Meadowhall Announces Business Advisors Panel

3rd September 2013

Meadowhall Brings Together Region's Finest Business Leaders To Help Local Enterprise Meadowhall has today announced the team of leaders that will make up The Meadowhall Business Advisors Panel, bringing together some of the region's most senior and respected figures in order to support the next generation of business talent.

The panel boasts over 100 years of combined experience and includes: Meadowhall Center Director Darren Pearce; Managing Director of Future Wealth Jillian Thomas; Commercial Director of Highlander Chris Muscroft; Business Advisor of SENTA Steve Annakin, and Jon Wall Co-Owner and Marketing Director of Voice. The panel will be hosting a series of business advice forums for budding entrepreneurs and business owners chaired by Meadowhall's Centre Director, Darren Pearce. Darren Pearce has managed and nurtured the development of Meadowhall shopping centre for over 20 years. Darren Pearce commented: -The Meadowhall Business Advisors Panel is the first of its kind for the centre, and through the Sheffield Chamber of Commerce we have called upon a fantastic board of directors to take part. -As representatives of successful businesses it is important that we support the next generation of entrepreneurs: these individuals will be responsible for creating future wealth and growth in our region. Darren Pearce will be joined by: Jillian Thomas DipPFS - Owner and Managing Director of Future Wealth Management Jillian Thomas has over 30 years' experience in financial services and is one of the industry's most well-respected figures, with a reputation stretching all the way into the heart of the City of London. Jillian Thomas commented: -I am delighted to be asked to sit on the Meadowhall Business Advisors Panel. I believe there are so many budding businesses out there and this is a fantastic opportunity for these developing companies. -In order for entrepreneurs to succeed they need to look at: mentoring, funding and a robust business plan. It's important to get every single aspect of the business in order before the business commences, testing it and making sure that it works so that the business is ready to launch and run, never mind walk. Through the support of this incredibly experienced Business Advisors Panel I believe we have created a really unique opportunity for local businesses to ask for help and support as they make those delicate first steps to catapult their businesses. Steve Annakin - Business Advisor of SENTA Steve Annakin joined SENTA from almost 30 years in business banking. During that time he undertook various roles and has experience working with all types of business at all levels. Steve has also had the experience of running his own partnership business for a number of years. Steve Annakin commented: -I regard the Meadowhall Business Advisors panel as a fundamental platform for us as experienced experts to offer something back to the business community and industries that helped us make a living. I am sure I will find some real gems coming into the business workshop and I hope to unearth and help grow a number of top businesses and individuals. -Throughout my career I have faced many business challenges, and as might be expected, many highs and many lows along the way. My desire now is to be able to share my experiences with growing new and start up businesses and to try and give them the tools and knowledge to help them avoid and deal with some of the potential obstacles I faced. Chris Muscroft - Commercial Director of Highlander Chris has worked as Commercial Director of Highlander for over 9 years, following a successful career in I.T. Account Management. Providing guidance to large corporate organisations across the UK, Chris specialises in design solutions aimed at reducing costs, enabling growth and increasing profitability for the company´s client base. Chris Muscroft commented: -Through my experiences and thanks to years of development through trusted mentors I have a whole catalogue of expertise. The Meadowhall Business Advisors Panel is a fantastic platform for experienced business leaders such as myself to share our learnings with people that are in the same positions, with the same worries I had 10 years ago when I started my journey. -The Meadowhall Business Advisors panel is a fundamental platform for us as experienced experts to offer something back to the community and industries that we carved our living out of. I hope to find some real gems coming into the business workshop and to unearth and help grow a number of top businesses. Jon Wall - Co-Owner and Marketing Director of Voice Jon Wall is the Marketing Director (and co-owner) of Voice sales and tele-marketing whose business has gone from zero to 470 staff in 7 years. Jon has been in the industry for over 15 years. -We were extremely proud to be on the panel and hope we can bring a great deal of experience and help to growing local businesses, all of whom will start on the same journey as Voice did, 7 years ago. Businesses seeking support from the Meadowhall Business Advisors Panel are being asked to submit their questions, ideas, and pitches for support and feedback by 13th September to BusinessIdeas@mkthingshappen.co.uk The candidate with the most marketable business plan as regarded by the 'Meadowhall dragons' will be offered ongoing business support by the business panel and the SCCI. The Meadowhall Business Advisors Panel forms part of the centre's summer 'Pop Up' retailer, business and event campaign. Meadowhall shopping centre hosts a range of retailers from large flagship multinationals to small, independent retailers ensuring a breadth and range of choice for shoppers.