CONTENTS 26
The Big Interview As a leader in further education, with a significant national profile, Lisa O’Loughlin continues to take on the challenge of change. Her work over the last two years has included making a major contribution to a national review of the curriculum, while leading one of England’s top-performing college groups. And while doing all that Lisa has faced and overcome breast cancer.
ISSUE 126 JANUARY/ FEBRUARY 2026
Regulars
The Lancashire Business View
In View
Looking back Barometer Dealmakers LBV Hub
Appointments
Interviews The Big Interview:
Lisa O’Loughlin Special Features The year ahead
Leadership Skills and
Apprenticeships The Big 20
04 06 15 16 36 72 74
▸ Feature in the next issue of Lancashire
06
In View From humble beginnings on Preston’s Flag Market to a global phenomenon – The SpudBros’ remarkable growth story continues. Jacob and Harley Nelson have turned their jacket potato business, operating from an old tram carriage in the city centre, into a worldwide social media sensation.
18
Regional focus The map has been redrawn several times and the arguments have been made. Now it is down to central government to decide. Lancashire’s local government reorganisation proposals, sent to Whitehall by the current 15 councils, range from two to five unitary local authorities.
20
The year ahead The new year is with us and to start 2026 on the right foot we’ve asked business leaders from across Lancashire to look into the future. We wanted to know their thoughts on the what lies ahead in the next 12 months. Here are their predictions for their sectors and the wider economy.
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Lancashire Business Day 58 Sub36
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In Depth Regional Focus
Net Zero Toolkit
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52
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49
The Big 20 Welcome to the Big 20 – our new ranking of Lancashire’s biggest companies by sales and profit. Following on from our annual and much-anticipated Hot 100 table of the county’s most profitable SMEs, the Big 20 shifts the spotlight to the county’s larger companies and their performance.
58
Lancashire Business Day Derry Green received a standing ovation after being announced as the Lancashire Business Personality of the Year for 2025. Derry was visibly emotional taking to the stage to receive the honour at the annual Lancashire Business Day celebration, which was a sell- out event at Burnley FC’s Turf Moor.
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Toolkit The growth of Lancashire’s scaleup sector has been described as one of the county’s real economic success stories over the past decade – with no signs of its momentum slowing. The county is outperforming some big city economic powerhouses when it comes to scaleups.
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Leadership A £20bn-plus growth plan, local government reorganisation and economic headwinds that continue to blow hard. These are challenging times. Our leaders will play a vital role in charting the right course as the county moves towards devolution and works to fulfil its economic potential.
36
Dealmakers Tony Raeburn is looking ahead to smashing the £200m turnover mark as Blackburn based Pets Choice continues on its impressive growth journey. Strategic brand acquisitions sit at the heart of its strategy. The deals have come thick and fast over the past two years.
42
Skills and Apprenticeships Lancashire employers are being urged to invest in the next generation and ‘grow your own talent’, as the number of 16-18-year- olds starting apprenticeships in the county has dropped. Businesses are being encouraged to play an active role in developing the county’s future workforce.
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