Spotlight on CCG Members - Marcus Simmons - April 2021

Spotlight on CCG Members - Marcus Simmons - April 2021

Apr, 7 2021


Once you’ve become successful at what you do, the natural progression is to inspire others to embark on a similar journey. This is exactly what Preston based Marcus Simmons did, who is the focus of this month’s ‘Spotlight on CCG Members’.

Let’s learn more about his story. In 2003 Marcus was establishing himself as an entrepreneur and created the business iknow-uk ltd. He spent a duration of six months developing the original concept and first site iknow-yorkshire.co.uk.

7 years later the business had grown to a  £2.5 million turnover at the point of his semi-retirement. By 2016 he left through a management buyout.

Over the years the company gained much accreditation in the Lancashire district and received multiple awards, including:-

  • 2005 - Best Commercial Website, North West Digital Industries Big Chip Awards
  • 2005 - Start Up Business of the Year, NW Society of Chartered Accountants
  • 2006 - Excellence in E-Business, Lancashire Business Awards (BIBAs)
  • 2007 - Best of Lancashire, North West Digital Industries Big Chip Awards
  • 2008 - Best Use of Technology, North West Region, National Business Awards
  • 2009 - Growth Strategy of the Year, Northern Region, National Business Awards
  • 2010 - BT Essence of the Entrepreneur

At the time of the decline of the business Marcus decided to capitalize on his experience as an entrepreneur. And, so, by 2016 he began teaching young people the exciting, challenging and rewarding world of entrepreneurship at the University of Central Lancashire (UCLAN).

Marcus has risen to the challenge as lecturer and over the last five years has continue to design and deliver enterprise and entrepreneurship modules to students ranging from year-2 undergraduate to part-time and full-time MBA. His modules gain outstanding student feedback and led to nominations by students for ‘Real World Learning’ and ‘Lecturer of the Year’.

In response to his work with students at St Catherine’s Hospice Marcus was a member of the UCLAN  team that won the Business/Industry Collaboration award at the Educate North Awards in 2019.

Now in 2021 Marcus has had his first academic article published – an account of practice on teaching entrepreneurship to students at UCLAN. This is a real testament of his excellent teaching abilities based on his previous experience within the role of an entrepreneur. Marcus is demonstrating that if we take an interest in the younger generation we are helping them shape their future for the workers of tomorrow.

We warmly welcome Marcus to the CCG and look forward to learning how we to can benefit from his expert knowledge within the field of entrepreneurship.

For more information please visit his linkedin page at the following website address:-https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcussimmons/

^Alex Ashworth CCG UK Blogger