An innovative meeting and event space in Birmingham is celebrating its graduation from the prestigious Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses programme.

Emma Jennings and Professor Mark Hart

thestudio on Cannon Street was one of only 25 businesses in the Midlands to be selected for the high growth initiative, which aims to unlock the growth potential of SMEs.

Emma Jennings, director at independently-owned thestudio was presented with her graduation certificate by Professor Mark Hart, Programme Director at Aston Business School. Emma said: “We’re thrilled to have graduated from such a high-status programme and very thankful to Goldman Sachs and Aston Business School for the advice and mentoring which we have received throughout the process.

“We have ambitious expansion plans ahead of us and this experience has enabled us to refine and develop our approach to ensure that we are in the best possible position to drive them forward though a finely tuned 5 year growth plan.”

Currently a three-storey conferencing facility complete with outdoor terrace, thestudio will unveiling its expansion plans over the summer.

Professor Mark Hart at Aston Business School, said: “We have been incredibly impressed with the ambition demonstrated by thestudio and their innovation to grow their business”

“One of the essential criteria set out to participants is that they strive to develop and grow their businesses; Emma and her co-director Nigel Boyd-Thorpe have developed exciting plans to enable the business to realise its high growth potential.”

The Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses programme aims to encourage business growth through a combination of education and support.

10,000 Small Businesses UK is funded by Goldman Sachs and the Goldman Sachs Foundation and is provided on a fully funded basis to successful applicants.