Business Hour
In this issue of Business Hour, I talk to entrepreneur, successful businesswoman, charity worker, wife, mum and grandmother, Ann Dean. It’s no wonder that she’s now also an award winner
Born and bred Prestonian, Ann, started her business career in Manchester, working in communications in healthcare. The company she worked for was founded by a Preston GP and provided executive health checks. The business subsequently sold out to BUPA but she continued to work with them for 10 years in a PR and marketing role.
Ann is also a director of TiE (The Indus Entrepreneur) a mentoring and networking group for new businesses and aspiring entrepreneurs which is a global brand which has a base in Manchester but holding occasional events in Lancashire to promote opportunities to bring more entrepreneurs to the fore. “There’s definitely no shortage of business-women coming to these events,” says Ann. “For me it’s about getting involved in these groups, not necessarily attending with the goal to develop your business, but it’s about what you can add and how you approach it.”
Ann founded her own public relations and marketing agency in 1990 specialising in strategic planning and PR, predominately in the acute healthcare and other sector specific industries and is still a successful agency today.
During the same period her husband set up a builders’ and plumbers’ merchants in Wigan which successfully grew and took on several acquisitions within the Lancashire area. Gutterking moved its head office to Clitheroe and is now a family owned business, servicing the trade within the catchment area of where it has branches. Ann took up the position of director, whilst her two sons also joined the business.
As if all that wasn’t enough, in addition to her busy work life, Ann does a great deal of charity work. “Charity work has always been my passion,” says Ann. “I feel it’s important to give back to the community around where your business is located or where you live.”
She’s a founder member of Women Making A Difference – bringing MBAs and Women in Business together; a founding director of iNspire a hub for 32 grass root community charities in the north west being mentored by Entrepreneurs; Chair of Friends of Vine House (Cancer Help), Preston; a founder member of north west Childline Business Committee, Manchester and is a committee member of Ribble Valley Petal Cancer Research UK Charity.
Ann also fills a number of other roles: she is the Deputy Lieutenant of Lancashire; a Governor of Queen Elizabeth’s Grammar School, Blackburn; the Chairman of Blackburn Cathedral Board of Trustees; and a member of the Creative Lancashire Board.
In 2013-2014 she held the prestigious post of High Sheriff of Lancashire.
“One thing that does strike you doing this role,” says Ann, “is that there is a terrific amount of volunteering that is done across the county and we aren’t necessarily aware of it and sometimes don’t appreciate it.”
“You never know who has nominated you for the role and you only hold the position for one year. The office of High Sheriff is an independent non-political Royal appointment for the county. It’s a great opportunity to get involved in some great initiatives.”
Ann is also a director of Lancashire Enterprise Partnership, a strategic collaboration between business, universities and local councils which directs economic growth and drives job creation. “I’ve only been on the board for just under two years, but it’s an exciting time. Lancashire is looking at bidding to become the UK’s first county of culture.”
But her most recent achievement to date is being awarded the title Lancastrian of the Year at this year’s BIBAs. The first female ever to hold the title. “I was a guest at the BIBAs which was held at Blackpool Tower. The award is for lifetime achievement and is not open to applications but is voted for by previous winners of Lancastrian of the Year. It’s for someone who has demonstrated outstanding leadership in business and who has made exemplary contributions to advance the goals and principles of the business community in Lancashire.”
Ann has certainly done all that and more. So how does she fit it all in? “I consider my hobbies to be my charity work and I’m lucky in that I have my two sons looking after the family business. We’re fortunate to live in a county which is full of great people with great businesses and I feel a sense of pride at being able to get involved where I can and offer help and support. I just love what I do so I always find time.”
