About me
Feted with various awards in recognition for my support to enterprises of all types, and across different sectors, I also hold the world-record for the most number of consecutive social impact (ESG/CSR) reports published (17!), and the pocket book I accidently wrote that challenges accepted wisdom about imposter syndrome is now a best-seller and sold in 5 different countries.
I’ve worked with market traders to senior civil servants in the Cabinet office on a range of enterprise and start-up policies and programmes; co-produced university degree modules; and also supported different faith communities to explore how to reconcile their dogmas with different business models and ways of working.
Several national sector bodies have me as their ‘go to guy’ on matters relating to governance, legal structures, co-operatives, social enterprise, and EDI.
Industry
Vocational and industrial trainer or instructor Management consultant or business analyst Business or financial project management professional Finance and investment analyst or adviser Business or related research professional Higher education teaching professional
Skills
L&D / Training Measurement and reporting Defining Development & Training Needs Business Research & Data Collection Preparing & Presenting Reports Business Analysis Cost Benefit Analysis / Business Cases Team Leadership Programme / Project Planning & Governance Budget Planning Drafting & Writing Text Change Management Diversity & Inclusion
Work history
Navigating the Maze - an introductory guide to social enterprise legal forms
SELNET
Dec 2022 - Mar 2014
Commissioned by SELnet to draft a new resource to support social entrepreneurs better appreciate the range and implications of different legal forms they can adopt for their ventures; and for existing social enterprises to better periodically review their adopted legal form to ensure it remains 'fit for purpose' in light of changes to trading, markets, and communities. https://selnet-uk.com/guidance-documents/
Borrowing in the wild - rural perspectives on social investment
Barrow Cadbury Trust
Nov 2017 - Feb 2018
A literature review on behalf of social investors the Key Fund and Barrow Cadbury Trust, into the realities of how rural social enterprises may need to have social investment products redesigned in order for them to be able to best engage with this model of finance. https://www.scribd.com/document/375621180/Borrowing-in-the-Wild
Getting Boards on Board
3xE / Crisis
Oct 2011 - Feb 2012
3xE was a national programme supporting organisations in the homeless sector create social enterprises further help people affected by homelessness to access work and skills. I was commissioned to draft this guide for how resistance amongst Trustees in charities and similar to developing (social) enterprise activities might be approached, so that opportunities to create new and more ways to impact communities and people might not be otherwise lost. https://www.scribd.com/document/91070806/Getting-Boards-on-board
Business incubators for homeless entrepreneurs
3xE / Crisis
Jun 2010 - Mar 2012
3xE was a national programme supporting organisations in the homeless sector create social enterprises further help people affected by homelessness to access work and skills. As part of it, I was commissioned to develop a new model of business incubator that could better enable homeless entrepreneurs to be supported in developing their own enterprises as a route to employment. https://www.scribd.com/document/380559033/Business-incubator-for-homeless-entrepreneurs
Lending to co-operatives and social enterprises
Cambridge Co-operative Development Agency
Mar 2003 - Mar 2004
I researched the history, impact, and learnings for other social investors, of one of the earliest social investment funds that was based on a peer model of lending. https://www.scribd.com/document/50393163/Lending-to-Co-Operatives-and-Social-Enterprises
IPSE member story
Member Story Enterprise Consultant Adrian Ashton
After more than 18 years in self-employment, Enterprise Consultant Adrian Ashton has a wealth of knowledge and useful insights for anyone looking to build a sustainable, long-term career.