Across the UK, the way businesses approach growth is evolving. There is a clear shift away from short-term wins towards strengthening the foundations that support long-term progress. At the centre of that shift are people. 

Here are four focuses we're seeing in Greater Manchester.

1. Upskilling is essential for growth

“I launched Batanaful five years ago with very little knowledge of running a business. I’ve been learning on the go ever since. The Hub has played a key role in that journey, helping me make sense of things, build structure, and gain confidence in areas I knew nothing about.” — Kieran Agard, Founder of Batanaful

The pace of change across sectors continues to accelerate. Advances in digital tools, automation and AI are reshaping how organisations operate, making continuous skills development essential for sustainable growth.

For organisations, growth increasingly depends on building future capability, not just maintaining current performance. For individuals, strengthening digital confidence, leadership capability and adaptability has become central to staying relevant and resilient.

Our Skills Development Service has supported hundreds of organisations and individuals across Greater Manchester in building confidence, capability, and structure for growth. The GM Skills Map brings together training and development pathways across the region, helping employers and individuals identify relevant opportunities and plan next steps.

2. Leadership now demands more than technical expertise

“Values-led organisations are successful because they are living, breathing cultures of shared core values among all employees. They don’t just “look good” on paper — they perform better because they inspire human motivation with Vision and Purpose.” —  Jo Lord, Leadership Specialist, GM Business Growth Hub

Technical expertise alone is no longer enough to lead a growing business. As organisations scale and markets shift, leaders are increasingly expected to provide clarity, direction and confidence through change.

Strong leadership capability influences internal culture and external positioning, shaping how organisations navigate challenges and pursue opportunities. The strong engagement seen in our Pure Leadership series reflects how Greater Manchester businesses are actively strengthening leadership capability to support future growth.

3. Mentoring is creating lasting impact

“Tom (mentor) brought much-needed accountability and helped me be more decisive.” — Mike Pettyt, Founder of Tracks and Layers

Mentoring is increasingly recognised as a meaningful way to support growth at different stages of a career. Structured mentoring creates space for reflection, constructive challenge and guidance grounded in experience, supporting confidence and decision-making for mentees while offering perspective and insight for mentors.

This growing recognition is reflected in participation across Greater Manchester. In 2025, 142 mentoring matches were facilitated through our programmes, including 81 through the Mentoring Programme and 61 through the ASCEND Scale Up Programme, demonstrating strong demand for structured mentoring support.

For those looking to connect with a mentor or share their experience with others, programmes such as iMentor facilitate these relationships across Greater Manchester.

4. Social value is playing a greater strategic role

"A deeper understanding of what social value means to businesses has strengthened our ability to create meaningful and mutually beneficial relationships with companies and their teams.” — Katie Beech, Senior Fundraiser of Henshaws  

Social value is increasingly embedded in business strategy rather than treated as an add-on. Organisations are expected to demonstrate how their social impact activities align with commercial objectives and deliver measurable outcomes.

Many contracting authorities now apply a minimum 10% weighting to social value in procurement, with some tenders reaching 20%. As a result, bids with similar prices and quality can perform very differently depending on how clearly social value is evidenced.

This shift is prompting organisations to think more deliberately about their contribution to communities, employment pathways and sustainability goals. When embedded and communicated effectively, social value strengthens both competitive positioning and long-term trust.

Behind every growth strategy are people making decisions, building skills and shaping direction. Recognising these shifts early helps organisations and individuals remain confident and competitive in a changing landscape. Find out more about how GM Business Growth Hub can help you.