University leads the way for businesses in Wales

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LEAD Wales, Swansea University’s professional leadership development programme created to bring out the leadership skills of business people, graduated over 60 leaders and owner-managers of SMEs located within Wales Convergence region, this summer.

Delegates, who represented a wide spectrum of organisations, learnt about leadership skills and leadership perspectives through a course that draws heavily on experiential learning.

The ten-month EU fully-funded programme engages delegates through a series of master classes, interactive peer group sessions, individual coaching sessions,  and a two day residential.  

Operations and Marketing Manager Gary Walpole said: “Places on the programme are competitive and those who are selected are expected to commit two days a month to the programme. 

“This programme does deliver results; past delegates report an average increase in annual turnover of 26% per business.

“Delegates joining our network of leaders and owner-managers of SME have the opportunity to grow their network with contacts across Swansea University.”

Maudie Hughes, Chief Executive Pembrokeshire Tourism, who graduated from the Pembroke Course said: "The LEAD Wales programme has provided a great opportunity to look at how I operate within the business, and what impact I have on that and my team. The skills I have gained from the programme are already proving invaluable to me, my team, and the business.”

Cleopatra Browne, who also graduated from the Pembroke Cohort, was named in the top 25 Rising Stars of business, in June/July’s 2013 edition of Wales Business Insider.

Cleopatra is the Managing Director of Coastal Quest Coasteering based in Pembrokeshire. 

Gary said: “To be included in the top 25 list is a fantastic achievement for Cleopatra.  It’s pleasing that LEAD Wales is helping her to develop her business.”

Cleopatra is no stranger to awards.  In June she was named as the winner of the Outstanding Entrepreneur Award in Women 1st Shine.

LEAD Wales will deliver its leadership development programme in Pembrokeshire commencing 12 November.  Further information is available on the website www.leadwales.co.uk