University of Central Lancashire

As one of the region’s key economic forces, the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) is proud to be at the centre of supporting the county’s thriving business community.

Being Lancashire’s largest provider of graduate level qualifications, the University plays a key role in increasing the supply of high-level skills available to Lancashire employers and thereby increasing the productivity of the economy.

In addition, in the last five years, our entrepreneurial approach has helped more than 1,000 students and graduates start a business or become self-employed, and more than 1,400 regional commercial organisations have benefited from our support.

Our large business team has well established links with local, regional, national and international businesses, sharing and exchanging expertise and academic research to help give organisations that competitive edge.

Whether it’s supporting entrepreneurs with product launches, helping SMEs achieve growth through recruitment or enabling employers to upskill their workforce, our wide range of services can be tailored to specific needs; a combination of academic expertise, innovation and state-of-the-art facilities resulting in a package of support which is second to none for Lancashire business growth.

What one top tip would you give to a business owner embarking on a growth plan?

Ask yourself “what will ‘good’ look like to me in three years’ time? Now identify the key actions and milestones to achieve it!

Why is Lancashire a great place to grow a business?

Lancashire has one of the largest local economies in the North of England and sits in the heart of the North West, the 3rd fastest growth area in the UK. Lancashire has fantastic transport infrastructure, quality graduates that stay local and a culture of cooperation to work together to realise the potential of our local economy.

Why are you backing Boost Business Lancashire?

It is imperative that we have a developing SME economy in the region. As an anchor institution, we value the commitment of Boost Business as vital to supporting this infrastructure.