Three North East businesses have become exchange members of the Entrepreneurs’ Forum, committing to continuous professional development for their teams.
Funky Chunky Furniture, Park Commercial and RACZ Group are the latest businesses to become exchange members, joining EMG Solicitors, NBS, Parkdean Resorts, Ryder Architecture, Ryecroft Glenton and Square One Law as existing members.
Funky Chunky Furniture create handmade chunky wood furniture and shelves from their workshop in Jarrow with an emphasis on creating furniture for real life. Their products are sold online to customers across the UK and Europe.
Park Commercial provide professional and impartial insurance advice to commercial and corporate businesses across the UK.
They put clients first, build long-term relationships and develop tailored insurance programmes to ensure their client’s businesses are protected.
RACZ Group are an ever-expanding group of franchises consisting of Domino’s Pizza, Costa Coffee, Anytime Fitness and The Black Olive, with over 1,000 employees spread across the North East.
The Forum’s exchange programme enables the senior teams of companies to develop their knowledge in a wide variety of subjects to ensure they maintain their entrepreneurial advantage.
It supports the development of chief executives and business leaders, allowing companies to expose their senior management to new ideas that will help to drive growth and change and create opportunity.
Jonathan Lamb, Chief Executive of the Entrepreneurs’ Forum, said: “Creating an environment where business leaders and entrepreneurs can collaborate and exchange knowledge is key to what we do at the Forum. Our exchange programme offers the opportunity to learn from leading industry experts in a wide range of subjects related to business growth.
“We’re delighted that Funky Chunky Furniture, Park Commercial and RACZ Group have joined as members and look forward to welcoming their teams at our upcoming events.”
Kevin Johnston, Managing Director of Funky Chunky Furniture, said: “Continual professional development and learning are at the heart of our business. From the apprenticeships that many of our team have undertaken, to ongoing training knowledge-sharing.
“The Entrepreneurs’ Forum has provided me with a network to like-minded business people, allowed me to widen my knowledge and has supported our business’ growth. To be able to open up these opportunities to the wider team, to benefit both their careers and the business is fantastic.”
David Park, Managing Director of Park Commercial, said, “With growth comes the need for learning and development, not just for me but also the team here at Park. As we’ve grown we’ve found that the team have a need to develop their own entrepreneurial thinking and skills. Being part of the exchange programme gives us a great another opportunity for this to happen.
“Positivity is key and whilst attending the Entrepreneurs’ Forum’s functions I’ve always sensed the positive outlook in the room. This is something that I know will benefit my team during 2020 and beyond.”
Mike Racz, owner of RACZ Group, said, “The opportunities and talent opened up by the Entrepreneurs’ Forum are invaluable. The network has brought a fresh knowledge to our expansion plans and we are looking forward to sharing the support with our franchisee groups.”
