Overview

The LEAD Wales programme, announced on 01 July 2009, is designed to develop and enhance the leadership skills of owners of small and medium sized businesses (SMEs) located across the Convergence region of West Wales and the Valleys.

The strategically significant £8 million initiative, to be rolled-out by Swansea University, is backed by the Welsh Assembly Government and £5 million from the European Social Fund (ESF).

What is LEAD Wales?

This innovative programme concentrates on two areas of the business: the business itself and the personal development of the owner-manager; providing a framework to increase profitability, to enable diversification and support business growth. 

The programme - which is designed to meet the specific needs of owner-managers -  integrates active teaching with action learning; encouraging participants to share knowledge and experience with their peers and to apply what they learn to their own business situation.

What support does LEAD Wales offer managers?

Each 10-month work programme comprises a cohort of up to twenty five owner-managers. Throughout the programme, each participant is supported by a mix of expertise from academics, experienced mentors and external coaching professionals. In addition, participants are supported, on an ongoing basis, by members of their cohort.

How does LEAD Wales differ to other business support programmes?

Typically, traditional business management courses are targeted at students interested in developing, or advancing, their career in industry or business; leadership programmes are targeted at managers seeking to develop their skills and personal career prospects within the public sector and / or the corporate world; and business support programmes are focused on helping business start-ups, clusters or high growth sectors.

In sharp contrast, LEAD Wales is designed to meet the specific needs of the owner-manager of a small or medium sized business, or social enterprise, that has traded for at least 3 years and which employs a number of staff.  There is no requirement for any formal qualifications.

What business benefits can be gained from participating in LEAD Wales?

Participation in the  LEAD Wales programme delivers a number of tangible and intangible business benefits for the owner-manager and his/her business including - within two to three years of completing the programme - increased sales turnover, employment, productivity or profits. Evidence from the pilots of the programme in the North West of England demonstrates this to be the case.

Who will benefit from LEAD Wales?

Eligible owner-managers - selected on the basis of the size (standard SME classification) and location (within the Convergence region of West Wales and the Valleys) of the business - will be invited to complete an application form and to attend an informal interview.

Where is LEAD Wales accessed?

LEAD Wales will be rolled-out across Wales. Initially, owner-managers within travelling distance of Swansea University will be encouraged to enrol. Where appropriate, ICT-based tools (including video conferencing) will be used to support remote working and learning.

A delivery partner (or partners) will be appointed to offer LEAD Wales to eligible owner-managers located in mid and north Wales. 

What level of commitment is required?

Owner-managers are required to commit 2 days per month on Campus over the 10-month period, a significant element of the programme is the supported implementation of learning into the development of their own business.

How much does the owner-manager pay towards the cost of the LEAD Wales programme?

The LEAD Wales programme will be delivered free-of-charge to all eligible owner-managers.

How is LEAD Wales measured?

The success of the LEAD Wales programme is measured in terms of the increased sales turnover, employment, productivity and profits achieved by the owner-managers.

When will LEAD Wales kick-off?

The LEAD Wales programme, announced on 1st July 2009, will be delivered over a six year period. It is expected that the first cohort of 25 business managers will be recruited during the academic year 2009/10; with participants recruited to join the programme on a rolling-calendar basis.

How do I register my interest in LEAD Wales?

The first cohort, a diverse mix of up to 25 participants, will join the programme during the next academic year (2009/10).  For further information, please click here or visit: www.swansea.ac.uk

To register your interest in LEAD Wales, please contact the Business Development and Marketing Manager, Jo Ashburner, on telephone: +44 (0)1792 606 738 or email: j.f.ashburner@swansea.ac.uk

Further information can be found at http://www.leadwalesprogramme.co.uk/