Dawn Edwards 🏆’s Post

Should all over 55's hang up their lanyard and make way for the new generation of leaders? Those who know me will know that I pride myself on being self aware, honest in my exchanges with others (sometimes to a fault), and generally unflappable. Imagine my surprise therefore when faced with paperwork and a subsequent discussion around the big R - Retirement. If you'd asked me up until 5 years ago I'd have said it was something to aspire to, earlier rather than later. I now realise however that my work is an integral part of who I am, my brand and my identity. 30 years on I still find all things leadership, business and entrepreneurship exciting and stimulating and I've shocked even myself on the strength of the reaction to even the idea of retiring. I feel, and I’m sure many more like me, have so much more to give, possibly more now than before. I have more patience, more understanding and a recognition that there’s never a one size fits all - everyone is individual in their wants, needs and aspirations. The answer from my own perspective therefore to the opening question in this post is a resounding NO!. I'm going no where any time soon 😉

A real pleasure to help organise this round table with Rt Hon Rachel Reeves MP and Jonathan Reynolds MP . Some interesting questions posed around what a Labour government might do to overcome business challenges such as : ✅how to make the apprenticeship system work for all businesses and the prospect of opening the pot up to be spent on other regulated qualifications - not just those labelled apprenticeships. ✅businesseswomen owned businesses getting their fair share of investment - and how to ensure businesses who need investment in the East Midlands can access it when they need it. ✅how to truly consult with the wider business population ✅how to support and drive up productivity in all sectors but particularly manufacturing ✅how to ensure the business landscape is fair for all - including supporting small businesses through reforming the rates system and appealing your landlords to be fair with rents. Great hospitality from 1 market place tea rooms https://lnkd.in/ewUTZ6HA Thank you to all those who shuffled their diaries to attend. Ben Lovejoy Claire Twells Debt Recovery Lawyer 🧮📈⚖️ Nigel Best @angela stewart Philip Brooks-Stephenson, KL, BStJA, FRSA, FCMI Rik Pancholi And to those who helped organise/chair Michael Payne Michael Weedon Karen Woolley LL.B (Hons)

I’m so excited to have been asked to be one of the speakers at this event. I’ll be delivering “Shining a light on Brilliant Leadership by building a compelling Personal Brand” and sharing tips on how to get noticed and be remembered- for all the right reasons ! The event is at a beautiful venue and there’s always fantastic energy in the room with an array of different business folks to connect with. What’s not to love ! - book your place below 👇

A busy week making new connections, celebrating the achievements of others at Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) Awards, hearing inspiring stories at KuKu Connect and opportunities to promote the great East Midlands and business via The King's Awards for Enterprise at Nottingham City Business Club Mark Goldby DL Veronica Pickering MBS DL High Sheriff of Nottinghamshire, Stephen Goddard, FRSA 👩👩👧👦 Jennifer Thomas MIED Katrina Pierce Amy Gillespie James Illsley Greta McDonald Rob D. Eloise Idoine 👩🏼 Amanda Daly Deborah Labbate Tamika Martin Mark Deakin Maxi 'Leigh

Still time to book for this month’s Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) Notts/Derbys and beyond virtual networking - tomorrow 10 to 11am and hosted by yours truly . Come and join us to make new connections, network and find out more about fully funded training opportunities for your business from Nick Proverbs of University of Nottingham . Free and no need to be a member to book. You never know what you might learn or who you might meet - always fun and friendly. Book on the link 👇. James Illsley Amy Gillespie Debbie Porter

A privilege to attend the "Celebrating Local Philanthropy event” yesterday. More than £25M raised to help c.3.5K different local projects since its inception - a truly amazing achievement by the NOTTINGHAMSHIRE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION. The event was hosted by Mark Goldby DL and included a thought provoking reflection on a year spent promoting and supporting charitable causes by Veronica Pickering MBS DL High Sheriff of Nottinghamshire. Speakers included Nina Dauban; Tony Hillary, Martin Ingham Louise Cooke Hon DBA and Paddy Tipping. It was such a lovely event, hearing stories about ways in which it's possible to help those who are less fortunate or find themselves in difficult circumstances and the sheer determination and grit which some of the founders of the various charities and enterprises have shown to ensure their chosen cause is heard and help offered (often out of adversity and lived experience themselves). Great to see so many familiar faces and to meet some new contacts too Deborah Labbate Stuart Dawkins Merlita Bryan Philip Brooks-Stephenson, KL, BStJA, FCMI 🎩 Stephen Goddard 👩👩👧👦 David Park Megan Powell Vreeswijk

A fantastic opportunity to help your business, free of charge on a full day training event. And… you will be on the expert hands of the amazing Debbie Porter. Not to be missed.

An interesting morning attending an update on UK Shared Prosperity Fund at Gedling Borough Council . The three streams of Community and Place; Business engagement; and People and Skills are intertwined so great to hear the plans for how the use of funds will be maximised by collaboration. Paul Stuart Diane Beresford Tanya Najuk Lance Juby Melvyn Cryer Deborah Widdowson @Tom Randall Fardad Amirsaeedi @nathan wall

Check out this great opportunity to support small businesses in your local area on a self employed basis with all the support you need to really make a difference Hemant Kalidas is #hiring. Know anyone who might be interested?

This has just popped up on my feed. Thanks to Debbie Gilbert for all the work she does on the Best Business Women Awards . Celebrating Female success is so important. Whatever your business we need to lift each other up and shout loud and proud about our business. It’s great to have been recognised. The awards were in November and I was unable to make the night. Maria Peggs was also shortlisted and kindly collected the award for me.