Go Furness

Nicola Foster

Nicola is a real go-getter. Some might say that she has landed on her feet at a young age, but I say she has really worked hard for a well-earned success. She thinks big and strives to make big changes but her successes have been built on her passion for making things better for ordinary people. She is approachable, open and friendly with all of the qualities of a consummate professional. She is extremely positive with a deep commitment to making a difference.

Nicola grew up in Ulverston and studied archaeology at Leicester University. She then completed an MSc in management and business before returning to the area to work.

She has been involved with many projects and initiatives in the area. She learned how to write successful funding applications, how to deliver excellent presentations, write credible documents and most importantly how important it is to relate to people. Nicola is very aware that her people skills have taken her a long way. Part of this she credits to her mother who she describes as tactile, friendly and open. Well done Mrs. Foster! Nicola says “With me, what you see is what you get”.

These qualities combined with her experience puts Nicola in prime position to head her current project in Barrow ‘Talented Minds’. She describes this project as the softer side of regeneration because it is all people based. She argues that any amount of new bricks and mortar is not what makes successful regeneration. It is the people who live and work in the area that determine whether the regeneration is sustainable. The ‘Talented Minds’ programme is designed to attract and retain skilled people to the area to make sure regeneration is a long-term thing. It is also about changing the perceptions of the young people who are growing up in the area. So, for example, part of her project is aimed at reaching the now 11 year olds who will be the generation of young professionals when the marina development is up and running. Another key time is the period at the end of University when the young graduates are deciding where to establish themselves in their professional working lives. She aims to attract and encourage young skilled people and graduates to live, work and enjoy life in Furness. Projects that embrace these goals include The Cookes Building that will house and support creative industries, support for festivals and events and The Youth Reaction Team (who aim to teach the youth about regeneration schemes). She wants to instil a sense of pride in the area in school children. Nicola is also very proactive in the Furness Young Professionals and can be found partaking in any number of the crazy activities. Oh yes, this is Nicola at the eco fashion show sporting a little number that her mother wore in the 70s!

As if this isn’t a big enough remit, Nicola is also involved in initiatives further up the coast in Egremont, Wigton and Maryport.

Sometimes it is not easy being the new kid on the block working with people who are more senior in years and experience. Sometimes she has to work very hard to earn professional respect. But she says that she doesn’t mind that because it just means that she is growing better at her job every day.

Nicola did do a lot of work at Furness Enterprise before joining West Lakes Renaissance. Here she helped people return to work and to establish successful businesses. I asked her what advice she would give to budding entrepreneurs in the area.

She said:

• Talk to failed business owners and find out what went wrong.
• Seek advice from someone who will be brutally honest with you at the beginning of your venture. Hunt someone out! Don’t just ask all the people who will tell you what you want to hear.
• Make informed decisions that you can justify well.
• Work hard. Success will not happen unless you graft.
• Don’t chase funding at the expense of chasing your vision, or watering down your unique selling point. But also don’t chase a pipe dream!
• Strike a balance in all that you do, and pitch things right.
• Be professional. Do what you say you are going to do, work hard and be reliable.
• Face your challenges rather than avoiding them.
• Be willing to take some stick along the road!
• Move past the grant expectancy culture, be creative and take responsibility.
• Be astute: Be passionate about what you are doing, but roll with the market rather than what your hobby is if there is no market demand for it.

Hmmm. Some great words of wisdom there, Nicola really is an old head on young shoulders and not just a pretty face! It was great to have time with her, lots of thought provoking discussion and it left me feeling motivated and enthusiastic. Look out Barrow, this one’s a livewire!!

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Posted by Kay Hebbourn on 5th November.