Backed by funding from Herts IQ, Estu will deliver a two-year programme helping 50 local businesses and 150 managers tackle workforce barriers and boost performance.

Estu, the Innovation learning and transformation provider described as “exceptional” by Ofsted, has been selected by Hertfordshire Innovation Quarter (Herts IQ) to deliver a landmark programme that brings cutting-edge workforce research from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) directly to businesses in Southern Hertfordshire and the surrounding area.

The Herts IQ partnership with Estu ‘Overcoming Workforce Barriers to Enhance Business Performance', is one of nine projects sharing £1.88 million from the Herts IQ Growth Investment Fund. It addresses a challenge that affects businesses of every size: the gap between having good people and getting the best from them.

Research consistently shows that how organisations manage, engage and develop their people has a significant impact on productivity. Yet many businesses, particularly SMEs, lack access to the expertise and evidence base needed to make meaningful change. This programme closes that gap.

Practical support, not theory

The programme combines diagnostics, expert-led masterclasses and one-to-one coaching to help managers make practical, lasting improvements to how their teams work. It is designed to fit around business schedules, with a clear focus on measurable outcomes.

Participating businesses will receive:

• A workforce diagnostic to identify opportunities for improvement across engagement, management practices, team autonomy and job design
• Interactive masterclasses focused on the practices that drive real performance gains
• Targeted coaching and follow-up support to help managers implement changes within their teams
• Impact measurement to track improvements in productivity, engagement and retention
• The programme aims to support around 50 businesses and 150 managers, creating or safeguarding 30 jobs and delivering a measurable productivity uplift across participating firms

Exceptional expertise, local impact

Neil Rutledge, Chair of Herts IQ, said: "We’re proud to back a programme that brings world class expertise from MIT directly to Hertfordshire businesses. We recognise that developing and empowering people is a widespread challenge for organisations of all sizes. By investing in this initiative, we’re giving managers the practical tools and evidence-based insights they need to unlock higher performance, strengthen teams and drive productivity across the region.”

Simon Littlewood, CEO of Estu, said: “This programme is about giving Hertfordshire businesses access to world leading expertise. The research is clear: better workforce practices drive better business performance. What’s been missing is a practical way to translate that evidence into action. That’s exactly what this programme delivers.”

Built on MIT research

The programme draws on the work of Dr. Ben Waber, scientist at MIT and author of People Analytics, published by the Financial Times Press. Waber’s research explores how data and behavioural insights can reveal how teams actually work and how management practices influence productivity.

His involvement ensures the programme is grounded in evidence, giving participating businesses confidence that the changes they make will deliver results.