Join Now

The Programme

The Scale-up Leaders' Academy (SULA) will build your own leadership skills and it will ensure your team are not left behind.   

What's Included?

SULA includes six months of transformative learning and support, including:

  • 6 x Scaling-up coached workshops (half day)
  • 1-1 support from accredited course coach, Ian Kinnery 
  • Access to our Entrepreneurs in Residence 
  • Premium Entrepreneurs' Forum membership upgrade included for 2026
  • 1 x Ticket to our Spring Conference

Coached workshop topics

  • Session 1:  Introduction and Growth Mindset. (business owners only for this session)
  • Session 2: People (attracting and keeping the right people)
  • Session 3: Strategy (creating a truly differentiated strategy)
  • Session 4: Implementation (flawless execution)
  • Session 5: Cash (having enough to weather the storms)
  • Session 6: One Page Strategic Plan

What happens in the workshops?

  • The goal of the workshops is for you to build a one page strategic plan to help you to reach your BHAG (Big Hairy Audacious Goal. 
  • Sessions are led by Ian Kinnery, our accredited Scale Up coach using proven methodology and tools developed by Verne Harnish (global leader in scale up coaching).  Each tool builds towards your strategic plan.
  • You'll work with your leadership team on your plan, ensuring you have the right people doing the right things at the right time to make it happen
  • This gives you structure and keeps everyone in the team aligned in common purpose
  • Each session requires you to commit to actions to be completed by the next session to ensure accountability for moving forward
  • You will be able to learn from the other businesses on the cohort.
  • You'll hear stories and lessons from our Entrepreneurs in Residence, showing you how the lessons are applied in practice.

What 1-1 support will Ian Kinnery give me?

  • If you need clarification or a helping hand with implementing your learnings, Ian is available for up to 6 x 15 minute 1-1 calls with you throughout the programme. 

What do the Entrepreneurs in Residence do?

  • Our Entrepreneurs in Residence are seasoned entrepreneurs with decades of experience in running businesses
  • They will offer their time to support you to scale
  • Includes fireside chats at our workshops
  • Includes 1-1 mentoring

What is Premium Membership?

  • SULA members receive premium membership of The Entrepreneurs Forum for 2026
  • This gives access to the business owner to our full range of services and events
  • It also gives access for the senior leadership team to attend our workshops and larger events.  There are 6 workshops per annum on a range of topics from AI to Communication Skills.  All are designed to give you and your team the skills you need to run your business better

When is the Spring Conference?

  • Thursday 14th May 2026
  • Not to be missed full day of inspiration with headline speakers from leading UK entrepreneurial businesses, plus workshops
  • Largest gathering of entrepreneurs in the North East 
  • Additional tickets can be purchased for your team

What's the Investment?

  • £4,000 + VAT
  • Funding (up to 50%) may be available depending on your location. 

For more information, or to discuss SULA in more detail, contact Michael Dixon on 0191 500 7780 or michael@entrepreneursforum.net.

"Approaching scaling up using the SULA methodology will help us to grow our business in a measured way, minimising the chaos that’s often associated with expansion.”

Ellen Hedley, Vida Creative

Proud to be partnered by: