North West business entrepreneur shortlisted for two awards

Published by HearFirst for HearFirst in Education and also in Communities, Housing, Local Government

A North West entrepreneur has been shortlisted for two business awards.

Julie Ryder, Director and Founder of award winning workplace training and consultancy company, HearFirst is a finalist in the Digital Entrepreneur of the Year Awards 2012 and the Enterprise Vision Awards 2012.

HearFirst provides a full range of equality & diversity training courses to organisations across the UK, including disability equality & awareness, British Sign Language and Mental Health First Aid.

The company, whose clients including housing associations, local authorities, schools & colleges, NHS, community groups and commercial organisations helps to raise awareness and provide practical tips to ensure they comply with the Equality Act.

Julie of Bacup in Lancashire is one of five finalists in the Education Entrepreneur of the Year awards sustaining society industry category of the Digital Entrepreneur Awards.  Now in its seventh year, the Digital Entrepreneur Awards recognise some of the UK’s leading entrepreneurs and pioneers of the internet.

The winners will be announced in an awards ceremony on 16th October at Manchester’s iconic Hilton Hotel in the Beetham Tower.

Meanwhile, Julie has also been shortlisted in The Enterprise Vision Awards which recognise ladies in the North West who inspire others by successfully running their own businesses and are at the forefront of their profession.

Julie is one of six finalists in the Training and Coaching Business of the Year category and the winners will be announced on 14^th September in Blackpool.

The company was established by Julie in 2002 and has grown to become one of the most pioneering training and consultancy providers in the UK.  Julie lost her hearing when she was in her 20’s but after the initial trauma, her aim was to train, educate and encourage service providers to consider the needs of disabled people. She explains: “In many cases, it is a question of changing attitudes to change behaviour.”

Since 2002, HearFirst has established a specialist team who delivers accredited or certificated training and consultancy that’s practical, informative, thought provoking and lively.

All of the company’s tutors are fully qualified and skilled with many years experience training adults in further and higher education, schools, businesses and in the community.

Julie commented: “It’s a real honour to have been shortlisted for these two business awards and it is pleasing to know that the service we provide is recognised within the business and training sectors.

“Our aim is to deliver training that results in real changes being made for real people and we are passionate about achieving our goals and providing quality, inspiring and innovative Awareness and Equality training / consultancy.

“The company will be celebrating its tenth anniversary next month and to win these two awards would be a fantastic achievement.”

For more information on equality and diversity and disability awareness training in the workplace, please contact Julie Ryder at HearFirst on 01706 872816 or visit www.hearfirst.org.uk.