New Growth Hub Board member, David Sheridan announced

We’re delighted to welcome David Sheridan, to the SEMLEP Growth Hub Board.

David has over 25 years’ experience both running a successful business and providing long-term equity investment to support SME growth.

Growth Hub Board members represent the interests of business customers and ensure that customer needs are firmly embedded in SEMLEP’s business support programmes. 

In this role, David will provide stewardship of business support funds, programmes and projects delivered by Velocity Growth Hub and Northamptonshire Growth Hub.

David Sheridan said: “I want to use my experience and involvement in helping SMEs to grow, to add the business support debate.

“Small businesses rarely have the breadth of skills available to larger firms. On the other hand, they are much more flexible and can react faster. Learning lessons from both perspectives is useful.

“We’re very lucky to be in an area where we have incredible strengths in innovative industries. We also have a vibrant SME economy and need to support SMEs to play a very prominent part in this.

“I’m interested to hear from my new colleagues on the Board and want to contribute enthusiastically from an SME point of view.”

Cheryl Smart MBE, Chair of the Growth Hub Board, and SEMLEP’s SME Board Champion, said: “We’re delighted to welcome David to the Board. He is a very strong advocate of both small businesses and the development of young people in the workforce.”

“David is a significant addition to the Board and who brings a wealth of experience in working with SMEs to secure their long-term success.”

“It’s important to have a strong SME voice in shaping the future of business support for SMEs right across the South East Midlands.”

A bit about David Sheridan:

Following his undergraduate degree in Electrical and Electronic Engineering in the late 60’s, David applied to do an MBA at London Business School before moving into chartered accountancy.

From a very early age, David was involved in his father’s businesses. David joined Europa Components PLC in 1983, becoming MD in 1990 until 2015. He took the business from strength to strength developing a long-term business strategy to meet changes to the electronic components markets. In 5 years he grew the business to a £1million profit, increasing the number of people employed from 17 to 53. David is also Chairman of Veruth Holdings Ltd, a family company set up in 1936, a position he’s held since 1990.  

David is also an SEMLEP Envoy, Chairman of a Multi Academy Trust based in Luton. He has recently joined the Careers and Enterprise Company Advisor programme and is also a judge for the Bedfordshire Chambers of Commerce’s Bursary Scheme for engineering.

David’s other professional roles included: Former President of the Beds, Bucks and Herts Institute of Chartered Accountants and Vice Chairman of the Board of Chartered Accountants in Business.

Members of the Growth Hub Board are:

Cheryl Smart MBE: Bedfordshire Chamber of Commerce, Chair of the Board

Stephen Catchpole: SEMLEP

Andrea Reynolds: Refresch Limited

Caron Kendall: Federation of Small Businesses

David Sheridan: Europa Components plc

Georgina Barker: Luton Borough Council

Ian Achurch: Northamptonshire County Council

Ian Stuart: Global Radio

Jodie Yandall: Central Bedfordshire Council

Karen Holland: XCAM Ltd

Simon Denny: University of Northampton