CONTENTS 44
The Big Interview SpudBros’ story began in 1955 when a hot potato cart first opened on Preston’s Flag Market. Decades later, the high-octane duo of Jacob and Harley have transformed this Lancashire family tradition into one of the UK’s most recognisable food brands, thanks to an enormous global social media following.
Celebrate Lancashire Day with the county’s business community!
ISSUE 130 SEPTEMBER/ OCTOBER 2026
Regulars
The Lancashire Business View
In View
Looking Back Barometer Dealmakers Legal View Sub36
LBV Hub Appointments
Interviews The Big Interview:
SpudBros Lancashire Leaders
Special Features
Lancashire County Council 22 Suppliers Charter CVS Vehicle Group Expleo
32 48
Debate Skills
Manufacturing
In Depth Innovation and Change
Hotspots Blackburn
with Darwen Net Zero
50 67
27 36
60 56
Advanced Manufacturing 60 Business Growth Recruitment
34
Business Essentials Business Motoring
and Fleets 53
Advanced Manufacturing Planning approval has been secured for the Samlesbury Innovation Hub – the latest asset in the county’s advanced manufacturing and engineering eco-system. Once developed, it will join an impressive cluster of leading research, innovation and development institutions in the county.
67
Manufacturing Debate We brought together industry, education and business leaders for a round table event at Blackburn College to discuss what Lancashire’s next generation of manufacturing might look like, what skills are required and the challenges facing the industry.
70
Sub36 Ahead of the Sub36 Awards evening on 16 October, we hear from a selection of hopeful finalists who tell us a little bit about their careers so far and provide an insight into why they are among the cream of the crop of Lancashire’s business talent.
LANCASHIREBUSINES SV
IEW.CO.UK #LBD26 In association with:
04 06 17 18 24 47 70 72 74
44 36 58
Hotspots We take a look at some of the latest business stories from Blackburn with Darwen, leading with an exclusive interview where Blackburn College principal Dr Fazal Dad talks about the college’s acquisition of Training 2000. ‘It’s the beginning of an exciting new chapter’, he says.
50
Skills Debate With our partners D&M Creative and Blackpool and the Fylde College, we convened an expert panel of business leaders at Hatfields Jaguar Land Rover in Preston to discuss what employers want from recruits, lifelong skills and how AI is changing the way they do business.
58
Lancashire Leaders Adopted Lancastrian Dr Michele Lawty-Jones, director of the Lancashire Skills and Employment Hub, explains how skills development and the empowerment that can give people has been embedded since she witnessed her own mum go off to night school and retrain.
06
In View The announcement Lancashire will be split into four new council areas under local government reorganisation (LGR) sparked reactions ranging from delight to disappointment. Subject to parliamentary approval, the political map of the county will be redrawn.
24
Dealmakers Established in 1909 and employing more than 550 people, Buoyant Upholstery is one of the biggest firms in Nelson. We take a look at the recent sale by NVM Private Equity to south Wales based Ashwood Designs Group, which has created the UK’s largest sofa manufacturing group.
27
Innovation and change We asked our readers to share their stories to demonstrate the varied nature of innovation and change in Lancashire. Each demonstrated how, by introducing new products, new processes, or new ways of working with people, they have been able to drive growth through innovation and change.
Date: Friday 27 November 2026 Time: 12.00pm – 5.00pm Venue: Burnley Football Club
• Network with like-minded leaders from businesses of all size and sectors
BOOK NOW Become a patron
Put your business at the heart of Lancashire Business Day.
Show your support for the county and raise your profile across Lancashire’s business community.
Contact Joanne Hindley on 07442 949697 or email
joanne@lancashirebusinessview.co.uk.
Brought to you by
Patrons:
Charity Partner:
5
CONTENTS
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76
