Places on Cumbria Local Enterprise Partnership’s Peer Networks programme are quickly filling up, with five of the 10 cohorts now at capacity.

Businesses wishing to take advantage of the scheme are therefore urged to register quickly for the final cohorts.

The programme, delivered locally by qualified facilitators commissioned by CLEP, will offer more than 100 businesses the opportunity to build resilience, develop their capability and grow.

CLEP will be supported in delivering the programmes by Cumbria Chamber of Commerce, Entrepreneurial Spark, Skills for Care, The Leadership Secret and Thomas Jardine & Co.

It is part of a Government-funded national peer-to-peer networking programme for small and medium enterprises (SME) who want to overcome business challenges and strengthen their organisations for future success.

A peer networks taster session will be held on Tuesday, December 1 between 11am and 12pm, giving business leaders and key decision-makers the opportunity to find out how peer networks will benefit their businesses, prior to officially registering.

Miranda Kirschel, CLEP’s head of business and innovation, said: “We are delighted that five of our Peer Networks cohorts have now been filled: three by Cumbria Chamber of Commerce and two by Thomas Jardine & Co. It is fantastic that we have the support of some of our leading organisations to help us deliver this important new support programme for Cumbrian SMEs.

“Through the Peer Networks programme, we create diverse cohort groups of individuals to collaboratively work through common business issues.

"Through interactive action learning, we’ll enable participants to discuss their own challenges, gain and reflect on valuable feedback and implement practical solutions to overcome them.

"From finance and HR to sales, marketing and more, expert facilitators will create a trusted support network that works for participants, helping them to build and strengthen their business and improve its overall performance.

“With the cohorts swiftly filling up, we would strongly urge all businesses who are interested to find out more and register with us now.”

To sign up to the taster session, visit www.thecumbrialep.co.uk/event/peer-networks-taster-session/.