Brenda McLeish OBE DL, Chief Executive Officer of Learning Curve Group (LCG), has been named EY Entrepreneur of the Year for the North after a record-breaking year for the training provider.
The North East CEO’s determination over the decade in which she has been leading LCG has seen the company turnover increase from £1m to in excess of £50m and employee numbers going from 40 to over 1,000. Brenda goes above and beyond to promote positive change for the industry, fundraise for many charities, and truly embody the organization’s vision of transforming lives through learning.
LCG, headquartered in the North East, is one of the country’s largest and most diverse training providers, winning multiple awards for transforming the lives of individuals across the country through various innovative training programmes such as apprenticeships, online courses and academies specialising in military preparation, fitness, construction, and hair and beauty.
It has been a fantastic year for the CEO as Brenda was awarded Entrepreneur of the Year at the North East Chamber of Commerce Business Awards in July.
This new accolade for Brenda comes just 9 months after being awarded an OBE for her contribution to education in the Queen’s New Year’s Honours list and 4 months after becoming a Deputy Lieutenant for County Durham.
Brenda McLeish OBE DL, CEO of LCG and EY Entrepreneur of the Year for the North, said: “It is such an honour to win EY Entrepreneur of the Year for the North. I am truly humbled. I would like to thank the fantastic team of Purple People at Learning Curve Group, as I would not have been able to achieve this without their hard work and support. I look forward to continuing to lead this incredible business to more success and transform even more lives through learning.”
In 2020, Brenda set out a five-year strategic plan for LCG to more than double in size – both in terms of turnover and employees. The training provider aims to double learner numbers which will involve growth within multiple sectors, utilising multiple funding streams.
Lynn Rattigan, EY’s Chief Operating Office for the UK & Ireland and Entrepreneur Of The Year UK Partner Sponsor, said: “This year’s cohort have shown how business leaders are embracing their responsibility as role models and are continually inspiring the next generation. We thank them for making such a positive impact on their teams, the UK economy and our communities. I feel privileged to be a part of this incredible community.”
The LCG CEO now goes forward into the national EY awards, the Entrepreneur of the Year UK overall winner will be announced in November. They will represent the UK at the EY World Entrepreneur of the Year ceremony in summer 2023, a gathering of the most inspiring entrepreneurs from across the world.
