LEDCOM seeks to tackle another 30 successful years

Guest speaker at LEDCOMs 30th anniversary celebration was former international rugby referee and MD of Kilwaughter Chemical Company, Simon McDowell. He is pictured with Mid and East Antrim Mayor Billy Ashe, LEDCOM chairman Henry Fletcher and CEO Ken Nelson, hoping to tackle another 30 years of economic development. INLT 50-667-CON

Over the past three decades, the pioneering enterprise centre has helped create more than 900 small businesses with 1500 new jobs.

The multi award winning Larne firm has also played a pivitol role in setting up 90 new social enterprises with 250 jobs.

And it has helped 900 unemployed people into work through employment, self-employment and accredited vocational qualifications.

LEDCOM has been at the forefront of local economic development in Northern Ireland since 1985.

The fledgling company came into being at a momentous time when the Northern Ireland economy was reeling from major job losses, the Troubles, and low levels of entrepreneurship.

From small beginnings, the social enterprise now has two dedicated business parks at Willowbank and Bank Road in Larne and runs three subsidiary companies, Chain HR, Business Led and Heritage Experience.

Marking LEDCOM’s 30th anniversary at a special celebration event on Friday, chief executive Ken Nelson said the company would continue to look at innovative ways to stimulate the economy and create job opportunities.

He added: “Northern Ireland has seen many economic setbacks with the closure of large factories and the withdrawal of multi-national companies.

“In Larne we have experienced tough times, but the hard work of local enterprise agencies such as LEDCOM and entrepreneurial spirit of its people has helped offset large scale job losses.”

Mr Nelson said the company would not have been able to provide such a valuable service without the dedication of its voluntary directors.

LEDCOM Chairman Henry Fletcher said the recognition that LEDCOM has received including IiP Gold and Customer Service Excellence Awards is testament to the high calibre of its staff.

Guest speaker at the anniversary event was former Rugby World Cup referee, Simon McDowell.

A successful businessman, Mr McDowell is managing director of Kilwaughter Chemical Company.

He said: “We would like to congratulate LEDCOM on 30 years of continued success on providing an invaluable service to local businesses.

“We wish them well for the future as we continue to build a stronger partnership together.”

For more information about LEDCOM go to http://www.ledcom.org/, www.willowbankbusinesspark.com; www.wbpconferenceecentre.co.uk

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