Grant Thornton scholarships winners named

A Cranfield School of Management product story

Edited by the Manufacturingtalk editorial team Jan 30, 2006

Cranfield School of Management and Grant Thornton have named of the first recipients of the Grant Thornton scholarships - who join the Cranfield Business Growth and Development Programme.

Cranfield School of Management and Grant Thornton have announced the names of the first recipients of the Grant Thornton scholarships - who join the Cranfield Business Growth and Development Programme.

Cranfield School of Management and Grant Thornton have announced the names of the first recipients of the Grant Thornton scholarships.

The winners will join more than 50 other owner-managers on the Cranfield Business Growth and Development Programme (BGP), starting this month (January).

The recipients are Neil Stansfield of One Food, and Peter Worth and Angus Chilvers of Quintus Management.

One Food, based in Daventry, is a leading supplier of organic foods to premium retailers and private consumers.

Quintus, based in west London, specialises in promoting and hosting major events, among them the international Masters Tennis tournament held annually at the Royal Albert Hall.

Jim Rogers, head of Growth and Strategic Services at Grant Thornton, said: "We are delighted that we can help our clients develop their businesses and themselves.

This unique programme is invaluable for those who own businesses as it gives them time to develop their thinking and skills, a process to develop a robust strategy, and the confidence and support to make crucial changes in the business in order to realise significant returns on investment." Paul Tobin, project manager at Grant Thornton, added: "It is great to have two high quality businesses who have stepped forward in this way.

We look forward to working with both One Food and Quintus in the future, helping them implement the growth strategies they develop on BGP." BGP is the UK's biggest and most successful programme for ambitious owner-managers.

Now in its 19th consecutive year, BGP has helped more than 700 owner managers exploit the true potential of their business, and achieve their business and personal ambitions.

Businesses which participate in BGP grow sales and profits more quickly than their peers and grow more quickly after the programme than they did before.

BGP is open to owner managers and MDs of businesses which have been in operation for a minimum of three years and have a turnover of between approximately GBP 0.5m and GBP 20m.

Those interested are very welcome to attend one of the free briefing events taking place at Cranfield on February 23 and March 16, and in London on February 6 and March 6, where they can talk to the BGP team and meet past participants.

The Grant Thornton Scholarships are worth GBP 3,000 each and are open to Grant Thornton clients who meet the BGP criteria.

A further two scholarships are offered for BGP starting in May 2006.

To apply for a Grant Thornton Scholarship, please contact your local Grant Thornton office.

Gerard Burke, director of the Business Growth and Development Programme, said: "We are very proud of the reputation of BGP and of the hugely positive impact that it has had on so many businesses and owner managers.

Grant Thornton also have a great reputation as advisors to owner managers and we are pleased to be able to work with them to offer these scholarships.".