10QUESTIONS with Andrew Leeming

Our 10QUESTIONS feature asks members of the Freshfield community ten questions about their working life. Featuring client partners, colleagues and FF friends, our guests share some personal stories, views and fresh words of wisdom.

Andrew Leeming is a senior figure in Freshfield client partner Lancashire County Council’s Business Growth and Innovation team, helping Lancashire’s businesses access a range of specialist business support. He manages Boost; Lancashire’s Business Growth Hub, a county-wide business support programme backed by Lancashire County Council and the ERDF which has supported over 8,000 businesses since 2012, helping create over 800 jobs while adding £100m to the economy.

1. How do you like to start your working day? 

Each day starts with 10,000 steps, indoors around a table!  It creates some thinking time, to mull over the challenges of the day, sometimes I even do some emails (although that can make you dizzy!) Then it’s a hand pulled flat white (I make a great coffee!) and BBC Breakfast News.

2. How has the pandemic changed your working life? 

It’s been a massive change in terms of flexible working and there are loads of benefits to this. However,  I’m also VERY mindful that it’s not a panacea and that as a people person who very much responds to and works with people in a physical way, I have had to adapt my approach. Unsurprisingly, this is hybrid.  

3. What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given? 

You’re a people person, be yourself! And never bulls&%t. 

4. Where and how do you come up with your best ideas? 

Best ideas are always created in collaboration with others, create space and time to allow ideas to grow, mutate and evolve. The first idea is usually just the start of conversation – expect it to morph into something else… 

5. What does leadership mean to you?

Leadership is about authenticity. Leadership is not about hierarchy, we can all be leaders, but to get the best out of people we must play into our teams’ passions and skills.  We must all be aware of our work shadow and use it for good! 

6. Which current or historical business figure do you most admire and why?  

I would love to meet John Timpson – he seems to get it! Business with purpose and integrity.  It is my personal view that no business should thrive on the idea of something else being denied. 

7. What is your most trusted source of news? 

My network! 

8. What is your favourite brand and why? 

I love the Co-op, and I really like their retro bags.  I won’t go into fashion, but those who know me will be aware I’m a label fiend; Margiela, Owens, Westwood, Yamamoto, Garcon, Simons, Demeulemeester to name a few! 

9. What’s the most recent new skill you have learnt?  

I feel I am a lot more patient these days.

10. We all use them… what management jargon phrase do you use the most? 

Collaboration. But I’m happy with that because I really mean it! I am far more purposeful and powerful with others.