The Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) have congratulated researchers and teachers at Lancaster University Management School for “extensive links” forged with local businesses.
The success of such ventures as Leading Enterprise and Development (LEAD) has reportedly contributed to the increased productivity and sale at 250 companies in the Lancaster area.
The workshops, lectures and networking events hosted by the Management School regularly encouraged participants to relate their learning experiences to their current business situation.
Ian Gordon, the school’s senior teaching fellow and head of Leadership and Management programs said, “For the last 10 years the Institute for Entrepreneurship and Enterprise Development at Lancaster University has been deeply involved with production of research informed programs for businesses”.
The initiatives that the Management School has provided for the local community comes partly due to the success of its Entrepreneur In Residence (EIR) program that gives up to 20 local business people the chance to share their experience with the university.
Martin Moylan of Moylan Enterprises is one of these EIR’s whose knowledge about the property and construction sector has proved useful to other small businesses in the program.
Moylan Homes, part of Moylan Enterprises, has been established for over 30 years and has won awards for Manchester Housebuilder of the Year and recognition from Greater Manchester Police for their Secure By Design policy on all their developments.
Speaking to the University, Moylan commented: “I am hoping to bridge the gap between the academic understanding of small and family businesses and the actual practice and activities of people who run such firms.”
The ESRC’s survey found that of the companies approached, half of those have reported increases in turnover since signing up.
