Member Article

LEANNE’S STARTED THE WRITE BUSINESS

A FORMER regional journalist and public relations professional has launched her very own communications consultancy.

Leanne English worked for 12 years in a number of roles throughout the North East and at the age of 31, felt the time was right to pursue self-employment.

So after approaching East Durham Business Service for help to make her dream of self employment a reality, last month she launched LEC Consultancy which provides a broad range of communications services to regional businesses and organisations.

And things could not have got off to a better start for her as within days of operating she secured her first two clients.

Leanne, who is running the business from her home in Peterlee, CoDurham, said: “For the last few years I’ve dreamt about starting my own communications consultancy but the security of employment and a full time salary was always the safer option. I’d seen so many other people try it and I knew if I didn’t go for it now, I never would.

“So with the help of East Durham Business Service and the support of my friends and family, I launched LEC Consultancy. Everyone says securing your first client is the hardest part so to have two lined up within days of launching was such a relief. It’s the perfect platform to take the business forward.”

Leanne has also been helped by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).

The project is being part financed by the European Union’s ERDF Competitiveness Programme 2007-13, securing £1.07m ERDF investment. Working in a consortium led by North East Enterprise Agencies Ltd (NEEAL) localEnterpriseand Development Agencies in the North East have matched this ERDF investment with £1.07m of their own funds.

The ERDF 2007-13 programme is bringing over £300m into North East England to support innovation, enterprise and business support. It will help create and safeguard 28,000 new jobs, start 3,000 new businesses and increase the region’s productivity by £1.1bn per annum.

Leanne started working as regional journalist at the News Guardian inWhitley Baybefore moving to the Hartlepool Mail as business reporter. This was followed by four years as a press officer at One North East, two years as PR Manager at local enterprise partnership Tees Valley Unlimited and one year at a communications agency.

She added: “I knew that after 12 years working as a journalist and public relations professional, I had the skills and expertise to work for myself. I know running my business is going to be extremely tough and challenging but I’m prepared for the hard work and long hours which will be needed to make it a success. It’s just so exciting for me that I’m actually realising my dream.”

Hina Joshi, Leanne’s Business Advisor at EDBS said: “I’m really pleased that Leanne has started up her own business in something that has been at the forefront of her career for a long time.

“Leanne is just one example of how you can start your own business no matter what your passion is and I’m positive that LEC Consultancy will be a success.”

For more information on services from LEC Consultancy, please contact Leanne English on 0191 5873343 or 07824 631950 or email leanne@lecconsultancy.co.uk

If you would like help and advice on starting up your own business, or for information on services available, contact EDBS on 0191 5863366 or visit www.edbs.co.uk.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Leanne English .