Michelle Smith and her business partner Tina Churchill are both registered nurses with a wealth of experience in palliative care. They set up their business, Who Supports You, earlier this year. A unique and much needed concept, the business runs workshops nationwide for businesses, schools and other organisations to help them create a supportive framework […]
News and Blog Articles
It takes two
The idea of achieving a healthy, fulfilling work / life balance has never been hotter and, along with flexible and condensed hours, job sharing is gaining real momentum across industries. We caught up with Joanne Spencer who runs her business, Infinite You Limited, as a job share with business partner Karen Jones. Like many pairs […]
School of Hard Knocks launches mentoring programme
You’ve probably heard of the School of Hard Knocks and the fantastic work it does to promote social inclusion through sport. Beginning as a ratings-smashing TV show back in 2007, the SOHK is now an established charity that has extended its work to challenge unemployment amongst men and women, to support kids at risk of […]
A Decade in Business: How Mentoring Boosts Small Enterprise
B.J Upholstery is a small business based in Darlington, run by husband and wife team, Jo and Barry Griffiths. Jo and Barry were amongst business owners invited to meet with the Cabinet Office recently to talk about the challenges facing small businesses and how mentoring has helped to support their business. Having met at work, […]
Cutting it
Toni & Guy assessors get ahead with IOEE’s Nicole Race. Nicole Race, IOEE’S Monitoring Officer, is someone who enjoys every part of her job. In essence, her role is to oversee quality assurance within the external organisations IOEE works with and ensure they meet a consistently high standard. Those external organisations often bring an element […]
Are you based near Cardiff or Edinburgh?
Meet a Mentor is coming to a town near you! This is your chance to access invaluable business insight from a dedicated, knowledgeable and experienced mentor based in your area. Or, if you have that business knowhow, it’s your chance to share it! Online connections and social media are invaluable tools for SMEs, but there’s […]
SFEDI Group Chair Awarded MBE in Queen’s Birthday Honours
Nominated for her services to entrepreneurs and UK business, SFEDI Group Chair Ruth Lowbridge has been awarded the MBE in the 2015 Queen’s Birthday Honours List. Ruth was put forward by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills. Ruth is currently Executive Chair of the SFEDI Group of Companies, all of which promote and support […]
“The last few years have been tough for our industry, but I’m positive about the future”
Christine Bewley, MD of Aycliffe Fabrications, was one of three business owners invited to meet with the Cabinet Office recently when they visited the SFEDI and IOEE offices in County Durham. The business has an impressive portfolio, creating one off artistic commissions in steel and aluminium for public art and schools. As well as bespoke […]
LEPs and Growth Hubs: The survey says…
Last month, the IOEE invited its members to take part in a short survey about Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs). There are 39 LEPs across the country. These are local authority / local business partnerships and their remit is to lead economic growth and job creation in their own regions. Of the 39 LEPs, 25 currently […]
What is the Enterprise Bill?
In the new parliament one of the first acts to be passed is that of the new Enterprise Bill. It’s main purpose is to serve the interests of small business, whilst also simplifying and clarifying the business environment in this country and focusing on jobs. Here’s how the Enterprise Bill plans to do this. Take a look to […]