INDUSTRY leaders and special guests will come together at the National Eisteddfod to begin the celebrations ahead of a decade of business leadership courses at Bangor University.

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Beginning in 2009 with LEAD Wales, the University has welcomed hundreds of company owners, managers and entrepreneurs onto European-funded qualifications, notably the popular ION and 20Twenty Business Growth programmes.

An event is to take place at the Llanrwst Eisteddfod on Tuesday, with speakers including Manon Cadwaladr from Cymen translation services, Cadnant Planning’s Sioned Edwards, and Tanya Whitebits founder, Shoned Owen.

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ION alone has attracted 175 people to Bangor from some of North Wales’ leading firms, and senior programme manager Gwenllian Owen said this is an opportunity to thank them for their support over the last 10 years.

“It’s hard to believe a decade has passed since we began running these programmes, and that so many hundreds of businesses have attended courses across the region, from Wrexham to Aberystwyth,” said Gwenllian.

“The National Eisteddfod seemed the perfect opportunity to bring together previous delegates and hear from Manon, Shoned and Sioned, who are all on the current Leading Growth Programme.

“There will also be a discussion around Leadership at Work, as well as refreshments and a chance to network.

“We hope to see lots of people there on the day and would like to thank every single person who has taken part in one of our courses over the years.”

The Eisteddfod gathering, which takes place from 11am at the Bangor University stand, comes ahead of the ION Leadership and 20Twenty Business Growth conference at Venue Cymru in Llandudno on November 6.

North Wales Means Business is one of the key dates in the calendar for companies across the region and attracted more than 200 delegates last year.

Both the ION and 20Twenty programmes are up to 70% funded by the European Social Fund via Welsh Government.