MSc graduate in farming consulting project
Published 19 December 2002
A north Lancashire farm has been the first organisation to benefit from the skills of a Learning Tourism business consultant. Sellerley Farm, at Conder Green were eager to get help to prepare a marketing plan to add to their bid to the DEFRA redundant buildings grant scheme – to convert their old barns into self contained self-catering units.
Claire Smith, a recently qualified MSc in Management graduate, helped the farm business collate market trend information, performed a robust competitor analysis and signposted the farm family to other areas of assistance such as the North West Tourist Board, Lancaster City Council's Access Officer, Business Link and Lancashire Rural Futures.
Farm manager Eddie Newsham said, “I would never have thought that the university, which I look out onto everyday, could ever help me and my business grow!”
Consultant Claire, who is now looking for postgraduate employment with multinational companies, expressed the benefits to her. “I now have an excellent example of how my studies have been put to practical use, which is what is needed to put me ahead in the competitive jobs market.”
The Learning Tourism team were introduced to Mr Newsham by Suzi Williams at Lancaster City Council; who in turn had been informed of the farm's plans by Hannah Towers from Lancaster Farmers' Auction Mart.
Learning Tourism Director Dr. Gordon Clark said, “ This is a wonderful example of how public, private and higher education can work together to benefit SMEs in the North West.”
