Ollie’s ongoing work with Aston University’s Business School was honoured on January 14th with the awarding of the Visiting Industrial Fellowship – recognising the significant contribution made by Ollie to the University’s understanding, experience and awareness of business growth and entrepreneurship. 

The fellowship is awarded to exceptional graduates of the 10,000 Small Businesses programme, a scheme designed to provide support to high growth SMEs across the UK. Ollie has worked to provide invaluable insight and expertise to the University, supporting its staff, students and research across a range of projects and programmes, including representing SMEs, contributing to Lord Hereltine’s recent ‘No Stone Unturned’ report and Lord Young‘s ‘Small Business Charter.’

An entrepreneur and successful businessman himself -  Ollie’s continued and committed support has helped  nurture links between the Aston Business School and local businesses and Ollie now sits on the  Association of Business Schools’ Small Business Charter Executive Group helping to shape policy.

Shortly after he received his award, we caught up with a delighted Ollie who will hold the title for a two year period:

‘I am absolutely delighted to receive this prestigious honour from Aston. It’s been a privilege to contribute to the growing discussion surrounding the critical importance of supporting local businesses. Aston Business School and its students are helping to unlock the huge potential within the region’s business community and I very much look forward to deepening the already rich relationship between Aston and IE.’

This award comes in a busy January for Ollie – he recently held a branding seminar for Heads of University Careers teams at the AGCAS Heads of Service Conference in Glasgow and is currently preparing to speak at CHASE 2014.