Senior Innovation and Growth Specialist - Innovate UK EDGE prgramme

• Jan 2021 - Present

Working with an experienced team of specialist advisors with access to the fully funded support available to innovation-led businesses through the Innovate UK Edge programme. We work with you to look at the pain points in your business as well as identifying any barriers to commercialisation and growth and develop a plan to help you grow and scale. The high level one-to-one support you will receive will be bespoke to the needs of your business which may include: Developing a compelling value proposition Building a robust business model Innovation Process Accessing growth funding Protecting intellectual property Expanding internationallyI am looking for innovation-led businesses who want to grow and scale. If this is you please get in touch via LinkedIn or directly here: deborah.labbate@innovateukedge.ukri.orgFeel free to forward my details on to your SME contacts looking to launch innovative products and services that are either new to market or new to their business offering.

Senior Innovation & Growth Advisor

• Jan 2021 - Present

My role as Senior Innovation Advisor is a combination of coach, mentor, critical friend, confidential sounding board and champion for your business. With experience of running my own SMEs I know it can be lonely at the top! My clients at Inventya are ambitious businesses looking to grow and scale through commercialisation and innovation. Myself and colleagues provide high level one-to-one support tailored to meet the needs of your specific business. Not an exhaustive list, this may include working on developing a compelling value proposition, building a robust business model, improving innovation processes, accessing growth funding and finance. protecting your intellectual property and expanding internationallyIf you are an innovation-led businesses who wants to grow and scale you're looking in the right place! Get in touch via LinkedIn or directly on my personal email: d.labbate@inventya.comAn initial conversation costs just your time. You can learn more about our services here: www.inventya.com

Agent for Roy Bond Magician

• Jan 2023 - Present

Award winning Roy Bond Magician MMC provides close-up magic for your wedding, party, corporate event or entertainment, business awards, dinners, trade shows, exhibitions, product launches, Street Fairs and festivals. For more information on hiring Roy Bond Magician contact me deborah@deborahlabbate.com Award winning Roy Bond Magician MMC provides close-up magic for your wedding, party, corporate event or entertainment, business awards, dinners, trade shows, exhibitions, product launches, Street Fairs and festivals. For more information on hiring Roy Bond Magician contact me deborah@deborahlabbate.com

Business Connector

• Oct 2019 - Present

• Business development strategy & planning • Introductions • Referrals • Networking • Event management http://www.deborahlabbate.com/star-connections/ • Business development strategy & planning • Introductions • Referrals • Networking • Event management http://www.deborahlabbate.com/star-connections/

Critical friend to your business | Business Adviser | Business Mentor

• Oct 2005 - Present

Providing strategic and operational consultancy to SMEs and personal development for business owners, MDs and senior management. • Energy Company: Enabled growth through providing key pitch support leading to the attainment of £10m investment. Worked extensively with the Managing Director, utilising NLP to support them in overcoming mental blocks and developing confidence. • Nottinghamshire Police: Led the development of a key change programme. Led assessment, challenging initial proposal. Established key systems for managing time and people. Served as facilitator to enable staff to discuss issues and generate ideas. Provided personal support to staff transitioning into managerial roles. Project delivered on time and budget. • Chiropody Business: Supported growth from one to four clinics and the founding of a training school through sales and marketing plan development, branding and training the business owner to establish a comprehensive business leadership skill set. • Manufacturing SME: Work closely with the managing director to facilitate the growth of business and personal skills, driving the effectiveness and engagement of his management team. o Contributed to identifying funding streams, including attaining a grant of £150k. • Additional clients include: careers advice and apprenticeship business, education publisher, accountancy firms, Nottingham Trent University, RBS and City Business School (Moscow).

Business Mentor

• Jun 2015 - Present

Young Professionals connects school leavers to brands accessing their apprenticeship & work experience programs. Young Professionals connects school leavers to brands accessing their apprenticeship & work experience programs.

Past President, Club Secretary and Elected Council Member

• May 2008 - Present

During my tenure as President of Nottingham City Business Club I increased membership and event attendance to record levels, as well as driving engagement with female members. Achieved through business development activity, increased social media presence and networking. Drove systems, processing and marketing improvements and established a bi-annual round table forum with the Bank of England and organised the Club's first charity golf day. President 2011/2012. Pre and post 2011/12 I have acted as the Club's secretary at various times and remain a current council (committee) member.

Project Manager

• Oct 2021 - Jun 2022

UPDATE: THIS PROJECT IS NOW COMPLETE. THE TOTAL RAISED AND HANDED OVER TO THE STROKE ASSOCIATION WAS £10,888.35. The original target was £8,888.88. More details here: https://crazy88.co.uk/blog/ 2 events and one long walk! The Why: Life experience of stoke brings the team, Roy’s Crazy 88, together. The What: The team aim to raise awareness of stroke and also much needed funds for the Stroke Association. The ambition: To raise £8,888.88. The How: Two fundraising events and one long walk! The When: Launch event 14th November 2021 at The Southbank Bar, Friar Lane, Nottingham 6-11pm Second event at Top Spot Club, Carlton, Nottingham 4th February 2022 The 88 mile walk – Nottingham to Mablethorpe – 13th to 15th April 2022. More details: www.crazy88.co.uk Meet the team: https://crazy88.co.uk/team-bios/ Sponsors: https://crazy88.co.uk/sponsors/ Donate: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/royscrazy88trektothecoast Events: https://crazy88.co.uk/events/ https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/two-events-one-long-walk-deborah-labbate/ Want to know more? Get in touch deborah@deborahlabbate.com

Author of The One Big Mistake . . .

• 2011 - 2022

It's all too easy to say 'I'll get around to that when I have more time', isn't it? At last, a sensible, easy to read book packed with thoughts and ideas that gives you something practical you can do today to improve your effectiveness in life and in business. The One Big Mistake People Unwittingly Make When It Come To Time Management & How To Avoid It will transform your thinking about time and suggest to you some simple and uncomplicated ideas to try. This book is for everyone who wants to get the most out of their life and their business whatever stage you're at. AVAILABLE IN eBOOK FORMAT ~ SEPTEMBER 2014 - contact me for a copy

Project - Regional Director

• Jan 2015 - Dec 2015

Facilitated the launch of Forward Ladies in the Midlands including Power Breakfast Clubs in Nottingham, lunch with guest speakers and introduced Forward Ladies annual Women in Business Awards programme to the Midlands. Forward Ladies is the UK’s largest membership-based organisation for enterprising and career-minded women. Facilitated the launch of Forward Ladies in the Midlands including Power Breakfast Clubs in Nottingham, lunch with guest speakers and introduced Forward Ladies annual Women in Business Awards programme to the Midlands. Forward Ladies is the UK’s largest membership-based organisation for enterprising and career-minded women.

Project - Business Development

• Oct 2013 - Jul 2015

Deborah Labbate

• Nov 2005 - Sep 2013

Provided coaching and mentoring to a wide range of SMEs. Provided coaching and mentoring to a wide range of SMEs.

Business Growth Partner

• Aug 2012 - Jul 2013

Supported SMEs predominately in the London, Kent & Home Counties areas. Supported SMEs predominately in the London, Kent & Home Counties areas.

Adviser then Partner

• 1995 - Jul 2013

Partner: Held responsibility for HR, Health & Safety, accounts and insurance. • Structured exit including sale of premises, stock and equipment in 2012-2013, attaining £30k over valuation for property. Business Adviser: Provided key advice and crisis management, enabling business survival through mitigating the impact of major fire which entirely destroyed their premises. • Developed strategy to pay a commercial mortgage. Identified and negotiated contracts for suitable premises, attaining a larger premise at a competitive rate. • Managed process with loss adjustors at an agreeable rate.

Business Mentor

• 2005 - 2012

Business Adviser

• 2006 - 2011

Various (Raising children, volunteering and establishing a small business)

• 1993 - 1995

General Manager & Principal

• 1980 - 1993

Founded, managed and developed this local car rental company. • Grew from a standing start to a fleet of 80+ vehicles and incorporating 2 petrol stations. • Generated significant additional revenue through developing and leading strategy to utilise existing petrol tanks on the site purchased. Later purchased 2 adjacent premises and redeveloped entire site, attaining planning consent, developing forecourt shop and developing sales, installing new tanks, pumps, POS, negotiating contracts with fuel providers, recruiting and training staff and developing operational systems and processes. • Successfully sued a major multinational following breach of contract. • Led the sale of the business for £200k (net 1993).