The ten month Leading Enterprise and Development (LEAD) programme was developed in the North West for SME owner-mangers and equips them with additional skills and ability to run and grow a successful business.

The Lead programme was originally piloted by Lancaster University School (LUMS) and since inception in 2004 over 150 businesses have benefited from this programme. The university has business-focused programmes that are geared to SME’s needs and goals and offer practical solutions to overcoming barriers to growth.

The LEAD programme participants have a proven track record of delivering improved business performance, with 90% of pilot delegates saying they had witnessed an average £200,000 increase in turnover, with a similarly impressive rise in profit growth. Some have expanded into new markets, whilst others have used the lessons and experiences to become more profitable.

David comments, “The programme takes a very integrated approach and focuses on dual needs – those of my business as well as my personal development by giving practical hands on help and advice, one-to-one coaching, active learning, sharing with and learning from peers, as well as from other successful businesses through a range of ‘topic specific’ master classes.

Although quite demanding at times, three months into the programme I can already see the benefit and impact of what I have experienced and learnt.”

Throughout the year, business partners Helen Freeborough and David Adams who each elected a charity which was close to their heart, are going to undertake a series of fundraising events to help raise money for their chose charity.

One of the first activities the pair will be undertaking is the famous Morecambe Cross Bay Walk. David and Helen, who both grew up on the shores of Morecambe Bay, have decided that during the summer months they will undertake the walk a 9 mile walk across the treacherous quick sands and three Rivers of the Bay.  

Both completed the walk as children and are looking forward to repeating the experience. “Standing in the middle of Morecambe Bay looking at the hills of the Lake District is quite simply awesome.” commented Helen. “We’re hoping to get friends and family to join us on what should be a memorable day out and raise as much money as possible”.

In addition to this, Helen, now a qualified Manchester Green Badge Tour Guide is planning on donating the fees from one of her Manchester Guided Walks to her chosen charity The Princess Royal Trust for Carers.

David who in his early years spent 14 years serving with the 4^th Battalion The King’s Own Royal Border Regiment, has chosen to support ‘Help for Heroes’, an organisation formed to help those who have been wounded in Britain’s current conflicts. David says “historically successive British Governments have not been particularly good at supporting those men and women injured following an armed conflict. Although things are improving, given both the age and numbers of personnel returning to the UK with in many instances horrendous mental and physical injuries, I believe they need and deserve all the help they can get.”

Helen has chosen to support the Princess Royal Trust for Carers, a charity she has been associated with for over 15 years. THE PRTC provide information and support for Carers of all ages through a network of Carers Centres in the UK.

“Throughout all the years I have been involved with the PRTC the one fact that comes back to me time and again is that Caring knows no bounds. There is no discrimination because anyone can find themselves taking on a caring role. It doesn’t matter where you come from, whether you are male or female, young or old. I’ve met children looking after parents and struggling with schoolwork through to a 70 year old looking after a partner with Alzheimer’s. Carers rarely complain, they simply get on with it but therefore need help before they reach crisis point”.

There are 6 million carers in the UK today and with an ageing population and people with learning disabilities and illnesses living longer, it’s expected that within 10 years there will be 13 million carers throughout the UK.

For more information on both these charities please visit:

www.carers.org

www.helpforheroes.org.uk

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Helen recently attended an induction session for the Skills Bank, a project management based volunteering programme, through which business managers are matched with arts organisations and museums needing advice in a particular area. She has also been asked to sit on the Board Bank where her advice will be provided at Board level to arts organisations across the region.

“As a keen supporter of the arts in the North West for many years, I was looking for a way to get more involved in an area I feel passionately about.

The idea of giving my time and energy on a voluntary basis was for me, a natural progression of the many ways in which I already support the Arts.

Not only will I help any organisation I work with, by bringing a different perspective and problem solving approach to their individual issues through my business experience, but in acting as a volunteer I am also satisfying a very personal need to ‘give something back’ – to an area that has given me so much over the years.”

Business in the Arts North West exists to bring business skills and experience to the arts in ways that are beneficial both to business and to the arts.