Marcus Simmons
Location: Preston | UK
Marcus is an award-winning entrepreneur who, in 2016, swapped the board room for the classroom and found a new passion – educating students in the exciting, challenging and rewarding world of entrepreneurship at the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan).
As a lecturer Marcus has designed and delivered 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’.
As a result of 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. In 2021 Marcus had his first academic article published – an account of practice on teaching entrepreneurship to students at UCLan.
As an entrepreneur Marcus set up iknow-uk ltd in 2003, spending 6 months developing the original concept and first site iknow-yorkshire.co.uk. By 2010 the business had grown to £2.5m turnover when he semi-retired and ultimately left in 2016 through a management buyout.
Each year the company grew and won major industry awards.
2010 - BT Essence of the Entrepreneur
2009 - Growth Strategy of the Year, Northern Region, National Business Awards
2008 - Best Use of Technology, North West Region, National Business Awards
2007 - Best of Lancashire, North West Digital Industries Big Chip Awards
2006 - Excellence in E-Business, Lancashire Business Awards (BIBAs)
2005 - Best Commercial Website, North West Digital Industries Big Chip Awards
2005 - Start Up Business of the Year, NW Society of Chartered Accountants
