The first cohort of 22 local SME business leaders has recently participated in the first Mercia Centre for Innovation Leadership (MCIL) two-day workshop, focusing on 'creating the conditions for innovation to flourish.'

An inspirational session was provided by external expert Les Jones on his entrepreneurial journey, including how to develop a compelling and innovative vision and customer proposition, which helps to enable businesses to grow at pace.

This was followed by a detailed session by Professor Kurt Allman, Director of Keele Management School, and Phil Johnson, Senior Teaching Fellow, which featured strategic planning, competitive positions and stretch objectives.

Reflecting on the first workshop, Professor Gary Crowe, Professor of Practice and Centre Director, said:  “It's been great to work closely with a group of highly motivated local leaders, who really grasped the content and responded brilliantly to the environment created for both peer learning and developing tangible actions.  We are all looking forward to working with them for the next six months.”

‌The MCIL programme is part-funded through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) as part of the England 2014 to 2020 European Structural and Investment Funds (ESIF) Growth Programme.