Lancashire's Growth recipe: Upscaling tips from the entrepreneurial t

Lancashire businesses are overcoming global challenges and flying the flag internationally for growth, some of the county’s top business people heard at the MHA/Napthens Entrepreneurs Event.

‘Driving sustainable growth’ was the theme of the event at Mytton Fold Hotel where more than 40 representatives across different sectors heard some inspirational stories from around Lancashire.

It was hosted by Richard Slater, chairman of Lancashire Business View, a partner at the event, and not only celebrated the work of the businesses but also discussed the challenges facing them.

Annette Weekes, managing director of PDS Engineering in Nelson, talked about her market being ‘very susceptible to global macro trends’ especially how it was ‘frustrating’ during the Presidential election when companies in America slowed down spending or decision-making.

She added: “We have not allowed global situations to take us down by moving on to something else whether that is making other things such as trolleys for the Nightingale Hospitals during COVID to
making gym equipment.

“We are an aircraft parts manufacturer, but at that time that was where the work was.

“We can make anything out of anything, and it was a case of asking what do you want us to make. We are a success by circumnavigating difficulties."

Looking forward to 2025, Annette shared her wishes that could help businesses grow in Lancashire.

She said: “I would like free trade with Europe, and I would like to ease the restrictions about employing people. Lots of skilled European people went back.”

David Judge, a successful managing director who took Cormar Carpets in Ramsbottom from £20m turnover and small profits to £135m in 20 years, talked about ‘controlling the controllables and making marginal gains’.

He said “I can’t control the budget, I can’t control the government and I cannot control Donald Trump so what I can do is not making it predictable and want to have an edge.

“The argument goes that in business you are either in a head wind or a tail wind, but if you are any good, you and your team should still be able to perform brilliantly even in a head wind.”

David says that Lancashire is great and ‘capable of making outstanding things’ but goes under the radar.

He added: “If you go to London there are big factories and there are railings and you can see them.

“But ours are on the other side of a drystone wall and they are centres of excellence and punching above their weight.

“But we tend to be shy and don’t shout about what we do.”

David was asked what would be on his wishlist for fellow entrepreneurs from the new incoming government.

He said: “If you want growth, then lower taxes and encourage entrepreneurs to do their best instead of standing on their shoulders and taxing them to death.”

Delegates also heard the inspirational business journey of Michael Lane,
managing director of We Buy Books in Rossendale, who 16 years ago created a book recycling business.

Now it has £27m turnover with 147 employees and they ship between 8,000-10,000 books a day.

Michael, who is also chair of the Rossendale Levelling Up Board, talked about wanting to grow into another market to buy and sell… from Barbie dolls to figurines to games consoles.

He said: “We went with Lego because it has been around a long time, it is well-engineered and does not break. The only downside was there is not a developed used market for Lego.”

Now, WebuyBricks, where he buys and sells Lego bricks by weight, have invested in machines that takes photographs of the bricks, and they are looking to sell them.

Kam Kothia, chief executive of seoBusiness in Blackburn, also spoke about his many ventures in business and as a chairman of Star Academies Trust.

Kam inspired the audience when he said: “If you work hard then your luck will come.”

It was on the back of telling the audience about driving expansion and setting his own e-commerce business selling electronics.

He said: “It is a big field. We did not realise we could buy consumer electronics from Argos so we put a bid in and won and I asked my daughter to sell them on eBay.”

His business also created electronic tablets, and they were sold on Groupon.

He said: “Literally they all sold out and the business grew from nothing to £3m in two years.You could write a book about it, but it was a case of right place right time.”

Justine Bedford, award winning landlady of the Royal Dyche in Burnley, talked about helping her pub attract attention on a global scale.

In June, she was named Licensee of the Year by the British Institute of Innkeeping, which is the most prestigious award for licensees in the hospitality industry.

She said: “I’m an accidental entrepreneur since my dad asked me
to lead the business”.

Since winning the award she has been invited to meetings and to speak to managing directors of different pub companies to speak about her story and ideas.

She said: “I’m now exploring consultancy as the way forward to monetise my skills and expertise.”

Andrew Feeke, head of corporate finance at MHA, said “The old adage being at the top can be a lonely place has a lot of truth, our intent is to bring together leaders of the best businesses across Lancashire to learn
and debate together across sectors and to hopefully leave our events full of ideas, new contacts and to continue to lead the charge”

Keith Melling, head of the corporate team at Napthens, said: “There was a great feel listening to all the speakers and it was very entertaining.

“We are all in that space of being a business leader, and it is great to talk to each other and get soundbites, gripes or concerns and hopefully come to some solutions.

“We love to work with businesses at the earliest possible stage and see them grow.”

Rob Richardson, from MHA, said: “Entrepreneurs in Lancashire have not been deterred by the constant headwinds they’ve had to battle in recent years. What was clear on the night is that their ambition and
drive for sustainable growth hasn’t been dampened but is underpinned by ensuring the right foundations are in place.”