Networking and events firm expands with scaleup support

By Boost Business Lancashire

23 Jun 2023

Two-Zero-Shout-network-media.jpg.jpg

A Lancashire business specialising in business networking, events and exhibitions is continuing to grow at pace after moving into an expanded 8,000 sq ft premises at Preston docks last year.

Shout Connect, originally founded as a business directory by Ian and Maria Coupe in 2008, specialises in organising and hosting business events across Lancashire, Merseyside and Greater Manchester.

From a small home-based startup, the company has grown consistently and now employs 15 full-time and two part time members of staff. The business includes Shout Network, Shout Exhibitions, and Shout Futures, the apprenticeship and career arm of the business.

Shout Connect’s new business hub premises at Preston docks includes co-working and conference facilities, increasing the company’s potential for continued growth.

The business is now planning to expand its portfolio of services as well as continue its geographic expansion with the help of Lancashire County Council’s business support services.

It is currently taking part in Scaleup Leaders Network, funded by Lancashire County Council through its scaleup support service Two Zero and is planning to use the support received to grow its portfolio of business services.

Shout Connect is also launching in Cumbria, beginning with the Cumbria Business Expo at Carlisle Racecourse in September, 2023.

Ian Coupe said: “Our initial scaleup plan is to establish the Cumbria Business Expo in the region which will then determine the demand for other business services and the potential for coordinating networking groups and other business events.

“This follows the same formula we used for the growth of our Lancashire offering.

“Two Zero’s Scaleup Leaders Network has been a great opportunity to bounce ideas off other business leaders which is invaluable. The network enables us to share knowledge and experiences and I have formed some great working relationships with the other participants on the programme.”

Two Zero is a business support service for scaleup business leaders in Lancashire. Led by Lancashire County Council, its mission is to help Lancashire’s scaleup leaders learn, grow their business 20 per cent and create jobs.

Two Zero’s Scaleup Leaders Network works with the owners and managers of fast-growing businesses in Lancashire through a combination of coaching and peer sessions, helping them to learn from other businesses on the programme over a 12-month period.

The Scaleup Leaders Network is delivered by Cube Thinking, a Lancashire-based high growth business consultancy which previously delivered Two Zero’s highly successful Scaleup Resurgence programme during Covid-19.

Ian heard about Two Zero’s leadership programme through Boost, Lancashire’s Business Growth Hub. Ian joined Boost’s growth mentoring programme in September 2022 and was matched with mentor John Woodruffe from Cube Thinking.

Ian added: “Joining the Scaleup Leaders Network seemed a natural progression after the mentoring, particularly as it is also hosted by Cube Thinking.

“Taking part in these professional programmes is very beneficial. Simply getting out of the office and having some fresh space to think and work on the business instead of in the business is so worthwhile.”

Shout Connect has received support through the programme to help define its growth objectives and scaleup strategy. The programme also offers group scaleup masterclasses covering key areas including business strategy, Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) and accessing finance.

County councillor Aidy Riggott, cabinet member for economic development and growth, Lancashire County Council, said: “Shout Connect is a great example of the range of Lancashire County Council funded support services available to businesses in the county.

“The company’s continued growth is not only creating jobs and wealth in Lancashire, but Shout Connect’s expansion also provides a platform for other companies to develop and grow. Shout Connect is a real Lancashire success story and I’m looking forward to following the company’s planned expansion into Cumbria over the coming years.”

Latest news

1

Burnley Business Week 2025 is almost here Burnley Business Week

Burnley Business Week 2025 is almost here

07 Aug 2025

2

Lancashire food businesses caught mis-selling kebabs are prosecuted One of the kebab products which was investigated

Lancashire food businesses caught mis-selling kebabs are prosecuted

07 Aug 2025

3

Airframe Designs appoints four new senior specialists to drive growth strategy ; Jerrod Hartley, Tom Baynes, Phillip le Mottee, Paul Burrow, Martin Stones and Chris Fleet

Airframe Designs appoints four new senior specialists to drive growth strategy

05 Aug 2025

4

Lancashire’s Fhunded VC programme celebrates over £21m of early-stage investments Rory Southworth and Troy Wood from Fhunded, Angelene Woodland from The British Business Bank

Lancashire’s Fhunded VC programme celebrates over £21m of early-stage investments

05 Aug 2025

5

Beever and Struthers and Menzies LLP merge to form a leading national force in accountancy and business advisory services Maria Hallows, executive partner Beever and Struthers, Simon Massey, managing partner Menzies LLP and Caroline Monk, executive partner Beever and Struthers

Beever and Struthers and Menzies LLP merge to form a leading national force in accountancy and business advisory services

04 Aug 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
Lancashire Built Environment Conference 2025
BEC 315 X 315 Px
Networking
25 Sep 2025

Lancashire Built Environment Conference 2025

Blackpool Football Club, Blackpool, FY1 6HX

08:30 - 13:00

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

Advantage: AI – A Workshop for Business Leaders – August 14th
Navy--Event Tile.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
14 Aug 2025 - 14 Aug 2025

Advantage: AI – A Workshop for Business Leaders – August 14th

Door4 Office, Burnley Wharf, Burnley, BB11 1JG

09:00 - 12:00

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire
LBV Header (24).png.png
LBV Hub Networking
21 Aug 2025 - 21 Aug 2025

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire

Mytton Fold, Langho, BB6 8AB

11:30 - 14:15

Morecambe Bay Walk
Walk.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Awards
30 Aug 2025 - 30 Aug 2025

Morecambe Bay Walk

Arnside, CARNFORTH, LA5

09:30 - 14:00

Tri-Site Survey Equipment Showcase
Linkedin Cover.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
03 Sep 2025 - 03 Sep 2025

Tri-Site Survey Equipment Showcase

Harewood House , Leeds, LS17 9LG

09:30 - 16:00

Longridge Soap Box Derby
Screenshot 2025-06-10 090035.png.png
LBV Hub Fundraisers
14 Sep 2025 - 14 Sep 2025

Longridge Soap Box Derby

Berry Lane, Longridge, PR3 3WH

10:00 - 16:30

Preston Tech Connection - The Ultimate Tech Quiz!
Preston Tech Connection Sept 25.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
16 Sep 2025 - 16 Sep 2025

Preston Tech Connection - The Ultimate Tech Quiz!

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

18:00 - 19:00

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

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

Help to grow management course
Help to grow - barriers to growth.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
26 Sep 2025 - 16 Dec 2025

Help to grow management course

Preston Campus , Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 15:00

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 LBV 123 Online Graphic
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin