Business Champions

The Business Champions programme is a network of independent business volunteers, committed to sharing their knowledge and inspiring others across the East Midlands region. The programme recruits high calibre proactive business figures, with a minimum of 5 years management experience, to act as mentors to support a whole range of projects and initiatives where a commercial perspective is needed. 

The programme, originally created and funded by East Midlands Development Agency (emda) and now managed by Business in the Community, engages individuals to work with social enterprises, voluntary organisations and educational establishments to form a link between private, public and voluntary sector.

I feel that being a Business Champion connects you with the "real world" and real people. Working with schools and social enterprises is a welcome and refreshing change and makes you feel that you are making a more lasting contribution to your local community.

What does Business Champions do?

Business Champions brokers volunteers who wish to share their business knowledge and expertise in a variety of ways including assisting with strategic planning, mentoring, coaching, acting as a critical friend or by becoming board members or trustees.

Specifically it can:

• Provide support and advice to develop business plans and strategies
• Mentor/coach organisations to help achieve their aims and objectives 
• Give direction to voluntary organisations and enterprises by addressing a need and helping them to progress through sound business advice and expertise
• Offer strategic direction through forums and board positions
• Inspire students through workshops, mock interviews or master classes

Since the programme was established in yr 2000, Business Champions have collectively donated in excess of 7,000 hours of their time annually to support businesses, community and education organisations across the East Midlands Region.

If you are a community organisation or an educational establishment that may benefit from Business Champion support, please request an application form from Lezli Hall or for further information call 0115 924 7404 

If you would like to apply to become a Business Champion please contact Ann Hilton, telephone 0115 924 7408.