Stu Anderson

Operations Lead

My work advising SMEs and running high profile programmes in business support has spanned the top level of both the private and public sector in the UK. I have been privileged to work with various stakeholders such as Ministers, Parliamentarians, CEOs and royalty, on projects and policy.

Among my many roles and experience I was the co-founder of the National Working Group for Youth Enterprise, and a member of the advisory board to the All Party Group on Entrepreneurship chaired by Lord Erroll. I have also worked with the United Nations in Geneva on Enterprise Education and the EU as well as working in ‘hard to reach’ communities and post conflict economies in Bosnia.

My most recent role was as Executive Director of Shell LiveWIRE, Shell’s Social Investment Programme for Young Entrepreneurs, as well as running my consultancy business.

Outside of work I can be found with rugby ball somewhere, sailing and spending as much time as possible with my young family enjoying all that Cornwall has to offer!

Business idea that I’m secretly plotting: a smokery. I love fishing and then smoking my own food, so I’d love to scale this up and get it going as a small commercial operation!

My perfect day involves: breakfast on the Tamar on a boat, afternoon watching England win at Twickenham and then a few pints in my local in the evening with friends. Or a night out in my old stomping ground-Newcastle!

Business hero: Branson. I’m lucky enough to have met him and have been to his house a number of times – one of the best ‘give it a go’ people out there.

Career highlight: it’s not really a highlight but fond memories. I worked as a Nightclub Bouncer and Bodyguard in Newcastle Upon Tyne for a number of years in the 90s, made solid friendships and experienced brilliant camaraderie and teamwork – it taught me an awful lot about life!