Local Derby MP, Baggy Shanker visited Derbyshire Community Bank to learn more about the organisation’s work supporting local people with fair financial services and how Government-backed leadership training is helps strengthen local businesses for the future.
On Friday 17 July, Derby South MP Baggy Shanker visited Derbyshire Community Bank to meet the team, hear about the our continued growth, and see first-hand how investment in leadership development is helping improve services for our members across Derbyshire.
During the visit, Baggy met with our very own Ola Timeyin, Finance Operations at Derbyshire Community Bank, who recently completed the Help to Grow: Management programme delivered by Derby International Business School.
The visit highlighted how this programme is helping local organisations develop stronger leadership, improve decision-making and create positive change within their communities.
For Ola, completing the Help to Grow programme has already influenced how Derbyshire Community Bank supports members experiencing financial difficulties.
The course encouraged a wider strategic approach to operational challenges, helping the organisation strengthen how it identifies vulnerable members earlier, improves the assessment of loan arrears, and works more closely with trusted partner organisations to provide additional support where needed.
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The Help to Grow programme is a Government-backed initiative designed to help leaders of small and medium-sized organisations build the confidence, knowledge and practical skills needed to grow sustainable businesses.
Delivered over 12 weeks by Small Business Charter accredited business schools, the programme combines practical workshops, one-to-one mentoring and peer networking with other business leaders.
Speaking about the impact of the programme, Ola Timeyin, Finance Operations at Derbyshire Community Bank, said:
“As a community-focused lender, we treat all our members with dignity. Aligning that with our business objectives, the Help to Grow programme enabled me to see the bigger picture; the importance of partnership working with trusted organisations to both support our members to achieve greater financial confidence and long-term resilience and operate a successful savings and loans business.”
During the visit, Baggy Shanker learned more about Derbyshire Community Bank’s commitment to improving financial wellbeing across the county and how continued investment in staff development is helping strengthen the organisation for the future.
Baggy Shanker MP said:
“Small businesses are the heart of Derby’s economy, and it’s important that local business leaders have access to the right support to help them grow and thrive. It was fantastic to hear directly from Ola about the impact Help to Grow: Management has had on his leadership and in furthering the important work Derbyshire Community Bank is doing to make a positive difference in the lives of local people.
“It was also a pleasure to hear about the work Derby International Business School is doing to support SMEs across the area. The Help to Grow: Management Course plays an important role in giving small business leaders the skills, tools, and networks they need to improve productivity and build stronger businesses, which is why the government has recommitted to it as part of the Small Business Plan.”
Orla Kelleher, Senior Lecturer at Derby International Business School and Programme Leader for Help to Grow at Derby Business School, added:
“We’re proud to have supported 260 local business leaders across 13 Help to Grow: Management Course cohorts. This visit highlighted how SME leaders like Ola are taking the knowledge, tools and confidence developed during the programme to help local businesses in Derby achieve their full potential. We’re looking forward to welcoming our next cohort in September.”
The next Help to Grow: Management Course at Derby International Business School starts in September 2026. You could enrole one of your employees onto the course for September 2026.
You can find out more and register your place on the Help to Grow: Management Course website – Our Help to Grow: Management Mission | Small Business Charter
