In this series, we introduce you to the expert Relationship Managers behind the Accelerated Growth Programme’s support for high-growth businesses across Wales. This month, meet Gwenllian Owen, a coach, community builder and champion of Welsh business with over two decades of experience helping ambitious leaders grow.
Gwenllian’s career spans local government, enterprise councils, university leadership programmes and science park innovation. Her path has taken her from the Training and Enterprise Council in 1999 to consulting with growth-focused companies across North East Wales for the Business Wales Accelerated Growth Programme (AGP). Along the way, she led the LEAD Wales, ION Leadership and 20Twenty Business Growth programmes at Bangor University for 11 years, supporting over 750 people. She also runs her own business, which offers leadership, management and team development support to organisations across Wales.
We asked Gwenllian to share what drives her, what she’s learned and the advice she gives most often.
What first drew you to working with high-growth businesses?
Watching businesses grow brought me more satisfaction than anything else I’d done. I joined the Training and Enterprise Council back in 1999, and that was the turning point. Supporting businesses through change, developing those relationships and seeing what’s possible when people get the right backing. I quickly realised that’s exactly where I wanted to be.
What’s the most rewarding part of being a Relationship Manager at AGP?
The privilege of working with so many fantastic growing businesses. Everyone is different, and every growth plan brings its own challenges and opportunities. Being part of that journey and helping people achieve their ambitious business goals never gets boring.
What’s the best piece of business advice you’ve ever given or received?
Believe in yourself and back it up with action. When I applied for my first role in business support, someone told me: “Of course you can do this. You’ll regret it if you don’t apply.” Those words stayed with me and gave me the confidence to take the leap. I try to pass that same belief on to the business owners I work with.
What’s one trait you see in the most successful business leaders?
Resilience, without a doubt. The ability to keep things moving when the first plan doesn’t work out. Successful business owners adapt quickly, learn from what didn’t work and stay focused even under pressure. Whether it’s a failed idea or a financial challenge, resilience is what keeps them in the game.
How do you recharge outside of work?
I thrive on physical and mental challenges. I’ve completed four Ultra Challenges, the Breast Cancer Moonwalk, a half-marathon and a Combat Soldier event. Cold water swimming keeps me grounded. There’s a group of us who meet every weekend and the freedom and exhilaration it brings is hard to beat.
I’m also a founder member of Adlais, a local mixed-voice choir established in 1991. We’ve competed, performed and travelled to some wonderful places together. There’s real joy in that kind of community.
What’s one thing you’d love every AGP business to know?
Prioritise listening over directing. Effective leaders don’t just issue instructions; they gather insight from their team and use it to make clearer decisions. When people feel genuinely heard, they become more engaged, more accountable and more willing to go the extra mile.
What are the most common challenges you help businesses overcome?
Finding it and keeping talent. Many of the businesses I’ve supported over the years have struggled with recruitment and retention as they scale. Getting the right people in place and creating an environment where they want to stay is often the difference between growth stalling and really taking off.
Can you share a moment you’re particularly proud of in your work with AGP?
I’m the newest member of the AGP Relationship Manager team, and I’ve already connected businesses with exactly the right support at exactly the right time. Those introductions have helped them reach goals they’d been working towards for some time. Seeing that happen quickly is incredibly satisfying.
And finally, what’s your go-to advice for ambitious business owners?
“If you try to do everything, you usually end up spreading yourself too thinly and nothing gets done really well.” Focus on what strengthens your core offering, improves your profitability, or keeps your customers coming back. Think long and hard before adding anything else.