SUMMIT franchise grows East Lancashire presence with new leadership expertise

East Lancashire-based SUMMIT franchise, led by Chris Ball, is scaling rapidly to meet growing demand and has welcomed strategic leadership coach Jane Gilchrist to the team to support this.

SUMMIT is a business growth and strategy network that helps owner-led businesses turn vision into action by strengthening leadership, aligning teams, and embedding accountability.

The team have worked with countless businesses across the North west and beyond. Jane’s experience in leadership development, operational efficiency, and succession planning will enable the franchise to support more local businesses while maintaining high-impact results.

Chris Ball’s East Lancashire franchise has experienced significant growth over the past year, with increasing numbers of local businesses seeking guidance to implement strategy effectively, strengthen leadership, and ensure sustainable growth.

With more businesses than ever requesting SUMMIT’s services, bringing in new expertise has become essential to maintain quality service and continue scaling operations across the region.

Jane joins SUMMIT with over two decades of senior leadership experience across corporate and owner-managed businesses.

Her background spans law, professional services and manufacturing, where she has helped leaders align culture, systems, and strategy to achieve measurable results. Jane’s strengths-based approach to leadership development ensures that emerging leaders gain the confidence, skills, and accountability needed to drive business growth.

Jane said: "I’m thrilled to join Chris Ball and the East Lancashire team.

"The opportunity to work alongside local business owners to translate strategy into tangible results, while developing the next layer of leadership, is exactly why I do this work. Chris’s franchise is already making a real difference, and I’m excited to contribute my experience to help it grow further."

Chris Ball said: "The growth we’re experiencing in East Lancashire is incredible, and it’s clear we needed additional expertise to support our clients and team.

"Jane brings exactly the mix of leadership, operational insight, and energy that will allow us to scale further while maintaining the quality and impact our clients expect. Her arrival will strengthen our leadership capacity and help us deliver even more value to the businesses we work with."

With Jane on board, SUMMIT’s East Lancashire franchise is well positioned to continue expanding its impact locally and across the North West. The team’s approach combines strategy, human insight, and operational know-how to help business owners achieve sustainable growth, develop high-performing teams, and create a clear plan for the future.

SUMMIT continues to create an environment where business owners can achieve more through people-powered growth. Jane’s addition to the franchise community reinforces its mission to build capable, confident leadership teams, ensuring both short-term success and long-term sustainability.