FSB Salutes its volunteer Covid era champions
A group of enthusiastic small business owners from Coventry and Warwickshire who have stepped up to support their fellow businesses during the Covid crisis have been honoured by Britain’s biggest business representation group.
The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) launched its first ever ‘Volunteer Champions’ awards programme to recognise the amazing contribution local small business owners have made to support FSB in its work to help and promote the SME community throughout the past year.
The ceremony, which was hosted by Dave Sharpe and included an address from Small Business Minister Paul Scully MP, saw FSB members across the UK recognised for their efforts in policy work, events, media support and membership sales.
Local FSB volunteers across Warwickshire including Sean Farnell from Burgis and Bullock, Helen Barge from Risk Evolves, Liz Katz from Noisegate Media, Rob Harrison from Glued, Sarah Windrum from Emerald IT and Amanda Bourne from FAB Networking were all honoured at the virtual awards. Also honoured at the event which saw more than 120 FSB members across the UK and over 20 from the West Midlands recognised were local volunteers Ian O’Donnell from Real Point Design, Martin Sparrow from Sure Tax Accounting and Rich Bishop.
One of those saluted – Sandra Garlick FSB Warwickshire and Coventry Area Lead and founder of Woman Who Network - said she was delighted to have been recognised along with the many other volunteers in this region who had gone the extra mile for their fellow SMES during a very challenging year.
‘It was a very enjoyable event, attended by many key stakeholders, and it showed again just how many FSB members across the region and beyond have stepped up to the plate and tried to ensure we do everything we can to help fellow business owners to get all the information, support and advice they need at this critical time. It is a source of real pride to see what a passionate group of volunteers we have at FSB.’
FSB‘s National Chairman Mike Cherry said: ‘Despite the most challenging of times, our volunteers, all of whom run their own small businesses, have come forward and given their time to be part of FSB, and help their local business communities. The approach and support offered by staff and volunteers alike is one of FSB’s key and unique strengths, and has been vital in helping small businesses and the self-employed to get through this extraordinarily difficult period. I am delighted to see our volunteer team receive a well-deserved thank you for their amazing levels of support.’
You can find out more about FSB by visiting www.fsb.org.uk and FSB’s coronavirus advice and support line (open to members and non-members) is at https://www.fsb.org.uk/campaign/covid19.html