Enterprising Yorkshire - Inspiring Young Minds

YPEF

YPEF Chair (Click Here) Executive Director (Click Here) Download our Brochure

The Young People’s Enterprise Forum was established to ensure close synergy between the objectives outlined in Yorkshire Forward’s Regional Economic Strategy and the Government’s Enterprise Education strategy. Enterprise Education is very much seen as the driver and influencer of developing an enterprising culture which will in turn encourage entrepreneurship.

The Young People’s Enterprise Forum is made up of an Executive Group who form the strategic Board of the organisation. Profiles of all YPEF members including the Executive Group members can be viewed on the Partners page.

The designated members of the Executive Group are:

  • Association of Colleges Yorkshire & the Humber
  • Business Link Yorkshire
  • Education Business Partnership Network
  • Federation of Small Businesses
  • Institute of Directors
  • The Learning and Skills Council
  • Make Your Mark – Wakefield and Yorkshire & Humber
  • National Enterprise Network
  • Prince’s Trust
  • Yorkshire and Humber Assembly
  • Yorkshire & Humber Chambers of Commerce
  • Yorkshire Culture
  • Yorkshire Forward
  • Yorkshire Universities
  • Young Enterprise

YPEF Services Ltd was established in 2006 to manage and administer the work of the Forum and to seek opportunities for members to work together on funded projects.

YPEF Chair

MARTIN HATHAWAY

The Chair of YPEF and a Director of YPEF Services Ltd is Martin Hathaway. Martin has been involved with YPEF since its inception in 2000 and has been instrumental in the development of both YPEF and YPEF Services Ltd. In addition to his work with YPEF, Martin is a director of YourRail Ltd, an innovative South Yorkshire company which has become the first in the UK to provide train tickets directly to mobile phones.

Before joining YourRail, Martin was the Chief Executive of Yorkshire & Humber Chambers of Commerce Ltd which represents the views of, and provides support to, 13,000 businesses in Yorkshire. Working closely with regional and national bodies, Martin has had a seat on the Regional Assembly and has successfully set up and run 2 social enterprises, both of which have £million turnovers. Martin has spent the last 13 years working in business support in a number of management roles, having previously worked in the City of London as a futures broker. Enterprise has always been a key interest of Martin’s and he has been involved in a number of businesses as an owner and non-executive director. He is currently Yorkshire Regional Chair of Young Enterprise. Always looking for the next big deal, Martin is also a non-executive director of Partnership Investment Fund Limited, a £40 million venture capital company.

Executive Director

SUZY ALDERSON

Suzy joined YPEF Services Ltd in May 2007 as Executive Director. Suzy is an experienced business professional with over 18 years experience working for a number of companies including Coca-Cola Enterprises Ltd, The Institute of International Research and The Guardian Media Group. She has a wealth of operational, sales and marketing expertise and ran her own company for two years.

“The best thing about working in enterprise education is seeing the energy and ideas coming from young people. They have so much talent and enthusiasm which we need to get better at nurturing and encouraging. Through enterprise education we can develop the skills employers require and create the business leaders and entrepreneurs of the future to drive forward the region’s economy.”