Grand Scale Matched with Goldman Sachs in C2S Programme

Grand Scale has been selected for a transformative opportunity to work closely with Goldman Sachs, one of the world’s leading financial institutions, as part of the highly competitive Connect to Success (C2S) programme.

Championed by Kim Sawyer, Founder and Executive Director of Connect to Success, alongside Ulster University, C2S 2025 is set to drive unparalleled collaboration, equipping Northern Irish women entrepreneurs with the tools, insights and networks they need to scale their businesses and achieve long-term success. 

 

The programme pairs locally founded women-owned businesses (WOBs) in the scale-up phase with executive teams from some of the world’s most renowned multinational corporations.  

The mentoring partnerships were publicly announced at a ceremony hosted by C2S sponsor, Cliste Hospitality, at their Voco Belfast hotel on Thursday, 14 November 2024. 

 

The event was attended by Joe Kennedy III, US Special Envoy to Northern Ireland for Economic Affairs, along with other notable leaders including the Head of the Northern Ireland Civil Service, Jayne Brady, and the Consul General of the United States, James Applegate. 

 

 

Joe Kennedy III announced the mentor/mentee pairings, stating: 

 

"Women owned-businesses are the engine of progress. To the mentors and mentees here today: you embody the best of what this special place has to offer — incredible talent, unending generosity, and a profound belief that Northern Ireland's future and economy are well worth the investment. 

"Thank you to Connect to Success for being a launchpad for extraordinary possibilities, and congratulations to the 2025 cohort."   

 

Throughout 2025, Grand Scale Co-founders Leanne and Roisin will have the privilege of collaborating with a dedicated team of mentors from Goldman Sachs, led by James Westropp, Executive Director, tapping into invaluable expertise as they position Grand Scale for long-term growth and success. 

 

Roisin Garland and Leanne Jennings, Grand Scale Co-founders said: 

"We are thrilled to have been selected for the Connect to Success Corporate Mentoring Programme and honoured to have been paired with Goldman Sachs’ exceptional multinational team. This opportunity comes at a pivotal time for Grand Scale, as we seek to expand our strategic partnerships, build a scalable infrastructure, and optimise our operations to meet rising demand. 

 

“With the mentorship and expertise of James Westropp, Executive Director, Goldman Sachs and his team of seasoned corporate professionals, we aim to refine our growth strategy, enter new markets, and strengthen our team to drive lasting business success.  

"We believe this programme will empower us to capture high-value opportunities and extend our impact, ultimately helping thousands of early-stage ventures succeed on a global scale.” 

Ulster University Vice-Chancellor, Professor Paul Bartholomew, commented:

“Connect to Success plays a vital role in fostering innovation and entrepreneurship in areas essential to both economic growth and gender equality - supporting female entrepreneurs and women-owned businesses. 

 

"Ulster University is a committed champion of female entrepreneurship, and we are delighted to collaborate on this transformative initiative.  

"Congratulations to the 2025 cohort, we look forward to empowering their growth and showcasing the incredible contributions of women-owned businesses to regional economic prosperity.” 

 

Additional supporters of the C2S initiative include AwakenAngels, Catalyst, Cliste Hospitality, Endeavor Ireland, Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce, Ormeau Labs, Ulster Bank, and Women in Business. 

For more information about the programme, visit the Connect to Success website. 

 

 

Ceremony Images Courtesy of Ulster University