Women in leadership project #WECAN empowers over 900 women and 350 businesses across the region

Led by Leeds Beckett University, and working in partnership with Edge Hill University and Social Enterprise Yorkshire & Humber (SEYH), the three-year project brought together leadership development specialists and academics to enhance the resilience and growth of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) by building the leadership skills, capabilities, and opportunities of women in the Leeds City Region.

Part funded by the European Social Fund (ESF), with support from the Department of Work and Pensions, women working in SMEs, social enterprises and charities alongside solopreneurs and sole traders were able to access fully funded training and support including :

• An initial diagnostic to help identify existing skills, strengths and barriers
• ILM accredited qualifications in leadership, management, and coaching
• Networking opportunities with other women in the region
• Monthly guest speaker series #WECAN Invites
• Development workshops led by industry experts and academics
• Access to surveys and research

Of the 920 women who accessed support (2021-2023), 420 gained a qualification in either leadership or coaching; accredited by the Institute for Leadership and Management (ILM) and delivered by industry professionals at The Leadership Centre, based within Leeds Beckett University.

Leeds Beckett University's commitment as an anchor institute saw the project benefit women and businesses across the wider Leeds City Region covering Barnsley, Bradford, Calderdale, Craven, Harrogate, Kirklees, Leeds, Selby, Wakefield, and York. The popular #WECAN on the Road series saw collaborations with We are Wakefield, York City Council, Morley Town Bid, Invest in Bradford, and West Yorkshire Manufacturing Services.

Professor George Lodorfos, Dean of Leeds Business School at Leeds Beckett University, said: "At Leeds Business School we are incredibly proud of our #WECAN community and everything they have achieved. The project would not have been possible without the women and businesses involved, dedicating time and effort to invest in themselves and their futures. We recognise the positive impact which more women in leadership roles can have for enterprises, society, and the economy. Leeds Beckett University will continue to support, coach and champion women to meet and exceed their future aspirations."

Over 360 events were scheduled in total throughout the #WECAN project including leadership development workshops both online and in person led by industry experts and academics from Leeds Beckett University and Edge Hill University. Topics included overcoming imposter syndrome, building resilience, managing change and more.

Ali Ward, General Manager at SEYH, said: "Social enterprises work tirelessly to drive positive social and environmental change through their business. The funded support and training provided, ensured that social enterprises could develop their staff and sustain operations, allowing more money to continue to be invested in their mission of helping people and planet. We're grateful for the support provided by #WECAN and will continue to champion women in social enterprise."

Both Leeds Beckett University and Edge Hill University are members of the Athena Swan Charter and currently hold an institutional Bronze Athena SWAN Award. The Athena SWAN Charter was initially established in 2005 to recognise commitment to advancing women's careers in science, technology, engineering, maths and medicine (STEMM) employment in academia.

In 2015 the Charter was expanded to recognise work undertaken to address gender equality more broadly and not just barriers to progression that affect women.

Professor Anastasia Konstantopoulou, Associate Dean for Faculty of Arts and Sciences at Edge Hill University, said: "Throughout Edge Hill University's 139-year history its ethos has always been about educating, empowering, and celebrating women. Working with so many inspirational women has made #WECAN one of the most rewarding projects of my career. The University remains committed to inspiring women from all demographic categories to reach their full potential and thrive in their professional roles. It has been heartening to see so many SMEs committed to fostering the necessary cultures and processes to enable women to break glass ceilings, and we are proud to be part of their journey to success."

Whilst the ESF project came to an end in December 2023, the legacy of #WECAN continues and Leeds Beckett University continue to support, champion, and connect women in leadership through the #WECAN Network alongside their partners Edge Hill University and SEYH with support from Lloyds Bank.

ENDS

The #WECAN network offers:

• Opportunities to connect at networking events and co-working days bespoke to you
• Workshops led by leadership development professionals
• The latest news and opportunities
• Resources such as blogs, surveys, and research
• Knowledge, expertise and talent at Leeds Beckett University and our partners

Email: wecan@leedsbeckett.ac.uk

X: @wecanlbs

LinkedIn: wecanlbs

EventBrite: Leeds Business School

Leeds Beckett University

• Leeds Beckett University is ranked among the 10 most successful universities in the UK for widening participation and ensuring higher education is accessible to people from all backgrounds
• The university was awarded silver status in the Teaching Excellence Framework for its high quality teaching
• Leeds Beckett has 28,000 students and is investing £200m in university facilities
• The university contributes an estimated £624m to the economy each year

Edge Hill University

Since 1885, Edge Hill University has been creating access to knowledge for those who may not have had the opportunity before. Our award-winning 160-acre campus is in Lancashire, ideally located between Liverpool and Manchester. We set out to deliver teaching of the highest standard, informed by research of international standing, in an intellectually stimulating, ideas-focused and inclusive environment.

Our significant success in achieving our mission has been recognised with awards and high rankings for teaching, student experience, research and more. Edge Hill was named Modern University of the Year in The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2022 and University of the Year at the Educate North Awards 2020/21. Most recently we were placed 35th in the UK in the Guardian University Guide 2024 and top four in the North West in the Complete University Guide 2024.

SEYH

SEYH represent, promote, and connect social enterprise across the region. Social enterprise is our passion and through our membership and help we want to see every social enterprise meet their potential and flourish. We have 5 main aims to deliver to our members, we will :

• Develop a strong regional social enterprise network
• Support existing and developing social enterprises
• Research, represent and lobby on behalf of the sector
• Promote and raise awareness of the sector externally
• Explore new market opportunities for social enterprises to encourage growth

European Social Fund

The project had a budget of £1.7m over three years, partly funded by partners and partly from the European Social Fund as part of the 2014-2020 European Structural and Investment Funds Growth Programme in England. The Department for Work and Pensions (and in London the intermediate body Greater London Authority) is the Managing Authority for the England European Social Fund programme. Established by the European Union, the European Social Fund helps local areas stimulate their economic development by investing in projects which will support skills development, employment and job creation, social inclusion and local community regenerations.

For more information, visit the GOV.UK European Growth Funding webpage.