OVERALL OBJECTIVE.
To create a positive, enthusiastic feeling for the area and to promote, celebrate and communicate the success of businesses both retail and commercial within the area. To create confidence to draw new businesses into the area, and support educational providers to ensure the best outcomes, to build a sustainable future.
Initial Objective and Priorities of the Group.
“It’s not what can #AmazingAccrington do for you, it’s what you can do for Accrington & Hyndburn.“
HYNDBURN BUSINESS DATABASE.
To build a database to create awareness of the 3,129 registered businesses and inward enquiries and develop trade between local businesses wherever possible to boost the local economy
©AmazingAccrington – Correct as at March 2019, information supplied courtesy of Haworths Accountants, Hyndburn. E&OE.
INWARD INVESTMENT.
- To lobby for inward investment, improved transport links (road and rail) to create new trade opportunities
- To support the council on collective initiatives
- To challenge the status quo for the good of the borough
COMMUNICATIONS.
- To lobby for an improved IT network to create a fertile territory for large-scale businesses and geographically independent businesses which can leverage low property prices as a potential town centre initiative
- To support manufacturing and distribution space to attract inward investment
- Strategic focus such as housing stock as a plan to be communicated to increase the affluence of the area and to ensure affluent resident don’t move out
- To engage in good PR and marketing which celebrates the success of local businesses, promotes the area as a good place to do business.
EDUCATION.
- Make local businesses aware of financial support for apprenticeship schemes.
- Encourage mutual support and forge relationships between local education and training providers, and businesses, to provide opportunities for residents and a pipeline of workforce.
MEET OUR BOARD.
Murray Dawson has had a more than 30 year successful career in the local area. He started Scott Dawson Advertising in 1991 at a young age, followed by buying Peter Scott Printers in 1998. The two companies have more than 50 employees and provide printing and marketing services.
As an Accrington lad, he has been keen to give back to his home town, and has been involved with finding shirt sponsors for Accrington Stanley since 2010 and persuading Andy Holt to step in to take over the club.
Murray has been chair of the #AmazingAccrington business leaders group since he formed it in 2016. The group wishes to create a positive feeling for Hyndburn, improve outcomes for residents, and support the success of businesses within the area, to build a sustainable future.
A retired IT professional, Alan has worked in the chemical and pharmaceutical industries for over 35 years.
Whilst born and bred in Cheshire, he has ancestral connections to Accrington and has traced his family in the area back to the early 1700s.
Alan is the Chair of Trustees of Accrington Heritage Trust, and a fan and former Director of Accrington Stanley FC.
Charlotte Scheffmann RGN, CCDip, BA (Hons) Health Studies, MA Health Research, PGCE
Dean of Higher Education Nelson & Colne College Group. Born in Denmark and settled to the UK in 1992. Early career in the NHS as a Sister in Intensive Care, Director of Wonderful Things Ltd, Governor of a local Primary School, Chair of Governor for a Specialist School and current Vice Chair of the Education & Training Consortium with Huddersfield University. Possess a strong interest in education, health inequalities and research.
Accrington born and bred, Paul is a qualified accountant, having over 35 years experience working in practice. He specialises in advising SME’s across Lancashire in a variety of sectors, and on a variety of business matters. He is a partner at PM+M Solutions for Business LLP.
Managing Director of Langtec Limited. A graduate in economics, accountant by profession and have owned Langtec for 20 years. Our products are made in Accrington and exported all over the world – we send the spirit of Accrington with each consignment.
Kate has worked in retail for her whole career, starting out in her parent’s shoe shop in the centre of Accrington!
Studio remains the largest brand in the Frasers Group in the North West and as Head of Talent, Kate is passionate about creating opportunities to start and develop careers in Lancashire.