Meet the SHU Enterprise Team

Darren Chouings is passionate about start-up business development and manages The Hallam i-Lab at Sheffield Hallam University.

In previous roles, Darren led on start-up support for social entrepreneurs at The University of Sheffield and was responsible for developing their most recent entrepreneurship strategy.

Alongside supporting the development of student and graduate start-ups, Darren has designed and delivered various education programmes that support local enterprise and international partner institutions. This support has been delivered in the UK and also to both Central Asian and South Korean Universities.

Darren is now chair of The Sheffield Social Enterprise Network and Trustee for Museums Sheffield.

Charlie is the Administrator for the Enterprise Team, and has been working for the team for two years. Charlie oversees the Start-Up Visa and Hallam Freelancers programmes, as well as supporting other key projects such a Career Mentoring.

Charlie also supports the administration of Hallam i-Lab registrations and the Enterprise budget, as well as events such as Enterprise Action Week and the Hallam Enterprise Awards.

Charlie graduated from the University of Sheffield in 2017 and was awarded a 2:1 LLB Law degree and the Sheffield Graduate Award. She is currently studying for an MA in Career Education and Coaching at the University of Derby alongside her current work.

Charlie started her first side hustle at school selling her old Pokémon cards on eBay and now has over 300 positive reviews on the site.

Rob is a PTLLS qualified and experienced Business Support Professional who delivers business support to a huge number of exciting start-ups every year.  He is responsible within the Sheffield Hallam University Enterprise Team to support students and graduates with their startup ideas.

Rob has previously run his own successful business and has been delivering support for those wanting to work for themselves for over 11 years.

When travelling in Chile, Rob describes climbing a live volcano as the best day of his life!

As manager of the Enterprise Team, Caroline has overall responsibility for the coordination and implementation of Enterprise and Entrepreneurship provision for students, across the University.

Caroline is passionate about developing opportunities that encourage students to explore their enterprising and entrepreneurial strengths, and to take up challenges that will enhance their innovative and creative talents.

For over 20 years Caroline has lived with my family in the South of France where she set up a successful English language school for children aged 3 to 11 years.

Sarah supports the delivery of the ScaleUp 360 Programme, from initial enquiries, day to day administration of client accounts, events and advice sessions, creating online content, and ensuring compliance with ERDF processes to complete funding claims.

When Sarah is not working she is usually found at loud gigs, the theatre or making a mess of the kitchen by baking.

Graeme works to empower students to unleash their potential through both entrepreneurial and non-business related projects, working across all SHU colleges.

Graeme manages our sandwich year placements, including the Hallam Magazine, and Enterprise Residency programme. He also manages the Sheffield Hallam Enactus team.

Workshops delivered by Graeme across the University include:

– Branding
– Website design and blogging
– Technical aspects of digital marketing

Background:

– SFEDI qualified Business Adviser
– Has worked for Enterprise leaders including Young Enterprise and Peter Jones
– Delivered Enterprise training in Serbia and Thailand
– Experienced in web design; copywriting; branding; marketing
– Runs own business as a website designer and consultant

Andrew leads the delivery of the ScaleUp 360 Programme which is a unique addition to the Sheffield City Region startup ecosystem, bringing together a partnership with a new and innovative approach to identifying, engaging and supporting High Growth prospects from across the Sheffield City Region.

The ScaleUp 360 Programme is an ERDF Funded project.

When not working, you will possibly find Andrew skiing or snowboarding at one of the UK’s indoor snow centres.

Tam is a project Administrator for ScaleUp 360 Programme – an accelerator programme to support businesses with high growth potential within Sheffield City Region.

Tam manages financial claims and distribution of funds for the project, and assists in the delivery of the project’s workshops and appointments.

Claire aims to embed enterprise across all colleges, both within the curriculum and through extra- curricular activities. She empowers students to unleash their entrepreneurial potential. Claire manages enterprise placements, enterprise residencies and the Sheffield Hallam ENACTUS team.

– Fellow of Enterprise Educators UK
– SFEDI qualified business adviser
– Enterprise Award NUS 2016
– TEFL (Cambridge teaching qualification)

Workshops delivered by Claire across the University include:

– Idea Generation
– Entrepreneurial Thinking
– Create Your Own Brand

Claire has lived in Copenhagen and Barcelona and spent 7 months travelling across in India. She loves swimming in outdoor places and if she sees the sea she will always get in it. She talked her way into university despite the courses having already started, the course being full and not having the right entry grades. Her moto is, ‘If you don’t ask, you don’t get.‘

Andy is an Enterprise Coach and member of the ScaleUp 360 team.  He manages the Enterprise Skills Project – a programme for school and college students across the Sheffield City Region.

Prior to joining Sheffield Hallam University, Andy spent 20 years in the charity sector, working for organisations in the UK and the USA.

Once upon a time he had long hair and sang in a band.