ActionCOACH at 10 Downing Street

Andrew Sperring from ActionCOACH Bristol engages in pivotal discussions at 10 Downing Street

Andrew Sperring, award-winning coach at ActionCOACH Bristol, received a prestigious invitation from Prime Minister Rishi Sunak for a significant meeting at 10 Downing Street on the 1st of February. This gathering, exclusive to a hand-picked group of small business leaders and entrepreneurs, centred on the vital role of business coaching in the growth and scaling of UK businesses, utilising the extensive support and talent available across the nation.

The event was hosted by Gareth Davies MP, the Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury, and Franck Petitgas, the Prime Minister's Special Adviser on Business and Investment. A thoughtfully curated roundtable discussion examined the pressing issue of financial access for up-and-coming companies. Under the guidance of Rishi Sunak, a select group of successful entrepreneurs shared insights from their experiences in expanding their businesses from local ventures to international enterprises, embodying the dynamic spirit of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

Reflecting on the event, Andrew noted, “It was interesting to see what the panel and the group of entrepreneurs all had in common - passion and ambition to make a difference. I was surrounded by strong, resilient, hard-working people and felt I was definitely in the right room.”

The discussion among these driven entrepreneurs navigated the challenges that SMEs face, with a particular emphasis on funding, growth and long-term success. The discourse also brought to light the crucial importance of a shared vision and mission in propelling a workforce of diverse backgrounds towards collective and individual successes.

Andrew shared his personal journey, highlighting the educational system's challenges and his own experiences with dyslexia and ADHD. “Education didn't quite fit for me. It was only when I started working and forged my own path to learning that I began to truly understand. For many SME owners, the road can feel solitary. Making the workplace inclusive enables us to tap into a wealth of talent, which strengthens the UK economy," he said.

Joining Andrew at 10 Downing Street were notable figures such as Keisha Shah of Teddo Play, Holly Thallon Steenson of Viridian Nutrition, Mark Thompson of AceOn Group, and Daniel Woolfe from Enterprise Nation, to mention a few. Andrew's invitation was in recognition of his achievement as the UK's Number One Business Mentor for the Most Significant Impact on SMEs at the National Mentoring Matters Awards 2023.

Andrew concluded, “It was a privilege to contribute to the vital conversation about nurturing SMEs, which constitute 99.2% of our business population. As we step into 2024 with over 5.6 million private sector businesses, my commitment as a business coach is to ignite substantial progress and unlock the vast potential that awaits Britain’s entrepreneurial spirits.”

At ActionCOACH, we’re committed to fostering an environment where businesses are empowered to overcome obstacles and seize the opportunities to achieve the success they rightly deserve. For more information on how ActionCOACH can assist in your business journey, please contact us.