Clydesdale Bank and the Glasgow University School of Business and Management have launched an innovative new programme, "Connecting for Growth", to allow local businesses to maximise their potential for growth and create an opportunity for building relationships.

A series of two day workshops, run by Scotland's leading business academics, will focus on how managers can develop and grow their business. Issues include change management, strategy, marketing and decision making, leaving attendees with practical tools that can be put into effect immediately.

Scott McKerracher, Managing Partner of Clydesdale Bank's Glasgow Financial Solutions Centre, said, "The common perception these days is that all banks provide pretty much the same services at pretty much the same prices so, for us, the key to growth really is differentiation. At Clydesdale Bank we feel we can do this by delivering those things better and by trying to add value at every opportunity. In the past, banks haven't brought customers together; they've not made them feel part of a wider community. We want to bring our members together so they can talk and understand each other's businesses and, hopefully, work together for their mutual benefit.

This high quality programme offers businesspeople the chance to get away from the day-to-day pressure of working 'in' their business to spend some time really concentrating 'on' their business. Not only will they deepen their knowledge of wider management issues, they will leave this programme with tools that they can immediately apply to great effect. Even better, working with their relationship manager will help us develop their business."

Professor Angus Laing at Glasgow University said, "This groundbreaking course will help managers address the challenges they face in competing in today's dynamic market environment. By providing participants with the opportunity to explore their experiences with a group of leading management academics, the programme offers a rare opportunity and space to reflect on the development and management of their businesses."

The courses will be held at the Gilbert Scott Building at Glasgow University and will be attended by high calibre businesspeople from the world of manufacturing, professional services and the public sector as well as senior managers from Clydesdale Bank.

The first course was run this week, and one of the delegates, Fraser Haran, Chief Executive of Westcrowns Group said, 'Within the Westcrowns Group, we recognise the Clydesdale Bank as one of our key business partners and with the development of the Connecting for Growth programme, they certainly delivered their end of the bargain. The 2 day course, developed in conjunction with the Business School at Glasgow University, provided me with real insight into some world-class strategic thinking and was an excellent example of the Clydesdale creating value for its customers.'

Martin Shannon (m.shannon@admin.gla.ac.uk)

The course, jointly run by Clydesdale Bank and Glasgow University, is designed to provide participants with insight into the latest research and analysis in a small number of critically important business themes.

Designed to be genuinely interactive, the programme will bring together a number of leading Business and Management academics at the University of Glasgow to deliver seminar-type sessions focusing on those issues central to the future performance of contemporary organisations.

Alongside such exposure to leading edge thinking, the programme is designed to create an opportunity for critical reflection and the exchange of experiences between participants. The programme will create a focused setting for networking among participants and Clydesdale Bank staff.

Academics running the programme include:

? Professor Angus Laing, Professor of Management and Head of School at the School of Business and Management

? Professor Graeme Martin, Director of Reputation Management

? Professor Robbie Paton, Associate Dean at the School of Business and Management

? Professor Denis Smith, Chair in Management at the School of Business and Management

? Professor Luiz Noutinho, Professor of marketing

? Dr Iain Docherty, Senior Lecturer at the School of Business and Management

About Clydesdale Bank

Clydesdale Bank was established in 1838 in Glasgow and has a proud history of innovation and support for Scottish industry and communities. With 4,500 staff and over 150 retail branches, Clydesdale Bank is one of Scotland?s largest banks. Clydesdale Bank became a part of the National Australia Bank Group in 1987.

Further information:

Ewan McCulloch, Clydesdale Bank, Tel: 0141 242 4362 Mob: 0771 326 5532

First published: 30 October 2006