1. University of Wolverhampton
  2. Schools and Institutes
  3. Faculty of Arts, Business and Social Sciences
  4. University of Wolverhampton Business School
  5. Executive Education
  6. Leadership for Manufacturing SMEs

Leadership for Manufacturing SMEs

Apply Now

Future-Ready Leadership for Smarter, Greener Supply Chains

 

The Leadership and Change Management Programme is a hybrid short course designed to support employees and leaders within small and medium manufacturing enterprises, as they navigate change, digital transformation, and supply chain transition.

The programme forms part of the West Midlands Investment Zone Supply Chain Transition Programme supporting businesses to strengthen resilience, productivity, and competitiveness.

Image of consortium logos for Leadership for Manufacturing SMEs page.

Delivered by University of Wolverhampton Business School, this programme equips participants with practical leadership capability, change management tools, and digital confidence to help their organisations transition into growth sectors across the West Midlands. The sectors are aerospace, electric vehicle manufacturing, green industries, med-tech, smart energy, and digital supply chains.

  • Duration: 5 weeks
  • Delivery: Blended (in-person and online)
  • Format: Workshops, weekly tutor check-ins and leadership hackathon.
  • Dates: Tuesday 10th March 2026 - Tuesday 10th April 2026 (further dates TBC)
  • Location: In-person delivery at University of Wolverhampton facilities, plus online learning
  • Accreditation: Non-accredited
  • Recognition: Certificate of Recognition and Digital Badge

Your business is eligible if:

  • You are a manufacturing SME (10-249 employees) based in Birmingham, Wolverhampton, Walsall, Dudley, Sandwell, Black Solihull, Coventry or Warwick District.
  • Your SME is actively working on a new concept for a service or product intended to become a supplier in a new cluster: health tech and med-tech, modern and low carbon construction & green industries, smart energy systems, aerospace, electric light vehicles and battery manufacturing. Further details on clusters here.
  • Your SME has the capacity and capability to contribute resources and funding towards development of their concept.

This programme is designed for:

  • Employees and managers within SMEs participating in the Supply Chain Transition Programme.
  • Aspiring and current leaders responsible for managing people, change, or innovation.
  • Individuals supporting digital, sustainability, or transformation initiatives.
  • Professionals preparing their organisation for new markets and supply chain opportunities.

No previous formal leadership qualification is required.

  • Agile Leadership in Supply Chains
  • Change Management and Continuous Improvement
  • Leadership for Sustainable and Smart Innovation
  • AI-Driven Leadership and Digital Decision-Making

Participants apply learning directly to a real workplace challenge, supported through reflection and guided activities.

The Supply Chain Transition Leadership and Change Management Programme helps SMEs move confidently from declining markets into high-growth industries such as EV manufacturing, aerospace, green technologies, med-tech, smart energy, and digital sectors.

Through practical leadership training aligned to real manufacturing challenges, participants gain the capability to innovate, adopt digital and AI-enabled approaches, and lead change across their business.

The programme delivers measurable business impact, supported by:

  • Pre-programme diagnostics to identify leadership and transition risks.
  • Post-programme application focused on real workplace improvements.
  • 12-month impact evaluation capturing productivity gains, innovation outcomes, and employer feedback.

By strengthening leadership capability, SMEs can de-risk transformation, improve competitiveness, retain key talent, and secure new supply-chain opportunities, ensuring they are ready to compete in future cluster industries.

All applications must be submitted via the online Application Form here.

Next start date is Tuesday 10th March 2026 (Limited places)

Email WLV Business School Executive Education team: execed@wlv.ac.uk

Apply Now: All applications must be submitted via the online Application Form here.

Delivered by the Supply Smarter West Midlands Consortium, the programme brings together C&W Business Solutions, the Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC), WMG at the University of Warwick, and the three partners of the West Midlands Combined Universities Partnership: Birmingham City University, Coventry University, and the University of Wolverhampton.

Together, partners support SMEs to transition from traditional markets into emerging growth sectors through skills development, innovation support, and applied leadership training.

The programme is part of the wider West Midlands Investment Zone, led by Mayor Richard Parker and the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA), which aims to create 30,000 jobs and attract £5.5 billion in new investment across three key sites: Coventry-Warwick Gigapark, Birmingham Knowledge Quarter, and Wolverhampton Green Innovation Corridor.

Learn more about the funded support available to Manufacturing SMEs.

The University of Wolverhampton Business School is proud to play a central role in delivering leadership and management training within the Supply Chain Transition Programme.

Working closely with the University's Elite Centre for Manufacturing Skills and regional partners, the Business School brings together academic excellence, applied research, and executive education expertise to support workforce transformation across the West Midlands.