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A special support programme has been launched in Dorset to help business owners in the county amid rising inflation and labour shortages.

The free scheme, which is being delivered by Dorset Chamber and the Local Enterprise Partnership, is aimed at senior leaders at firms with up to 250 staff.

The online series of sessions will cover topics including growth strategies, financial resilience, recruitment and retention, leadership and management, and net-zero solutions to address climate change.

Each participant will be offered two confidential, virtual one-to-one sessions to help focus on the challenges and opportunities within their business. There will also be an opportunity to attend a specific session around business growth potential through international trade, and advice on how to take those first steps in exploring new markets.

Dorset Chamber chief executive Ian Girling said the programme was open to businesses in all sectors, but applications from companies in marine, maritime, advanced engineering, manufacturing, defence and security, agritech, aquaculture or digital health and care would be particularly welcomed.

He added the chamber was also keen to hear from businesses with an interest in automation, net zero and firms that were “growth ready”.

Mr Girling said: “From the corrosive impact of record-high inflation on profitability and staff salaries, along with supply chain issues, acute labour and skills shortages, talent poaching, rising borrowing costs and a flatlining º£½ÇÊÓƵ economy, compounded by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine causing all sorts of negative consequences from energy prices to trade, the headwinds keep on coming.

“In partnership with Dorset LEP, the Business Growth Groups programme will help business owners, directors and senior managers better steer through these rough waters.”