4 minute read
Entrepreneur Foundation
Foundation backed by business entrepreneur and philanthropist
An initiative launched by Hertfordshire Chamber of Commerce is showcasing the County’s entrepreneurial excellence.
Launched last year, the Entrepreneur Foundation provides training, advice and monitoring to dozens of talented individuals.
The idea behind the scheme is to connect budding entrepreneurs with experienced mentors who have been there and done it – successful individuals who have overcome adversity, adapted to new challenges and found innovative ways to grow and sustain their business ventures. The Chamber teamed up with several founders to launch the initiative – people who are business owners and influential decision-makers with philanthropic desires to give back to the local community by passing on the wisdom of their experiences. One of the founders is Stelio Stefanou, a highly successful British businessman and philanthropist. He’s perhaps bestknown for founding Accord, a public services and building maintenance company which grew to employ 4,000 people before Stelio sold it in a multimillion-pound deal in 2007. He then moved into the world of philanthropy, establishing the charity For Baby’s Sake to help break the cycle of abuse between parents and young children. Stelio explains: “I was struck with the case of baby Peter in Haringey in 2007. Unfortunately, he died after suffering horrendous abuse over a period of several months. Other children have faced similar abuse and I thought that this was a problem that needed to be addressed.
“For Baby’s Sake [originally called the Stefanou Foundation] empowers parents to break cycles of abuse and tackles the root causes of disadvantage and vulnerability, focusing on very young babies who do not have a voice. We offer adults who’ve suffered in their own childhood a programme that gets to the root cause of their trauma and gives them coping mechanisms that prevent them from repeating behaviours that can cause hurt or fear in their relationship and family. “We started in Hertfordshire and West London, then rolled out the programme in Cambridgeshire and Blackpool. Last year, when the pandemic hit, we launched For Baby’s Sake CONNECT, a service that uses video and phone technologies and enables people from all over the country to access help. This is vital as it provides a lifeline for people who may otherwise not be able to benefit from the service.”
With his vast experience in the commercial and philanthropic worlds, Stelio was happy to become a founder of the Entrepreneur Foundation. “It’s great to be involved in something that’s so worthwhile,” he says. “The foundation is a fantastic way to connect like-minded entrepreneurs and enable them to learn from each other. Many of the entrepreneurs who I’ve spoken to have a really interesting story to tell.” The foundation has also built a network of supporters, one of which is Redwood Bank, a passionate advocate of UK enterprise. The company believes in nurturing entrepreneurial talent and empowering people to give them the confidence to move forward and make their dreams a reality.
Graham Reynolds, Chief Development Officer at Redwood Bank, says: “We all have to start somewhere, and some people might have an idea, but their lack of experience and know-how could be preventing them from actually getting it off the ground. That’s when understanding the financial options available to you can be absolutely vital. “As a Foundation supporter, we feel we’ve contributed towards building a community which supports collaboration, encourages learning and improves sustainability. It’s a very rewarding feeling to be a part of something so beneficial to others.
“The members of the Redwood team who have been directly involved have spoken of how working alongside these talented individuals has really inspired them, so being a part of this initiative clearly works both ways. “Nurturing entrepreneurship is so important, particularly now as the country is battling back from the impact of COVID-19. Entrepreneurs have the ability to improve standards of living and create wealth, not just for themselves, but also for other related businesses. That’s why they’re so essential to this country.
Graham says that embracing innovation and fostering a culture of entrepreneurship puts Hertfordshire ahead of the game when it comes to economic growth.
“The increasing need for entrepreneurship, growth and change often provides great opportunities for businesses,” he says. “Look at how technology has enriched all of our lives in the past 50 years. “As a result, businesses have been forced to embrace innovation to move with the times and ultimately to continue to meet the demands of their customers.
“Joining the Chamber helped us to connect with other companies, which brought us closer together and allowed us to build new relationships, share best practice and create new opportunities. “The Chamber sits at the heart of local business communities in every part of the UK, which we believe has helped Redwood Bank to thrive within the banking sector. “We’ve seen how the Chamber and its members are constantly working to improve the local business environment and communities in which they work, which for us as a challenger bank is essential. “The Chamber is the voice of local businesses and we’re proud to be a part of it.” For more information, visit www.redwoodbank.co.uk
