It’s time to congratulate our very own Mike Allen, who’s devotion to helping small businesses during the last few months of uncertainty has been recognised with a BFA Community Hero nomination! The BFA Community Hero Awards have been set up to recognise, reward, and promote outstanding professionalism within this increasingly important market sector.
Mike Allen joined our team back in August 2019 as Business Doctor for his local area Solihull. It was his commitment and passion for supporting SMEs that brought him out of retirement. Talk about dedication! The Business Doctor ethos aligned perfectly with his own, as he wanted to give something back by helping small businesses to achieve their vision.
So, how did Mike come to master his trade?
Mike graduated from the university of Leeds with a Chemical Engineering degree. Luckily for us, a career in engineering wasn’t on the cards for Mike, but the course did open the door to many experiences that would eventually lead him into a successful 30-year business career. From working at Cadbury in Bournville (with access to lots of free chocolate), to becoming part of the senior team at Camelot that set up The National Lottery.
After this, Mike spent 10 years working in the education technology sector- a role focused on improving the possibilities for young people across the UK, and one that he found extremely rewarding. However, Mike discovered his true passion for helping small businesses whilst running the Croner Group, who provide HR and legal support to SME’s. More recently, he set up Arco Professional Safety Service. Another great example of Mike doing what he does best – using his vast business and leadership experience to help people see their vision and achieve extraordinary things.
Why has Mike been nominated for a BFA?
A drive for supporting small businesses is at the heart of why Mike does what he does. So, when 2020 threw a series of unprecedented hurdles at the nations SME’s, Mike knew he had to act quickly and do something to help his existing clients and businesses he hadn’t worked with before.
Mike took it upon himself to help as many local businesses as possible, offering his support to those who needed it, on a not-for-profit basis, as so many businesses were suffering financially.
Mike’s desire to help wherever he could also lead to him signing up as a Mentor/Advisor to a number of organisations including: The Birmingham Enterprise Community, Enterprise Nation, and HSBC’s Birmingham Expresso Club. Since then, Mike has engaged with over 200 businesses, some face to face, others via webinars.
Mike feels he is fulfilling his sense of purpose and has built many strong, new relationships with businesses across the region.
Naturally he has gained new clients as a result but that was not the main reason for doing what he did. Mike has selflessly provided businesses with experience-based support and advice in order to keep them prospering through the pandemic.
We’re so proud to have him as part of our team and wish him the best of luck with the award.
You can vote for Mike for the BFA Community Hero award here
Could you be a Business Doctor?
Strategic thinking. Strong business insight. Dedication and commitment. These are some of the qualities our business doctors all share.If you think this could be you, get in touch today.