Meet the CEO who is passionate about inspiring others

Behind every successful firm, you usually find an army of mentors, who are willing to help anyone burning the midnight oil to keep their dreams alive.

Few business people can every truly claim to be self-made. Without timely and well-informed advice, many fledgling firms would simply collapse.

In a tech-driven age, you still need people with empathy and good sense to nudge young business people in the right direction.

Jan Brumby has never sought the spotlight. Working quietly behind the scenes, she has helped many young people discover that they really do have a head for business. As a result, aspirations have been raised and jobs created.

“I am happy to be the one in the background helping others to achieve their goals,” she said.

“The world still needs ‘people people’ just as much as it has always done, even in the technological world we live in. I’ve never run my own business but I have spent most of my adult life helping those who do. You have got to be so resilient because running a business is never going to be an easy ride.”

Ms Brumby is the chief executive of For Entrepreneurs Only (FEO), a Hull-based organisation that helps entrepreneurs start a business, adapt and grow. FEO is made up of like-minded local entrepreneurs who collectively turn over around £3.5bn each year.

The community interest company has a simple goal: to help build the local economy by creating a private sector renaissance.

Through regular events and initiatives, FEO aims to motivate, educate, inspire and support others. Members give their time, energy, passion and resources to promote Hull and the Humber region as a great place to start up and run a business.

Ms Brumby first discovered a passion for empowering people when she volunteered to work with Young Enterprise, a national charity which specialises in enterprise education.

“I was asked to get involved with Young Enterprise while working at HSBC,” Ms Brumby recalled. “I worked my way up to become the regional manager for the Yorkshire and Humber region. Under Young Enterprise, pupils in years 10 to 12 form a company and run it for an academic year. They are allowed to make money from it and receive help from a business volunteer.

“The pupils learn by doing, taking on the roles of managing director, company secretary, sales and human resources. They also experience first-hand the ‘people problems’ of business, and will have to deal with setting up a production line, sometimes working weekends to keep it going. I’m still friends with many of the people who participated in Young Enterprise.”

A few went on to win the Young Enterprise European finals in their teens and now have successful careers and families of their own.

“It made them better young adults,” she said. “It was all about helping others reach their potential. It teaches you how to be a good manager and show empathy. You can’t just crumble when things go wrong.”

One of the Young Enterprise board members in East Yorkshire was David Kilburn of MKM, the UK’s largest independent builders’ merchants. Mr Kilburn was also the founder member of For Entrepreneurs Only.

He asked Ms Brumby if she wanted to take on the CEO’s role, because he believed she had the connections and experience to help the organisation take off.

Ms Brumby recalled: “I lost a few nights’ sleep wondering if I should apply but decided to go for it. We are so lucky that so many great businesses support For Entrepreneurs Only.

“To be a member, you have got to own your own business or ‘have skin in the game’. Our membership of 200 includes businesses of all sizes and sectors and we split the membership activity into four interest groups.

“Thomas Martin of Arco (the supplier of safety clothing and equipment) formed our NxGen group, who work with students interested in entrepreneurship. It’s all about the attitudes you need to succeed.

“We also organise a programme for start-ups called ignition at the Sewell Group in Hull. The members of FEO lead this programme and they help start-up businesses learn from their mistakes and avoid pitfalls.

“It’s also about learning to negotiate and having a strong elevator pitch from day one.”

The one thing everyone involved with FEO has in common is a desire to see the local economy prosper.

“Mentoring can be formal but for some it is very much about having a listening ear or somebody to call in an emergency or when a big decision needs to be made; after all being a business owner can be lonely at times,” Ms Brumby said.

“Hull and the East Riding is very much an area of small businesses,” she added. “Every person who has been involved with FEO has been helped in some way, or has helped others. It’s created jobs and these jobs are critical to the local economy. We are all determined to help each other to ensure we come out of this pandemic even stronger.”

Off duty, Ms Brumby sings with The Beautiful Couch, Hull’s tribute to The Beautiful South and The Housemartins.

“I first got involved around 10 years ago when my sister, who was the original female lead vocalist, went on maternity leave – twice,” Ms Brumby recalled.

“She then handed the reins over to me and I have been with the band for quite a few years now. To be honest, I didn’t have any experience of singing live with a microphone, as part of a ‘team’ in front of a crowd.

“But the feeling is something that I really love – and coupled with the fact that my five bandmates are all very talented and great fun to be with. As with any live performance, there’s no second chance, so we all try to give 100 per cent.”

The philosophy of an ultimate team player.

CV

Jan Brumby is the Chief Executive of For Entrepreneurs Only (FEO).

Based in Hull, FEO’s members collectively turn over £3.3bn and employ 23,000 people.

She is a holder of The Queen’s Award for Enterprise Promotion and is also the President of Hessle Theatre Company.

In her spare time, Ms Brumby sings with The Beautiful Couch, Hull’s tribute to The Beautiful South and The Housemartins.

She started her career at HSBC and has also had a senior regional role with the charity Young Enterprise.

She was awarded the Queen’s Award For Enterprise Promotion in 2006.