University of Chester

The University of Chester is a public university located in Chester which originated as the first purpose-built teacher training college and now occupies five campus sites in and around Chester, one in Warrington, and a University Centre in Shrewsbury.

The Issue

The Knowledge Action Network (KAN) Project’s purpose is to help regional SMEs to facilitate and support the generation of jobs and employment.

The University of Chester chose Roy Shelton and DropJaw Ventures in 2012 to be on the small team providing coaching support to the KAN programme for small and medium sized enterprises, a project part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund.

The Solution

DropJaw has consistently been a top choice of delegates on the programme and has worked with a range of KAN businesses to support the project themes of innovation and growth.

Roy’s understanding of the challenges faced by early and mid-stage companies, together with highly relevant technical knowledge, has been an ideal combination to complement the KAN programme of workshops and business diagnostics.

Over the three years of the project, university members of the consortium will recruit SMEs and work closely with them to uncover innovation challenges, provide coaching and arrange expert speakers in relation to specifically identified issue areas.

Kay Kent, Director – Strategic Projects, BA (Hons), MBA, FHEA, FCMI, MCIPR

The Results

DropJaw has now worked across three different cohorts of KAN businesses and been selected by delegates to provide additional supplementary coaching. Feedback confirms Roy’s input has been highly valued and has assisted his business group to meet their plans for growth and development.

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