Prudhoe Business Experiences Global Growth

International tutoring company, National Learning Group has seen exponential growth both within their Prudhoe office as well as growing the number of tutors on their books from 2 to 150. With plans to take their services globally, the Northumberland based company is really making its mark on the world.

National Learning Group, which was established in 2019, spent the first year of trading refining their services and product before shifting focus to business growth in 2020. It was whilst researching for support to help them with their growth that Director Oliver Batten found out about Business Northumberland.

“In the first year of setting up the National Learning Group, I was looking around at what support might be out there as I always like to take the opportunity to learn from people who have more experience than me. I came across Business Northumberland and they were great, and always had time to guide me with my business growth as well as direct me to other support that was available.”

Business Northumberland provides support to small and medium enterprises across the North East who are looking to sustain and grow their business online. The fully funded support programme is funded by the European Regional Development Fund and Advance Northumberland, so there is no cost to eligible businesses when accessing the support.

Through the Business Northumberland programme The National Learning Group was enrolled onto the Growth Programme element of Business Northumberland. This is where Oliver met with Avril Scott, a Growth Coach appointed by Transmit Consulting to provide The National Learning Group with 12 hours of fully funded coaching. Avril worked with Oliver to support National Learning Group with their business growth and scaling over 12 hours of free 1-2-1 coaching.

“Talking through ideas and strategies from somebody with prior experience was helpful. I have no business partner to bounce ideas off, so having the coaching was beneficial.

“Since the coaching, we have gone from 2 tutors, to over 150, and from 1 employee in the office to 16 and growing each month. Turnover has hugely increased, and we are reinvesting everything back into growth to see how far we can take the business”.

Originally based in Hexham, The National Learning Group moved to Prudhoe and after just three years has now launched their services across Asia and with plans to launch in Europe and the rest of the world.

As part of the Growth Programme, eligible businesses work with Business Northumberland and Transmit Consulting to identify certain areas in which they need support in order to grow. Growth could mean employing more staff members and/or increasing turnover, the subjects available to businesses range from Marketing to Finance and the specialist coach is available on a 1-2-1 basis over 12 hours, which can fit around the schedule of a busy business owner.

“I would recommend anybody to get in touch and see how Business Northumberland can support you. It’s easy to feel like you’re on your own, but there is help and support out there.”

For more information about Business Northumberland and how the team can support your businesses growth, please email business@advancenorthumberland.co.uk or visit www.businessnorthumberland.co.uk