Leading Small Business in Wales: The LEAD Wales Programme 2010-2012, a research report looking at the first two years of the LEAD Wales leadership development programme, highlights the impact the programme has had on the growth of small and medium sized businesses in Wales and on the Welsh economy.  

These include, at the end of the ten month programme:

• An average increase of 2.3 jobs per business (some part-time);
• An average increase in annual turnover of 26% per business.

Wales-wide the data shows that a year after completing the programme businesses continued to grow, with over half of the respondents reporting an increase in turnover and employee productivity.

Ceri Jones, Project Director LEAD Wales, said: “LEAD Wales is a leadership development model that successfully supports owner-managers of small and medium sized businesses, in the business environment they are operating.

“This research demonstrates that LEAD Wales is clearly contributing to the economic prosperity of Wales, with businesses reporting a marked increase in turnover and staff.”

Co-author of the research report Dr Karen Jones said: “It is also encouraging to see that LEAD Wales is having a sustained impact with businesses continuing to expand and innovate a year after completing the programme.”

The LEAD Wales programme is funded by the European Social Fund, Welsh Government and Swansea and Bangor Universities to deliver a leadership development programme for owner-managers of small and medium sized businesses in the Convergence Regions of Wales.  To find out more visit www.leadwales.co.uk