The Manufacturing Growth Fund has appointed a new manufacturing advisor, Alan Reid, to deliver its manufacturing fund in Lancashire. The Fund is delivered collaboratively by Business Growth Hub, part of The Growth Company, and Boost, Lancashire’s Business Growth Hub, which is supported by the Lancashire Local Enterprise Partnership.
Alan is an elected member of the Institute of Mechanical Engineers and has over 30 years’ experience in the manufacturing and engineering sector, most recently as Managing Director of B&M Longworth.
He is a chartered mechanical engineer with a degree in mechanical engineering from UCLan, which he obtained as a mature student.
Born and bred in Lancashire, Alan was awarded an MBE for his volunteer work with youth services in Blackburn.
He joins a team of advisors who are passionate about the manufacturing sector and growing businesses through operational efficiency and increased productivity.
Manufacturing specialists are available to support businesses anywhere in Lancashire, providing consultancy to help them implement strategies and processes which will have the greatest bottom line impacts.
Alan Reid said: “When I sold my shares in B&M Longworth, it gave me nine months to take stock of what I wanted to do next.
“I thought about consultancy and then this job came up, which was ideal as it allows me to use my skills to help other businesses. I’ve experienced running a business with a £1.5m turnover that exported to the Far East and USA that not only met the criteria for supplying the likes of Rolls Royce, but also dealt with small businesses employing only a handful of people.”
Anne Campion, Manufacturing Services Manager for the Manufacturing Growth Fund, added: “Alan brings a fresh perspective to the manufacturing offer in the North West. He has experience as a business owner, and has received funded support from the former Manufacturing Advisory Service, which means he is ideally placed to advice manufacturing and engineering firms on their growth strategy.”
One of Alan’s first opportunities to meet with manufacturers from across Lancashire will be at a special event outlining what the sector needs to do to prepare for Brexit.
Entitled ‘Preparing Your Manufacturing Business for Brexit’, the free event will be held at the Macdonald Tickled Trout Hotel on Preston New Road in Samlesbury on Tuesday 13 February 2018, 8am-11:30am.
Joining Alan will be Mike Brook and Jayne Mezulis from international business consultants Brook Corporate Developments. Together they will outline the implications of Brexit for local manufacturers, followed a by panel discussion on how to effectively plan for Brexit.
Attendees will also be invited to take part in a workshop to help them grasp the practical implications of Brexit and also seek more general advice on a wide range of manufacturing issues. Lancashire firms interested in attending can find out more at www.businessgrowthhub.com/brexit-preston.
The Manufacturing Growth Fund, part of The Growth Company, are also delivering a series of free other workshops across the North West in early 2018 in partnership with the local Growth Hubs.
Find out more at: www.manufacturingnorthwest.com/events or contact the Manufacturing Growth Fund team on 0161 237 4196.
To find out more about the support the Manufacturing Growth Fund can offer small and medium manufacturing enterprises in the North West, please visit www.manufacturingnorthwest.com.
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