Business Improvement

Delivered by the Scottish Manufacturing Advisory Service (SMAS), the Business Improvement Academy is a high-impact, hands-on programme designed to help manufacturers and process-driven businesses boost productivity, performance, and leadership capability.

The Business Improvement Academy offers a huge range of benefits, including:

• Productivity that lasts – you’ll learn how to streamline your operations and embed a culture of continuous improvement
• Real business impact – you’ll get support to deliver a live improvement project tailored to your business (with an average saving of £130,000 per project)
• Leadership for change – you’ll build the confidence and skills to lead improvement, influence culture, and inspire your team.
• Tailored support – the programme will provide one-to-one coaching and peer learning to unlock long-term improvement goals

The academy includes expert-led workshops, peer-to-peer learning, interactive Lean tools and techniques, and ongoing support from either Scottish Enterprise, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, or South of Scotland Enterprise, depending on your location.

This will be delivered over:

• Five in-person training days
• Three on-site support coaching days
• A final group presentation day

The programme also includes a Best Practice visit to the facility of an industry leader.

The academy is open to applications from businesses with aspirations for growth. An initial meeting will ensure the academy is the best option to meet current business needs. Visit the Scottish Enterprise website for more information.

Sponsors Day (with business leaders):

4th November 2025

Candidates days:

11th November 2025 - Day 1

18th November 2025 – Day 2

25th November 2025 – Day 3

2nd December 2025 – Day 4

8th December 2025 – Day 5

Presentation day with candidates and sponsors:

17th February 2026

There will be 3 days of business support (per candidate) between December 2025 and February 2026.

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Host or Publisher Scottish Enterprise