Impact case study database

The importance of SMEs to the global economy cannot be overestimated; they account for 99.5% of businesses across every main industry sector, 44% of all jobs in the UK and 62% of all jobs in Wales. The CLEC 20Twenty Leadership and Construction Futures Wales training programmes have collectively impacted nearly 900 SMEs, achieved business growth improvements of over £155m, safe-guarded and/or created over 2,000 jobs and produced 25 new businesses. They have also helped deliver and shape Welsh Government policy. CLEC leveraged £7m in grant funding to deliver a gain of £148m to the taxpayer, a return-on-investment rate of over 2,000%. Their success is evidenced through cumulative business improvements; the transfer of best practice; and individual company level impact.

1. Cumulative National Business Improvement

Morgan, Clifton, Francis and Loudon have worked on CLEC Programmes since inception, delivering to 606 participants from 480 companies within the assessment period and providing business growth to 30 of the top 300 businesses in Wales. One third of 20Twenty participants reported company sales growth of at least 30% within two years of commencing the Programme [E1], totalling an estimated £120m of business improvements in the REF Impact period [E2], and creating 25 new businesses [E3]. Moreover, of companies reporting growth, 75% directly attributed this rise to programme attendance [E2]. 68% of the companies reported improved customer satisfaction, 60% increased profitability, and 82% improved decision-making [E2]. Together, the 20Twenty and Construction Futures Wales programmes reached an additional 408 companies in construction supply chains, safeguarding and / or creating 2,014 jobs, with £36m of new business achieved (against a £10m target) [E4]. Participants also reported significantly improved leadership skills in key areas of collaboration. These include innovation and product / service development and coaching, as well as facilitating the upskilling of colleagues [E3]. Due to its success, the programme was opened up to sponsorship from larger organisations from 2015, [E3] with sponsoring organisations including Legal and General, General Dynamics, Admiral Insurance, Sport Wales and Willmott Dixon.

1. National Policy Delivery & Transfer of Research-Informed Best Practice

The 20Twenty Programme contributed to meeting the central tenets of the ‘Lisbon Agenda’ of the Europe 2020 Strategy, and the success of ESF Regional Competitiveness, the Employment Programme for East Wales [E3]. It also contributed to Welsh Government’s Programme for Government (2011-16) aim of achieving balanced and sustainable growth. Funding awarded by WEFO in 2015 [C] extended the reach of the programme from regional (South East Wales) to pan-Wales, with Bangor University as delivery partner and a further grant extension to 2023 [D] cementing its reach to North East Wales [E5]

The impact of the programmes is further evidenced by additional funding and the appointment of key members of the research team to governmental and policy advisory roles. Specifically, significant follow-on funding was obtained to explore the impact of leadership on company productivity and to provide policy recommendations [E]. In addition, Morgan was invited to join the Welsh Government Learning Skills and Innovation Partnership (LSkIP) Employment and Skills Board to contribute to skills development in Wales and Clifton was invited by the Federation of Small Business (FSB) in Wales to contribute to their strategy for developing the Welsh SME base [E6]. Morgan also gave evidence to the National Assembly Economy, Infrastructure and Skills Committee, promoting good practice among business-skills providers nationally. Collectively, therefore, the CLEC programmes have had a significant impact on the Welsh economy, company performance, and the policy and practice of national, regional and sector stakeholders.

1. Individual Company Level Impact

Endorsements from individual companies demonstrated the value companies placed on the 20Twenty Programme, in particular the aspects of knowledge-sourcing - “I often came back from a session with new ideas or the will to challenge status quos”; and networking - “people who will definitely become part of my future business contacts”; “I have a much better understanding of the management tools available to help bring about positive change in our company” [E2] impact which accrued beyond programme attendance - “The Programme provided wider impacts and outcomes [planning, new business opportunities] which continue to contribute to the company”; and, ultimately going beyond profitability or growth to the sustainability of the business itself “My company may not have been trading today if I had not been on the programme” [E3].

Widespread endorsement of 20Twenty and its impact included that of NatWest Bank which actively promoted it to their client base [E7]. Other companies stressed the balanced implementation of both ‘hard’ and ‘soft’ leadership factors that it enabled [E8]; the improvement in collaborative working across organisational and functional boundaries [E9]; improved strategic decision-making and growth outcomes [E10]; knowledge sourcing and business objectives [E11]; and, processes and systems improvement [E7]. As a result, Admiral Insurance commissioned a bespoke version of the 20Twenty Programme (2015). Indeed, 20Twenty Cohort 4 included tailored provision for 28 Social Enterprise organisations including charities, and housing associations with over 20,000 tenants in total.