Hull-based business network For Entrepreneurs Only has announced its five-year plan to help entrepreneurs launch and grow their companies.
The organisation, which also represents members across East Yorkshire, is fast approaching its tenth anniversary, and has grown into a network of entrepreneurs who turn over £3bn every year.
Last week, the board at FEO held its Annual General Meeting, where a five-year plan for the future of the community interest company was unveiled.
Two prominent board members at FEO also stepped down from their duties, to be replaced by four new faces to the leadership team.
Andrew Horncastle, chair at FEO, said: “In FEO we have created something truly special, and I am pleased to see that over the last nine years we have developed a unique organisation which has an impact on the local economy. This makes me proud to be a member.
“Over the last twelve months, through our unique programmes and events we recorded almost 7,000 hours of volunteer time, which benefitted 2,680 individuals. These include start-ups, entrepreneurs, school and college students and also delegates who attended our events during The Business Day in June.”
“I believe FEO is really needed in this area. We have real challenges on our hands with low aspiration, low pay and worklessness. We have to compete against stronger economies who suck our talent and lay bigger claims to central government investment and intervention.”
FEO was founded in 2009, when Hull entrepreneur and MKM co-founder David Kilburn invited a small gathering of business people to an over-dinner discussion, borne out of concerns for the future of the local economy.
Recently, FEO’s board consulted with members on what could be done to manage the real challenges businesses are facing.
This resulted in a plan taking FEO to 2025, which encourages, supports and mentors potential and practicing entrepreneurs on their path to success.
To help realise the plan, four new directors have been appointed to the FEO board.
These are Thomas Martin, chairman at Hull safety equipment supplier Arco, Lloyd Atkin, managing director at ethical cleaning company Bio-D, Angela Oldroyd, director at The Promotion Company and Martin Lauer, managing director at The One Point.
After making key contributions to the organisation, founding FEO members Professor David Hall and Dr Paul Sewell OBE have stepped down from the board, but will remain active members.
Jan Brumby, chief executive at FEO, said: “Together, FEO members make an annual contribution of £3.3bn to the local economy and employ 23,000 people.”
“We also appreciate the active support of our key partners, KCOM, Cranswick, Gosschalks, Smailes Goldie and The One Point.”
“As we enter the next chapter of FEO’s success story, the new directors have been selected to support our objectives; to help entrepreneurs start-up, adapt their current business and above all grow to where they want to be.”
To find out more about FEO and the membership, visit www.forentrepreneursonly.co.uk .
