Member Article

LEC Consultancy targets further growth

A communications consultancy which was launched last year by a former regional journalist and public relations professional is targeting further growth as it approaches its second year.

LEC Consultancy is run by Leanne English, who worked for 12 years in a number of roles throughout the North East including as a reporter at the Hartlepool Mail and in the communications teams at One North East and local enterprise partnership Tees Valley Unlimited.

The 32-year-old launched the business in September after dreaming of pursuing self employment for a number of years and sought the help of East Durham Business Service to make the dream a reality.

And now Leanne, who already counts NSK Bearings in Peterlee, Gateshead companies Spark eCommerce Group and AS Design North East and Hartlepool company Publicity Seekers, with whom she works in a freelance capacity, among her clients, is actively looking to bring on board new business with the aim of doubling her portfolio in year two.

She said: “The first nine months have gone so well and I’ve really enjoyed seeing my portfolio of clients steadily increase. It’s been great to be able to utilise the broad range of skills I possess, from the regional and trade media profiling and social networking I do for Spark eCommerce Group to the staff newsletter I produce for NSK.

“Now the challenge for me is to build on the success I’ve enjoyed in my first year of self employment and bring on board new clients. I’ve set myself the target of doubling my portfolio in my second year as I think it’s always good to have goals to reach – it ensures I don’t rest on my laurels and constantly push myself to achieve greater things.”

Leanne, who runs LEC Consultancy from her home in Peterlee, started working as a regional journalist at the News Guardian in Whitley Bay in 1999 before moving to the Hartlepool Mail as business reporter. This was followed by four years as a press officer at former regional development agency One North East, two years as PR Manager at Tees Valley Unlimited and one year at a communications agency.

LEC Consultancy, which has also done pro bono work for charities Kayleigh’s Wee Stars and Jaiden’s Dancing Stars, provides a broad range of communications services including public relations, internal communications, crisis management, speech writing and strategy development.

Leanne added: “Self employment was something I thought about pursuing for so long but the time was never right and I always stuck with the security of working for someone else. But last year I knew it was almost a case of now or never and I have to say, I have no regrets that I went for it. Of course it’s been stressful and challenging at times and I’ve often worked long and unsociable hours to get the business off the ground. But now it feels like it’s all coming together and I’m excited as to what the future holds for LEC Consultancy.”

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