Whyy? Change appoint Anne Wilson MBE as Head of Business Growth

Sheffield based apprenticeship training provider, Whyy? Change, have appointed Anne Wilson MBE, to the role of Head of Business Growth. Anne will be responsible for building business partnerships and strengthening existing relationships with businesses in the region.

Anne Wilson MBE joins from the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA) where she was a Skills Advisor, working closely with employers to identify Skills and Training needs within their organisations. During her role at SYMCA, Anne facilitated connecting training providers with businesses throughout South Yorkshire including supporting businesses with their Skills Bank funding applications.

In 2020, Anne became an Entrepreneur In Residence at Sheffield Hallam University having previously worked in engineering and manufacturing.

In 2021, Anne joined RISE as an SME Relationship Manager helping SME businesses benefit from Graduate Employment in their companies to encourage innovation and growth.

Anne brings a wealth of experience from within the education sector and is a lifelong learner, having completed her ACCA qualification in 2002, a Masters in Strategic Management from the University of Hull in 2005 and a CMI Level 7 Diploma in Strategic Management, going on to achieve Chartered Manager Status in 2011.

As a lifelong learner, there are no surprises to find that her learning doesn’t stop there. In 2016, Anne was awarded Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Business Growth and Management certificate and achieved an Award in Adult Education and Training in 2020 and IAG course 2022.

To add to an already impressive portfolio of accolades, Anne Wilson holds an MBE (Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire)! Awarded for Services to Engineering in the 2016 New Year’s Honours list.

The appointment comes as Whyy? Change looks to expand its business, whilst continuing to support our partners with accredited training to upskill their employees. From running her own precision engineering and manufacturing business to working with SMEs and businesses to upskill the region, Anne combines her strategic management expertise with her expansive business network.

With over 10 years of experience working with and supporting businesses in South Yorkshire, Anne will also work closely with our sister brand, Whyy? Unboxd, to engage with businesses looking for an alternative solution to traditional consultancy services.

Ray Byrne, CEO of Whyy? Change says:

“You achieve success by the people you surround yourself with. Anne is those people. The company has reached a stage in its life where a dedicated focus on business growth is needed, and I can’t think of anyone better in terms of skills, reputation and more importantly, behaviours. We are already we are seeing the benefits in the team of Anne’s experience, contacts, and attitude towards achieving. This is the final piece of the jigsaw as we build, and I’m proud to have a strong leader on our team.”

Head of Business Growth, Anne Wilson MBE also had this to say about joining the team:

“I am delighted and excited to have joined Whyy? Change.  The company and the team have expertise and knowledge in the accredited learning sector across a range of options.  We share a ‘solutions-based’ way of working that means everyone at Whyy? puts the business and the learners at the heart of everything they do.  I am looking forward to helping them to build on the excellent results achieved so far.”

As a leading training provider in South Yorkshire, Whyy? Change believes in hiring highly skilled practitioners and lifelong learners who are able to share their knowledge, to transform people and the industry in which they operate.

If you’d like to know more about their accredited apprenticeships, you can get in touch by emailing Whyy? Change on [email protected] or give them a call on 0114 400 0077.

Prefer to chat? Connect with Anne Wilson on LinkedIn or email her on [email protected].