Anshul Kapoor

Image Foundry

Taking part in Lancaster University’s LEAD2, with Jacqui as one of the leads, was a genuine pivot point. She’s skilled at drawing out ideas, challenging fuzzy thinking and turning reflection into action. Investing in your leadership is not a luxury, it is leverage: one sharper decision or new habit can return the full fee several times over. I’d recommend any programme she directs to independent business leaders who need clarity, accountability and practical momentum.

Michael Gibson

CEO Fuuse

From working with Jacqui on Lancaster University’s LEAD Program:

So much. Loads of things come back like – open innovation; swimming in a blue sea; what motivates team members; active learning sets; and much more. Wish I could do it all over again.

One of the simplest was essentially around product market fit and then how to focus the business on the core offer and deliver return. In the year following we trebled base line profit and exited the business.

Jacqui is hugely empathetic and a great listener. This allowed her to bring common solutions but focus them in a way that gave you the confidence to deliver on them.

It really focused the mind. Apart from a huge amount of learning and shared experiences, it allowed me to drive the outcome that we collectively wanted and sell the company. It made me better as a company leader and a person.

Do it. You won’t regret it. Time is a valuable commodity, which is what may stop you from joining but this will payback many times over and give you a framework to become an even better leader. And make a few friends too.

Chris Cox

Managing Director : George Cox & Sons Ltd

From attending programs led or facilitated by Jacqui.

Learning through shared experiences ; Meeting and talking to others owners, managers from a wide spectrum of businesses yet all with very similar issues Developing the technique of open questions

There was significant change in the culture of the organisation including better communications and addressing softer issues with the staff. We set up our own charitable foundation which employees ran and selected community projects to support. We started running staff conferences , workforce presentations and regular newsletter along with staff appraisals.

Jacqui brought practical ” down to earth ” experience , which contrasted with the overwhelming academic presenters at the time. Also your experience was at the helm of a business not just working for someone else as senior manager. It was your money and your family’s reputation that was always at risk. That brings perspective that no classroom can provide it also brought a trust that you knew our issues and understood them.

The biggest effect was to provide confidence in my ability as a leader, to introduce change. How to overcome challenges , many of them being self doubt and develop techniques at overcoming negativity . I have been Managing Director of the organisation for 33 years during which time we have experienced a 15 fold increase in turnover. There have been plenty of challengers , recessions and the odd pandemic to cope with. You have to believe in yourself and your team, but often you need the reassurance of sharing your experience with others who have been through it to maintain the energy, enthusiasm and drive to carry others with you.

The ability to learn and share with like minded people who experience the same challenges of leading an team or organisation brings.

Gillian Hall

Guardian of Great Cheese | 3rd Generation | Butlers Farmhouse Cheeses

Ivan Durkin

Co-founder and MD of STL Technology Solutions and Co-founder of Tyme Online

Taking the LEAD programme organised by Jacqui Jackson was a positive and helpful experience. What set this course apart was not just the content, but the way it was delivered. I recall Jacqui had experience of being involved in an Independent Family Business. This provided a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities faced by founder led or family businesses.

I found Jacqui’s approach relatable and her ability to connect theory with lived experience gave many attendees renewed confidence in their own business leadership. There were differing skill sets and personalities, however Jacqui seemed to motivate the majority and mentor individuals when required.

I am confident when I say that many of the individuals and businesses involved in the LEAD programme led by Jacqui will have benefited from the course and I am sure they continue to use knowledge they learned from other attendees as well as Jacqui in their businesses today.

Kathryn Graves

The Toffee Shop

Being part of a peer group has been invaluable and has enabled me to grow through discussion and active problem solving.

Our group was diverse, but everyone was keen to learn so we could all prosper. Jacqui and Keith were always supportive and have amazing connections in industry which they generously shared.

Gill Hutton

Nacho Nacho

Before the course I hadn’t spent time with other business owners, and it was a great source of comfort and inspiration to see that we all face similar challenges and obstacles.

Jacqui, Keith and Luke are so friendly and extremely knowledgeable in the field of business. I’ve learned lots of new strategies and the course has motivated me to accomplish goals faster and more efficiently. The one to one’s were very useful in discussing areas I needed advice on. I look forward to keeping in touch with everyone I’ve met and am very grateful to Jacqui and Keith for the opportunity.

It’s been a valuable experience for me and my business.

Amanda Wilson

Pie Mill

I found that as a group you really helped us to trust and feel like we were in a safe space to talk about our business, the bit that surprised me the most was how much I actually got from working with the lego!

I feel like I left the course with the tools to move forward with my ideas.

Tia Marcos

The Langdale Hotel & Spa

I found the mentoring sessions very valuable; they created space to reflect, challenge my thinking, and build greater self-awareness.

The practical tools and insightful conversations helped me explore new ways of influencing and navigating complex situations, which I’ve already been able to apply in my work

Claire Armstrong

Founder, Big Beans Design

I can’t thank Keith and Jacqui Jackson at Thomas Jardine & Co. enough! They helped me with my ideas, and gave advice on strategy, innovation and leadership, to get me from concept to delivery… without them I might of still been in the pub tearing up beer mats while pondering on my thoughts… They helped make my ideas bounce! Highly recommend to all business sizes – Get in touch with them, you will thank me for it

Jennifer Notman

Founder, Rainbow Wishes Foundation

Knowledgeable, friendly, and super helpful.
Keith and Jacqui are amazing at what they do! They have helped unscramble my brain many times and given me confidence to make decisions for my business.

Dan Jesse

Managing Director, Sparrow Digital Ltd

Jacqui and Keith took me on a journey through creating my own Business Model Canvas, and I loved it. They asked all the questions that really made you think and guided you to your own answers. This was really important as it helped me keep my business true to me, rather than being told what I should and shouldn’t do. They guided me with best practices and helped me fill in the blanks I’d left.

I came away from the meeting with such clarity and drive to achieve my business goals, and a set list of “to dos” to get started with.

Down to earth and far more knowledgeable than I can describe. They’ve been there and done that with their own business, they’ve put the hours in and learnt firsthand exactly how hard it is to run a business, and they genuinely will give it their all into helping you succeed at what you want to do.

I can’t recommend these guys enough, to any size of business.

Ricky Beaty

Founder and Cloud Nerd, Beaty Consultancy Ltd

Jacqui and Keith are that super rare combination of extremely knowledgeable, experienced, and professional, whilst also being warm, generous and fun to be around. Their passion and enthusiasm for businesses, big and small, is obvious for everyone to see. Can’t recommend Thomas Jardine & Co highly enough.

Rachel Suddart

Managing Director, Words by Rachel

What a brilliant, inspiring and very useful afternoon. It was an absolute pleasure to work with you and it has left my mind awash with ideas and possibilities.

Adrian Cresswell

Managing Director, AM Support Services Ltd

Hearing the news from Jacqui that she was embarking on resurrecting her family businesses name and her vison of the new venture was great news, not only for Jacqui but also the local business community as I feel Jacqui has so much to offer them. My experience working with Jacqui over the last 18 months facilitating our group has certainly helped my business, her in-depth business knowledge is just first class and she always delivers advise that is clear and concise.

When I look for key roles within my own business I look for people whom are entrepreneurial, focused and have a can do, roll your sleeves up and get stuck in attitude, if a crisis ensues I can honestly say that Jacqui is someone whom you would want on your team.

I wish Jacqui, her family and Bruce and Luke’s Coffee all the success in the world and I am confident with Jacqui’s visionary skills, success is only around the corner.

Sandra Cottam-Shea

Managing Director, SCS Logistics Ltd

Jacqui has a range of highly developed academic capabilities and business skills, these make her versatile, knowledgeable and a go to person for advice. Working under Jacqui’s tutelage at Lancaster University gave me the opportunity to see what really counts in business and that is people skills.

Jacqui guided, coaxed and encouraged a diverse group of people running very diverse businesses and we all came away with the same understanding and confidence. We all felt very different to each other when we embarked on our LEAD course but by the end we acknowledged that we all had the same fears and challenges and that skills definitely are transferrable.

Apart from all that she is also a wonderful human being so you can’t go far wrong

Andy Hooper

Managing Director, Westlakes Engineering Ltd

As part of a group of business owners that meet regularly to review our businesses, Jacqui is a real asset to our group and is hugely respected for the insights and challenges that she offers to each of us. Jacqui is very calm, and considered in her views, always constructive and non-judgemental, she draws on her knowledge and experience to add value to each of our businesses, and to guide and encourage us in developing our businesses further. You know this comes not from a textbook, but from having been there, done it and got the t-shirt. If the opportunity arises for Jacqui to provide you with some support take it, you won’t regret it.

Karen Reilly

Director, Hayes & Finch (Est. 1883)

I had the advantage of having Jacqui as a mentor and guide whilst following the Lead programme at Lancaster university.

As a director and non family member of a 4th generation family business, managing shareholders can be more challenging than managing the direction of the business. Jacqui has a wealth of experience in matters surrounding the management of family businesses. By a process of carefully listening to the particular concern, absorbing the info and then encouraging engaging dialogue, Jacqui supported my personal development of constructively challenging my problem solving skills for the benefit of the business. Her calm manner and friendly personality has a way of putting everyone at ease no matter what the situation.”

Jerry Marwood

Managing Director, AF Blakemore & Son Ltd

I’ve worked with Jacqui on three different occasions as both a colleague and as a consultant to our business, what was common to the experience was the level of understanding that she has of the way that business works from both the stakeholders’ perspective and in indeed the ultimate customer. The ability to look at a business from a 360-degree perspective and clearly see how to create shareholder value at the same time as delighting our customers is quite rare – Jacqui has it. The added benefit is that she is passionate about what she does and sensitive to the team around her which makes her a great team player and a pleasure to have around.

Gill Hall

Managing Director, Butlers Farmhouse Cheeses Ltd

I’m very exited about Jacqui’s new venture for start up or aspiring businesses to come together in a supportive environment.

Personally I have found being part of a peer group with like minded companies invaluable in developing my family food manufacturing business. Jacqui has facilitated my group and brought a level of discipline and knowledge that has helped propel me and my business forward. I find her quiet yet steely style uplifting and I am constantly inspired by her depth of knowledge across a wide range of food retailing and family business issues, based on her personal experience.

The business mentoring, I have received from Jacqui has helped me navigate some challenging family business issues for which I am very grateful.

Good Luck in your new venture, access to support is exactly what start ups and small businesses need.

Lloyd Hemment

Start Up Business, UStart

Thank you very much for our last session. I’ve really appreciated the support and the clarity it has supported me with.

Dima Jarrar

Start Up Business, UStart

Thank you very much Keith, it was a pleasure to talk to you and these sessions have been really helpful.

Mark Butler

Managing Director, Butler Interiors Ltd

I have been involved with the Peer-Peer programmes supported by Jacqui, Keith and Tina for the past 3 to 4 months. It has been extremely beneficial on both a business and personal level and a programme I would certainly recommend to others. I found the one to one sessions with Jacqui and Keith extremely thought provoking and this has given me the confidence to explore new opportunities for my business.

Karen Blows

Managing Director, KB Scaffolding Ltd

As we are all busy in our day-to-day working lives it was refreshing to take time out with Jacqui, take a step back, and work on the business instead of always working in the business.

Emma Sherlock

Chief Operating Officer, Stan Sherlock Associates Ltd

Jacqui and Keith have been great. Access to their knowledge and experience has been invaluable and really allowed us to look at our business and strategies with a fresh pair of eyes. It’s easy to get bogged down by the day-to-day grind as a business owner so having time with both Jacqui and Keith to focus on growth, development and planning was fantastic.

Catherine Coulthard

CEO, Prism Arts

I think the support we have had has been wonderful – thankyou! It has been a very strange time and leadership can be a lonely please – so having the space to share and discuss with both the group and Keith and Jacqui has been extremely valuable.

Ben Fisher

Managing Director, AB Energy Ltd

I found the peer to peer network program extremely helpful in assisting me and my business to grow, it is very well run and executed.
I would recommend Thomas Jardine & Co to anyone looking to develop themselves and their business and move forward.