Family Champion Jo-Anna, based in Shepway, Kent, was carrying a gas canister to provide heat for one of her families homes when she slipped. A trip to the hospital diagnosed a broken shoulder, but despite the pain Jo-Anna was in work the next day, ready to support her families.

‘Nothing can stop me doing my champ work!’ said Jo-Anna. What an amazing Family Champion – her families are very fortunate to have her on their side! To say thank you for being such an inspirational Family Champion I sent her a bunch of flowers – I just hope she has someone on hand to carry them for her!

I have spent more than 20 years helping individuals and families in the most disadvantaged communities get work, regain ambition and improve both their lives and the lives of those around them.

Now, under this programme, every troubled family will have their own champion able to use every existing resource to help them get going, face up to and sort out their problems, whether they be parenting challenges, poor health, debt, addiction, dependency or lack of motivation. Most importantly, it will involve helping people into meaningful employment to help create happy, working families with a new sense of purpose and an active role in society.

I will do everything in my power to inspire, to change attitudes, to make sure that every bit of the existing government, voluntary and private effort adds up to this single goal of creating happy, working families.

I am going to start this initiative by recruiting six families to work alongside – and will do everything to help them become working families. The work we do together will be highlighted in the media. We will create wider public understanding and knowledge about how individuals and families across Britain can help themselves and each other. I will also recruit, train and develop an army of family champions who will be from communities up and down the country- people who are passionate about and capable of helping others.

Please come and join me…

Visit the website at www.workingfamilieseverywhere.com

You can view the Daily Mail feature in the link below.

http://community.mya4e.com/2010/11/emma-interview-mail-on-sunday/

Despite the large plasma screens and buzzy atmosphere this is not, as first impressions may give, an art gallery, nor is it a cutting edge media agency in London. It is in fact the home for training company A4E in Sheffield and a working drop-in centre for the city’s unemployed. On the other side of the room to the tuk-tuk is an equally cheery VW camper van, surrounded by soft reupholstered chairs and sitting in one, A4E’s Chair, Emma Harrison.

Flicking through a newspaper, Harrison cuts a relaxed figure with an easy smile. She is hours away from a holiday and her excitement is contagious. In fact, her enthusiasm is such that she has soon grasped a pen out of my hand and is scribbling the name of a music festival on my pad. Y-not, she explains is where she will be taking her family to that afternoon; “to run off and hang out in a muddy field” in their very own VW campervan – a far cry from her palatial home at Thornbridge Hall.

It quickly becomes clear that this positive attitude applies to more than just holidays. It could also be the reason her career has progressed rapidly, from running illegal tuck-shops at the age of nine, making a “total mess” of her A levels to where she sits today; a successful entrepreneur running a global training company that employs 3000 people and last year turned over a “whopping” £250m. Harrison is the embodiment of self-made success. Avoiding the obvious path and carving her own, she set her heart on studying engineering despite the warnings that “no-one would marry her”.

After refusing to fill in the forms or meet the deadlines required for her course applications, Harrison got on a motorbike and drove directly to the University. She knocked on the door and secured a place, before gaining sponsorship in an equally defiant manner.

“I’ve got a billion pound target in my head, I’ve got another million people I want to help. I’m going to sort out the entire health system. I’m going to create an entire prevention business. I’m absolutely determined.”

This tenacity has served Harrison well and she insists that she has “created [her] own opportunities”. “I began to realise that every time something good happened it’s because I created it, or persisted and I was developing this massive resilience.”

Resilience is something Harrison has recognised in many of the entrepreneurs she has met and the ones she does mention hold some gravitas, with Richard Branson and Duncan Bannatyne getting swift name-checks. “For entrepreneurs it’s about wanting to change the world and about being absolutely determined to make something better. They see something they don’t like the look of and they want to improve it.”

“I began to realise that every time something good happened it’s because I created it, or persisted and I was developing this massive resilience.”

Harrison‘s challenge and personal mantra is, ‘What are you going to do about it?’ which she applies to both herself and demands of others, including her own children. “A lot of people will moan about things but it’s what you do next that counts. I think it comes very naturally to me. I say to my kids; life’s not fair but what are you going to do about it?“ The defining moment when this approach shaped itself into a structured plan for Harrison came twenty years ago, when she took over her father’s tiny training company.

Working as an engineer at British Steel in Sheffield, she witnessed her colleagues and production workers losing their jobs, with the only next step for them marked out as a college course starting in September.

“I thought, ‘I need to help these guys’. What if they get laid off in January? They shouldn’t have to sit on the dole for ten months. By then they’ll be ruined. My great idea was to start something on each and every Monday. So I went to Manpower Services Commission about it and they gave me a chance. “Before long Harrison’s training courses began every day and quickly turned into a campaign for change.

“I would just go and bang on the door of Manpower Services Commission and ask them what they were worried about. I would go off and find out about it, work out how to sort it and go back and tell them.

“That very quickly turned A4E into a million pound business. I was, and still am, in the business of fixing things that people are worried about.” Harrison makes it all sound very simple. To her, perhaps it is but she rejects the idea that good entrepreneurs are simply born that way. “When people say to me, ‘you’re such a good entrepreneur’ that’s rubbish. It’s called survival.”

“I still don’t think there are enough lessons in entrepreneurship. It’s all about the professions. Entrepreneurship is about being who you are whereas a profession means slotting yourself into the mould of someone else’s world. As an entrepreneur you create a world around you. You create companies in the image of you so it’s a true expression of who you are. That passion keeps you going through the tough times.”

Passion is clearly something Harrison has in droves, with a seemingly endless list of ambitious projects in the pipeline. “I’ve got a billion pound target in my head, I’ve got another million people I want to help. I’m going to sort out the entire health system. I’m going to create an entire prevention business. I’m absolutely determined.” This much is obvious, and it seems no subject can shy away from this entrepreneur’s ambitious plans – her city included.

“I love Sheffield, it’s my city but we need to be braver. Imagine it as the leader of a business, you just said, ‘I want to be average’. I’d like to see more guts in the city,” she says, thoughtfully. “We’ve got two universities, the biggest college in Europe and hundreds of schools. It’s not just steel that’s made in Sheffield any more. It’s all about its people, because its people are fantastic. I think tying in entrepreneurialism and education, that hallmark of quality, ‘Made in Sheffield’ – that should be on the people.

There’s some fantastic people coming out of this city but we should put a stamp on them, claim them as ours and send them around the world.”

“If you were trained in Sheffield, if you were educated here then bloody hell, you must be good. That’s my vision for the city,” she states whilst holding out a tanned arm now visibly covered in goosebumps. Whether born or made, Emma Harrison is entrepreneurial in the purest sense and it certainly seems passion on this level – felt to the point of a physical reaction – is not something that can be taught.

But will enough ever be enough? “God, I haven’t even started!” She exclaims. “That’s the thing with entrepreneurs, we never think we’re good enough. The key, though, is having a lasting job that you love.”

Whether it is fear of failure or genuine love for her job that fuels her passion, Harrison is far from running on empty. For now though, this entrepreneur is focused on more pressing issues, hunting down disposable plates for a long weekend of barbecues in the Peak District. “I’m so excited!” she beams once again and, goosebumps aside, I believe her.

“There’s some fantastic people coming out of this city but we should put a stamp on them, claim them as ours and send them round the world.”

Interview with Nicole Green
Editor
MADE Magazine Sheffield

You can see the latest issue of made here.

Click here to view the full article.

My name is Robert Stones. I have been here at the Milton Keynes office doing the 13 week IAP Program and I would like to say a big thank you to all the staff here for their support and help. I was not sure what A4e could do for a recovering alcoholic ex prisoner, but to my surprise i was treated with respect and understanding.

Support for people like me is very hard to find and is dependant on location and funding. Since I have been here I have found the funding for the next level of my on going teacher training, (i am a volunteer substance misuse tutor with the pukka project at HMP Woodhill) and I give alcohol awareness presentations here at A4e. It is my aim to role out a misuse program in the local area using ex-addicts/prisoners who like me have the experiance and knowledge of what it is like having an addiction problem. However like most projects funding is an issue, ie Milton Keynes council has cut drug and alcohol education by 11% (£250.000) this year and more cuts to follow…

Lee Clowes has been a God send. He has bought teaching aids/tools to help with my presentations and the feed back I have had is outstanding, I believe that this kind of education is a must! Not only for those addicted but for everyone. If you can help with any ideas or contacts I would be most grateful.

Again many thanks to A4e who have made me feel human again and not a cast off.
 

Yours
Bob Stones
 

Stay tuned for more success stories!

Emma in ‘Who Knows Best: Finding A Job’

Aired Tuesday 10th August 9pm Channel 4

Emma is going head to head on Channel 4 this Tuesday night with Ray Lewis to showcase the different ways they believe unemployment can be tackled.

For Ray Lewis Director of Eastside Young Leaders Academy which helps get young people back on the straight and narrow his technique is to use a strong hand to keep them in check.

As we know Emma has always believed in a more holistic approach to work with the individual to address their particular problems. 'I walk by their side, hold their hand and we go on a journey resulting in them getting a job that transforms their lives.'

Emma and Ray both selected a member of the public early in 2010 for each other, someone who has been unemployed for over 18 months. They then worked with this individual agreeing that the best method would be the one that found their client the highest paid job.

Emma helped 21-year-old John, who has never had a job and lives with his parents on a council estate in Leyton. Going to prison has become a real possibility for John and now he says he wants to turn his back on his criminal past.
Ray's has had success with transforming the lives of young men at this Academy in the East End, but how effectively will he work with 48-year-old unemployed Dave, who hasn't had a job for over two years.

You will have to watch the show on Tuesday night to discover the results.

For more information on the ‘Who Knows Best’ series or to catch up with programme online visit 40D:

http://www.channel4.com/programmes/who-knows-best

After his successful interview and gaining employment, John is doing really well in his new job. His employer is pleased with his success and says that John has exceeded his expectations and continues to exceed them.

Update from John and his new Employer

What the company look for in an employee
We are looking for self motivated, intelligent people with common sense who can communicate well and work efficiently and effectively, either on their own or as part of a team. They need to be flexible, co-operative, presentable and professional.

John ticks all of these boxes. He is an amazing find. Above all he is highly self motivated and is very keen to use the opportunity of employment with us to the full. He is enthusiastic, totally professional, helpful and uses his initiative to the full. He has fitted in extremely well and has already become an indispensable part of our team.



What were your expectations from John
I interviewed John at length and he gave a full and frank account of his past and where he wanted to get to in the future. It was clear that he was a highly motivated and naturally intelligent individual who had lost his way and fallen out of the educational system into a parallel world.

My expectations were that he would take full advantage of the opportunity presented to him and look at ways to improve himself through work, training and education. As with any employee, an interview is only an interview and the reality of the individual in the working environment can be very different.

People can be very good at selling themselves in interview. John was very frank in his interview. He did not hide anything about his past and demonstrated his passion for the future. The risk of the reality not measuring up to the person I interviewed was in my opinion low.



How is John getting along now
I had high expectations for John based on what he was able to communicate to me in his interview. John has been well received by everyone he has worked with. He fitted in immediately. He has exceeded my expectations and continues to exceed them.

Could you tell us more about your organisation and what John’s role is.
We are an international consulting firm with a significant presence in Europe and North America. John has joined our forensics practice (which essentially deals with the investigation of white collar crime and the estimation of damages in commercial litigation), initially as an office administrative assistant.

His role is to make sure that all of the day to day administration of our practice functions without a hitch. This involves the post room, supporting the IT function, assisting the consultants with administrative tasks on assignments, deliveries and many other day to day responsibilities.

Our professional staff are qualified Chartered Accountants and John is keen to transition to the professional side in time. He is enrolling on basic accounting courses (which we will assist with the cost of) and is attempting to fill the gaps in his qualifications with classes outside work. There is every chance that John will be able to transition to the professional side of the business based on his performance and abilities to date.



John sent this message to Emma to update her on how he has been getting on;

Hi Emma,

I’ve been good thanks for asking. I have been enjoying my time as part of CRA Lee & Allen and I love it here. I am enrolling in college to start my AAT at level 2 in London Bridge from September to February then go on to level 3 and level 4 which will be great. Then I am one step closer to being a Chartered Accountant


Thanks for your message and give my regards to your family and I hope we speak soon

Have a nice day

John

As founder of A4e Emma was noted to have made a significant contribution in the Welfare to Work Industry having worked tirelessly to help unemployed people improve their lives. Her contribution to fundraising with the NSPCC and now as founder of the Foundation for Social Improvement means her work was recognised to have had a positive impact for those working within the Third Sector to help individuals who remain socially excluded.

The awards, which were founded six years ago to recognise women at the top of their professions, were held in association with Lloyds Banking Group and supported by the CBI.

Diana Brightmore-Armour, chief of corporate banking at Lloyds, said: “This year's winners are a tremendous example of the breadth of female talent now operating in business and public service - they also send the vital message to young women across the UK that with hard work and determination, they too can succeed.”

More than 450 guests attended the ceremony held in Grosvenor Square last night.

The other winners were:

Lifetime Achievement – Dame Mary Perkins, Founder of Specsavers.

Media - Annabel Karmel, children's cookery author
Retail - Sally Bailey, White Stuff chief executive
Manufacturing - Michelle Rushbrook, head of commercial at BAE Systems
Business Services - Johanna Dow, finance director of Scottish water supplier, Business Stream
Science and Technology - Angela Strank, geologist and technology vice president at BP
Finance - Marion King, chief executive of international payments transaction specialist VocaLink
Property - Michelle McDowell, chair of civil and structural engineering at urban design firm BDP
Tourism and Leisure - Kristine Landon-Smith and Sudha Bhuchar, joint artistic directors of theatre company Tamasha

Emma Harrison CBE is the founding Chairman of the FSI, and a well-known, charismatic and respected entrepreneur. She established the FSI in 2007 with a view to empowering charities by delivering learning and development opportunities to move them toward sustainability. Under her leadership, the FSI has grown to provide a full training, support and advocacy service, delivered free of charge to charities with raised
income up to £1.5m.

Emma has a unique approach to leadership, seeing her role as being to ‘inspire, encourage and elevate’. Her success as a entrepreneur, visionary and philanthropist saw her awarded a CBE in the 2010 New Year’s Honours List.

Emma has supported charitable causes for many years including as Trustee of the Eden Project and through her role as Chairman of the NSPCC’s Regional Full Stop Appeal where she helped raise almost £57 million which played a prominent role in helping them reach their national fund raising target of £250m.

As well as her business interests, Emma is a mum of four, works tirelessly for charity and lives in a “posh commune” with 20 of her friends and family. Her story is one of creativity, determination and hard graft.

Growing up

Born in Clacton-on-Sea, Emma grew up in Nigeria and Sheffield, her family moving where their father’s
training company took them. Money was tight and her mother, unhappy with family life, would regularly
leave home.

Emma confesses to being a naughty child but also showed her entrepreneurial skills at school from an
early age, running an illegal tuck-shop at the age of 9, raising money for charities through bring-and-buy
sales and auctions at 12, and becoming a school governor at 15.

Mediocre ‘A’ Level results put paid to a career in medicine but, through persistence and going out and knocking on doors, Emma secured an engineering degree place at Bradford University as well as four years’ sponsorship by British Steel where she worked throughout her course.

A4e

After graduating, Emma’s life took another twist and when she was 23, her father left England for
Germany, leaving Emma in charge of the training company. At the height of the decline of the steel
industry in Sheffield, Emma pioneered training solutions for out of work steel workers and in 1991
founded Action for Employment (later to become A4e) in order to provide them with new opportunities
and improve their lives.

Emma went to work marketing the company and by the end of her first year, she’d increased turnover
from £100,000 to £1 million. Today, A4e manages £300m of government training contracts, operates
in 11 countries, employs over 3,300 people and has a turnover of close to £200m.

A4e is now the prime contractor to the UK government of services such as Flexible New Deal,
Legal Aid Helpline, Social Care, Education for Offenders, Business Enterprise and Youth Vocational centres.

Yet Emma still manages the business as an organisation whose first priority is to help others.
Her company motto “Doing well by doing good” explains the A4e approach to improving people’s
lives by helping them develop new skills.

Under Emma’s stewardship A4e has now diversified into many markets, with the sole aim of improving
people’s lives. Emma still, to this day, mentors staff individually, believes passionately in what A4e does
and provides them with the inspiration to embody the company’s ethos.

Other business interests & roles

Emma’s business acumen and success make her much in demand as a mentor and she has
supported many small businesses throughout her career. She serves on the boards of other companies and is Chairman of Andromeda (an events company), non-executive chair of SPG Ltd (manufacturing), Chairman of Improving People’s Health Plc and food group Novantia (develops and owns the new Brian Turner Food Brands) She also has a role in the Bank of England regional consultations on behalf of the Monetary Policy Committee, has been a governor of the Sheffield College (the largest college in Europe) and is a Trustee of the Fellowship Council of the RSA and also The Eden Trust, a Freeman of the Cutlers
Company, Honorary Member of the NSPCC Council, Companion of the Chartered Management Institute
and until recently was a Non-Executive Director ofthe Institute of Directors.