County council's scaleup support creates more than 100 jobs

By Tim Aldred

26 Jul 2024

Scaleup Leaders Network Participants 2022

Scaleup support offered by Lancashire County has led to the creation of 117 jobs and generated an extra £27m in revenue for the participating businesses. 

The programmes were led by Lancashire County Council’s scaleup support service Two Zero and were aimed at improving the knowledge and skills of Lancashire’s scaleup leaders through targeted support while helping them create a network of likeminded leaders.

Scaleup businesses are those growing either turnover or staff by 20 per cent year-on-year.

The Two Zero Scaleup Leaders Network, which was fully-funded by Lancashire County Council, took place over almost two years between July 2022 and March 2024, supporting 43 businesses in total. This included well-known Lancashire companies such as Moorhouse’s Brewery and fast-growing electricity engineering firm Serconnect.

The programme was delivered by business growth organisation TurnKey Corporate and included one-to-one performance and leadership coaching, group masterclasses on key areas of scaleup strategy and peer learning with fast-growing scaleup companies.

Independent analysis shows its 43 participants have so far created 61 new jobs, increased turnover by £12.6m and generated £3.9m Gross Value Added (GVA) for the Lancashire economy.

The second Two Zero programme, Women Scaling Up, was delivered by Lancashire business growth consultancy Role. It was two thirds funded by Lancashire County Council through Two Zero through two cohorts, the first taking place for six months from September 2022 and the second from September 2023.

It focused on developing the strategy and mindset of the women involved and included a residential retreat as well as an outdoor experiential day to improve resilience and communication. Analysis of the two cohorts shows participants have so far created 56 jobs, with a combined turnover increase of around £14m.

Female leaders which took part in the programme included Elizabeth Porter, managing director at Chorley based storage and distribution business Brysdales, Ceri Dixon, partner at accountancy and business advisory firm PM+M and Chantelle Brennand, commercial director at Poulton-based Innovative Food Ingredients.

County councillor Aidy Riggott, cabinet member for economic development and growth, Lancashire County Council, said: “Figures show that nationally, scaleups are less than 0.5 per cent of the total population of SMEs but contribute around 60 per cent of SME turnover.

“That’s why Lancashire County Council provides specific support to help our county’s scaleups reach their potential – so they can continue to create skilled jobs and wealth.

“The analysis shows the guidance provided through our Two Zero programmes to businesses on the Scaleup Leaders Network and Women Scaling Up programmes is already reaping the rewards. There are some real, inspiring success stories and I’m looking forward to following the participating companies’ success as they continue to grow.”

Enjoyed this? Read more from Tim Aldred

Latest news

1

Post Office future secured as council explores new options Abington Street Post Office

Post Office future secured as council explores new options

17 Sep 2025

2

Airframe Designs supports new defence strategy with pledge to nurture talent Jerrod Hartley

Airframe Designs supports new defence strategy with pledge to nurture talent

17 Sep 2025

3

Fox Group makes second acquisition since Stellex Capital backing Roger Thistlethwaite, managing director NMS Civil Engineering Limited. Paul Fox, CEO Fox Group. John Flood, Executive Director Fox Group

Fox Group makes second acquisition since Stellex Capital backing

17 Sep 2025

4

Villa at Wrea Green bought for £3.6m by Haythornthwaite family The Villa Wrea Green courtesy of The Villa Wrea Green

Villa at Wrea Green bought for £3.6m by Haythornthwaite family

16 Sep 2025

5

Fourth Lancashire Bodycare store to shut Nick Holloway of administrators Interpath

Fourth Lancashire Bodycare store to shut

16 Sep 2025

Background image for hub sign up block

LBV Hub

Leverage Lancashire Business View platforms

Post your news
Post your events
Post your offers
Build your network
Improve your SEO
Gain coverage in the magazine
Sign-up
Events
Sub36 Networking - Follow the signs
Sub36 Deaf Village Social1200
Networking
17 Sep 2025

Sub36 Networking - Follow the signs

The Deaf Village, Blackburn, BB2 5EN

10:00 - 12:00

LBV124 September/October Launch Event
MBP Arc Cinema Preston Opening 205
Networking
18 Sep 2025

LBV124 September/October Launch Event

The Arc Cinema, Preston, PR1 2BL

08:30 - 10:30

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course

Preston Campus, Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 17:00

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course

Preston Campus, Preston, PR1 2HE

08:00 - 17:00

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire
LBV Hub Networking
17 Sep 2025 - 17 Sep 2025

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire

Stanley House, Blackburn, BB2 7NP

11:30 - 14:15

Business Breakfast Networking Event
business workshop photo.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
17 Sep 2025 - 17 Sep 2025

Business Breakfast Networking Event

Media Factory, University of Lancashire, Preston, PR1 2HE

08:00 - 10:30

Ladies Lunch
Lancs-cham-logo.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
18 Sep 2025 - 18 Sep 2025

Ladies Lunch

Lancaster Golf Club, Lancaster, LA2 0AJ

12:00 - 16:00

Cumbria Business Expo 2025
https---cdn.evbuc.com-images-880461633-4862066883-1-original.20241022-110415.jpeg.jpg
LBV Hub Exhibitions
19 Sep 2025 - 19 Sep 2025

Cumbria Business Expo 2025

Carlisle Racecourse, Carlisle, CA2 4TS

09:00 - 15:00

Your Business, Your Region: Making sense of devolution and Local Government Reorganisation
Chorley Council breakfast event new
LBV Hub Networking
23 Sep 2025 - 23 Sep 2025

Your Business, Your Region: Making sense of devolution and Local Government Reorganisation

Worden Hall, Leyland, PR25 3DH

08:00 - 11:00

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: September
Sept Freelancer (1).png.png
LBV Hub Networking
23 Sep 2025 - 23 Sep 2025

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: September

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

10:00 - 11:30

Speed Networking with BNI
2.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
24 Sep 2025 - 24 Sep 2025

Speed Networking with BNI

Chorley Football Club, Chorley, PR7 3DU

16:00 - 19:00

The Marketing Meetup IRL: Lancashire - September
TMM Lancashire
LBV Hub Networking
25 Sep 2025 - 25 Sep 2025

The Marketing Meetup IRL: Lancashire - September

Chorley, PR7 2SL

18:00 - 20:00

Advertise with us

Reaching 50,000 members, our print, digital and event platforms offer a fantastic way to raise your business profile and help you grow.

Find out more LBV124 Online Graphic
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin