Queens Award Magazine Article

Mr Paul Davies

Voluntary Chief Executive and Business Coach, Clowne Enterprise, Clowne, Derbyshire

Paul Davies

Paul began working in enterprise promotion in 2004 when he left his management consultancy career to work on a local enterprise coaching project in the ex-coalmining town of Clowne. The project's aim was to provide a fresh start to individuals, many of whom were unemployed, in this deprived area of North East Derbyshire.

The success of that project led Paul to work with local businesses to form Clowne Enterprise, a social enterprise which has grown to provide free coaching, advice and support to individuals and small businesses across Bolsover district, has established networks for existing businesses, provides incubator accommodation at its Business centre in Clowne, and works on other projects including the development of enterprise education in local schools. The flexibility of coaching and other support provided by Paul has lead to a survival rate of over 85% for new businesses that have formed with his help.

When Bolsover, Ashfield and Mansfield districts entered a successful bid for Local Enterprise Growth funding Paul worked with the bid team to include six projects which replicated the successful Clowne programme, as well as specialist enterprise advisers, and a programme of enterprise education for schools. Paul has subsequently chaired the board and steering group for this successful programme and is now chair of LEO Business Ltd which will succeed that programme and provide ongoing enterprise support in the region.

Clowne Enterprise has supported nearly 500 individuals and business, while the LEO programme has supported over 4,000. Together they have helped to form over 550 new businesses and to create over 1,500 new jobs. The enterprise academy has brought enterprise education to over 7,000 students.