Collaboration and community: connections within the Chamber and beyond

Despite some natural rivalry between regional areas and networks, local collaboration goes far beyond Chamber members working together, say the pair. While LeaskAS are members of the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber, and Tantamount are members of the Solihull Chamber, Julia and Gwyneth both actively participate in other local networking events and business initiatives.

The spirit of cooperation is exemplified by the relationship between Chamber members Leask Advisory Solutions (LeaskAS), a dynamic business consultancy owned by Julia Leask, and Tantamount, a creative design studio co-owned by Gwyneth Box. The success of local business goes beyond individual profitability, say Julia and Gwyneth, whose winning collaboration is testament to the value of local businesses working together.

Tantamount has played a pivotal role in shaping the visual identities and communications of numerous businesses through its expertise in branding, marketing design, and content creation. LeaskAS, a consultancy providing bespoke strategic financial planning and forecasting advice and support for small to medium businesses, joined the ranks of Tantamount clients during the pandemic, when Julia decided to undertake a complete rebrand and re-focus of the business’s offering. Since then, the collaboration between Tantamount and LeaskAS – and between Gwyneth and Julia – has continued, not just as a professional partnership, but as a friendship.

While both LeaskAS and Tantamount have international clients, Gwyneth underscores the importance of fostering local connections: "A great deal of brand success is due to the creation of community. Unsurprisingly, then, Tantamount believe very strongly in the power of community. And although we often work on a larger geographic stage, we are proud of our local connections and of our contribution to local and regional economic success.”

Providing a space for making connections and for informal conversation between clients, associates and other business colleagues is an important aspect of fostering the success of other businesses, an enterprise that Julia and Gwyneth both take very seriously. “It’s not just about the networks you belong to,” says Julia. “It’s about facilitating networks for others.”

Recently, Julia sponsored a table at the prestigious Woman of the Year awards and invited Gwyneth and other guests to join her and her business partner David in the recognition of the achievements of women in business. Julia and David also joined Gwyneth when she hosted a table at the 2023 Innovation Awards in Birmingham, for which Tantamount were among the sponsors.

Julia said: "Business is not just about transactions; it's about building lasting connections and maintaining relationships. Our collaboration with Tantamount is a great example of mutual support and of how businesses can thrive when they support each other not only in the boardroom but also when we are having fun at community events."