Brought to you by the Help To Grow Management Programme at Northumbria University, Why Small Business Matters provides SMEs and small business owners and entrepreneurs the chance to share their stories and what it means to be a successful modern SME.

In this episode Dr Matt Sutherland explores the topic of connectivity and the importance of establishing a wide network. Joining him are to of the most connected people in British business today, Oli Barrett MBE and Caroline Theobald CBE. They explain in more detail why in the digital age, it's our human connections that count, and give tips on how we can all be better and more helpful networkers.

Oli Barrett is a serial entrepreneur and founder or co founder of many businesses, including Tenner, Start Up Britain and Turn On the Subtitles. He's also a connector, with the Independent calling him "the most connected man in Britain". He's been involved in more than 10 international trade missions, and sits on the advisory boards including Tech London Advocates and One Million Mentors.

Caroline Theobald CBE is one of the most connected people in the North East of England and has a breadth of business experience. In 2000 she established The Bridge Club as a place for businesses to connect and partner. She's involved with women's business networks with Gabriel Investors and champions gender equality, and ethical & responsible business. In 2014 she co foundedFirst a dedicated learning and development agency specialising in entrepreneurial skills.

 

 

Brought to you by the <a href="https://www.northumbria.ac.uk/business-services/help-to-grow-management-programme/">Help To Grow Management Programme</a>&nbsp;at Northumbria University, Why Small Business Matters provides SMEs and small business owners and entrepreneurs the chance to share their stories and what it means to be a successful modern SME.
In this episode Dr Matt Sutherland explores the topic of&nbsp;connectivity and the importance of establishing a wide network. Joining him are to of the most connected people in British business today, Oli Barrett MBE and Caroline Theobald CBE. They&nbsp;explain in more detail why in the digital age, it's our human connections that count, and give tips on how we can all be better and more helpful networkers.
<a href="http://www.olibarrett.com">Oli Barrett </a>is a serial entrepreneur and founder or co founder of many businesses, including Tenner, Start Up Britain and Turn On the Subtitles. He's also a connector, with the Independent calling him "the most connected man in Britain". He's been involved in more than 10 international trade missions, and sits on the advisory boards including Tech London Advocates and One Million Mentors.
Caroline Theobald CBE is one of the most connected people in the North East of England and has a breadth of business experience. In 2000 she established The Bridge Club as a place for businesses to connect and partner. She's involved with women's business networks with Gabriel Investors and champions gender equality, and ethical &amp; responsible business. In 2014 she co founded <a href="https://www.youarefirst.co.uk">First</a>&nbsp;a dedicated learning and development agency specialising in entrepreneurial skills.
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Why Small Business Matters from Newcastle Business School at Northumbria University provides a platform for successful small business leaders to tell their stories, offer advice and unravel what it means to be a successful modern SME.

Brought to you by the Help to Grow Management delivery team at Northumbria University, Small Business Matters takes a casual but inciteful look behind the scenes with contributions from rising entrepreneurs and leaders of established small businesses that have been trading for many years.  

It will find out what gets them up in the morning, how they've navigated the challenges of the pandemic and their vision for small business in the region, the country and across the globe. 

For more info on Help To Grow visit Northumbria.ac.uk/HelpToGrow

Why Small Business Matters from Newcastle Business School at Northumbria University provides a platform for successful small business leaders to tell their stories, offer advice and unravel what it means to be a successful modern SME.
Brought to you by the Help to Grow Management delivery team at Northumbria University, Small Business Matters takes a casual but inciteful look behind the scenes with contributions from rising entrepreneurs and leaders of established small businesses that have been trading for many years.  
It will find out what gets them up in the morning, how they've navigated the challenges of the pandemic and their vision for small business in the region, the country and across the globe. 
For more info on Help To Grow visit <a href="Northumbria.ac.uk/HelpToGrow">Northumbria.ac.uk/HelpToGrow</a>

Brought to you by the Help to Grow Management team at Northumbria University

Why Small Business Matters

Why Small Business Matters from Newcastle Business School at Northumbria University provides a platform for successful small business leaders to tell their stories, offer advice and unravel what it means to be a successful modern SME.

Brought to you by the Help to Grow Management delivery team at Northumbria University, Small Business Matters takes a casual but insightful look behind the scenes with contributions from rising entrepreneurs and leaders of established small businesses that have been trading for many years.  

It will find out what gets them up in the morning, how they've navigated the challenges of the pandemic and their vision for small business in the region, the country and across the globe. 

For more info on Help To Grow visit Northumbria.ac.uk/HelpToGrow

Why Small Business Matters from Newcastle Business School at Northumbria University provides a platform for successful small business leaders to tell their stories, offer advice and unravel what it means to be a successful modern SME.
Brought to you by the Help to Grow Management delivery team at Northumbria University, Small Business Matters takes a casual but insightful look behind the scenes with contributions from rising entrepreneurs and leaders of established small businesses that have been trading for many years.  
It will find out what gets them up in the morning, how they've navigated the challenges of the pandemic and their vision for small business in the region, the country and across the globe. 
For more info on Help To Grow visit <a href="Northumbria.ac.uk/HelpToGrow">Northumbria.ac.uk/HelpToGrow</a>

Northumbria University

Oli Barrett MBE & Caroline Theobald CBE explain to Dr Matt Sutherland of Northumbria University about how they became some of Britain's best networkers

Oli Barrett and Caroline Theobald: Connectivity & The Importance Of Networking

In this episode we team up with Rachel Clarke of Bournemouth University Business School, and Liam Toms, and SME owner in Dorset.

Liam Toms is a communications and engagement manager at Grapevine, a company based in Dorset. He has a background in marketing and business engagement, having previously worked with Bournemouth University, where he facilitated projects connecting students with real-world business challenges. He has also been involved in alumni networking events, supporting local business communities

Employee ownership is a powerful business model that gives workers a direct stake in their company, often through shares or an employee-owned trust. This approach has several key benefits:

1. Increased Motivation & Productivity: When employees have a financial and personal investment in the company’s success, they tend to be more engaged and committed to their work.

2. Stronger Workplace Culture: Employee ownership fosters collaboration, trust, and transparency, leading to a more positive and cohesive company culture.

3. Long-Term Stability: Since employee-owned businesses aren’t as vulnerable to external investors or sudden corporate takeovers, they often demonstrate greater resilience over time.

4. Better Retention & Recruitment: Employees are more likely to stay with a company that offers shared benefits, and the model is attractive to skilled workers looking for long-term security.

5. Greater Wealth Distribution: Rather than concentrating profits among a small group of executives or shareholders, employee ownership helps distribute financial rewards more fairly across the workforce.

Companies like John Lewis Partnership in the UK have successfully implemented employee ownership, proving that this model can drive both profitability and worker satisfaction.

In this episode we team up with Rachel Clarke of Bournemouth University Business School, and Liam Toms, and SME owner in Dorset.
Liam Toms is a communications and engagement manager at Grapevine, a company based in Dorset. He has a background in marketing and business engagement, having previously worked with Bournemouth University, where he facilitated projects connecting students with real-world business challenges. He has also been involved in alumni networking events, supporting local business communities
Employee ownership is a powerful business model that gives workers a direct stake in their company, often through shares or an employee-owned trust. This approach has several key benefits:
1. Increased Motivation &amp; Productivity: When employees have a financial and personal investment in the company&rsquo;s success, they tend to be more engaged and committed to their work.
2. Stronger Workplace Culture: Employee ownership fosters collaboration, trust, and transparency, leading to a more positive and cohesive company culture.
3. Long-Term Stability: Since employee-owned businesses aren&rsquo;t as vulnerable to external investors or sudden corporate takeovers, they often demonstrate greater resilience over time.
4. Better Retention &amp; Recruitment: Employees are more likely to stay with a company that offers shared benefits, and the model is attractive to skilled workers looking for long-term security.
5. Greater Wealth Distribution: Rather than concentrating profits among a small group of executives or shareholders, employee ownership helps distribute financial rewards more fairly across the workforce.
Companies like John Lewis Partnership in the UK have successfully implemented employee ownership, proving that this model can drive both profitability and worker satisfaction.

Why Employee Ownership Matters...

In this episode Sarah Stephenson explores the importance of business leadership and mentoring, and why finding time to work ON and well as IN your business is crucial.

Jenny Cairns is owner or North East startup The Doggy Daycare Centre, as is a former participant of the Help To Grow Management programme. There she was partnered with Simon Read, also known as The Business Skipper, and has helped Jenny's business navigate the choppy waters of entrepreneurship.

 

 

In this episode Sarah Stephenson explores the importance of business leadership and mentoring, and why finding time to work ON and well as IN your business is crucial. Jenny Cairns is owner or North East startup The Doggy Daycare Centre, as is a former participant of the Help To Grow Management programme. There she was partnered with Simon Read, also known as The Business Skipper, and has helped Jenny's business navigate the choppy waters of entrepreneurship.
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Working On AND IN Your Business - Jenny Cairns & Simon Read

In this episode, Dr Matt Sutherland delves into the vital role small businesses play in the economy with Richard Bearman, Co Chief Banking Officer at the British Business Bank.

Discover how the bank supports small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the UK through tailored financial solutions, including startup loans, and learn about the innovative programs designed to help businesses thrive.

Join us as we explore the challenges faced by small firms and the strategies to secure the right funding at the right time.

In this episode, Dr Matt Sutherland delves into the vital role small businesses play in the economy with Richard Bearman, Co Chief Banking Officer at the British Business Bank.
Discover how the bank supports small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the UK through tailored financial solutions, including startup loans, and learn about the innovative programs designed to help businesses thrive.
Join us as we explore the challenges faced by small firms and the strategies to secure the right funding at the right time.

Oli Barrett and Caroline Theobald: Connectivity & The Importance Of Networking

Why Small Business Matters

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