Leanne Bonner-Cooke MBE | Managing Director | LBC Mentoring Ltd
Leanne Bonner-Cooke MBE is a prominent figure in the business and technology sectors, recognised for her remarkable contributions to both fields. With an extensive background spanning over 35 years, Leanne has established herself as a highly accomplished serial entrepreneur, mentor, and advocate for women in business and technology. As the Founder of LBC Mentoring Ltd, Director at The People Reader, and Co-Founder of Shine Together CIC, Leanne is deeply committed to empowering individuals and teams to thrive in their professional endeavors. Her journey began in 1986 when she embarked on a career in accounting, eventually transitioning into the realm of IT in 1992. Driven by her passion for leveraging technology to drive business transformation, Leanne pursued various roles in IT, including Project Management and Business Analysis, before venturing into entrepreneurship. We at EliteX, are proud to introduce Leanne Bonner-Cooke MBE as one of the Impactful Businesswomen: Making a Difference, 2024.
In 2007, Leanne took the bold step of founding her first company, Evolve-IT Consulting Limited, a bespoke Software Development Company. Through her leadership and vision, she successfully steered the company to success, culminating in a management buyout in 2020. Undeterred by challenges, Leanne ventured into her next venture, e-bate Limited, in 2018, where she served as CEO and raised over £5M to propel the company’s growth. Driven by her unwavering commitment to fostering business success through people-centric approaches, Leanne has garnered numerous accolades, including an MBE for Services to Women in Business and Technology in the 2018 New Year’s Honours list. Her journey reflects a relentless pursuit of excellence, characterized by resilience, continual learning, and an innate entrepreneurial spirit.
“Every setback is a lesson in resilience; every success, a testament to perseverance.” – Leanne Bonner-Cooke MBE
Today, as the founder of LBC Mentoring Ltd, Leanne channels her wealth of experience and expertise to mentor and coach individuals, as well as support business leaders in achieving tangible results through effective collaboration and communication. Her passion for people, process, and technology remains steadfast, serving as a guiding force in her mission to empower others and drive meaningful change in the industry. Leanne Bonner-Cooke’s approach to maintaining a work-life balance reflects her commitment to holistic well-being. Since stepping down as a CEO, she acknowledges the importance of prioritizing self-care and seeking support when needed. Leanne finds solace in daily mindful dog walks and enjoys weekends filled with outdoor activities like cycling, paddleboarding, or venturing off in her campervan to remote areas without phone signals.
Throughout her career, Leanne has encountered numerous challenges as a woman in business. From facing discrimination and misogyny to navigating a lack of collaboration in male-dominated spaces, she has persevered by carving her path and seizing control of her destiny. Leanne believes in challenging biases, calling out inequities, and maintaining unwavering self-belief, despite the hurdles faced along the way. Reflecting on her journey, Leanne emphasizes the importance of seizing opportunities and embracing failure as a stepping stone to learning and growth. Supported by her family and guided by principles of integrity and respect, she remains committed to fostering diversity and inclusion within her organizations. Leanne views diversity as the cornerstone of success, advocating for inclusive environments where every voice is heard and valued.
For women aspiring to succeed in business, Leanne offers invaluable advice: be authentic, embrace continuous learning, and cultivate resilience. She encourages women to pursue their passions, seek mentorship, and challenge societal norms to effect positive change. By fostering collaboration and courageously addressing injustices, Leanne believes that women can unlock their full potential and thrive in the dynamic landscape of business. Leanne Bonner-Cooke MBE stays abreast of industry trends and hones her skills through various avenues such as Blinkist, blogs, podcasts, and collaborating with other businesses and teams. She emphasizes the importance of listening and learning as key components of professional development.
“Embrace challenges as opportunities for growth and learning.” – Leanne Bonner-Cooke MBE
In terms of leadership, Leanne adopts a people-centric approach, recognising that a team’s success hinges on understanding individual strengths and motivators. By fostering a culture of inclusivity and leveraging diverse perspectives, she ensures that each team member can shine, leading to increased productivity and engagement. To aspiring women entrepreneurs and business leaders, Leanne offers straightforward advice: seize opportunities, be authentic, and seek support when needed. She encourages women to embrace their unique strengths and pursue their goals with confidence. In navigating rapidly changing business environments, Leanne advocates for staying informed, seeking diverse perspectives, and fostering innovation. She emphasizes the importance of agility and adaptability in decision-making processes.
Currently, Leanne is excited about the growth of LBC Mentoring Ltd, where she continues to mentor individuals and witness the growth of businesses. She is also passionate about the relaunch of The People Reader, a project she’s involved in as a director, which aims to unlock the potential of individuals and teams through behavioral analysis tools. Additionally, she finds fulfillment in her involvement with Shine Together CIC, an organization empowering and rewarding females to achieve their goals. Leanne cultivates a positive and empowering work culture by promoting accountability, communication, transparency, and fun within her team or organization. She believes in allowing individuals to achieve their objectives in their unique way while fostering an environment where everyone enjoys their work.
Despite encountering setbacks in her career, such as battling breast cancer and making tough decisions about stepping down from her businesses, Leanne remains resilient. She emphasizes the importance of learning from setbacks and staying true to oneself. Looking ahead, Leanne envisions a future where discussions about equality, diversity, and inclusion are no longer necessary because every female feels included, empowered, and allowed to shine in any role or sector.
“Success is rooted in understanding people and fostering collaboration.” – Leanne Bonner-Cooke MBE
