Leadership course propels North East boss to new level

Beginning on September 25, the UK Government-backed course offers participants over 50-hours of leadership and management training from professionals at Aberdeen Business School (ABS) over a three-month, one-session per week period.

Charlie Cameron, Managing Director at AquaTerra, a global health and safety training firm based in Aberdeenshire, is one of the latest Help to Grow: Management success stories. Having discovered the course on LinkedIn, and being an RGU alumni, he jumped at the chance to enhance his own skillset in order to boost the operational performance of the company he has worked at for over 13-years.

“I wanted to update my knowledge and engage with peers from my local area. I also wanted to follow a national programme that seemed to have good credibility in relation to the providers and content. I thought it was about time to have a fresh look at the business, especially post-pandemic.”

Having first been delivered by RGU in January 2022, the hybrid course has now benefited 94 business leaders across six cohorts – with a small number of places still available for this upcoming course.

It includes a variety of content that is suitable for senior managers from a range of sectors in Northern Scotland, from food and drink to energy and tourism. Among the expert-led webinars, case studies and tutoring, for Charlie, a major benefit was getting himself out there and meeting new like-minded businesspeople.  

“The programme was well planned, and I felt you got out what you put in. The networking was very beneficial, as well as the engagement from RGU staff. The alumni events have been excellent too and the Help to Grow: Management national events were of a very high standard.

“Due to the nature of peer support, with open conversations and support from the RGU staff, it was good for my self-confidence and my faith in my skills and abilities.”

In late 2023 AquaTerra announced the acquisitions of Bon Accord Training and a significant shareholding of Polaris Learning.

“It has supported us to acquire new businesses, plan for growth and execute targets. Due to the acquisitions, we have grown as a whole, but also as a separate entity we have embraced innovation more and implemented new procedures and processes to support ourselves. Staff are excited to get involved in the honest innovation dialogue.”

David Gibbons-Wood, Principal Lecturer at RGU and Programme Director overseeing the scheme at the University, said: “Charlie and the continued success of AquaTerra is a prime example of how senior leaders can contribute towards sustained growth through personal effort and upskilling.

“Help to Grow: Management is tailored for its participants and provides cross-sector expertise from a vast range of mentors. At RGU, we’re excited to welcome our sixth cohort of participants which will take our total number of business leaders who have benefited from the course to over 100.”

Charlie has now completed an ILM Mentoring and Coaching qualification which enables him to become a mentor for future participants of the programme, something he cites as one of his greatest achievements since enrolling back at the University earlier this year.

Applications remain open until Monday 19 September.