The team
Benna McCartney - Director Hello. I am a qualified coach who trained with the Coaching Academy and has run a successful coaching business since 2003, specialising in confidence and self-esteem building and effectively managing major life changes. I worked with Chichester College as a Community Business Coach, helping unemployed individuals start up their own businesses. I am well versed in coaching offenders, ex-offenders, long-term unemployed and others with additional barriers. Research has shown that it is very difficult to go into self-employment without a solid foundation to work from on a personal level, and helping to build this is where my strongest talents lie. My methodology is dependent on looking at each client’s specific life experience and needs, to determine what kind of powerful questioning techniques need to be used. I am an experienced entrepreneur who has run eight of my own businesses in total since leaving college at the age of 18. I am PTTLS qualified and Enhanced DBS checked. I am also a volunteer for Gig Buddies and a singer in my spare time. |
Phil Ashford - Director
I am an experienced and accredited business adviser with a background in both the private and public sector, specialising in pre-start up business advice for people with additional barriers. I have delivered business planning workshops and one to one business start-up coaching for a range of people from disadvantaged backgrounds. I have lectured in schools, colleges and have delivered enterprise awareness programmes with underprivileged teenagers throughout Sussex. I have experience at a senior level at Panasonic UK, The Pensions Regulator, University of Brighton and digital marketing agency, Site Visibility. I am the former director of the East Sussex Gateway, a Business Link service which provides pre start-up support for people with additional barriers. Due to my extensive experience in Sussex, I have links and contacts both with agencies and business organisations across the region. I have taken part in the NEWCEP steering group and the City Skills and Employment Group in Brighton and Hove. I also lecture at German universities on mentoring. I have a MBA, a Diploma in Performance Coaching, am a Prince 2 Practitioner and a SFEDI Accredited Business Adviser. I am a registered Growth Accelerator coach, PTTLS qualified and Enhanced DBS checked. I am also a volunteer mentor for the Brighton Business Community Partnership. |
Helen Smith - Office Administrator
I provide administration support to the team at Enterprise Exchange. I am also a Project Manager for a charity. Both organisations have similar values and objectives, which are to inspire and empower people with additional barriers to fulfil their potential through enterprise. I believe in what they do and the value they can bring to a person’s life. I also facilitate empowerment workshops. I am an actor and writer, and have performed my woman one show at Edinburgh Festival, which has fulfilled a lifelong dream. |
Emily Dike - Virtual Assistant, Case Management & Administration
I provide virtual assistance support to the directors and the team. I love organising and am ready to tackle any tasks that can help support Enterprise Exchange to continue on giving great help to the community. I also run my own business, providing relaxing health treatments to women with neck, shoulder and back pain. |
Guy Walsh - Business Advisor, Case Management & Administration
I provide business support, case management and administration support within Enterprise Exchange. I have a wealth of experience across a number of industries, including working as a Social Business Advisor, providing employment support to people with mental health support needs, and delivering drama workshops to people in recovery from addiction. I have also worked as a professional actor and a photographer, and have previously set up and run my own social enterprises. |
Rachel Butler - Case Management & Administration
I provide case management and administration support within Enterprise Exchange. I have lots of experience in working in customer service, financial services and health and social care. At the heart of my experience is people, as I love working with people and to help them make the most of life. Whether its starting a new business adventure or living an independent and fulling life. I aim to support people as best they can and with the challenges they face. |