Description
Description tell about entrepreneurs in residence.
Entrepreneurs in Residence
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Introduction
Entrepreneurs in Residence | Lancaster University Management School
Magnus George George
While it is normal for university staff to enjoy the
privilege of working with gifted young people,
a peculiar bene?t of my role in the Institute for
Entrepreneurship is being able to meet and work with
a large number of business people who come here for
diverse reasons. Our institute attempts to integrate
teaching, research and knowledge exchange with the
business community. Through our varied programmes
we are fortunate to get to know many of our clients
very well, and some of them, in turn, become a part
of our extended organisation. Indeed, one way to
consider our structure is as having a very permeable
membrane. On a given day, a casual visitor would be
hard-pressed to distinguish core faculty from support
staff, PhD students, visiting academics, practicing
business owners on campus to mentor students, or
student interns working on our knowledge exchange
programmes. That is how it should be in a vibrant
department of entrepreneurship.
Given the success of hosting our founding
Entrepreneur in Residence (EIR), we are now
moving on to expand the initiative. Within this
booklet you will ?nd brief biographies of twenty
new EIRs. Each of them is a long-standing
associate of the University, and has taken part
in some of our ?agship programmes. Over the
coming year they will assist us to further re?ne
our work with businesses. They will also enhance
the experience that our students enjoy, through
activities such as mentoring and career guidance,
fostering business ideas and contributing across
classroom and workshop activities.
Whether you are considering studying here,
contemplating enrolling on one of our business
development programmes, such as Lancaster LEAD,
or just want to learn more about our Institute, this
booklet will help you form a better picture of us
and how we work.
In August 2008, assisted by a grant from the
Economic and Social Research Council, we decided
to host an Entrepreneur in Residence – Ian Gordon.
Over the following two years he worked with us
on our internal approach to business and our range
of programmes to support entrepreneurs. Ian was
tasked to act as a ‘cultural irritant’, to question our
ways of working and to challenge our assumptions.
The result has been a step change in our provision
and the overhaul of some of our products. Through
his immersion in the structures and processes
of our institution, our founding Entrepreneur in
Residence has been able to learn about the things
we need to respond to and prioritise as a large
organisation with diverse drivers. He has also been
a clear voice to help us better understand the
world view of business owner-managers.
To the busy and successful people included here, I
want to say a heartfelt “thank you” for your continued
support for and interest in our work here at Lancaster.
Our work across research and teaching is greatly
enriched by your presence, and in working with you
as you develop and grow your businesses we ?nd
opportunities to test and re?ne our understanding of
the business world. I look forward to continued fruitful
collaboration and welcome you all as members of the
Founding Guild of Entrepreneurs in Residence here at
Lancaster University Management School.
Magnus George
Head of Strategic Partnerships and Policy
IEED
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Ian Gordon
Entrepreneurs in Residence | Lancaster University Management School
“As Entrepreneur in Residence, I have been able
to bring a business perspective to the way that
Lancaster engages with the SME community and
help the University so that the entrepreneurial
mindset can be better understood and allowed
for in designing programmes.”
I
an’s career started in the Merchant Navy where he served as a radio of?cer
working for P&O. This was followed by several years working in the oil
industry as an instrument engineer for companies such as BP, Shell and Conoco.
His launch into business came about when he started a training company for
the mobile digital telecommunications industry, where he designed technical
training programmes for all the major telecommunications companies including
Vodafone, Orange, Sony, Motorola and Ericsson. After a successful sale of
that business he launched a number of other companies in the construction
and retail industries working as either Managing Director or Non-Executive
Chairman.
Ian gained an Executive MBA from Lancaster University Management School in
1995. After graduating, he became an occasional contributor to undergraduate
entrepreneurship teaching, especially in business planning. In 2009, he agreed
to increase his time commitment to the Management School, becoming the
founding Entrepreneur in Residence at Lancaster. His core task has been to
bring the entrepreneurial worldview into play to support the entrepreneurship
staff, revising their teaching and business engagement work. He has led a LEAD
cohort, co-developed the GOLD programme, and was instrumental in launching
the expanded Entrepreneurs in Residence initiative. During his leadership of the
GOLD programme Ian has proven to be an effective MD whisperer, with acute
powers of observation and an uncanny ability to provoke owner-managers into
purposeful and effective action. Ian is now involved in piloting the new Top
Team programme, which is aimed at senior managers working for entrepreneurs
who have completed LEAD. His insights into entrepreneurial leadership, his
promotion of the ‘top team’ model for business growth, and his enthusiasm
to apply research ?ndings in the small business context have each added
massively to our work.
As founding EIR, Ian is ideally placed to assist the new and expanded
intake to make best use of their valuable time; and to ensure that LUMS
takes full advantage of the expertise and acumen that this cadre will bring
to a wide range of activities. His pioneering work has shown how the
deliberate introduction of a ‘permeable membrane’ around the Institute for
Entrepreneurship’s organisational structure can bring bene?t to teaching,
research and business connectivity. We all look forward to his continued
leadership of the expanded Entrepreneur in Residence programme.
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Michael Hill
Philip Coatesworth Norman Tenray Peter McGuinness Robert Leggett Sue Anderson
Mark Edwards Martin Moylan Michelle Partington Mark Woodward
Entrepreneurs in Residence | Lancaster University Management School
The Entrepreneurs
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Adrian Cresswell
David Melia
Andy Hooper
Gillian Hall
Brian Gregory
Glyn Jones
Andrew Moses
Len Rainford
Carole Myers
Joe Hall
A
drian has been working in the service industries for 27 years and has run his own
businesses for 21 years. Adrian established AM Contract Services in 1999, which is
predominantly a commercial cleaning business. The company was then incorporated in
2002 and renamed AM Support Services. Adrian and his Co-Director Anthea Heron then
embarked on developing strong quality management processes and procedures to allow the
business to move forward. An embodiment of this approach is that AM Support Services has
achieved BSI 9001, 14001 and 18001.
Adrian has also been relentless in his approach to ?nd only the best and most experienced
management team. It is through this team that clients receive a seamless, proactive and
dedicated service. Currently the company employs 280 people in AM Support Services and
5 people in its subsidiary Pristine Washrooms.
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Adrian Cresswell
Entrepreneurs in Residence | Lancaster University Management School
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“I can honestly say I was overwhelmed by the
kind offer from Lancaster University Management
School to become an Entrepreneur in Residence.
The University has been ranked as one of the top
10 universities for business, and it is a real honour
yet one that I don’t feel I deserve.”
Adrian embarked on the LEAD programme in 2008 and has, since 2009, been an
enthusiastic member of the post-LEAD / GOLD non-executive board simulation. Adrian has
bene?ted from engaging with the University on many fronts, including the continuation of
his action learning set which has continued since LEAD days to the present. Adrian states
that without the direction and motivation given he is not sure if he would have aggressively
developed his businesses in such a short time and with such uncertainty in the economy.
He now considers the company to be a strong contender in offering facilities solutions
to the public and private sectors. He is con?dent for the future of all three businesses as
they are all ?nancially strong, have a clear direction and business strategy and have the
resources and management team to overcome any future obstacles that may be faced.
“I am excited about
trying to engage with
LUMS as an EIR, and
look forward to being
able to add real life
business perspectives
wherever possible.”
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Andrew joined LEAD in 2007, aiming to extend his leadership skills and explore how to
take the company forward. The idea of working alongside other owner-managers also
attracted him. Andrew strongly believes in bringing the world of commercial and industrial
business into education. Since LEAD Andrew has also been on the GOLD programme and
has developed a strong link with the University. Despite his frequent travels he is a regular
attendee at University events, and will bring a strong international business slant to his EIR
activities.
Andrew Moses
Entrepreneurs in Residence | Lancaster University Management School
T
he Con?g Team was established in 1994 by Andrew Moses. The company is a
consultancy which specialises in using SAP software for logistics management. It is
based in Skelmersdale, Lancashire with an additional of?ce in Cumbria. The Con?g Team
work throughout the UK and travel extensively across the world. Growing steadily since its
formation, the company has an impressive client list including Heinz, Cadbury Schwepps
and Premier Foods. Andrew is keen to continue the growth of the ?rm but does not wish to
jeopardise the customer focus which is one of the key strategies of the company.
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Andy
Hooper
Entrepreneurs in Residence | Lancaster University Management School
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“Working with Lancaster has opened up many
opportunities for me and my team and, as an EIR
I am keen to develop that to the next stage.”
A
ndy Hooper is the Managing Director of Westlakes
Engineering. The company is an independent consultancy
providing civil, structural and environmental engineering.
Founded in 2004, the company has grown quickly by
establishing a reputation for providing a high quality,
professional service to its clients.
After achieving his initial business objective, Andy found
himself faced with a glass ceiling, experiencing stagnated
pro?ts and unsure how to bring the business to the next level.
With the aim of ?nding a way to step back and think about
where to take the business, he joined the LEAD programme
at Lancaster University in October 2008. Activities within
the course served as a catalyst for Andy’s realisation that his
leadership style and role within the business needed changing,
and helped him to view the business from a more strategic
perspective. He also believes that the more strategic role he
now plays and the higher levels of engagement in his staff
have been signi?cant factors in enabling the business to open
a third of?ce in Manchester. This has placed him in a strong
position to weather the current recession, and the company
has doubled staff numbers and turnover in the 4 years since
Andy joined LEAD. The company was also awarded Small
Business of the Year in 2010 for Cumbria by both CN Group
Newspapers and Britain’s Energy Coast Business Cluster,
and Andy was shortlisted for the Institute of Directors NW
Director of the Year (Cumbria) in 2011 and was the CN Group
Businessperson of the Year for Cumbria in 2011.
Andy subsequently enrolled on the GOLD programme, and
has attended many of the workshops on the Innovation for
Growth programme. Moreover Andy was so pleased with
LEAD that he sent one of his managers on the programme as
well, with a further Director recently enrolled onto the Top
Team pilot.
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F
ormer Scots Guardsman Brian Gregory capitalised upon his subsequent career in the Fire
& Rescue Service when he started his own company, Safety Management (UK).
Offering a full service to clients requiring assistance with ?re safety issues, last year the
company conducted around 6,000 ?re risk assessments in all sectors, including social
housing, retail, commercial and industrial properties. The business primarily provides ?re
risk assessments, with some ?re safety training. It operates throughout the UK mainland,
Ireland, Channel Islands and the Scottish Islands.
Brian Gregory
Entrepreneurs in Residence | Lancaster University Management School
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“In the Army there is a certain style of management,
which can be quite direct. My work with Lancaster
has helped me understand my own leadership
style, and recruit into the business accordingly. The
support of my peers in LEAD and GOLD has been
invaluable, and my attendance has allowed me to
continually develop my skills and knowledge.”
Brian has a long standing relationship with Lancaster University since taking part in LEAD in
2006. He has also been heavily involved in the GOLD programme and Innovation For Growth.
He is currently attending the GOLD 2 programme to further develop his knowledge and has
hosted a bespoke student consultancy project. Brian is a staunch supporter of the work done
by the department, and has attended a variety of meetings with external stakeholders, such
as the Employee Engagement Taskforce. As an Entrepreneur in Residence he wants to be able
to provide a practical interface between the University and Small Business.
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“I’m delighted to be
an EIR at Lancaster
University and look
forward to working with
the other EIRs and the
staff and students.”
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Carole Myers
Entrepreneurs in Residence | Lancaster University Management School
C
arole Myers is the Managing Director of Conception Marketing. Conception was
established in 2002 and has since seen considerable year-on-year growth. The ?rm
works with SMEs from a range of industries such as engineering and manufacturing, to help
them develop the right marketing campaign to generate new and pro?table customers. By
maintaining a focus on their core activities – Conception’s 3 Cs of Consultancy, Contact and
Creativity – the team at Conception apply a consultative approach to advising clients on
appropriate marketing or growth strategy.
As Conception’s client base and order book grew, Director Carole Myers realised she
needed to develop the way her business worked. Carole met previous participants of the
LEAD course and was struck by their passion, positive outlook and sheer enthusiasm for
the programme. She knew immediately that this was what she was looking for. Carole has
also been a regular contributor to the running of workshops for the Innovation for Growth
programme. She is now looking to continue her relationship by becoming an Entrepreneur
in Residence, and is sure to be much in demand by our students, many of whom aspire to
develop careers in consultancy and marketing.
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David Melia
Entrepreneurs in Residence | Lancaster University Management School
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“I love coming to the University and
learning as many things as I can. The EIR
initiative is sure to provide numerous
opportunities for that; as well as to
contribute to IEED’s work with the next
generation of entrepreneurs.”
D
avid Melia is the Managing Director of three accountancy companies. The Melia
Partnership, a Chartered Certi?ed Accountants; Taxbak and Clergytax both of which
provide a nationwide tax return service (Clergytax specialises in tax returns for ministers of
religion). The Melia Partnership started in 1996 and has grown dramatically since then. The
business is based in Preston Lancashire, but has the capacity to work nationwide.
David became aware of the LEAD programme at Lancaster University through Business
Link. He says that the programme gave him “quite a lot of tools to deal with everything.”
It gave him a structure to ?t everything into. It enabled him to manage his personal and
professional life but it also gave him the tools to assist his clients when they were facing
challenges. He comments that his role as an accountant is not only professional but he
sees himself as a psychologist as well. David has also been involved with Lancaster in other
ways. He has attended various workshops on the Innovation for Growth programme. He
says that “The biggest thing I got from LEAD was the solutions focus. It completely reversed
how I thought about things.” David’s experience of launching a business after a strong
earlier professional career is sure to be an inspiration to many of the University’s students,
and his eye for a market niche will offer many useful insights to them as well.
David says the he was attracted to the position of Entrepreneur in Residence as it gave him
a chance to have an input into the university plans and to give them advice in a charitable
way on how it ?ts with the business world. We look forward to calling on David’s insightful
approach and enormous business experience, and are sure that he will help us better
appreciate the realities of entrepreneurship.
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“I continue to gain support and motivation as a
member of GOLD and The Forum and this has
inspired me to become an EIR. I hope to pay back
some of the help I have received from Lancaster
University and also support the liaison between
small businesses and the Management School.”
G
illian Hall is the owner of Butlers Farmhouse Cheeses. Butlers have been
crafting superior farmhouse cheeses since 1932, and three generations
of the family have developed and perfected the various recipes and still
continue to do so to this day. Quality and family values are at the heart of the
company’s operation. Butlers sells premium cheese to some of the UK’s top
stores including Marks and Spencer and Sainsbury’s. The company makes a
variety of award-winning cheeses, including a range of farmhouse Lancashire
cheese, silky Kidderton Ash goat’s cheese, and the distinctive tangy Blacksticks
Blue. They make cheese from cow, goat and luxurious sheep milk.
Gillian has a long standing relationship with Lancaster University, and her son
took his undergraduate degree at the Management School. Gillian herself has
completed the LEAD programme, which she considers to have “given her a
structure to assist in the running of the company.” More recently she has been
involved as a guest speaker on family business matters and was a founding
member of the GOLD programme. She has recently put two delegates on to
the new Top Team programme.
Gillian Hall
Entrepreneurs in Residence | Lancaster University Management School
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Glyn Jones
Entrepreneurs in Residence | Lancaster University Management School
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G
lyn Jones is the Business Development Manager at Savant. Glyn’s role involves
promoting Savant to speci?c sectors with the aim of ?nding the next bespoke
software or custom application project. Typically these projects are run in partnership with
business organisations wanting to innovate in their industry.
Like many Entrepreneurs in Residence, Glyn’s initial engagement with Lancaster University
came through the LEAD programme. Glyn also followed this with being a LEAD Ambassador
during the LEAD roll out across the North West. Glyn also contributed to the steering group
for the Innovation for Growth course as an SME representative. When Savant relocated in
“It is going to be fascinating to work with
academics and businesses in the area of innovation.
Our approach at Savant may be useful for
others, and I’m sure I will learn a lot from other
people. There’s no guaranteed path to successful
entrepreneurship, I’m interested in discovering if
there are common attributes, skills and approaches.”
2007 Glyn took on a student project from IEED. The student went on to win the James Milnes
Placement Student of the Year Award for her efforts.
Glyn found involvement with Lancaster University inspiring, liberating and educational.
Learning with LEAD classmates from a wide range of different industry types showed that
the issues facing Savant were not speci?c to IT companies. As the issues were common it was
obvious that the solutions proposed on LEAD were also appropriate for a high tech company.
Glyn also found LEAD provided space and permission to examine Savant and Business
Development dispassionately. During this time he has developed a close relationship with
Lancaster and was an obvious candidate to become an Entrepreneur in Residence.
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H
alls Food Group is something of a phoenix. This third-generation family business,
founded in Chorley in 1933 and famous in central Lancashire for its pies and other
bakery products, nearly ran aground in 2007 when mounting debts led it to go into
voluntary liquidation. But when the company’s current MD, Joe Hall, stepped in to buy back
the assets, this was the start of a remarkable turn-around. Four years on, the company has
three retail premises and a corporate catering service, a ?eet of mobile shops providing a
lunchtime delivery service to workplaces, and well-advanced plans for future geographical
expansion. Its achievements have been marked by a number of awards – including Retailer
of the Year at Lancashire’s 2011 Be Inspired Business Awards.
Joe Hall is unequivocal about the role played by IEED’s LEAD programme in helping him
refocus and reshape the company’s strategic direction. Joe says that “LEAD has been
instrumental because it created a forum for things to be discussed with people from
outside the business.” Following on from LEAD Joe took part in the GOLD programme
which he considers consolidated all that he had already learned. Now Joe has agreed to
become an Entrepreneur in Residence and is looking forward to giving back some of what
he has learned.
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Joe Hall
Entrepreneurs in Residence | Lancaster University Management School
“I am a big advocate of all small
businesses striking up diverse network
relationships wherever possible,
because it can only do you good.”
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S
ameday UK Managing Director and founder Len Rainford has years of expertise
in providing a reliable courier service. Len started in the courier service industry
nearly 30 years ago, working for TNT, but realised the power and service that a well-run
franchise model could provide. At TNT Len was their Franchise Manager and, because of
this expertise, was sought out by Amtrak to develop and grow their service and to build
a successful franchise network. Later he decided to start his own company using the
franchising network model. Sameday UK entered the sameday courier service industry
in 1996. The company provides a professional, comprehensive and dedicated same day
delivery service throughout the UK and Europe. Len and his company have won many
awards over the years and in 2006 he was invited to become a founder member of the
Institute of Couriers in recognition of his services to the industry.
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Len Rainford
Entrepreneurs in Residence | Lancaster University Management School
“To become one of the Entrepreneurs in Residence
is a great honour, and will give me the opportunity
to learn more and to give something back in
engaging with the entrepreneurs of the future.”
Len developed a relationship with Lancaster University by attending the LEAD programme
in 2009. He has also had students working on projects within his company, and he has been
a guest speaker. Interacting with other business owners and academics gave Len a greater
insight into running his business. This led to him taking a different approach and changing
for the better.
Students considering an entrepreneurial career can do no better than to learn from Len’s
example of learning the ins and outs of an industry before launching their own ventures,
and we anticipate him making a substantial contribution to our teaching and student
mentoring.
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M
ark Edwards is the Managing Director of Farmer Ted’s
Farm Park. Farmer Ted’s is an interactive children’s
activity park, sited on a working farm within the beautiful
Lancashire countryside. The Farm Park’s aim is to provide a
fun, family orientated atmosphere where parents will feel
just as comfortable as their children. The attraction offers an
educational, safe and fun place for the whole family to visit.
Farmer Ted’s also specialises in providing educational day
trips for the North West’s schools by covering the national
curriculum, in order to teach children about farming, animals
and food. This is conducted via a “hands on” approach in a
safe and fun environment.
In 2007 Mark set up what is now probably the UK’s biggest
and leading Halloween Event called Farmaggedon. During
October the farm opens its doors to three of its purpose built
interactive haunted houses taking people to the edge of hell
and back...if you can hear the screaming you know you’re still
alive!
Since it opened in 2003 Farmer Ted’s has won many awards:
Best Small Visitor Attraction, National Farm Attraction and
Best Tourism Team to name but a few. The attraction is also
accredited with Visit England and is a Quality Assured Visitor
Attraction. Farmaggedon too has picked up various national
awards and has been listed in the Top 25 Must See Haunts in
the World by Haunted Attraction Magazine.
Mark developed a relationship with Lancaster University when
he attended the LEAD programme. He is now keen to become
involved as an Entrepreneur in Residence and looks forward
to working with the University more. A true innovator, Mark’s
approach to business is sure to enliven the experience of any
students lucky enough to meet him over the coming year.
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Mark
Edwards
Entrepreneurs in Residence | Lancaster University Management School
“I’m delighted to join LUMS as an EIR, and I
look forward to speaking, working and being
involved in the near future.”
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Mark Woodward
recently the ?rm has moved into manufacturing paper cups in Lancashire. Substantially
increased turnover in the last 12 months shows that the business has the potential for a lot
more.
The company has been involved in the Innovation for Growth programme, attending a
human resource strategy course held over three days. Mark says that the University has
provided an opportunity to get a different view on how to run a business. He says that
“working with the University has given us everything, from help with websites to new ideas
for coping with staff problems and access to ?nance. The most valuable aspect has been
talking to other business owners and learning from each other.”
Another manufacturer in the Entrepreneur in Residence group, Mark is undoubtedly going
to be much in demand for his perspective on business and how he has carved an expanding
niche in a very competitive market.
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Entrepreneurs in Residence | Lancaster University Management School
M
ark Woodward founded The Paper Cup Company in 2005 after a long career in
catering disposables. The company is based in Clitheroe and prints personalised cups
made to order. The company gained a Green Apple Environment Award in the packaging
sector in 2011, competing against 500 other companies. Manufacturing has now moved
back to the UK (from China) to allow for a quick turnaround in orders: an interesting
example of “on-shoring”. The company has received many accolades. Recently, local MP
Nick Evans placed an order to supply paper cups to 10 Downing Street for the Queen’s
Diamond Jubilee celebration.
Mark was recommended to contact the University by Business Link. An advisor identi?ed
that he may lack the business skills to take the business to the next stage. At the time he
was running the business from home, with three full-time staff and several part-timers.
Mark joined the LEAD programme in 2010. Since being on LEAD the business has developed
quickly, ?rst moving into serviced premises, and lately building their own of?ces. Just
“It was an honour to be
invited to become an EIR,
and as the University has
done so much for our
business, I wanted to give
something back.”
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M
artin Moylan is a mentor, coach and consultant to family business, fostering the spirit
of enterprise and supporting family businesses to prosper and grow. His company
is Moylan Enterprises. A section of this, Moylan Homes, has been established for over 30
years and in that time they have won awards for Manchester Housebuilder of the Year, and
recognition from Greater Manchester Police for their Secure By Design policy on all of their
developments. Their aim is to create a pleasurable living environment for their clients for
many years to come.
Martin was an early participant of LEAD, and has contributed to workshops on HR and
family business. Martin is a regular member of the Lancaster Forum, and shows a high level
of entrepreneurial ?air. Skilled at drawing together complex and con?icting information to
give a concise overview, Martin would make an outstanding tutor, or mentor to students.
His ability to give a direct answer to questions will be in high demand in the coming
months.
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Martin
Moylan
Entrepreneurs in Residence | Lancaster University Management School
“I am hoping to bridge the gap between the
academic understanding of small and family
businesses and the actual practice and activities
of people who run such ?rms – to translate
the academic language so it becomes more
accessible to very busy business owners who
can bene?t from the core messages.”
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“I was lucky to be in the ?rst LEAD cohort
and to have enjoyed its many bene?ts. As a
business education community, Lancaster is
great to be part of. This new EIR initiative will
allow me to progress further and to contribute
to the development of future business leaders.”
Michael Hill
Entrepreneurs in Residence | Lancaster University Management School
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O
ptima Control Solutions is an expert industrial control systems company. Michael Hill
and Adrian West formed Optima Control Solutions in 1995. Their founding principles
of applying expertise skillfully, professionally and diligently have, since incorporation, been
at the heart of the business. The company now operates from headquarters in Blackburn,
Lancashire and currently employs 25 staff. Optima recognises that as a knowledge-based
business, its expert engineers are the company’s most important asset.
Michael heard about Lancaster University through Business Link. Both he and Co-Director
Adrian attended LEAD. Michael says that “LEAD has been a phenomenon. It instills the
con?dence to push you to the next level.” The relationship with Lancaster developed and
Michael attended the GOLD programme. He has also been a guest speaker at the Engage
HEI conference and has run a masterclass on the LEAD programme, in which he tells the
story of the ups and downs that have come with subsequent growth. A Lancaster marketing
graduate became a full-time employee of Michael’s, and he plans to recruit another.
Michael is now looking forward to continuing his relationship with Lancaster by becoming
an Entrepreneur in Residence, and is set to continue to act as an ambassador for the School.
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Michelle Partington
L
akeland Picnic was created by Michelle Partington in the Lake District in 2006. Following
several appearances on TV and radio the business began to take shape and several food
awards later, Michelle decided to set up a catering business to utilise what was available
on the her brothers farm. The philosophy then and now was to provide a simple, delicious
menu utilising some of the ?nest regional ingredients, in street locations with a thoughtful
and considered approach to their customers’ needs. Providing a small menu of really tasty
burgers and sausages made in the Savin Hill butchery, Lyth Valley, near Windermere proved
a great success. Michelle and her staff also work with other smaller regional suppliers who
lovingly make the breads, cheeses and condiments that are put with the meaty bits.
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Entrepreneurs in Residence | Lancaster University Management School
“I am extremely ?attered to have been
given the opportunity to become one of
Lancaster’s EIRs. I am looking forward to
the engagement and challenge that I’m
sure will come with the role.”
Michelle has attended both LEAD and GOLD at Lancaster University. After completing the
LEAD programme in 2009 Michelle felt that the GOLD programme would be perfect to help
drive her business forward. “GOLD has had a huge impact on my strategic approach to the
business” she says. Michelle has developed a strong link with Lancaster during this time
and is looking forward to her role as an Entrepreneur in Residence. A recent guest lecture to
undergraduate entrepreneurship students bodes well for more classroom appearances by
Michelle in the coming year.
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N
orman Tenray is the Managing Director at OBAS UK. He took over four collapsed
companies – Express Plumbing and Safety Supplies, HWA UK Ltd, Impact Decor and
Design Ltd and Slater Development – in 2008, which saved over 30 jobs within the local
community. He later merged them into one slimmed-down construction supplies business.
The company has won many awards and specialises in distributing over 17,000 building,
plumbing and decorating products throughout the UK and Ireland and employs over 40
people.
Norman is a Director at the Chamber of Commerce and sits on the Bank of England
Advisory Board. He has a strong pro?le in the business community both locally and
nationally and enjoys bringing a fresh approach to business. He believes that the art of an
entrepreneur is to make things happen despite the constraints of legislation, ?nance and
Norman Tenray
Entrepreneurs in Residence | Lancaster University Management School
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“I have always been heavily committed to
helping other people, and the EIR programme
will give me opportunities to focus that effort
on the next generation of business leaders. I
especially look forward to meeting all of the
other EIRs and ?nding out about them and
their businesses.”
policy. By thinking outside of the box the next generation of entrepreneurs will pave the
way for growth and employment.
Norman attended the LEAD programme at Runshaw College, a partner of Lancaster
University. The relationship he now has with Lancaster was developed on the back of
winning the Lancashire Be Inspired Business Awards, which LUMS sponsors. Norman says
that whenever there is an opportunity to help with developing the next generation he
jumps in. This is one of the reasons that he wanted to be an Entrepreneur in Residence, and
he has already been an informative interviewee for student groups. Norman is an enthusiast
for the accreditation of LEAD, and we look forward to him becoming a future graduate of
Lancaster University.
41
Peter Mc Guinness
Entrepreneurs in Residence | Lancaster University Management School
40
“I am always interested in
learning. Working with other EIRs
will bring new opportunities for
this. I also expect that I will be
able to offer alternatives and
learning opportunities to others.
This should be fun and pro?table
for all concerned.”
P
eter is the Managing Director of DRM Industrial Fabrics. The company specialises in the
design of bespoke textile items for speci?c applications. With more than 40 successful
years in the ?ltration sector their customers range from large multi-nationals and global
corporations to small specialist companies and SMEs.
Peter became involved with Lancaster University Management School in 2005 on the LEAD
programme. After LEAD, he continued with the Lancaster Forum and the GOLD programme.
He says that he has enjoyed the discussions, debates and activities and that time spent
working on the business instead of working in the business is very constructive. The
relationship that he has developed with the University has helped him to become a more
con?dent and more effective business leader.
Alongside Peter’s involvement with the Management School, DRM has doubled in sales
turnover and more than doubled in pro?tability. In this time, Peter has set up two new
companies and bought three others to establish the DRM group. It is large enough to be
able to recruit talented young people and can share learning through the group. Peter says
that “business is successful, challenging and mostly fun.”
Peter leads an extremely innovative company which serves a number of engineering niches.
As an enduring supporter of our work at Lancaster, Peter is well-placed to advise us on
future programme development; and as a progressive entrepreneur his experience will be
invaluable to any students lucky enough to encounter him.
43
“I am committed to helping others grasp
the social and economic ful?lment which
entrepreneurship uniquely brings to the
individual and society as a whole.”
Philip has had a long relationship with Lancaster University. He studied for an MA in
Business Analysis 35 years ago and has more recently been on the LEAD programme.
These courses, he says, “have proved invaluable throughout my entrepreneurial career”. He
has also supported the University through contributing to the tuition of undergraduate
students as a guest speaker and tutor. Philip aims to continue to use his business experience
to help others in their pursuit of entrepreneurship.
An early intervention by Philip was instrumental in the development of the new and
expanded Entrepreneur in Residence initiative: hearing that Ian Gordon’s initial tenure was
over, Philip volunteered to do the job and we are now delighted to welcome him to the
School in this role.
P
hilip Coatesworth was the Managing Director of Professional Yacht Deliveries until the
end of December 2011. The UK-based company was founded in 1995 and is now the
busiest yacht delivery company in the world, with a global client base for both sail and
motor vessels of all sizes. The company has a dominating lead in moving yachts in the way
they were designed: on the sea and under sail. In recent years it has reached well beyond
the northern hemisphere, with increasing numbers of boats delivered from European waters,
via the Panama Canal and Paci?c Islands to New Zealand and Australia. Philip now has
a consultant role with the company and has set up a new company called Boatbridge to
develop his non’executive director, general business advisory and marine expert witness
activities.
Philip Coatesworth
Entrepreneurs in Residence | Lancaster University Management School
42
45
R
obert Leggett is the Managing Director of Omni Resource Management Solutions.
Robert has always been entrepreneurial, running businesses from the age of 14. Omni
was established in 1998 by Robert and his father, with the simple aim of changing the way
in which organisations recruit. Omni identi?ed that although organisations were heavily
reliant on recruitment agencies, they did not manage the performance of these agencies,
or manage the considerable amount being spent on them. Omni provides a management
service to both clients and suppliers that ensured each were working as effectively and
ef?ciently as possible with each other. Omni grew very quickly and by year four they were
in the top 100 fastest growing companies and expects revenues of over £20M this year.
Robert was also named as a ‘young gun’ in Growing Business Magazine, which considered
him as one of the top 40 people to watch in terms of business growth.
Robert has had a long relationship with Lancaster University. He attended LEAD and says “I
have thoroughly enjoyed LEAD I have received loads out of it.” He went on to be involved
in the Lancaster Forum and the GOLD programmes. He has really enjoyed working with the
University and enjoys the fact the there is an opportunity to interact with the students and
he feels that he now has the opportunity to give a lot back.
If business growth is important, then Robert is a prime exponent of that dif?cult art and we
anticipate him enlivening our community as he continues that process.
Robert
Leggett
Entrepreneurs in Residence | Lancaster University Management School
44
“I hope to be able to help other people, to motivate
them into becoming entrepreneurs themselves.”
47
studies, the company agreed to host an undergraduate student project which Sue is also
extremely enthusiastic about. In November 2010 they therefore enlisted the help of IEED at
Lancaster University Management School, commissioning a team of management students
to conduct a rigorous analysis of the company’s current marketing strategy. The students
were briefed to look in depth at industry trends and to advise where the company should
focus its future efforts. Sue will be able to bring her diverse experiences of engaging with
the University during her time as an Entrepreneur in Residence.
As leader of a successful manufacturing business Sue will undoubtedly bring a range of
valuable perspectives to our work here in the Management School, and we look forward to
her extended involvement across our work.
Sue Anderson
Entrepreneurs in Residence | Lancaster University Management School
46
S
ue Anderson is the Managing Director of Pendle Doors. The company is a family
business based in Darwen. It manufactures bespoke timber doors and windows. Sue’s
husband Steve initially started the business but Sue joined her husband as the business
grew, initially on a part-time basis doing the accounts but this became a more hands on
full-time role. The ?rm has enjoyed enormous growth and success through the hard work
and dedication of the entire workforce and has built a reputation based on reliability and
service.
Sue developed a relationship with Lancaster University by attending the LEAD programme
at the same time as her daughter was studying at Lancaster for a Masters degree. She
considered LEAD to be “absolutely fantastic.” Following on from LEAD, and her daughter’s
“I am excited and really looking forward to the
opportunity of being an EIR, convinced that it
will be very interesting and rewarding.”
Lancaster University Management School, Lancaster, LA1 4YX, UK.
Tel: 01524 510752
www.lums.lancs.ac.uk
doc_249819031.pdf
Description tell about entrepreneurs in residence.
Entrepreneurs in Residence
2
3
Introduction
Entrepreneurs in Residence | Lancaster University Management School
Magnus George George
While it is normal for university staff to enjoy the
privilege of working with gifted young people,
a peculiar bene?t of my role in the Institute for
Entrepreneurship is being able to meet and work with
a large number of business people who come here for
diverse reasons. Our institute attempts to integrate
teaching, research and knowledge exchange with the
business community. Through our varied programmes
we are fortunate to get to know many of our clients
very well, and some of them, in turn, become a part
of our extended organisation. Indeed, one way to
consider our structure is as having a very permeable
membrane. On a given day, a casual visitor would be
hard-pressed to distinguish core faculty from support
staff, PhD students, visiting academics, practicing
business owners on campus to mentor students, or
student interns working on our knowledge exchange
programmes. That is how it should be in a vibrant
department of entrepreneurship.
Given the success of hosting our founding
Entrepreneur in Residence (EIR), we are now
moving on to expand the initiative. Within this
booklet you will ?nd brief biographies of twenty
new EIRs. Each of them is a long-standing
associate of the University, and has taken part
in some of our ?agship programmes. Over the
coming year they will assist us to further re?ne
our work with businesses. They will also enhance
the experience that our students enjoy, through
activities such as mentoring and career guidance,
fostering business ideas and contributing across
classroom and workshop activities.
Whether you are considering studying here,
contemplating enrolling on one of our business
development programmes, such as Lancaster LEAD,
or just want to learn more about our Institute, this
booklet will help you form a better picture of us
and how we work.
In August 2008, assisted by a grant from the
Economic and Social Research Council, we decided
to host an Entrepreneur in Residence – Ian Gordon.
Over the following two years he worked with us
on our internal approach to business and our range
of programmes to support entrepreneurs. Ian was
tasked to act as a ‘cultural irritant’, to question our
ways of working and to challenge our assumptions.
The result has been a step change in our provision
and the overhaul of some of our products. Through
his immersion in the structures and processes
of our institution, our founding Entrepreneur in
Residence has been able to learn about the things
we need to respond to and prioritise as a large
organisation with diverse drivers. He has also been
a clear voice to help us better understand the
world view of business owner-managers.
To the busy and successful people included here, I
want to say a heartfelt “thank you” for your continued
support for and interest in our work here at Lancaster.
Our work across research and teaching is greatly
enriched by your presence, and in working with you
as you develop and grow your businesses we ?nd
opportunities to test and re?ne our understanding of
the business world. I look forward to continued fruitful
collaboration and welcome you all as members of the
Founding Guild of Entrepreneurs in Residence here at
Lancaster University Management School.
Magnus George
Head of Strategic Partnerships and Policy
IEED
4
5
44
5
Ian Gordon
Entrepreneurs in Residence | Lancaster University Management School
“As Entrepreneur in Residence, I have been able
to bring a business perspective to the way that
Lancaster engages with the SME community and
help the University so that the entrepreneurial
mindset can be better understood and allowed
for in designing programmes.”
I
an’s career started in the Merchant Navy where he served as a radio of?cer
working for P&O. This was followed by several years working in the oil
industry as an instrument engineer for companies such as BP, Shell and Conoco.
His launch into business came about when he started a training company for
the mobile digital telecommunications industry, where he designed technical
training programmes for all the major telecommunications companies including
Vodafone, Orange, Sony, Motorola and Ericsson. After a successful sale of
that business he launched a number of other companies in the construction
and retail industries working as either Managing Director or Non-Executive
Chairman.
Ian gained an Executive MBA from Lancaster University Management School in
1995. After graduating, he became an occasional contributor to undergraduate
entrepreneurship teaching, especially in business planning. In 2009, he agreed
to increase his time commitment to the Management School, becoming the
founding Entrepreneur in Residence at Lancaster. His core task has been to
bring the entrepreneurial worldview into play to support the entrepreneurship
staff, revising their teaching and business engagement work. He has led a LEAD
cohort, co-developed the GOLD programme, and was instrumental in launching
the expanded Entrepreneurs in Residence initiative. During his leadership of the
GOLD programme Ian has proven to be an effective MD whisperer, with acute
powers of observation and an uncanny ability to provoke owner-managers into
purposeful and effective action. Ian is now involved in piloting the new Top
Team programme, which is aimed at senior managers working for entrepreneurs
who have completed LEAD. His insights into entrepreneurial leadership, his
promotion of the ‘top team’ model for business growth, and his enthusiasm
to apply research ?ndings in the small business context have each added
massively to our work.
As founding EIR, Ian is ideally placed to assist the new and expanded
intake to make best use of their valuable time; and to ensure that LUMS
takes full advantage of the expertise and acumen that this cadre will bring
to a wide range of activities. His pioneering work has shown how the
deliberate introduction of a ‘permeable membrane’ around the Institute for
Entrepreneurship’s organisational structure can bring bene?t to teaching,
research and business connectivity. We all look forward to his continued
leadership of the expanded Entrepreneur in Residence programme.
7
Michael Hill
Philip Coatesworth Norman Tenray Peter McGuinness Robert Leggett Sue Anderson
Mark Edwards Martin Moylan Michelle Partington Mark Woodward
Entrepreneurs in Residence | Lancaster University Management School
The Entrepreneurs
6
Adrian Cresswell
David Melia
Andy Hooper
Gillian Hall
Brian Gregory
Glyn Jones
Andrew Moses
Len Rainford
Carole Myers
Joe Hall
A
drian has been working in the service industries for 27 years and has run his own
businesses for 21 years. Adrian established AM Contract Services in 1999, which is
predominantly a commercial cleaning business. The company was then incorporated in
2002 and renamed AM Support Services. Adrian and his Co-Director Anthea Heron then
embarked on developing strong quality management processes and procedures to allow the
business to move forward. An embodiment of this approach is that AM Support Services has
achieved BSI 9001, 14001 and 18001.
Adrian has also been relentless in his approach to ?nd only the best and most experienced
management team. It is through this team that clients receive a seamless, proactive and
dedicated service. Currently the company employs 280 people in AM Support Services and
5 people in its subsidiary Pristine Washrooms.
9
Adrian Cresswell
Entrepreneurs in Residence | Lancaster University Management School
8
“I can honestly say I was overwhelmed by the
kind offer from Lancaster University Management
School to become an Entrepreneur in Residence.
The University has been ranked as one of the top
10 universities for business, and it is a real honour
yet one that I don’t feel I deserve.”
Adrian embarked on the LEAD programme in 2008 and has, since 2009, been an
enthusiastic member of the post-LEAD / GOLD non-executive board simulation. Adrian has
bene?ted from engaging with the University on many fronts, including the continuation of
his action learning set which has continued since LEAD days to the present. Adrian states
that without the direction and motivation given he is not sure if he would have aggressively
developed his businesses in such a short time and with such uncertainty in the economy.
He now considers the company to be a strong contender in offering facilities solutions
to the public and private sectors. He is con?dent for the future of all three businesses as
they are all ?nancially strong, have a clear direction and business strategy and have the
resources and management team to overcome any future obstacles that may be faced.
“I am excited about
trying to engage with
LUMS as an EIR, and
look forward to being
able to add real life
business perspectives
wherever possible.”
11
Andrew joined LEAD in 2007, aiming to extend his leadership skills and explore how to
take the company forward. The idea of working alongside other owner-managers also
attracted him. Andrew strongly believes in bringing the world of commercial and industrial
business into education. Since LEAD Andrew has also been on the GOLD programme and
has developed a strong link with the University. Despite his frequent travels he is a regular
attendee at University events, and will bring a strong international business slant to his EIR
activities.
Andrew Moses
Entrepreneurs in Residence | Lancaster University Management School
T
he Con?g Team was established in 1994 by Andrew Moses. The company is a
consultancy which specialises in using SAP software for logistics management. It is
based in Skelmersdale, Lancashire with an additional of?ce in Cumbria. The Con?g Team
work throughout the UK and travel extensively across the world. Growing steadily since its
formation, the company has an impressive client list including Heinz, Cadbury Schwepps
and Premier Foods. Andrew is keen to continue the growth of the ?rm but does not wish to
jeopardise the customer focus which is one of the key strategies of the company.
10
13
Andy
Hooper
Entrepreneurs in Residence | Lancaster University Management School
12
“Working with Lancaster has opened up many
opportunities for me and my team and, as an EIR
I am keen to develop that to the next stage.”
A
ndy Hooper is the Managing Director of Westlakes
Engineering. The company is an independent consultancy
providing civil, structural and environmental engineering.
Founded in 2004, the company has grown quickly by
establishing a reputation for providing a high quality,
professional service to its clients.
After achieving his initial business objective, Andy found
himself faced with a glass ceiling, experiencing stagnated
pro?ts and unsure how to bring the business to the next level.
With the aim of ?nding a way to step back and think about
where to take the business, he joined the LEAD programme
at Lancaster University in October 2008. Activities within
the course served as a catalyst for Andy’s realisation that his
leadership style and role within the business needed changing,
and helped him to view the business from a more strategic
perspective. He also believes that the more strategic role he
now plays and the higher levels of engagement in his staff
have been signi?cant factors in enabling the business to open
a third of?ce in Manchester. This has placed him in a strong
position to weather the current recession, and the company
has doubled staff numbers and turnover in the 4 years since
Andy joined LEAD. The company was also awarded Small
Business of the Year in 2010 for Cumbria by both CN Group
Newspapers and Britain’s Energy Coast Business Cluster,
and Andy was shortlisted for the Institute of Directors NW
Director of the Year (Cumbria) in 2011 and was the CN Group
Businessperson of the Year for Cumbria in 2011.
Andy subsequently enrolled on the GOLD programme, and
has attended many of the workshops on the Innovation for
Growth programme. Moreover Andy was so pleased with
LEAD that he sent one of his managers on the programme as
well, with a further Director recently enrolled onto the Top
Team pilot.
15
F
ormer Scots Guardsman Brian Gregory capitalised upon his subsequent career in the Fire
& Rescue Service when he started his own company, Safety Management (UK).
Offering a full service to clients requiring assistance with ?re safety issues, last year the
company conducted around 6,000 ?re risk assessments in all sectors, including social
housing, retail, commercial and industrial properties. The business primarily provides ?re
risk assessments, with some ?re safety training. It operates throughout the UK mainland,
Ireland, Channel Islands and the Scottish Islands.
Brian Gregory
Entrepreneurs in Residence | Lancaster University Management School
14
“In the Army there is a certain style of management,
which can be quite direct. My work with Lancaster
has helped me understand my own leadership
style, and recruit into the business accordingly. The
support of my peers in LEAD and GOLD has been
invaluable, and my attendance has allowed me to
continually develop my skills and knowledge.”
Brian has a long standing relationship with Lancaster University since taking part in LEAD in
2006. He has also been heavily involved in the GOLD programme and Innovation For Growth.
He is currently attending the GOLD 2 programme to further develop his knowledge and has
hosted a bespoke student consultancy project. Brian is a staunch supporter of the work done
by the department, and has attended a variety of meetings with external stakeholders, such
as the Employee Engagement Taskforce. As an Entrepreneur in Residence he wants to be able
to provide a practical interface between the University and Small Business.
17
“I’m delighted to be
an EIR at Lancaster
University and look
forward to working with
the other EIRs and the
staff and students.”
16
Carole Myers
Entrepreneurs in Residence | Lancaster University Management School
C
arole Myers is the Managing Director of Conception Marketing. Conception was
established in 2002 and has since seen considerable year-on-year growth. The ?rm
works with SMEs from a range of industries such as engineering and manufacturing, to help
them develop the right marketing campaign to generate new and pro?table customers. By
maintaining a focus on their core activities – Conception’s 3 Cs of Consultancy, Contact and
Creativity – the team at Conception apply a consultative approach to advising clients on
appropriate marketing or growth strategy.
As Conception’s client base and order book grew, Director Carole Myers realised she
needed to develop the way her business worked. Carole met previous participants of the
LEAD course and was struck by their passion, positive outlook and sheer enthusiasm for
the programme. She knew immediately that this was what she was looking for. Carole has
also been a regular contributor to the running of workshops for the Innovation for Growth
programme. She is now looking to continue her relationship by becoming an Entrepreneur
in Residence, and is sure to be much in demand by our students, many of whom aspire to
develop careers in consultancy and marketing.
19
David Melia
Entrepreneurs in Residence | Lancaster University Management School
18
“I love coming to the University and
learning as many things as I can. The EIR
initiative is sure to provide numerous
opportunities for that; as well as to
contribute to IEED’s work with the next
generation of entrepreneurs.”
D
avid Melia is the Managing Director of three accountancy companies. The Melia
Partnership, a Chartered Certi?ed Accountants; Taxbak and Clergytax both of which
provide a nationwide tax return service (Clergytax specialises in tax returns for ministers of
religion). The Melia Partnership started in 1996 and has grown dramatically since then. The
business is based in Preston Lancashire, but has the capacity to work nationwide.
David became aware of the LEAD programme at Lancaster University through Business
Link. He says that the programme gave him “quite a lot of tools to deal with everything.”
It gave him a structure to ?t everything into. It enabled him to manage his personal and
professional life but it also gave him the tools to assist his clients when they were facing
challenges. He comments that his role as an accountant is not only professional but he
sees himself as a psychologist as well. David has also been involved with Lancaster in other
ways. He has attended various workshops on the Innovation for Growth programme. He
says that “The biggest thing I got from LEAD was the solutions focus. It completely reversed
how I thought about things.” David’s experience of launching a business after a strong
earlier professional career is sure to be an inspiration to many of the University’s students,
and his eye for a market niche will offer many useful insights to them as well.
David says the he was attracted to the position of Entrepreneur in Residence as it gave him
a chance to have an input into the university plans and to give them advice in a charitable
way on how it ?ts with the business world. We look forward to calling on David’s insightful
approach and enormous business experience, and are sure that he will help us better
appreciate the realities of entrepreneurship.
21
“I continue to gain support and motivation as a
member of GOLD and The Forum and this has
inspired me to become an EIR. I hope to pay back
some of the help I have received from Lancaster
University and also support the liaison between
small businesses and the Management School.”
G
illian Hall is the owner of Butlers Farmhouse Cheeses. Butlers have been
crafting superior farmhouse cheeses since 1932, and three generations
of the family have developed and perfected the various recipes and still
continue to do so to this day. Quality and family values are at the heart of the
company’s operation. Butlers sells premium cheese to some of the UK’s top
stores including Marks and Spencer and Sainsbury’s. The company makes a
variety of award-winning cheeses, including a range of farmhouse Lancashire
cheese, silky Kidderton Ash goat’s cheese, and the distinctive tangy Blacksticks
Blue. They make cheese from cow, goat and luxurious sheep milk.
Gillian has a long standing relationship with Lancaster University, and her son
took his undergraduate degree at the Management School. Gillian herself has
completed the LEAD programme, which she considers to have “given her a
structure to assist in the running of the company.” More recently she has been
involved as a guest speaker on family business matters and was a founding
member of the GOLD programme. She has recently put two delegates on to
the new Top Team programme.
Gillian Hall
Entrepreneurs in Residence | Lancaster University Management School
20
23
Glyn Jones
Entrepreneurs in Residence | Lancaster University Management School
22
G
lyn Jones is the Business Development Manager at Savant. Glyn’s role involves
promoting Savant to speci?c sectors with the aim of ?nding the next bespoke
software or custom application project. Typically these projects are run in partnership with
business organisations wanting to innovate in their industry.
Like many Entrepreneurs in Residence, Glyn’s initial engagement with Lancaster University
came through the LEAD programme. Glyn also followed this with being a LEAD Ambassador
during the LEAD roll out across the North West. Glyn also contributed to the steering group
for the Innovation for Growth course as an SME representative. When Savant relocated in
“It is going to be fascinating to work with
academics and businesses in the area of innovation.
Our approach at Savant may be useful for
others, and I’m sure I will learn a lot from other
people. There’s no guaranteed path to successful
entrepreneurship, I’m interested in discovering if
there are common attributes, skills and approaches.”
2007 Glyn took on a student project from IEED. The student went on to win the James Milnes
Placement Student of the Year Award for her efforts.
Glyn found involvement with Lancaster University inspiring, liberating and educational.
Learning with LEAD classmates from a wide range of different industry types showed that
the issues facing Savant were not speci?c to IT companies. As the issues were common it was
obvious that the solutions proposed on LEAD were also appropriate for a high tech company.
Glyn also found LEAD provided space and permission to examine Savant and Business
Development dispassionately. During this time he has developed a close relationship with
Lancaster and was an obvious candidate to become an Entrepreneur in Residence.
25
H
alls Food Group is something of a phoenix. This third-generation family business,
founded in Chorley in 1933 and famous in central Lancashire for its pies and other
bakery products, nearly ran aground in 2007 when mounting debts led it to go into
voluntary liquidation. But when the company’s current MD, Joe Hall, stepped in to buy back
the assets, this was the start of a remarkable turn-around. Four years on, the company has
three retail premises and a corporate catering service, a ?eet of mobile shops providing a
lunchtime delivery service to workplaces, and well-advanced plans for future geographical
expansion. Its achievements have been marked by a number of awards – including Retailer
of the Year at Lancashire’s 2011 Be Inspired Business Awards.
Joe Hall is unequivocal about the role played by IEED’s LEAD programme in helping him
refocus and reshape the company’s strategic direction. Joe says that “LEAD has been
instrumental because it created a forum for things to be discussed with people from
outside the business.” Following on from LEAD Joe took part in the GOLD programme
which he considers consolidated all that he had already learned. Now Joe has agreed to
become an Entrepreneur in Residence and is looking forward to giving back some of what
he has learned.
24
Joe Hall
Entrepreneurs in Residence | Lancaster University Management School
“I am a big advocate of all small
businesses striking up diverse network
relationships wherever possible,
because it can only do you good.”
27
S
ameday UK Managing Director and founder Len Rainford has years of expertise
in providing a reliable courier service. Len started in the courier service industry
nearly 30 years ago, working for TNT, but realised the power and service that a well-run
franchise model could provide. At TNT Len was their Franchise Manager and, because of
this expertise, was sought out by Amtrak to develop and grow their service and to build
a successful franchise network. Later he decided to start his own company using the
franchising network model. Sameday UK entered the sameday courier service industry
in 1996. The company provides a professional, comprehensive and dedicated same day
delivery service throughout the UK and Europe. Len and his company have won many
awards over the years and in 2006 he was invited to become a founder member of the
Institute of Couriers in recognition of his services to the industry.
26
Len Rainford
Entrepreneurs in Residence | Lancaster University Management School
“To become one of the Entrepreneurs in Residence
is a great honour, and will give me the opportunity
to learn more and to give something back in
engaging with the entrepreneurs of the future.”
Len developed a relationship with Lancaster University by attending the LEAD programme
in 2009. He has also had students working on projects within his company, and he has been
a guest speaker. Interacting with other business owners and academics gave Len a greater
insight into running his business. This led to him taking a different approach and changing
for the better.
Students considering an entrepreneurial career can do no better than to learn from Len’s
example of learning the ins and outs of an industry before launching their own ventures,
and we anticipate him making a substantial contribution to our teaching and student
mentoring.
29
M
ark Edwards is the Managing Director of Farmer Ted’s
Farm Park. Farmer Ted’s is an interactive children’s
activity park, sited on a working farm within the beautiful
Lancashire countryside. The Farm Park’s aim is to provide a
fun, family orientated atmosphere where parents will feel
just as comfortable as their children. The attraction offers an
educational, safe and fun place for the whole family to visit.
Farmer Ted’s also specialises in providing educational day
trips for the North West’s schools by covering the national
curriculum, in order to teach children about farming, animals
and food. This is conducted via a “hands on” approach in a
safe and fun environment.
In 2007 Mark set up what is now probably the UK’s biggest
and leading Halloween Event called Farmaggedon. During
October the farm opens its doors to three of its purpose built
interactive haunted houses taking people to the edge of hell
and back...if you can hear the screaming you know you’re still
alive!
Since it opened in 2003 Farmer Ted’s has won many awards:
Best Small Visitor Attraction, National Farm Attraction and
Best Tourism Team to name but a few. The attraction is also
accredited with Visit England and is a Quality Assured Visitor
Attraction. Farmaggedon too has picked up various national
awards and has been listed in the Top 25 Must See Haunts in
the World by Haunted Attraction Magazine.
Mark developed a relationship with Lancaster University when
he attended the LEAD programme. He is now keen to become
involved as an Entrepreneur in Residence and looks forward
to working with the University more. A true innovator, Mark’s
approach to business is sure to enliven the experience of any
students lucky enough to meet him over the coming year.
28
Mark
Edwards
Entrepreneurs in Residence | Lancaster University Management School
“I’m delighted to join LUMS as an EIR, and I
look forward to speaking, working and being
involved in the near future.”
31
Mark Woodward
recently the ?rm has moved into manufacturing paper cups in Lancashire. Substantially
increased turnover in the last 12 months shows that the business has the potential for a lot
more.
The company has been involved in the Innovation for Growth programme, attending a
human resource strategy course held over three days. Mark says that the University has
provided an opportunity to get a different view on how to run a business. He says that
“working with the University has given us everything, from help with websites to new ideas
for coping with staff problems and access to ?nance. The most valuable aspect has been
talking to other business owners and learning from each other.”
Another manufacturer in the Entrepreneur in Residence group, Mark is undoubtedly going
to be much in demand for his perspective on business and how he has carved an expanding
niche in a very competitive market.
30
Entrepreneurs in Residence | Lancaster University Management School
M
ark Woodward founded The Paper Cup Company in 2005 after a long career in
catering disposables. The company is based in Clitheroe and prints personalised cups
made to order. The company gained a Green Apple Environment Award in the packaging
sector in 2011, competing against 500 other companies. Manufacturing has now moved
back to the UK (from China) to allow for a quick turnaround in orders: an interesting
example of “on-shoring”. The company has received many accolades. Recently, local MP
Nick Evans placed an order to supply paper cups to 10 Downing Street for the Queen’s
Diamond Jubilee celebration.
Mark was recommended to contact the University by Business Link. An advisor identi?ed
that he may lack the business skills to take the business to the next stage. At the time he
was running the business from home, with three full-time staff and several part-timers.
Mark joined the LEAD programme in 2010. Since being on LEAD the business has developed
quickly, ?rst moving into serviced premises, and lately building their own of?ces. Just
“It was an honour to be
invited to become an EIR,
and as the University has
done so much for our
business, I wanted to give
something back.”
33
M
artin Moylan is a mentor, coach and consultant to family business, fostering the spirit
of enterprise and supporting family businesses to prosper and grow. His company
is Moylan Enterprises. A section of this, Moylan Homes, has been established for over 30
years and in that time they have won awards for Manchester Housebuilder of the Year, and
recognition from Greater Manchester Police for their Secure By Design policy on all of their
developments. Their aim is to create a pleasurable living environment for their clients for
many years to come.
Martin was an early participant of LEAD, and has contributed to workshops on HR and
family business. Martin is a regular member of the Lancaster Forum, and shows a high level
of entrepreneurial ?air. Skilled at drawing together complex and con?icting information to
give a concise overview, Martin would make an outstanding tutor, or mentor to students.
His ability to give a direct answer to questions will be in high demand in the coming
months.
32
Martin
Moylan
Entrepreneurs in Residence | Lancaster University Management School
“I am hoping to bridge the gap between the
academic understanding of small and family
businesses and the actual practice and activities
of people who run such ?rms – to translate
the academic language so it becomes more
accessible to very busy business owners who
can bene?t from the core messages.”
35
“I was lucky to be in the ?rst LEAD cohort
and to have enjoyed its many bene?ts. As a
business education community, Lancaster is
great to be part of. This new EIR initiative will
allow me to progress further and to contribute
to the development of future business leaders.”
Michael Hill
Entrepreneurs in Residence | Lancaster University Management School
34
O
ptima Control Solutions is an expert industrial control systems company. Michael Hill
and Adrian West formed Optima Control Solutions in 1995. Their founding principles
of applying expertise skillfully, professionally and diligently have, since incorporation, been
at the heart of the business. The company now operates from headquarters in Blackburn,
Lancashire and currently employs 25 staff. Optima recognises that as a knowledge-based
business, its expert engineers are the company’s most important asset.
Michael heard about Lancaster University through Business Link. Both he and Co-Director
Adrian attended LEAD. Michael says that “LEAD has been a phenomenon. It instills the
con?dence to push you to the next level.” The relationship with Lancaster developed and
Michael attended the GOLD programme. He has also been a guest speaker at the Engage
HEI conference and has run a masterclass on the LEAD programme, in which he tells the
story of the ups and downs that have come with subsequent growth. A Lancaster marketing
graduate became a full-time employee of Michael’s, and he plans to recruit another.
Michael is now looking forward to continuing his relationship with Lancaster by becoming
an Entrepreneur in Residence, and is set to continue to act as an ambassador for the School.
37
Michelle Partington
L
akeland Picnic was created by Michelle Partington in the Lake District in 2006. Following
several appearances on TV and radio the business began to take shape and several food
awards later, Michelle decided to set up a catering business to utilise what was available
on the her brothers farm. The philosophy then and now was to provide a simple, delicious
menu utilising some of the ?nest regional ingredients, in street locations with a thoughtful
and considered approach to their customers’ needs. Providing a small menu of really tasty
burgers and sausages made in the Savin Hill butchery, Lyth Valley, near Windermere proved
a great success. Michelle and her staff also work with other smaller regional suppliers who
lovingly make the breads, cheeses and condiments that are put with the meaty bits.
36
Entrepreneurs in Residence | Lancaster University Management School
“I am extremely ?attered to have been
given the opportunity to become one of
Lancaster’s EIRs. I am looking forward to
the engagement and challenge that I’m
sure will come with the role.”
Michelle has attended both LEAD and GOLD at Lancaster University. After completing the
LEAD programme in 2009 Michelle felt that the GOLD programme would be perfect to help
drive her business forward. “GOLD has had a huge impact on my strategic approach to the
business” she says. Michelle has developed a strong link with Lancaster during this time
and is looking forward to her role as an Entrepreneur in Residence. A recent guest lecture to
undergraduate entrepreneurship students bodes well for more classroom appearances by
Michelle in the coming year.
39
N
orman Tenray is the Managing Director at OBAS UK. He took over four collapsed
companies – Express Plumbing and Safety Supplies, HWA UK Ltd, Impact Decor and
Design Ltd and Slater Development – in 2008, which saved over 30 jobs within the local
community. He later merged them into one slimmed-down construction supplies business.
The company has won many awards and specialises in distributing over 17,000 building,
plumbing and decorating products throughout the UK and Ireland and employs over 40
people.
Norman is a Director at the Chamber of Commerce and sits on the Bank of England
Advisory Board. He has a strong pro?le in the business community both locally and
nationally and enjoys bringing a fresh approach to business. He believes that the art of an
entrepreneur is to make things happen despite the constraints of legislation, ?nance and
Norman Tenray
Entrepreneurs in Residence | Lancaster University Management School
38
“I have always been heavily committed to
helping other people, and the EIR programme
will give me opportunities to focus that effort
on the next generation of business leaders. I
especially look forward to meeting all of the
other EIRs and ?nding out about them and
their businesses.”
policy. By thinking outside of the box the next generation of entrepreneurs will pave the
way for growth and employment.
Norman attended the LEAD programme at Runshaw College, a partner of Lancaster
University. The relationship he now has with Lancaster was developed on the back of
winning the Lancashire Be Inspired Business Awards, which LUMS sponsors. Norman says
that whenever there is an opportunity to help with developing the next generation he
jumps in. This is one of the reasons that he wanted to be an Entrepreneur in Residence, and
he has already been an informative interviewee for student groups. Norman is an enthusiast
for the accreditation of LEAD, and we look forward to him becoming a future graduate of
Lancaster University.
41
Peter Mc Guinness
Entrepreneurs in Residence | Lancaster University Management School
40
“I am always interested in
learning. Working with other EIRs
will bring new opportunities for
this. I also expect that I will be
able to offer alternatives and
learning opportunities to others.
This should be fun and pro?table
for all concerned.”
P
eter is the Managing Director of DRM Industrial Fabrics. The company specialises in the
design of bespoke textile items for speci?c applications. With more than 40 successful
years in the ?ltration sector their customers range from large multi-nationals and global
corporations to small specialist companies and SMEs.
Peter became involved with Lancaster University Management School in 2005 on the LEAD
programme. After LEAD, he continued with the Lancaster Forum and the GOLD programme.
He says that he has enjoyed the discussions, debates and activities and that time spent
working on the business instead of working in the business is very constructive. The
relationship that he has developed with the University has helped him to become a more
con?dent and more effective business leader.
Alongside Peter’s involvement with the Management School, DRM has doubled in sales
turnover and more than doubled in pro?tability. In this time, Peter has set up two new
companies and bought three others to establish the DRM group. It is large enough to be
able to recruit talented young people and can share learning through the group. Peter says
that “business is successful, challenging and mostly fun.”
Peter leads an extremely innovative company which serves a number of engineering niches.
As an enduring supporter of our work at Lancaster, Peter is well-placed to advise us on
future programme development; and as a progressive entrepreneur his experience will be
invaluable to any students lucky enough to encounter him.
43
“I am committed to helping others grasp
the social and economic ful?lment which
entrepreneurship uniquely brings to the
individual and society as a whole.”
Philip has had a long relationship with Lancaster University. He studied for an MA in
Business Analysis 35 years ago and has more recently been on the LEAD programme.
These courses, he says, “have proved invaluable throughout my entrepreneurial career”. He
has also supported the University through contributing to the tuition of undergraduate
students as a guest speaker and tutor. Philip aims to continue to use his business experience
to help others in their pursuit of entrepreneurship.
An early intervention by Philip was instrumental in the development of the new and
expanded Entrepreneur in Residence initiative: hearing that Ian Gordon’s initial tenure was
over, Philip volunteered to do the job and we are now delighted to welcome him to the
School in this role.
P
hilip Coatesworth was the Managing Director of Professional Yacht Deliveries until the
end of December 2011. The UK-based company was founded in 1995 and is now the
busiest yacht delivery company in the world, with a global client base for both sail and
motor vessels of all sizes. The company has a dominating lead in moving yachts in the way
they were designed: on the sea and under sail. In recent years it has reached well beyond
the northern hemisphere, with increasing numbers of boats delivered from European waters,
via the Panama Canal and Paci?c Islands to New Zealand and Australia. Philip now has
a consultant role with the company and has set up a new company called Boatbridge to
develop his non’executive director, general business advisory and marine expert witness
activities.
Philip Coatesworth
Entrepreneurs in Residence | Lancaster University Management School
42
45
R
obert Leggett is the Managing Director of Omni Resource Management Solutions.
Robert has always been entrepreneurial, running businesses from the age of 14. Omni
was established in 1998 by Robert and his father, with the simple aim of changing the way
in which organisations recruit. Omni identi?ed that although organisations were heavily
reliant on recruitment agencies, they did not manage the performance of these agencies,
or manage the considerable amount being spent on them. Omni provides a management
service to both clients and suppliers that ensured each were working as effectively and
ef?ciently as possible with each other. Omni grew very quickly and by year four they were
in the top 100 fastest growing companies and expects revenues of over £20M this year.
Robert was also named as a ‘young gun’ in Growing Business Magazine, which considered
him as one of the top 40 people to watch in terms of business growth.
Robert has had a long relationship with Lancaster University. He attended LEAD and says “I
have thoroughly enjoyed LEAD I have received loads out of it.” He went on to be involved
in the Lancaster Forum and the GOLD programmes. He has really enjoyed working with the
University and enjoys the fact the there is an opportunity to interact with the students and
he feels that he now has the opportunity to give a lot back.
If business growth is important, then Robert is a prime exponent of that dif?cult art and we
anticipate him enlivening our community as he continues that process.
Robert
Leggett
Entrepreneurs in Residence | Lancaster University Management School
44
“I hope to be able to help other people, to motivate
them into becoming entrepreneurs themselves.”
47
studies, the company agreed to host an undergraduate student project which Sue is also
extremely enthusiastic about. In November 2010 they therefore enlisted the help of IEED at
Lancaster University Management School, commissioning a team of management students
to conduct a rigorous analysis of the company’s current marketing strategy. The students
were briefed to look in depth at industry trends and to advise where the company should
focus its future efforts. Sue will be able to bring her diverse experiences of engaging with
the University during her time as an Entrepreneur in Residence.
As leader of a successful manufacturing business Sue will undoubtedly bring a range of
valuable perspectives to our work here in the Management School, and we look forward to
her extended involvement across our work.
Sue Anderson
Entrepreneurs in Residence | Lancaster University Management School
46
S
ue Anderson is the Managing Director of Pendle Doors. The company is a family
business based in Darwen. It manufactures bespoke timber doors and windows. Sue’s
husband Steve initially started the business but Sue joined her husband as the business
grew, initially on a part-time basis doing the accounts but this became a more hands on
full-time role. The ?rm has enjoyed enormous growth and success through the hard work
and dedication of the entire workforce and has built a reputation based on reliability and
service.
Sue developed a relationship with Lancaster University by attending the LEAD programme
at the same time as her daughter was studying at Lancaster for a Masters degree. She
considered LEAD to be “absolutely fantastic.” Following on from LEAD, and her daughter’s
“I am excited and really looking forward to the
opportunity of being an EIR, convinced that it
will be very interesting and rewarding.”
Lancaster University Management School, Lancaster, LA1 4YX, UK.
Tel: 01524 510752
www.lums.lancs.ac.uk
doc_249819031.pdf