Hello and welcome to A Cast of Entrepreneurs, brought to you by the Entrepreneurs’ Forum.
I’m Elaine Stroud, Chief Executive of the Entrepreneurs’ Forum, and together with Sally Cowling, our Head of Member Experience, we’ve been talking to entrepreneurs from all over the North East about what it’s really like to be an entrepreneur. We’re getting the real insight into their lives, their busine ...
... Read more
Welcome back for another episode of A Cast of Entrepreneurs. Today, the cast is made up of three B Corp business leaders from the North East. Hosts Elaine Stroud, Chief Executive of The Entrepreneurs’ Forum, and Sally Cowling, Head of Member Experience, are joined by: Nicki Clark OBE; co-founder and CEO of UMi. UMi help business do more and go further by taking the hard work out of finding and using the best information, advice and finance. As a wholly employee owned and B Corp certified business, UMi is all about creating impact in a way that places equal importance on people, planet and profit. Since 2007 UMi has; helped over 600,000 business owners and managers, invested over £300m in grants and loans which have importantly leveraged over £650m in private sector finance, influenced the creation or safeguarding of over 40,000 jobs and invested over £100k through the UMi community fund. Graham Purvis LLB CTA; managing director at award winning Robson Laidler Accountants. Robson Laidler’s purpose as a business is to “make a positive difference to people’s lives”. Graham is also a tax advisor, accredited Mindshop business advisor and enhanced practitioner in motivational mapping. Graham spearheaded Robson Laidler in becoming the first business in the North East to achieve B Corp accreditation, demonstrating their commitment to being a force for good. It has recently been named one of the Best Places to Work in the Sunday Times and won the ESG Impact Award at the North East Accountancy Awards 2024. Aman Chahal; co-founder of TaperedPlus, a national leader in flat roof designs, materials and other insulation board systems. With significant investment in R&D, TaperedPlus aims to modernise and promote tapered insulation within the UK markets. Supported by market leading manufacturers, TaperedPlus has won several awards following significant growth and market share and is an ISO 9001 and became B Corp certified within the past year. In this episode, the cast are discussing what it means to be B Corp and how they first got started on their B Corp journeys. They share the requirements of what it takes to become B Corp and give advice for any other business leaders looking to do the same. ... Get involved with The Entrepreneurs’ Forum: https://entrepreneursforum.net/ Connect with Graham: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gmpurvis/ Connect with Aman: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aman-chahal-742b0531/ Connect with Nicki: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicki-clark-obe-6b347226/
Welcome back for another episode of A Cast of Entrepreneurs. Today, the cast is made up of three titans of the North East business world. Hosts Elaine Stroud, Chief Executive of The Entrepreneurs’ Forum, and Sally Cowling, Head of Member Experience, are joined by: Dr. Bill Scott OBE DL; Chief Executive of Wilton Universal Group, renowned for designing, manufacturing, coating, and loading complex structures for the Offshore Oil & Gas, Subsea, Marine, Decommissioning, Offshore Wind, and Defence industries. Under his leadership, the company grew from a turnover of £600k to £85m, acquired an engineering design firm, expanded facilities to 112 acres, and secured a £16m private equity deal. Wilton Universal was the fastest-growing NE company in 2010 and 2011. In 2022, Bill established the company’s Apprentice Academy. Brian Palmer OBE; Founder of Tharsus. Tharsus is a contract manufacturer with expertise in advanced manufacturing and electro-mechanical assembly, taking complex tech products to successful volume manufacture.Brian is passionate about the creation of advanced machines and robots that have strategic impact, delivered by businesses that have global reach, but which are sustainable and grounded in their host communities. As MD, CEO and Founder, he has created and led the Tharsus Group on its journey from being a 'back-street metal-basher' to a leading North East technology business, the purpose of which is to create Tech that Matters. Sophie Milliken MBE; founder and CEO at Moja Group. Moja work with entrepreneurs and senior executives to amplify their personal profiles and become known authorities in their industries. A multi award-winning businesswoman and proud mum, Sophie also enjoys supporting the North East region. Sophie is a supporter of Northern Power Women and co-founder of City Ladies Networking. She is Chair of Smart Works Newcastle and has achieved huge success delivering the aim of doubling the number of unemployed women supported with interview clothing and coaching across the North East. In June 2021, Sophie became a Founding Ambassador for Every Child Needs a Mentor. In this episode, the cast share stories from founding their businesses to scaling them. They discuss why they initially started their businesses, what some of their proudest moments have been, and what is most important to them in being a business leader. ... Get involved with The Entrepreneurs’ Forum: https://entrepreneursforum.net/ Connect with Bill: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bill-scott-obe-dl-34106922/ Connect with Brian: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-palmer-obe-67449a5/ Connect with Sophie: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sophie-milliken/
Welcome back for another episode of A Cast of Entrepreneurs. Today, the cast is made up of two brilliant members of successful family businesses from the North East. Hosts Elaine Stroud, Chief Executive of The Entrepreneurs’ Forum, and Sally Cowling, Head of Member Experience, are joined by: Alex Devitt; Chief Operating Officer at Recovery4Life. Recovery4Life offers a proactive and collaborative approach to occupational health. They support businesses by integrating a range of physical health, mental health, and risk management services into one workplace health and wellbeing programme. Prior to Recovery4Life, Alex held various positions in high performance sales environments, and in 2015 established an independent consultancy offering white label sales provision to businesses. In 2016 Alex co-founded Recovery4Life alongside his father, John Devitt, overseeing the commercial development of the organisation. Nadia Johnson; one of Ringtons first ever female directors. Founded in 1907 and now into its fifth generation, Ringtons remains a family-owned company based in Newcastle. In addition to tea and coffee (for which it’s best known), Ringtons also offers a range of other products including biscuits, sweets, and gift hampers delivered through a traditional doorstep delivery service. Ringtons additionally has a large tea packing division which sources, produces and packs for private label customers. Following a rigorous interview and an 18-month long assessment process, Nadia joined the company in October 2021, relocating her family from London and ending her career for Barclays as an occupational psychologist. In this episode, the cast share stories about working in family business. They discuss how they got started in their family business and what they’ve learnt along the way. They share managing the boundaries between family and business, succession planning, and their hopes for the future of their businesses. ... Get involved with The Entrepreneurs’ Forum: https://entrepreneursforum.net/ Connect with Alex: https://www.linkedin.com/in/a-devitt/ Connect with Nadia: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nadia-johnson2a/
Welcome back for another episode of A Cast of Entrepreneurs. Today, the cast is made up of another three brilliant entrepreneurs from the North East. Hosts Elaine Stroud, Chief Executive of The Entrepreneurs’ Forum, and Sally Cowling, Head of Member Experience, are joined by: Richard Lane; the co-founder and chief commercial officer of durhamlane, a multi-million-pound strategic B2B sales & marketing agency established in 2011, which focuses on sales opportunity creation in the UK, EMEA and North America, bridging the gap between marketing outputs and the inputs that sales teams need to be successful. Richard is a true thought leader, entrepreneur, business coach, and a sought-after Sales 2.0 practinitioner, trainer and consultant. Steve Rawlingson; Steve founded Samuel Knight, a specialist renewable energy and sustainable transportation recruitment business, in 2014 from a small office in Newcastle. Fast forward to 2023, and Samuel Knight employs over 100 consultants with offices throughout the UK, USA and the Middle East. They generate $35million+ annually and offer recruitment project solutions across 48 countries. Steve’s mission is to help build a greener and more environmentally friendly world by working with his global community to achieve zero carbon emissions by 2050. Claire Rutherford; Founder of Definition IP. Claire is a European Patent Attorney with experience in managing and prosecuting a wide range of IP. Definition IP are a firm of intellectual property attorneys providing expert advice and services across all aspects of the intellectual property system including patents, trademarks, registered designs, copyright and trade secrets. No matter who our client is, our mission is simple: provide commercially relevant advice that is practical, to the point and immediately adds value. In this episode, the cast share stories about expanding their businesses globally. They discuss their entrepreneurial journeys so far and share some of their entrepreneurial highs and lessons they’ve learnt along the way. ... Get involved with The Entrepreneurs’ Forum: https://entrepreneursforum.net/ Connect with Richard: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richardmatthewlane/ Connect with Steve: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevenrawlingson/ Connect with Claire: https://www.linkedin.com/in/claire-rutherford/
Welcome back for another episode of A Cast of Entrepreneurs. Today, the cast is made up of another three fantastic entrepreneurs from the North East. Hosts Elaine Stroud, Chief Executive of The Entrepreneurs’ Forum, and Sally Cowling, Head of Member Experience, are joined by: Caroline Moody; Group Managing Director for Moody Logistics and Storage based in Cramlington, Northumberland. The family owned and operated transport and logistics company was established in 1947 by her grandfather. She won the Freight Award category of the prestigious 2020 Amazon everywoman in Transport & Logistics Award and in 2021 was announced as the winner of Northern Transport Woman of the Year. A passionate advocate for the logistics and transport industry, she takes every opportunity to highlight its contribution to the UK’s economy, the challenges it faces, as well as promoting the career opportunities available. In December 2023, Caroline set up the charity Core Foundations alongside her husband, Phil Crawford. Alisdair Beveridge; Founder and Managing Director of The Build Directory - fast becoming possibly the first turnkey end to end supply and install provider for building and home improvements operating in both residential and commercial sectors. Alisdair is active in North East charities, being a proud patron and trustee of The Teeside Charity (formerly The Middlesbrough & Teesside Philanthropic Foundation) and advisor to the PFC Trust. Alisdair is the co-founder of the Walk Into the Light events aimed at raising awareness of mental health and suicide preventions. He has also recently been appointed chair of the new futures network for Holme House prison aimed at creating better outcomes and employment. Andrew Skelton; Director of SOS Group which began its journey in 2002 within the office equipment sector. They use their knowledge and expertise to offer cost-effective hardware and software applications across the UK. Andrew started in the sector in 1989, so has a wealth of knowledge gained from 35 years experience in the industry. SOS has won multiple awards, gaining massive recognition for supporting individuals and groups in the local community, having donated £350,000.00 to date. In this episode, the cast talk about how they give back to their communities. They share their stories about getting involved in charitable and community work and give tips and advice on how you can get involved too. They discuss how they first got involved in charitable work, and what they are still doing today alongside running their businesses. ... Get involved with The Entrepreneurs’ Forum: https://entrepreneursforum.net/ Connect with Caroline: https://www.linkedin.com/in/caroline-crawford-8b5ba412/ Connect with Alisdair: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alisdair-beveridge-1b3088a0/ Connect with Andrew: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewskelton1/