Help to Grow business support scheme helps Leeds stainless steel specialist target major expansion

Leeds stainless steel components specialist, Anglo Stainless, is aiming to expand its operation and double its turnover, following support from Leeds University Business School.

Anglo Stainless, based in Dewsbury, which supplies pipe fittings to oil and gas, petrochemical, food, water and brewing companies across the UK and in Europe, is targeting growth to become a £6 million operation by 2025, through new products, new markets and recruitment.

The company is one of a growing number across the region who have joined “Help to Grow” at the Business School, an initiative which is 90% funded by the Government and enables business owners to access advice, support and training from leading academics across the University, focusing on business and people planning, finance, marketing, technology and internationalisation. 

“I knew we had a solid business and on the operational side I had every confidence our team was delivering the best quality products and services in a highly competitive industry,” said Steve Brooke, Managing Director at Anglo Stainless. 

“But to achieve our growth ambitions, I knew we needed a top to bottom review. I wanted to sense-check the plans we had in place to make sure we were doing everything we could to attract the people, customers and investment to reach our targets.

“I knew that Leeds University had an excellent reputation and joining “Help to Grow” was a great decision, something I’d recommend to any business owner who is in a similar position. The programme helps you to take a step back and look at the bigger picture and the trainers and mentors – who are all experts in their field - help you to really measure your strengths, address your challenges and seek out the opportunities. They helped me to develop a professional business growth plan which has been critical to achieving the investment we needed.”

Jo Smith, SME Hub Coach at Leeds University Business School, comments:

“Steve is a really great example of the business owners who thrive on our Help to Grow programme. He absolutely knows his industry inside out and has the products, services and vision to achieve his growth ambitions. He just needed a wider lens on the company and the insights and experience of sector-specialists and other business owners, to confirm he was on the right track and to help him adapt to new challenges and opportunities.

“He was a pleasure to work with and the Leeds University Business School team wish him every success as he continues to grow his business, recruit more people and enter new markets.”

Anglo Stainless was first established by Steve’s father and has remained a family business, now employing a team of 20 staff on the Bretfield Court Industrial Estate in Dewsbury. Its expansion will see stainless steel pipes added to an extensive product range of pipe fittings, opening up new markets across the country and in Europe.

Anglo Stainless were last year’s winners of the Business Services Award in the Yorkshire and Humberside Family Business Awards scheme. The company is also a big supporter of local rugby, sponsoring Cleckheaton’s second team and Dewsbury Celtic’s under-16s.

Help to Grow is one of the executive programmes provided by Leeds University Business School through its Small Business Hub Team. Aimed at senior leaders in small and medium sized businesses from any sector, it has so far supported over 100 businesses across the region.

Find out more about Steve’s story.

Companies need to have been operating for over one year and have between five and 250 employees to qualify for the programme. Designed to be manageable alongside full-time work, it delivers expert mentoring on financial management, innovation and digital adoption and enables delegates to develop a tailored business growth plan. Cohorts run throughout the year and the Business School is inviting business owners to get in touch to find out more.