Leeds Business Leader Shares Growth Journey After ‘Help to Grow’ Programme

As Edward Architects prepares to celebrate its 20th anniversary, Managing Director Graham Edward, reflects on the company’s growth and its recent success thanks to the Help to Grow: Management Course.

With an expanding team and impressive portfolio, the business has embraced new challenges. The Help to Grow: Management Course has significantly shaped the development of Edward Architects who were established in 2005. Over the past two decades, the company has grown in size and has expanded operations into London. Their work includes designing residential properties, commercial and industrial units, and assisting in large-scale master planning projects.

Graham says, "Master planning is about helping landowners—such as councils or large corporations—navigate the planning system for big pieces of land. We help them gain housing approvals and secure planning permissions for sites, some of which can take years to develop." 

Edward Architects also works with housing associations, designing bespoke housing units and facilitating the construction of thousands of homes annually. In addition to housing and planning work, Edward Architects has a specialization in accessible design. The company is heavily involved in providing bespoke adaptations for individuals with disabilities. Graham and the team at Edward Architects knew there were areas where they could improve and so the decision to join the 'Help to Grow' programme stemmed from a desire to refine their business strategy and address the growing demands of the industry.

"We didn’t actively seek out the course," said Graham. "We got a call, and it sounded like a fantastic opportunity. What terrified us, though, was the thought of two key people being out of the office for an extended period of time, especially with all the homework involved." 

However, after completing the course, both he and co-director Chris agreed that the experience far exceeded their expectations. The most valuable aspect of the programme for the pair was the comprehensive business growth plan they developed.

"The course really helped us focus on the areas we needed to work on, and that business growth plan has been instrumental," said Graham. "We knew we had to show that we were growing and that we had the capacity to handle larger projects, but we hadn’t realized how much of an impact the office space and branding could have on client perceptions."

The business moved to a new office space in September 2023, a decision that came directly from the course’s lessons as their previous office did not accurately reflect the company’s expanding capacity. Their new headquarters are located in the character-filled Marshalls Mill, offering a more professional image and better accessibility for clients. While the changes to the business have been significant, Edwards Architects’ leadership is not stopping there. 

Graham said, "We’ve set clear targets for the next 2 to 5 years in terms of revenue and staff growth, to achieve these goals, we need to continue evolving our marketing strategy, expanding our network, and delivering quality work."

Unlike many SMEs that send just one person on the Help to Grow programme, having both co-directors attend allowed for better decision-making and more effective implementation of the business plan. 

Graham said, "It was invaluable having both Chris and I on the course. We were able to collaborate on the growth plan, compare notes, and make decisions together. Having two perspectives meant we could discuss the best path forward for the business."

For Edward Architects, the ongoing support and connections provided by the programme have proven beneficial. 

"The networking opportunities were fantastic. I’ve kept in touch with several people from the cohort" said Graham. "We’ve continued to benefit from alumni events, and it’s great to compare notes with other business owners and learn from each other’s experiences."

"We’ve made significant strides thanks to the course," said Graham. "We now have a solid growth plan, and we’re well on our way to achieving our goals. The course gave us the confidence to make changes, take risks, and continue growing."

As Edward Architects looks ahead to the next 20 years, the business is poised for continued success, armed with a clearer vision, stronger leadership, and a roadmap for the future. The lessons learned through Help to Grow: Management Course have helped to make an impact, and they are now ready to take their business to the next level.