Lancashire Forum helps Logma to growth and job creation

A Lancashire software solutions company has created five new jobs and increased its profits following support from a Lancaster University-led business growth programme.

Chorley-based Logma Systems Design, which provides bespoke and off-the-shelf software to small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs), has expanded after its founder and CEO, Audrey Odell participated in the Lancashire Forum programme.

The six-month programme, part of Boost Business Lancashire, brings together like-minded directors and managers of SMEs from around the county and provides them with activities and tools to stimulate self-development and business growth.

Lancashire Forum, which draws on key elements of Lancaster University Management School’s research, provides an opportunity for participants to network with like-minded leaders from a wide range of sectors, enabling them to learn from each other and inspire confidence to make positive changes to their enterprises.

“I was holding back on going ahead with growth plans, but based on my experience with the Lancashire Forum, as well as a Lancaster University student project, I have made the decision to restructure,” said Mrs Odell. “We have done this, minimising the impact on our highly experienced core team, by creating a collaborative team of new people who can share information and recognise their own training needs. It’s working brilliantly.

“The experience handed me back belief and that decision-making mind-set. It put me on track to make further changes and to grow the business,” she said.

Matt Hutchinson, programme manager for Lancashire Forum at Lancaster University, said: “It is great to see great Lancashire businesses such as Logma Systems Design Ltd going from strength to strength and delivering quality jobs and economic prosperity in the county.

“This programme is a fantastic opportunity for the leaders of growth orientated Lancashire businesses, helping them to grow skills and confidence in equal measure.”

The next cohort of Lancashire Forum, which is part funded by the European Regional Development Fund, is due to start on October 4th 2017 with additional cohorts running in January and March next year. Recruitment of Lancashire businesses for these cohorts has begun.

Lancashire Forum initially ran for two years up until June 2015 and supported 93 companies, leading to the creation of 55 jobs, with businesses seeing their turnover increase by almost £2m. The most recent round of funding will see Lancaster University support an additional 131 businesses over three years and has so far supported 38 businesses. Participants benefit from an overnight experiential, inspiring Masterclasses, business growth workshops, a visit to a leading company, and access to Lancaster University student consultancy projects. Workshops cover vital topics such as innovation and creativity, business strategy, employee engagement, branding, and business finance for growth.