YOUR BUSINESS SUMMER 2018 - 180

YO U R B U S I N E S S _ P R O M OT I O N

Best in business
bar none
Leeds Business School supports the business sector
while fostering the next generation of entrepreneurs

L

eeds Business School is among an
elite group of institutions to have
been awarded the Small Business
Charter. The award reflects the
central role that the school, which is
part of Leeds Beckett University, plays
in regional economic growth through
its long-established support of SMEs.
"We are always keen to make new
connections and forge links with the
SME community in Leeds and West
Yorkshire," says Professor George
Lodorfos, Dean of Leeds Business School.
"Over the years, we've worked with
thousands of businesses and through
this network have been able to maximise
our impact on the regional economy."
The charter recognises expertise in
supporting small businesses and student
entrepreneurship. This support includes
establishing an LBS Entrepreneur
in Residence programme, which
involves working with successful local
entrepreneurs who in turn mentor students
and share their practical knowledge during
guest lectures and networking events.
"It's a win-win situation," says Christian
Townsley, co-founder and director of North
Brewing Co. "Working with Leeds Business
School has opened up a new world of
contacts and expertise for us. In return,
we offer students the chance to work with
an innovative, successful and awardwinning company on their own doorstep."

Expert guidance

Leeds Business School's links with
North Brewing reflect the school's drive
to be a national leader for regional
engagement with the business sector.

That ambition and drive has already
established a formidable network
with businesses of all sizes.
"We have a key role to play in the
development of the local economy," says
David Devins, Professor of Enterprise
and an expert in the development
of SMEs. "We are committed to
working with the business community
in a host of different ways."

Masterclasses for all

Leeds Business School's services aren't
exclusive to graduates. "Hundreds
of start-up owner-managers benefit
from our masterclasses, learning sets
and consultancy services every year,"
says Professor Devins. "Entrepreneurs
from outside the university can also
benefit through programmes such as
AD:VENTURE, which supports the growth
and expansion of start-ups in Yorkshire.
"Our approach is based on listening
to businesses and providing a range

"HUNDREDS OF
START-UP OWNERMANAGERS
BENEFIT FROM OUR
MASTERCLASSES,
LEARNING SETS
AND CONSULTANCY
SERVICES
EVERY YEAR"
DAVID DEVINS, PROFESSOR OF
ENTERPRISE, LEEDS BUSINESS SCHOOL

of services to help equip business
leaders with the knowledge and tools
to make their businesses a success."
That expertise in supporting new
businesses is crucial, especially in the
early years. Around 20% of start-ups
fail by the second year, rising to 40% by
year five. Leeds Business School provides
the knowledge to help start-ups avoid
the pitfalls, enabling them to grow.
"Running a small business can
be a lonely and demanding pursuit,
and working alone can be bad for
business," says Professor Devins.
"Some of the best innovations and
opportunities come from sharing ideas
with colleagues and collaborators.
"We bring businesses together to
provide support and assistance and
help to broker new relationships."

Centres of excellence

Hundreds of smaller businesses already
benefit from services provided by the
university's business centres in Leeds,
Wakefield and Halifax. As well as the
practical support provided by the
centres, Leeds Business School academics
Christian Townsley is one
of Leeds Business Schools'
entrepreneurs-in-residence
http://leedsbeckett.ac.uk/lbs/
YOUR BUSINESS SUMMER 2018

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