News and Blog Articles

SFEDI Awards have kick-started the year by expanding their suite of Passport to Enterprise and Employment qualifications with brand new opportunities to develop enterprising abilities, behaviours and skills at Levels 1 and 2. These qualifications continue to put the emphasis on personal and social development, by focusing on how developing these skills are equally as […]

In 2014, David Brazer established Ignition Automotive Training; an innovative training centre fused with a real working garage, where unemployed or marginalised people could gain hands-on experience of a real work environment alongside qualifications to help them back into employment. In 2016, the IOEE named Ignition the Enterprising Learning Provider of the Year at its […]

Hamra Alam is the founder and CEO of Lights, Camera, Fashion; a new International IOEE Enterprise Academy with a conscience, that ensures fashion is inclusive of everyone, regardless of disability. Based in the Middle East, Hamra’s passion is for people, and she is committed to empowering women and entrepreneurs through her innovative and inspirational fashion […]

Guest blog by Dr Yaz Iyabo Osho   One of the challenges in teaching enterprise education is ensuring that teaching is embedded in action and active learning, and that students are exposed to the experiential learning opportunities which can help hone their enterprise skills, entrepreneurial capability and knowledge. The very basis of action learning enables students […]

Sophie Bennett is a talented and hard-working student at New College Durham, who has mastered the art of successfully juggling two full-time pursuits; Sophie is working full-time as a waitress and barmaid at a local pub, whilst also studying for her Foundation Degree in Business and Management, and she is still coming out on top and […]

Nick Sladek is a versatile player in the field of marketing, being both the founder of his own email marketing business and working as a freelance or ‘virtual’ Marketing Consultant, Director and Board Advisor for a variety of clients and companies. He has a no-nonsense attitude and is determined to ‘cut through the fluff’ and strip […]

‘Enterprisingly Me’ is a monthly feature where you can follow my entrepreneurial adventures. Names have been changed to protect the innocent but everything you read really happened. I hope my story inspires you to take your first steps, or if you already have, then it lets you know you’re not on your own. Starting and […]

Mathew Burbidge is the creator of Wandering Brian; a comic book designed to offer dyslexic readers material to help improve their reading skills, without being patronising – a problem Mathew encountered as a dyslexic person himself. Mathew was paired up with mentor Keith Willett, a Relationship Director in Manufacturing for Lloyds Banking Group (LBG). This […]

When universities foster a culture of enterprise and entrepreneurship, it equips students with the skills for a rewarding, self-determined professional life. It also has significant benefits for the institution itself, says new guidance from the UK’s independent quality body QAA, which was published earlier today. The guidance will also be available in Mandarin, following widespread […]

SFEDI and IOEE are delighted to announce that our Celebrating Enterprise Awards 2018 nominations are now officially open! The awards ceremony will be held in London on Wednesday 2 May 2018, bringing together key figures from the small business, enterprise and skills sector in the UK to celebrate and recognise the very best in enterprise […]

The International Association of Bookkeepers held their annual UK & International Business & Skills Awards in the House of Commons on Thursday 7 December. The winners were honoured during a prestigious drinks reception ceremony celebrating the achievements of a host of highly accomplished IAB members and industry professionals. SFEDI Group and IOEE were proud to sponsor the […]

Lauren Proctor, 20, is in the second year of her Foundation Degree in Business and Management at New College Durham, an IOEE Enterprise Academy, where she is also working full-time in the Apprenticeship department. With the Foundation Degree’s Innovation, Enterprise and Entrepreneurship modules being accredited by the IOEE, this month we chatted to Lauren to […]

Celebrating its 40th anniversary, the Institute for Small Business and Entrepreneurship (ISBE) Conference, came to Belfast on the 8th and 9th of November. The ISBE Conference has become one of the major events in the entrepreneurial calendar; bringing together over 350 highly-acclaimed academics, speakers and business leaders from over 35 countries, to inform, engage and […]

On a trip to Canada in 2013, Donna Marie discovered a passion for lampwork, and spent the rest of her holiday going to workshops and perfecting her craft. Inspired by the experience, Donna returned home and set up Donna Marie Jewellery, turning what began as a creative hobby into a successful business. In 2016 the […]

‘Enterprisingly Me’ is a monthly feature where you can follow my entrepreneurial adventures. Names have been changed to protect the innocent but everything you read really happened. I hope my story inspires you to take your first steps, or if you already have, then it lets you know you’re not on your own. Starting and […]

More than 650 business leaders attended the MENTA Trade Fair on 3rd October, held at the Apex, Bury St Edmunds, beating all previous records. The business exhibition was sponsored for the ninth consecutive year by Atkins Thomson Solicitors. There was a vibrant atmosphere as the enthusiastic visitors chatted with over 100 business exhibitors who were […]

The SureTrax self-marketing and personal enterprise programme has been developed to give people the tools and confidence to take ownership of their own professional destinies and to take the action to make it happen. SureTrax, which has recently been accredited as an IOEE Academy, was born from an extraordinary personal journey, when its founder and […]

This month, Aylesbury Vale District Council (AVDC) welcomed a host of delegates and speakers from across the UK to its Transforming Culture Conference. The aim of the conference was to tackle the complexities of culture change head-on. The conference followed AVDC’s own, successful programme of change which has now been running for two years. The council has […]

Sharon Goodyer is an entrepreneurial inspiration and an Affiliate Member of the IOEE. After having to leave her job as a Head Teacher in 2000 due to Parkinson’s disease, Sharon turned her hand to another skill, baking cakes, and took her new business from a small market stall in Kent to a company with a […]

The annual Blue Patch Awards, now in it’s second year, invited SME’s and fledgling businesses from across the British Isles to come forward and nominate themselves for one or more of the business award categories. The 2017 Awards were presented at London Design Fair on 21 September in Old Truman Brewery, during London Design Week. […]

South-African born Alysia Silberg is one of the IOEE’s newest Fellows, and her passion, energy and entrepreneurial spirit is boundless. Describing herself as ‘an entrepreneur out of desperation, rather than inspiration’, Alysia has always been ambitious about making a strong positive impact in the working world since she was a child, and her determination has […]

‘Enterprisingly Me’ is a monthly feature where you can follow my entrepreneurial adventures. Names have been changed to protect the innocent but everything you read really happened. I hope my story inspires you to take your first steps, or if you already have, then it lets you know you’re not on your own. Starting and […]

Gurpreet Jagpal is the Director of Research, Enterprise and Innovation at London South Bank University (LSBU) and the CEO of South Bank University Enterprises Ltd. Gurpreet is also an Academic Member of the IOEE, and LSBU’s learning approach was awarded a Highly Commended status at 2016’s IOEE Celebrate Enterprise Awards. This month we chatted to Gurpreet to […]

Abeiku Arthur is a budding entrepreneur and the founder and CEO of House of Solo; a slick and glossy lifestyle magazine that he created to give a platform to emerging artists in creative industries. In March of this year, the IOEE matched Arthur with a mentor, Anastasia Georgiou, a Manager with Lloyds Banking Group. This month […]