Small businesses in the North West of England are set to receive a skills boost after a Preston coaching firm won part of a £9.5m government contract to deliver training in the region.

PINNA and the Learning and Skills Network (LSN) will be working together to deliver a leadership development programme as part of the Leading Enterprise and Development (LEAD) scheme designed by the North West Regional Development Agency, a public body which leads regeneration in the North West, specifically to increase the competitiveness and productivity of small and medium enterprises (SMEs).

PINNA managing director, Helen Bailey, said: “An independent evaluation of the initial pilot showed that 90 per cent of business owners who took part in the programme reported an average annual sales increase of £200,000. Previous delegates have also recognised the programmes’ role in enabling them to step back and focus on the strategy and growth of the business rather than the day to day running.”

Because the LEAD scheme is supported by the NWDA the maximum cost to a business will be £2,000 and funding may be available through the Train to Gain leadership and management programme, which would reduce the cost a further £1,000.

And the government hopes the multi-million pound investment into the LEAD scheme will help 2000 businesses across the North West over the next three years.

Steven Broomhead, chief executive of the NWDA, said: “Organisations have recognised leadership and management as a priority to enhance productivity and competitiveness, and over the last 20 years have devoted substantial resources to this. In contrast engagement by small and medium sized enterprises is often limited by time and financial constraints, however better skills at higher levels drive leadership and management, which are the key drivers of growth and profit.”

The programme, which is responsible for training more than 150 business owners over the past five years, was developed and piloted by Lancaster University Management School (LUMS) with support from the NWDA.

PINNA will be delivering coaching and action learning as well as business master classes, concentrating on personal development of owner managers, to companies two days a month over a ten month period.

For more information about the LEAD programme contact PINNA on 01995 642276 or visit www.businesslinknw.co.uk/lead 

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