Improve business performance with Enginuity’s subsidised leadership training for engineering and manufacturing SMEs
Lead to Succeed
Lead to Succeed is a subsidised leadership and management development programme for SME managers in the engineering and manufacturing sector, delivered by Prime Progress Ltd and majority-funded by Enginuity.
Register for March 2026
"Leadership development is no longer a discretionary investment. It’s a strategic necessity that impacts productivity, retention, inclusion and innovation."
Ann Watson
CEO of Enginuity
What is Lead to Succeed?
For many small and medium-sized businesses, management and leadership training is often out of reach—either too costly or not suited to the realities of a busy SME. In response, Enginuity has created Lead to Succeed as part of its charitable mission to make high-quality leadership development more accessible.
Delivered by Prime Progress Ltd and majority-funded by Enginuity, it supports the growth of future-ready leaders by focusing on essential people and innovation skills.
▶ Watch the video to hear directly from one of our Lead to Succeed cohorts.
Who should take part?
The programme is specifically for engineering or manufacturing businesses with 250 or fewer employees, suitable for individuals working at any level who have some form of line management responsibility.
The Lead to Succeed programme is only available to those managers who have not previously engaged in any formal (paid-for) leadership training.
Why invest in leadership training as an SME?
24% reduction in quality issues
A mid-sized engineering firm profiled by the Royal Academy of Engineering (RAEng, 2022) saw a 24% drop in quality issues after implementing a leadership development programme.
29% increase in product innovation
The same RAEng case study reported a 29% rise in product innovation, along with faster time to market and improved cross-team communication.
11% drop in operational costs
Following the leadership training, the firm also reduced operational costs by 11% and saw improvements in employee well-being and defect rates (RAEng, 2022).
32% boost in business performance
Research by the Chartered Management Institute (CMI, 2022) found that strong leadership capability can drive a 32% increase in overall business performance.
23% uplift in innovation
CMI (2022) also links effective leadership to a 23% improvement in innovation uptake across organisations.
"I learned how to navigate difficult conversations effectively, which has made me more comfortable handling challenging situations. Additionally, the course provided insight into different management styles and how to adapt them. One of the most impactful aspects was learning how to use coaching techniques effectively, which has proven to be a powerful tool for developing and motivating others. From a business perspective, these skills contribute to stronger leadership, improved team dynamics, and more effective communication."
Francesca Bedingfield
Employee (Participant)
Cyberfort
Benefits for employers
Improved business performance
As the research shows, there is a direct link between improved business performance and investment in leadership and management capability.
Engaged and efficient leaders
You will gain more skilled leaders that can effectively motivate and empower their teams, and work with increased productivity and efficiency that delivers a positive bottom-line impact.
Supported employees
Employees will have access to a 360° personal assessment, professional development 121 coaching session, and personalised action plan. They will enjoy the support of a network of peers from similar organisations in supportive trios.
Benefits for employees
Cutting-edge leadership techniques
As an employee, you will go through a holistic learning experience that enables you to develop self-awareness, enhance your emotional intelligence, and master cutting-edge leadership techniques.
Improved workplace performance
You will gain the ability to cultivate productive relationships, improve workplace performance and contribute to a thriving organisational culture.
Network of industry contacts
You will have the opportunity to sustain a network of contacts across a range of organisations, enabling ongoing collaboration, knowledge sharing, and professional growth.
What’s the time commitment?
Busy SMEs are the lifeblood of the engineering and manufacturing sector and often struggle to invest the time and resources for leadership training.
The Lead to Succeed programme helps to overcome these barriers by offering a modular training approach with just eight days of face-to-face contact over an 8-month period.
Course schedule for March 2026 cohort
Please see the information and schedule for the March cohort.
How much does it cost?
The Lead to Succeed programme is majority-funded by Enginuity up to 75%, which includes the cost of all the training and venue hire. Your organisation will pay only a small contribution of £600 + VAT for the first participant. If you wish for more than one of your employees to take part, then the cost for additional attendees increases slightly.
The employer is also responsible for any accommodation and travel costs.
When are the next programmes?
Enginuity is running four programmes per year, spread across different UK regions.
We are currently recruiting for the next cohort, starting in March 2026 which will have a central location for the face-to-face elements. This programme will run for eight months, concluding in November 2026.
Apply nowFuture programmes will run across UK regions, with the following dates and locations to be confirmed:
- July 2026 – March 2027
- September 2026 – May 2027
- Jan 2027 – October 2027
- March 2027 – November 2027
How do I apply?
Once you have attained approval from your organisation/manager, prospective participants can apply for the programme through the following Application Form.
Applications are open until 6th March 2026 for the March 2026 cohort.
Contact us
To learn more about the programme or to register your interest for any future programmes, please contact us via email at [email protected]
