SLIDE SHOW: Enterprise Agency applauds First Minister after Lead2Grow conference

Jayne was speaking after this week’s Lead2Grow conference in Coleraine.

The Lead2Grow event has been funded by Causeway Enterprise Agency, the Department for Employment and Learning, Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council, the Chartered Management Institute, Invest Northern Ireland and Ulster University Business School. The Lead2Grow leadership skills programme has been funded by the UK Commission for Employment and Skills.

Jayne said: “The Lead2Grow conference has put leadership on the agenda for micro-businesses both locally and across Northern Ireland.

“I applaud the First Minister for lending her voice to the growing number supporting leadership skills development in Northern Ireland.

“Micro-businesses make up 95 per cent of Northern Ireland’s companies. Our ongoing aim is to support their owners through the Lead2Grow leadership skills development programme. Leadership training is underutilised in Northern Ireland where we have the UK’s highest rate of start-up mortality with half of all businesses folding within three years.

“By addressing this skills gap the Lead2Grow programme will have a lasting impact on our largest business sector, enabling leaders to grow their businesses, create jobs and support economic growth.”