Growth Hub Adviser

• Jul 2019 - Present

Specialist Business Skills Adviser

• 2018 - 2019

Carried out business training needs analyses to establish current and future training requirements for SMEs in Lincolnshire, and developed action plans to meet training needs, by sourcing training solutions with partners, including the creation of bespoke packages. Generated and followed up employer leads and worked closely with colleges and training providers, across Greater Lincolnshire to recruit learners onto apprenticeships and training programmes. Ensured that all support activities met ESFA and EU compliance and were delivered in line with KPIs.Facilitated collaboration with employers to explore the development of new training courses, through the business educator programme.

Director

• Mar 2017 - 2018

Provided direct support to businesses in key areas of communication, company formation, governance, finance, strategic planning, CSR, impact and outcome evaluation.Provided a range of services to Government, NGOs and charitable trusts, including: DCLG, Sport England, Locality, Power to Change, the Cabinet Office, and the Plunkett Foundation, including research, business support and policy advice. Worked closely with over 20 community businesses, including Friends of the Earth, Fordhall Farm, Hill Holt Wood, the Ecological Land CO-OP, advising on business growth, and helped raise over £5m in start-up funding, through grants, loans and share capital.Carried out research and development work with the Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government, the Power to Change Trust and mySociety to design and develop a national web-based community asset register.

Specialist Business Adviser

• 2015 - 2017

Provided information, support, coaching, advice and guidance across a range of specialisms, to groups in England and Wales looking to start their own community business, through to supporting established businesses to grow, scale up, change or diversify their business through social investment.Advised on research and undertook diagnostic needs assessments with businesses, including working with clients to put business plans in place.Provided start-up community businesses with advice and guidance to assist them to successfully set up and commence trading, which included raising over £1m in startup share capital.Organised and delivered business networking events and education workshops.Part of the team responsible for develolping funding proposals, ranging from small bids below £100k, to strategic programmes with trusts, foundations, NGOs and Government, valued at over £4m.

Managing Director

• 2012 - 2015

Started a successful family-run sports clothing and teamwear business, employing 5 staff.Designed and developed bespoke performance clothing for professional teams, schools, colleges, universities, and commercial sponsors.Developed trading partnerships with clothing designers and manufacturers in the UK, Eastern Europe, the USA, and China. Started a successful family-run sports clothing and teamwear business, employing 5 staff.Designed and developed bespoke performance clothing for professional teams, schools, colleges, universities, and commercial sponsors.Developed trading partnerships with clothing designers and manufacturers in the UK, Eastern Europe, the USA, and China.

UK Operations Manager

• 2008 - 2011

Developed, managed and delivered a range of local, regional and national UK, EU and Lottery funded business support programmes totalling nearly £3m.Directly supported the start-up and development of socially responsible businesses, diversifying into ICT, catering, hospitality, retailing, and health and social care sectors. Worked with Government, NGOs and local authorities in England and Wales to develop national advice, guidance and funding programmes.Managed a field-based team of 8 advisors, and a network of over 50 community business development projects, including monitoring and evaluation.Pub is The Hub was a recipient of a Big Society Award by the Prime Minister’s office, and was awarded 'Best Industry Initiative' at the annual awards for the pub industry – The Publican Awards.

Business Consultant

• 2005 - 2008

Successfully developed broad partnerships with UK Government, local authorities, agencies, funders, businesses, and communities to create shared value, and ensure that society at large benefits as a result.Worked with businesses in the hospitality sector, including Diageo, Jamie Oliver, Greene King, Heineken International, and Enterprise Inns to develop corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives, and improve social outcomes for individuals, families and communities’, through the development of social enterprise projects.Worked in the most deprived remote rural communities to provide essential community services, by empowering organisations to act, engage and support local businesses around key social and community issues, helping to build thriving rural communities.Played a key role in the start-up and development of Pub is the Hub, a CSR initiative of HRH The Prince of Wales.

Marketing & Business Development Consultant

• 2000 - 2005

Worked with Government, public and private sector partners, to successfully develop national demonstration projects valued at over £2.1m, and established a network of over 100 rural ICT learning centres. Additionally, responsible for CSR, marketing, social engagement and local community/business development activities, managing a team of regional develpment advisers. Following Cumbria Foot and Mouth outbreak, worked with LANTRA, to develop and deliver direct advice and support through the land-based sector business skills training programme.Projects were awarded the Secretary of State’s Award for Partnership in Regeneration and a National Training Award.

Progamme Manager

• 1995 - 2000

Responsible for management and delivery of £35m Cumbria Single Regeneration Budget, £1.1m Cumbria Rural Development Programme, and £1m rural workspace programme.Line management responsibility for team of 4 staff, and national rural policy lead on tourism, skills and workspace development.Held non-executive director roles at Cumbria Tourist Board and Cumbria TEC and business angel board member at Furness Enterprise, partnering with NatWest. Responsible for management and delivery of £35m Cumbria Single Regeneration Budget, £1.1m Cumbria Rural Development Programme, and £1m rural workspace programme.Line management responsibility for team of 4 staff, and national rural policy lead on tourism, skills and workspace development.Held non-executive director roles at Cumbria Tourist Board and Cumbria TEC and business angel board member at Furness Enterprise, partnering with NatWest.