Clydesdale Bank has linked up with Business Mentoring Scotland (BMS) to provide additional support for small business customers across Scotland.

The bank, which recently launched its new small business service and free business banking offers for start-ups and switchers, has formed a link with BMS that will see small businesses offered additional mentoring to help them achieve their growth potential.

Part of Clydesdale Bank’s new small business service’s key offerings is additional help and guidance for small businesses over and above day-to-day business help. In addition to the extra support the bank provides through networking opportunities and guidance as to the best places for help on key issues, like tax or legislation, the new link with BMS will enable those small businesses with the best growth potential and extra source of help and guidance.

The BMS programme, is available across Scotland, and is acts alongside support from the business adviser. The service offers either One-to-One or Group mentoring to businesses with growth potential of at least £100,000 over three years.

The scheme works by supporting companies with strong growth that may benefit from the experience of a mentor that has been through the kinds of issues they face. The mentors come from a range of industries and backgrounds, and have skills that cover areas such as marketing, operations, sales, finance and business strategy, or personal skills such as confidence and assertiveness.

Gary Lumby, director of small business banking, Clydesdale & Yorkshire Banks, said: “Small businesses are the lifeblood of our economy