Ellen Kerr Curriculum Vitae
Prowess Business Support Professional of the Year 2008
Professional background :
I am a self-motivated, energetic and adaptable Women’s Enterprise Broker within the public business support arena. I have a vast experience within Business Link environment for over 15 years and have worked across all sectors of the business. I possess excellent organisation and communication skills and liaise effectively at all levels, work well under pressure and can prioritise work load for myself and others. I am business focussed but balanced by having a caring and lively personality.
I have over 8 years experience within the women’s enterprise arena and outside of my work at Business Link I am Director of Women In Business (NW) Limited which provides quality facilitated networking opportunities to business women for over 15 years and is the longest independent women’s network on Merseyside. I have been instrumental in advising and promoting the first Women’s Enterprise Centre in the North West where women can have access to serviced suite and I provide one to one business assistance on a surgery basis. I have experience of the barriers that women face and I have a deep understanding of the issues facing women business owners and women wanting to start in business.
At Business Link I have raised the profile of the women’s enterprise agenda and have developed accessible business support services from concept to delivery. I have been responsible for three key events for Women’s Enterprise Day 20006/2007 and International Women’s Day 2008. Each event had over 120+ attendees and these events have enabled women to consider self employment as a viable option and also women who are already in business grow and be sustainable. Via my various links I have been able to take them further after raising expectations and aspirations at the events, I can to offer access to the Women In Business (NW) Network to assist the women in developing their businesses and help them on their journey with other women as role models and informal “mentors”. Three of the women who are part of the Women In Business Network went through to the Women of the Year 2008 Awards, two of which won their category. This has given them PR opportunities for themselves and their business and a confidence boost to take their businesses forward.
I have worked across the region and have built a very strong reputation and relationships within various stakeholders, agencies and partners within the local and North West region. I have connections into both private and public sectors and have excellent knowledge of business support, public regeneration and economic development, infrastructure and understand the complexities and needs of women in the business world.
Professional synopsis :
- The Founder of Women In Business (NW) when funding withdrawn 2001
- Master of Ceremony experience
- Capable of delivering deadlines on time with the minimum of supervision
- Excels in a environment, where clear business objectives are defined
- Enjoys taking the initiative, being creative and finding business problems solutions which are well thought through and sustainable
- Quickly adapts to new working practices and situations
- Project and contract management capabilities
- Building strong relationships with internal and external customers
- Guest speaker skills to small and large audiences
- Customer relationship management and business process change
- Experience of pre start up and start business support environments
- 3 years Investors in People quality standard implementation within the Workforce Development Team at Business Link
- Expert communicator and people person
- Delivery of presentations, business analysis and project evaluations
Specialities :
Female Entrepreneurship, General Business Enterprise Support, Project Management, General Business Management, Customer Relationship Management
Training :
High level of Computer literacy : Outlook, Email, Internet, CMS
NVQ Level III - Business Administration
Neuro Linguistic Programming - Practioner ENELPTA certified
Continuing Professional Development
Professional associations and positions held within other organisations :
Director of Women In Business (NW) Ltd
Prowess Member
Judge of Merseyside Women of the Year 2008
North West Women’s Enterprise Ambassador
Board of Young Enterprise
Young Enterprise Advisor on Company Programme for 5 years
Advisor to Wirral Borough Council Together Partnership
Guest speaker for business on issues on local radio
Write business Blog article for local newspaper
Advisor to Sefton Women’s Business Network
Board Member of Women’s Business Network
Awards :
2008 - Business Support Professional - Awarded by Prowess
2006 - Micros Business of the Year - Awarded by Merseyside Learning & Skills Council
2003 – Merseyside Woman of the Year - awarded by Liverpool Daily Post
Readers & BT
2003 - Business and Commerce Women of the Year - Awarded by The Mersey
Partnership
Summary :
I believe that be becoming a Flagship Consultant will enable me to broaden my portfolio within women’s enterprise development. It will enable me to take my experience and passion to the next level beyond the Business Link environment and the North West into the wider UK arena.
I have a solid experience within the business community and I am regarded as the “woman enterprise” specialist. I encourage and nuture women with their ideas and to be the best they can and help them achieve their goals and aspirations. I have high level of customer service and endeavour to over deliver on expectation. I understand the need for access to improved quality of services to women across the board and to encourage women to be recognised as a major contributor to the economic growth of the UK.