This gathering, exclusive to a select group of small business leaders and entrepreneurs, centred on the vital role of business coaching in the growth and scaling of UK businesses, utilising the extensive support and talent available across the nation.
The event was hosted by Gareth Davies MP, the Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury, and Franck Petitgas, the Prime Minister’s Special Adviser on Business & Investment. They steered a thoughtful roundtable discussion on the urgent issue of financial support for emerging companies. With Rishi Sunak’s guidance, the group of successful entrepreneurs exchanged insights based on their journey of growing their businesses from local initiatives to international operations, showcasing the energetic spirit of small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs).
Reflecting on the event, Andrew said, “It was interesting to see what the panel and the group of entrepreneurs all had in common – passion and ambition to make a difference. I was surrounded by strong, resilient, hard-working people and felt I was definitely in the right room.”
The discussion among these driven entrepreneurs navigated the challenges that SMEs face, with a particular emphasis on funding, growth and long-term success. The group also brought to light the crucial importance of a shared vision and mission in propelling a diverse workforce towards collective and individual successes.
“With my own experience of dyslexia and ADHD, I highlighted the challenges within the education system and its one-size-fits-all approach. I didn’t feel like I really started learning until I left education to work and found my own way of learning. Then going into business, I felt I was on my own to make it or fail, as most SME owners still feel now – it can be a lonely place! By making work accessible to people from all backgrounds, leaders and teams can leverage talent to succeed – and, by extension, fortify the UK economy.”
Joining Andrew at 10 Downing Street were notable business founders and leaders such as Keisha Shah of Teddo Play, Holly Thallon Steenson of Viridian Nutrition, Mark Thompson of AceOn Group and Head of Policy & Government Relations at Enterprise Nation, Daniel Woolfe, to mention a few. Andrew was sure his invitation was thanks to being named the UK’s Number One Business Mentor for the Most Significant Impact on SMEs at the National Mentoring Matters Awards in 2023.
“It was a privilege to contribute to the vital conversation about nurturing SMEs, which constitute 99.2% of our business population. As we step into 2024 with over 5.6 million private sector businesses, my commitment as a business coach is to ignite substantial progress and unlock the vast potential that awaits Britain’s entrepreneurial spirits.”
ActionCOACH is committed to fostering an environment where businesses are empowered to overcome obstacles and seize the opportunities to achieve the success they rightly deserve. For more information on how ActionCOACH can assist in your business journey, please visit: https://actioncoach.co.uk/
