased that the Growth Catalyst programme has played a part in their success".