VOICE

THE
VOICE
Nottinghamshire
& Derbyshire
Your Development Manager: natalie.gasson@fsb.org.uk or call 0115 960 8997
May/June 2016
HSBC AND BUSINESS FOUNDERS
START ENTREPRENEURS EXCHANGE
HSBC, in partnership with over 40 of the
UK’s most successful business founders,
launched Entrepreneurs Exchange, an
opportunity for entrepreneurs who want
to grow their business, to be inspired,
gain practical advice and build vital
networks with other entrepreneurs at
events taking place across the UK.
On 18 May, for one day only, these
innovative business leaders with
international experience from the worlds
of tech, e-commerce, fashion and retail,
food and drink, services, leisure and
beyond, will share their knowledge at
20 free talks in cities across the UK at
Entrepreneurs Exchange.
In the East Midlands, Craig Sams,
founder of chocolate company Green &
Black’s, and Steve Lindsey, founder of
engineering technology firm Lontra and
inventor of the Blade Compressor®, will
share their insights at The Council House
in Nottingham.
Attendees will find out how they started
and grew their businesses, the challenges
they have overcome to enable success,
and the advice they wish they had been
given when starting out.
Backed by HSBC, the free talks will also
allow entrepreneurs to make contacts and
ENTREPRENEURS EXCHANGE
build networks with business founders in
their Region. The events all take place at
6pm and run until 8:30pm. The events are
free and open to all, enabling attendees
to build networks with other like-minded
entrepreneurs in East Midlands.
The Rt Hon Anna Soubry MP, Minister
for Small Business, Industry and
Enterprise, said: “Small businesses are
the engine room of our growing economy
and the Government continues to back
them by cutting red tape, reducing
business taxes and boosting access to
finance. But it is people who do business
who know what’s best for business. The
Entrepreneurs Exchange events will be a
great opportunity for the next generation
of entrepreneurs to build valuable
networks and hear from those who have
been there, done that, and know what it
takes to succeed.”
Entrepreneurs can register at www.
entrepreneurs-exchange.co.uk. The full
list of speakers and biographies, venue
details, and further information can be
found on the website.
BUSINESS SUPPORT WHEN
YOU NEED IT MOST
NBV Enterprise Solutions has been backing small
businesses for over 30 years by supporting start-ups and
existing businesses looking to grow.
The organisation currently has a number of schemes in
place which are of benefit to all our members. They include
the following programmes; Start and Grow - if you have
got a great business idea and want to realise it, Starting
in Business - for start-ups, Business Assist - to help move
your business forward and Grant for Enterprise - if you are
looking for help to fund your business. For information on
each of these programmes visit www.nbv.co.uk.
INCREASE IN SPENDING
Did you know that in 2015 customers spent £623m with
small businesses on Small Business Saturday, an increase
of £119m or 24 per cent on 2014?
The hashtag SmallBizSatUK trended at No 1 all day
on Small Business Saturday with over 100,000 Tweets
sent in support of the day, reaching more than 25 million
people.
Over 75 per cent of local councils actively supported
the campaign, delivering on the ground activities
including free parking, Christmas fairs and small business
networking events plus much much more.
Don’t miss out on the fun this year and register your
interest early at www.smallbusinesssaturdayuk.com
REGIONAL NEWS 2, 11, 14 BUSINESS UPDATE 3-10 REGIONAL CONTACTS 14 TO ADVERTISE CALL 020 7324 2776

Nottinghamshire & Derbyshire
PAGE 2
BUSINESSES
NEEDED FOR
OUR START
CHALLENGE
The Federation of Small
Businesses (FSB) and Young
Enterprise (YE) Start Challenge is
an initiative designed to inspire
young people and improve their
understanding of the value of
education and business.
Now in its fourth year, the
Challenge will see students
aged 12-13 from across
Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire
take part in two masterclasses in
which they will work as a team to
create a real business idea.
Students will develop a
product or service and build a
marketing plan. They receive
support at the masterclasses
from small business owners in
order to reinforce the benefits of
schools and businesses working
together.
Masterclasses are delivered
for FSB by Young Enterprise. The
best six group ideas from the
two masterclasses will have four
weeks to present ideas at The
Start Challenge Final, where one
group of students will win.
We are looking for business
owners who would consider
supporting these young
entrepreneurs. Previous
businesses who backed the
scheme have found it inspiring
to spend time with the students.
Email Natalie Gasson at Natalie.
gasson@fsb.org.uk or call
0115 9608997 to help. The
Masterclasses are on Tuesday 10
(Mansfield) and Wednesday 11
May (Derby) from 9.30–2.30pm
with the final on Friday 10 June
in Chesterfield.
START CHALLENGE 2015
VOICE EDITORIAL: This publication is produced by and published for the Federation of Small
Businesses, Sir Frank Whittle Way, Blackpool Business Park Blackpool, Lancs, FY4 2FE.
© Copyright 1996 Federation of Small Businesses all rights reserved. Editor: James Connor. Tel:
01253 361179 Email: james.connor@fsb.org.uk.
Whilst every care has been taken in the compilation of this publication errors or omissions are
not the responsibility of the Federation of Small Businesses and opinions expressed are those
of the authors and are not necessarily the policy of the Federation.
ADVICE TO KICK-START EXPORT DRIVE
Exporting is GREAT is
the Government’s most
ambitious export campaign
ever.
It aims to inspire and
support 100,000 additional
UK exporters to sell
their goods and services
overseas by 2020.
The campaign’s mission
IT’S TIME TO FIRE UP THE
MIDLANDS ENGINE
An ambitious plan to make the Midlands
an engine of growth was unveiled back in
December 2015.
The Midlands Engine prospectus - the
first of its kind in the country - was the
result of 11 Local Enterprise Partnerships
(LEPs) coming together with their plan
to boost productivity, attract inward
investment, increase
connectivity and build a
Regional tourism offer.
The prospectus is
focused on seven
key themes – skills,
innovation, transport,
promoting the ‘Engine’,
finance for business,
economic planning/
development and
supply chain support.
If the Midlands Region
matches the predicted
growth rate for the UK
over the next 15 years, it
could create 300,000 jobs and boost the
national economy by £34b. As a result of
the prospectus, a new business forum has
been established to act as a catalyst for
much-needed conversations around the
Midlands Engine and other key topics.
The Midlands Business Forum brings
together leading business groups with
local representatives from the Department
Almost 90 per cent
of D2N2 Growth Hub
clients, who answered a
survey, said they would
recommend it to another
firm and three-quarters of
‘high growth’ enterprises
spoken to had acted
on the business advice
THE
VOICE
is to turn the UK into
the world’s greatest
exporting nation, capturing
the imagination of the
public, boosting business
confidence and pride and
empowering more UK
companies to go out and
succeed in global markets.
Every day in every country
NATALIE GASSON MIDLANDS FORUM
REP (CREDIT TO NOTTINGHAM POST)
they were given, says a
new report. The Growth
Hub – part of the private
sector-led D2N2 Local
Enterprise Partnership
– was launched in
December 2014. It has
since provided more than
1,500 businesses with
around the world, there
is someone somewhere
who wants a UK product
or service. The demand
is out there, you could
be too. There is advice
to start new exporters on
their journey to exporting
success online at www.
opentoexport.com
for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS), to
discuss a series of important issues and
accelerate economic growth.
Natalie Gasson, FSB Development
Manager, was invited to join the Forum to
champion the voice of small businesses.
As part of the Government’s wider plans
to support jobs and growth, the Midlands
Engine presents great
opportunities and the
chance to offset some of
the challenges caused
by recent policy changes
such as introduction of
the National Living Wage
in April, the on-going
rollout of pensions, autoenrolment
legislation,
changes to the taxing of
dividend payments and
now mandatory quarterly
tax reporting. Forum
members have a critical
role in ensuring that
the needs of businesses of all sizes are
understood.
At the first Midlands Forum meeting
there were representatives from EEF,
CBI, Institute of Directors, Chambers of
Commerce, Bank of England and BIS.
As well as the Midlands Engine, Forum
members reviewed the current state of
the economy, Europe and devolution.
HELP IS AT HAND VIA THE D2N2 HUB
free advice on training,
growth, accessing funding
to expand and held
dozens of its own business
events and attended
other organisations’ to
spread the word about
its services. Visit www.
d2n2growthhub.co.uk
www.fsb.org.uk

Nottinghamshire & Derbyshire
MAKEOVER FOR CROOTS
FORMER BOOTS
DIRECTOR JOINS
FAMILY FIRM
A former director with big
retail brands Boots and Asda
is bringing her expertise to
the family business after
joining her husband fulltime
at Croots Farm Shop in
Derbyshire.
Kay Croot is now working
alongside husband Steve at
the farm shop near Duffield in
a move which coincides with
a makeover at the awardwinning
shop.
The outlet opened in
2008 at Farnah House Farm,
Wirksworth Road, the farm
where Kay grew up and
where her parents Jim and
Sue Yates still live.
Now Kay has joined Steve
full-time at the helm as they
launch a new era for Croots
Farm Shop with updated
displays and fixtures, new
lighting and a revamped
product range to include
a wider selection of gifts
alongside the food and drink
products that the store is well
KAY CROOTS AT CROOTS
FARM SHOP
known for. “I’ve had more
than 25 years of experience
in the retail sector, working
with some really famous
brands like Boots, Asda and
Aldi, but I’m really excited to
be working with Steve fulltime
in the family business
now,” said Kay.
“Croots Farm Shop
launched in 2008 and since
that time we’ve become a
popular store, recognised
for the high-quality meat,
cheeses and other products
we sell. In response to
demand, we’ve previously
expanded the store and the
coffee shop, which is now
known as Shires Eatery, and
we have long-term plans
in the pipeline which will
hopefully develop the shop
further. In the meantime,
we’ve just given the shop a
stylish makeover which we
hope our existing customers,
and those new customers
who haven’t yet found us, will
welcome and enjoy.”
As part of the revamp, the
400 metre driveway from
Wirksworth Road to the
farm has been resurfaced
giving customers a smoother
journey past the fields of
Shire horses as they drive to
Croots Farm Shop.
FIRST ANNUAL REGIONAL RACE NIGHT IS
VOTED A RESOUNDING SUCCESS
The start of 2016 saw the formation of our
first Regional Social Committee and their first
event at Nottingham Greyhound Stadium
looks set to become a permanent fixture on
the group’s social calendar.
The race night saw over 20 members and
their guests enjoy panoramic views of the
track from the glass-fronted, air-conditioned
Classics Restaurant.
Attendees enjoyed a three-course meal
with on table betting. Adam Roberts from
AMAR Holdings, who is Vice-Chairman of the
Southwell and Newark Branch, and sits on
the newly-formed Regional Social Committee
commented: “This was a great inaugural
event. We welcomed a cross section of
businesses from the membership.
“The social was an ideal way to escape the
office for a few hours, offering the opportunity
to network in a convivial atmosphere whilst
having a bit of a flutter. We are looking forward
SOCIAL COMMITTEE RACE NIGHT
to organising future events and welcome any
ideas and new committee members.”
If you would like to get involved or
attend future events, please email Angela
Szczepankiewicz, Regional Secretary for more
information.
THE
VOICE
FSB TO HOST
GLOBAL TRADE
SUMMIT AT
IFB2016
The potential of global trade
for small businesses is to
be explored by FSB at the
International Festival for
Business 2016, the biggest
business showcase in the
world this year.
From Northern Powerhouse
to Global Trade takes place
on Monday, 20 June at the
Exhibition Centre Liverpool,
hosted by BBC North West
Political Editor, Arif Ansari.
The event will also feature
speakers and panellists
including a senior Government
representative, UKTI experts,
as well as business and
political leaders from across
the globe.
It will consider the Northern
Powerhouse in light of the UK’s
position as a global trader and
the barriers and prospects
facing small businesses
considering export as a route
to growth.
The first session will explore
emerging opportunities in light
of on-going trade agreements
that have been concluded
or are under negotiation,
focusing on what the new
phenomenon of small business
chapters could deliver for small
businesses.
The second session will look
at overcoming export barriers
for small firms from regional,
national and international
perspectives, using evidence to
ask what can be done to help
SMEs sell overseas.
Opportunities for small firms
in the Northern Power House
and global supply chain issues
will form the theme of the third
session.
The event will also
provide B2B and networking
opportunities. Other FSB
activities at IFB2016 include
providing expert advice to
festival delegates in the
festival’s fringe programme,
The Edge. Find out more at
www.fsb.org.uk
www.fsb.org.uk PAGE 11

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TH E
VOICE
Surrey & West Sussex
THE
VOICE
West
Surrey &
Sussex
Your Development Manager: ray.abrahams@fsb.org.uk or call 01708 621 258
January/February 2016
OUR CHAIRMAN’S ANNUAL REPORT
COMBINED WITH ‘QUESTION TIME’
140 regional members caused security
congestion at Portcullis House,
Westminster and delayed Jamie Oliver
giving evidence to a select committee on
health in their attempts to reach the Attlee
Suite for the Regional Chairman’s annual
report.
The start was delayed, but everyone
settled and Antonio Falco reported that
more than 50 business events were
conducted throughout the region with five
very high profile events attracting more
than 100 delegates at each. During the
year we had meetings with all but six of
our Regional MP’s and Antonio showed a
photographic show to remind us of a very
successful member year.
The report was immediately followed by
‘Question Time’ with the panel made up
from the business world. Banking, Gatwick
Airport, insurance and Tim Loughton MP
for East Worthing and Shoreham as well
as a continuous stream of visiting MP’s to
the Attlee Suite to greet their constituents.
It all made for a small business packed
afternoon.
Leader of Surrey County Council,
David Hodge had plenty to say from his
seat in the audience when discussing
the Governments minimum living wage
proposal although not one person in the
Rt Hon Anna Soubry Minister of
State (Minister for Small Business,
Industry and Enterprise) for
the Department for Business,
Innovation and Skills was
introduced to Ann Swain, Regional
Treasurer and West Sussex Policy
Chairman was introduced to
the Minister at the opening of
the Sussex Innovation Centre in
Croydon.
A small VIP list of attendees
were invited which also included
Bryan Treherne newly elected
ANTONIO FALCO WITH ROSEMARY FRENCH OBE,
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, GATWICK DIAMOND
room would deny employees a fair wage
it does impose a huge burden on small
business owners still recovering from a
poor economy.
The Royal Bank of Scotland came under
attack from fellow panellist Mark Williams,
insurance underwriter when trying to
convince the audience that they want to
lend money for business growth as Mark
pointed out it was only on their guarantee
terms which included using houses as
MINISTER MEETS OUR TREASURER
Croydon branch chairman as a
guest of local MP Gavin Barwell.
Following the official opening
the Minister chaired a roundtable
discussion on business matters
attended by both Ann and Bryan.
Permitted development rights
came up as issue in Crawley
and Croydon. Anna Soubry said
she was hearing this a lot from
businesses in London and would
take it up with other government
ministers. Echoed by Gavin
Barwell MP.
FSB MEMBERS BEFORE THE
DINNER AT ARUNDEL CASTLE
WALKABOUT FOR
POLITICIANS ON
SMALL BUSINESS
SATURDAY
collateral!
And finally, a show of hands favoured
a second runway at Gatwick almost
unanimously but everyone at this event
including panellists were undecided on
the EU ‘in or out’ question.
Antonio Falco, FSB Regional Chairman
concluded “we will continue to remind
the Government of our asks in our small
business manifesto written and published
prior to the General Election”
ANNA SOUBRY MP (LEFT) WITH ANN SWAIN
REGIONAL NEWS 2, 11, 14 BUSINESS UPDATE 3-10 REGIONAL CONTACTS 14 TO ADVERTISE CALL 020 7324 2776
PAGE 2
As in previous years branches
took MP’s walkabout on 5th
December but earlier in 2015
the Region came up with a super
small business Saturday idea.
Let’s encourage local Councils
to provide free car parking on
the day to encourage shoppers
to the local high streets. If
approved Small Business
Saturday and Keep Trade Local
would be working hand in glove.
More than half the borough
and district councils agreed
and we would like to thank
Mole Valley, Epsom & Ewell,
Tandridge, Reigate and
Banstead, Waverley and
Elmbridge Councils for
generously agreeing not only
to small business Saturday
free parking but in some cases
specific dates in December when
footfall is notoriously low.
Special thanks as well to the
Chief Executives for allowing
the erection of FSB ‘Thank You’
placards in participating car
parks.
VOICE EDITORIAL: This publication is produced by and published for the Federation of Small
Businesses, Sir Frank Whi tle Way, Blackpool Business Park Blackpool, Lancs, FY4 2FE.
© Copyright 1996 Federation of Sma l Businesses a l rights reserved. Editor: James Connor. Tel:
01253 36 179 Email: james.connor@fsb.org.uk.
Whilst every care has been taken in the compilation of this publication e rors or omissions are
no the responsibility of the Federation of Small Businesses and opinions expressed are those
of the authors and are not necessarily the policy of the Federation.
MP: SUPERFAST INTERNET
ESSENTIAL FOR BUSINESS
Arundel & South Downs MP Nick Herbert
has said that superfast broadband is now
“essential infrastructure” for business and
must be extended to rural areas.
Nick was speaking to an audience of
65 of our members at a dinner held at
Arundel Castle on Friday 18th September.
He warned that a growing “digital divide”
meant that cities, towns and large villages
were getting superfast broadband, but
rural areas were losing out. Superfast
broadband was no longer a luxury but
was now “an absolute necessity” for
businesses.
Growing demand and new services
meant that ever faster speeds were
necessary.
Already there was talk of extending
ultrafast broadband across the country,
with speeds of 100Mbps, yet some rural
areas in West Sussex could barely get
broadband at all.
The MP said that small businesses were
the engine of economic and employment
growth, and there was a widely shared
aim to encourage rural enterprises. But
BUSINESS RATE REFORM
Following careful
research of our Region’s
membership we finally
put together interested
parties who had to
say something about
business rate reform and
45 members attended
an event chaired by
VOICE
THE
Regional Vice-Chairman,
Brian Woods an expert in
these matters.
You can imagine
that many and varied
suggestions to reform
the current method
of calculation were
mentioned but calculation
without superfast broadband this growth
would be severely hampered.
Mr Herbert said that his broadband
summit in 2011 had led to West Sussex
County Council’s ‘Better Connected’
programme which, with local and
Government funding, aims to give access
to more than 90 per cent of premises in
the County by Spring next year.
In May the County Council announced
that they had passed the halfway point,
with more than 36,000 homes and
businesses upgraded, equivalent to just
over half of all premises. The Government
is committed to support the delivery of
superfast broadband to 95 per cent of all
UK households by the end of 2017.
Ministers reiterated their commitment in
August with the publication of a 10-point
plan for boosting productivity in rural
areas.
But Mr Herbert pointed out that the 5
or 10 per cent of households that would
not have access to superfast broadband
under these plans would inevitably be
in rural areas. The MP said that new
Surrey & West Sussex
THE SURREY COUNTY POLICY
CONFERENCE IS A SUCCESS
by means of turnover was
a definite no no.
Findings from this
meeting were fed
in to our Press and
Parliamentary Office but
should you wish to find
out more please email
ray.abrahams@fsb.org.uk
80 members met at the WWF Living Planet
Centre in Woking for this year’s annual policy
conference.
Stuart Shorttle, Surrey Policy Chair
hosted the event and Antonio Falco, FSB
Regional Chairman proudly introduced
local MP Jonathan Lord to open the 3 hour
conference.
Jonathan remarked that he couldn’t
remember a time when small businesses
are as highly regarded by the Government
as today and he is pleased to announce
that the FSB is a key influencer on small
business issues. Never underestimate the
capabilities of our young people! A good
reason to continue employing apprentices.
It all sounded good until the invitation
for questions went out. The audience
were unanimous in their demand for tax
simplification and not further complication
which would appear to be the case from the
last budget. Next on stage was Surrey County
Council Procurement who was applauded
for the simplification of the procurement
Car parking is a problem
anywhere, anytime but coach
parking is a different kind of
problem.
The North Surrey branch
was contacted by one of it’s
members with a sudden coach
parking problem. Not for one
coach but several and not on
just one day but every day of
www.fsb.org.uk
process making council contracts more easily
available to micro businesses. They praised
the FSB for the tireless work over the past 2
years in helping by giving member feedback
and approving procurement documents.
Surrey County and the FSB working in
partnership for the benefit of Surrey small
and micro businesses. Not such a friendly
reception for the next presentation from BT.
It would seem that in spite of 90% of the
County enjoying superfast broadband with
phase 2 commencing now to raise this to
95% the reality is not so good. BT agreed
to meet with members to discuss individual
cases. FSB’s National Chairman, John Allan
said “we are proud to be working nationally
with Anna Soubry MP, Minister for Small
Businesses and regionally to such a high
standard as I witnessed today. Keep up
the good work, we really can and do make
a difference!”. In closing, Antonio Falco
remarked that FSB activist members are all
volunteers and really can and do make a
difference.
the week.
Our member owns and
runs Stay at Homes Ltd a host
family business for overseas
students in the Morden area
and for more than 20 years
has used the Morden Park
Car Park as an integral part
to the smooth running of the
operation with it’s more than
DELEGATES AT THE CONFERENCE
THE
VOICE
adequate space for early
morning drop offs of foreign
students and luggage and
late afternoon returns. These
students are not only from
Europe but as far away as
China who stay longer and
contribute considerably to the
local economy.
Earlier this year London
FSB SURREY
MEMBER IS
APPOINTED TO EU
COMMITTEE
John Walker, Surrey member
and past National Chairman
has been appointed to the EU’s
Economic & Social Committee
(EESC) as one of eight employer
representatives from UK.
The position, which is for five
years, was a recommendation
by the UK Government to the
Council of Ministers and was
formally approved in September.
The EESC is a statutory
consultee in Brussels and
provides opinions on legislative
proposals from the European
Parliament in such areas as the
Single Market, Transport and the
Environment.
The UK has 24 representatives
on the EESC, from employers,
employees and civil society
with Mr Walker joining
representatives from the other
27 EU Member States.
John said “Although this is a
personal appointment, without
my FSB service as National
Chairman and Policy Chairman,
I doubt I would have been
considered. I am very much
looking forward to this new role
and doing all I can to ensure that
the interests of our sector are
heard, and shall certainly seek
input from both the FSB and
the European Small Business
Alliance.
With over half the legislation
affecting micro, small and
medium sized businesses
coming from Brussels, I shall
want to make a positive
contribution”
WHERE THERE’S A WILL THERE’S A WAY, EVEN WITH PARKING
Borough of Merton decided
to withdraw access to the
car park which would’ve
rendered our member’s and
similar businesses in the area
inoperable. The collection
and pick up point in Merton
Park car park is an essential
link in the business chain. We
decided to help and arranged
www.fsb.org.uk PAGE 11
Regional Voice offers you the opportunity to advertise your
products and services geographically to the FSB membership
FSB members receive 20% off all rate card prices
To advertise call Lee McLoughlin on 020 7324 2776
or email lee.mcloughlin@redactive.co.uk

Nottinghamshire & Derbyshire
PROJECT TO CREATE
AN ATTRACTIVE
PUBLIC SPOT IN THE
CITY CENTRE
Key works to help create an
improved public space were
recently launched in Derby
part-funded by the D2N2 Local
Enterprise Partnership (LEP).
The Spot is a City Council project
and looks to create an attractive
and distinctive public area in Derby
city centre in a bid to increase
footfall.
The redevelopment of the area
will create an exciting space for
traders, street musicians and
members of the public to meet and
is expected to be fully completed in
late October this year.
It is part of the wider £1.26m
Derby Connected Cycle City and
Placemaking project.
Up to £750,000 is being given
towards this by D2N2, from its
£192m Local Growth Fund (LGF)
allocation from Government.
D2N2 is the Local Enterprise
Partnership for Derby, Derbyshire,
Nottingham and Nottinghamshire
and is a private-sector-led
partnership of businesses, local
authorities, skills and training
providers and community and
voluntary organisations.
It works to grow its area’s
economy with the overall aim of
creating 55,000 new jobs in ten
years (2013-2023).
ENTERPRISE ADVISERS KEY
TO YOUNG PEOPLE PROJECT
Stronger links are being built between
schools and employers in the D2N2 Local
Enterprise Partnership area to help young
people realise their career potential.
The FSB and D2N2 LEP believes a
successful economy needs businesses
and schools and colleges
to work closer together on
this issue. The Employability
Framework, launched earlier
this year, which seeks to
address the mis-match
between the employability
skills being taught to young
people leaving schools and
post-16 training programmes in
the area, and those needed by
employers in their workforces
is being delivered through
the Careers and Enterprise Company –
Enterprise Adviser Network.
Seven Enterprise Co-ordinators have
been employed across the D2N2 area
and are engaging with 80 schools and
linking them with 80 business leaders.
Business people will act as volunteer
Enterprise Advisers; forming an Enterprise
Adviser Network of employers, large
and small, to work with school leaders to
Do It Digital is a campaign
to share, signpost and
celebrate all things that
help small businesses get
more out of going digital.
It is an independent,
not-for-profit campaign
that looks to highlight
DEBBIE ENTERPRISE
ADVISERS
resources around the UK,
online and off, that can
help small businesses
take the next step in
digital, whatever their
current level of skill and
engagement may be.
Greater digital
develop a plan to engage with employers.
The work of the Enterprise Co-ordinator
and the Enterprise Adviser Network,
and the projects undertaken to support
schools and employers, will be overseen
by the D2N2 Skills and Employment
Commission, to ensure they
are helping young people with
their career ambitions.
The ambition over the
next two years is for every
secondary school and college
in the D2N2 area, and at
least 20 per cent of specialist
schools, to have a designated
employer linked to their
organisation, an Enterprise,
Careers and Employability
Strategy, undertaken a selfassessment,
to produce an action plan
in response to the Enterprise, Careers
and Employability Strategy, access to
providers delivering enterprise and
employability activities who have been
quality assured against the D2N2
Employability Framework and access to
funding to support school strategies. To
get involved visit www.d2n2lep.org/skills/
d2n2-enterprise-adviser-network
DO IT DIGITAL CAN STRENGTHEN SMES
engagement strengthens
small businesses and no
matter what level of digital
confidence you have Do It
Digital can point towards
the most appropriate
next steps, visit www.
doitdigital.co.uk
REGIONAL OFFICERS
Regional Chairman
Melanie Ulyatt
melanie@onetoonesupportservices.
co.uk
Regional Vice Chairman
Carolyn Spencer
carolyn.spencer@fsb.org.uk
Regional Secretary
Angela Szczepankiewicz
angela@virtualadminplus.co.uk
Regional Treasurer
Hazel Watson
hazel.watson@fsb.org.uk
National Councillor
Hazel Watson
hazel.watson@fsb.org.uk
BRANCH CHAIRMEN
Bassetlaw
Andrew Fullelove
andrew.fullelove@pinfoldproperty.com
Derby
Julian Smith
jsmith@thealternativeboard.co.uk
Chesterfield
Melanie Ulyatt
melanie@onetoonesupportservices.
co.uk
Mansfield & Ashfield
Richard Fuller
richard@countybattery.co.uk
Nottingham
Kate Tyler
kate@shakesocial.co.uk
Southwell and Newark
Chris Parrett
chris@cptnewark.fsnet.co.uk
THE
VOICE
www.fsb.org.uk PAGE 14