North Wales SMEs boost their management and leadership skills thanks to Bangor Business School-based programme

Twenty three business owners are the first delegates to graduate with flying colours in the first LEAD WalesCohort 1 of the LEAD Wales programme with Ieuan Wyn Jones (Assembly Member for Ynys Môn), Professor Philip Molyneux and Professor Sally Sambrook at their graduation on 15th July 2011.Cohort 1 of the LEAD Wales programme with Ieuan Wyn Jones (Assembly Member for Ynys Môn), Professor Philip Molyneux and Professor Sally Sambrook at their graduation on 15th July 2011. programme at Bangor University.  The first graduation of SME’s on the LEAD Wales Programme took place at Bangor University on Friday 15th July 2011.  The aim of the programme is to give owner-managers the resources and support they need to fully harness the skills and energy of their staff, recognise and exploit opportunities for greater efficiency, and provide a sound platform for growth.  Delegates who attended the LEAD programme at Bangor University represented almost every strand of business from a Solicitor, Sea Zoo, Recruitment Agency, Architect, Coach Company, Brewery and Children’s Day Nursery.  

Ieuan Wyn Jones, Assembly Member for Ynys M ôn, awarded the certificates at the graduation ceremony. "The LEAD Wales project is already proving its worth, with its provision of Master classes in leadership and management skills for small and medium enterprises. I was delighted to attend the graduation ceremony in Bangor last week when 23 business people were presented with their certificates. During the ceremony we heard from a number of business people who said that they had benefitted enormously from the course and they were already seeing improvements in the performance of their businesses."

Also awarding the certificates at the graduation ceremony was Professor Phil Molyneux, Head of the College of Business, Social Sciences and Law at Bangor University. "The LEAD Programme at Bangor University consists of Masterclasses, Coaching, Action Learning Sets and an Element of Shadowing and Exchange which takes Owner Managers on a ten month journey from struggling to manage their company to leading it.  Research has shown that Owner Managers can at times feel isolated dealing with everyday problems. LEAD Wales gives SME Owner Managers the chance to help them transform their business and the way they lead it, helping them to explore the qualities they need to get the best out of their employees, whilst also accessing the skills and experience of others."

LEAD Wales is a revolutionary and highly successful development programme that equips owner-managers of SMEs to enhance their leadership skills and take their business to the next level.  The £8 million programme is the 100th to be funded in the EU in the Convergence region of West Wales and is being delivered through Swansea University’s School of Business and Economics and Bangor University Business School.

There is no charge for the programme valued at over £11,000 per delegate.  If you are the owner of an SME and feel there’s an extra level to which you could take your business, you can find out more by calling the LEAD Wales team at Bangor: 01248 383569 or email lead@bangor.ac.uk or by going to www.leadwales.co.uk

Publication date: 19 August 2011