Smart Works Scotland

Smart Works Scotland has supported thousands of women into employment since opening its centre in August 2014, and I am delighted to be volunteering at the latest centre which opened in Glasgow in October 2022.
The women who come to Smart Works are referred from Job Centres, mental health charities, women’s refuges, homeless shelters, the prison service, care service and youth organisations.

Smartworks offers key services:- 

Career Coaching – this is for any unemployed woman looking to secure an interview. We’ll help you with personalised one-to-one coaching with a skilled volunteer who will provide you with practical tips and next steps to secure an interview.

Interview Preparation – if you’re unemployed with a confirmed interview we can help you feel confident and prepared with a personalised dressing session to find you a high-quality interview outfit, yours to keep. You’ll also receive a one-to-one interview coaching with a skilled volunteer coach.

As well as ensuring all our clients are provided with top to toe outfits for a new role 

My volunteer role is to support women in their interview prep and career counselling ensuring they are well equipped to enter the workplace.

Trustee & Volunteer Careers Coach

Women's Enterprise Scotland

Role models provide a source of inspiration and insight for other women and girls and the work of the Women's Enterprise Scotland Ambassador programme is critically important in growing business economic contribution. Role models are one of the key themes in the Strategic Framework for Women in Enterprise which WES co-founded with the Scottish Government in 2014, with the aim of addressing the enduring gender gap in enterprise participation. 
I am looking forward to working together with WES and the Ambassadors to transform the landscape for the next generation of women and girls starting up in business.

Women's Enterprise Scotland Ambassador

https://www.wescotland.co.uk/finalists2022
Women's Enterprise Scotland Annual Awards 2022 Collaborative Champion Finalist.   With these awards, WES shines a spotlight on the achievements of women-led businesses in Scotland and the contribution they make to the economy across all sectors and locations.

Women's Enterprise Scotland Collaborative Champion Finalist 2022

Mint Ventures 

Mint Ventures is a women-led business angel investment club and network offering a fresh approach to investing by providing Social, Human and Economic (SHE) Capital for women entrepreneurs and diverse executive teams or boards. We invest in products and services that meet the needs and interests of women with social, ethical or environmental goals.

Member

Scottish Business Network - a not-for-profit social enterprise supported by our members

Scottish Business Network is a not for profit international membership organisation for Scottish entrepreneurs and business leaders. We aim to facilitate greater communication and connectivity between this group of talented Scottish companies and a network of the leading Scottish diaspora around the globe.

2022-to date Scottish Business Network Global Ambassador 

2016 - 2022 Scottish Business Network Co-Founder / CEO

Co-Founder / Ambassador

Royal Society of the Arts (RSA)

The RSA fellowship is in recognition of my leadership roles and importance of the work of Scottish Business Network,  as well as my drive to empower women in the workplace as part of my Womens Enterprise Scotland Ambassadorial role. 

The mission of the RSA (Royal Society for the encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce) is to enrich society through ideas and action. RSA believe that all human beings have creative capacities that, when understood and supported, can be mobilised to deliver a 21st century enlightenment.

FRSA

ScotsCare

Ambassador - ScotsCare

SBN Inc.

As a Director of SBN Inc. my responsibilities were to support the in country team in their goal of supporting Scottish companies and organisations access opportunities in North America and to bring together the Scottish diaspora across the continent.

Director

Enterprise Ireland

UK Manager for the largest Enterprise Ireland client export market. Reviewing, redefining and implementing strategic direction, operational structure and business processes, focusing on market growth sectors to provide sustainable business support for over 2,000 EI clients exporting to UK: Particular focus on sustainable market entry for new business start ups.

UK MANAGER

Took a career break & went off to see the world

Took a career break to fulfill a lifetimes ambition to travel the world and experience life and adventure.  LOVED every minute of it.

Adventurer

Scottish Enterprise

2005-2007, Senior Director Business Improvement:
•	Reported to the COO and oversaw the delivery of SE Change Projects, developing a proactive approach to identifying and mitigating organisational risks and issues ensuring zero negative impact on project delivery, SE or partners.

2003 - 2005, Senior Director/ Project Manager CRM Implementation:
•	Developed/implemented a Customer Relationship Management project across the global SE network.

2001 - 2003, Scottish Enterprise Forth Valley – Senior Operations Director: 
• Led team of 60, working with diverse range of businesses from large national and international Companies to new business start-ups, Ministers and public sector partners to deliver operational plan, vision and objectives including: Business Development, Skills & Workforce development, Infrastructure, Inward Investment & Tourism.
..

Progression to Senior Director

A first class networker and business connector. 
An incisive and creative business thinker with a readiness to challenge the status quo and assume responsibility for leading initiatives to make a real & practical business impact.  
A strong communicator, influencer and ambassador. 
Extensive political engagement expertise dealing with local and national Governments. 
Significant strategic and operational expertise across a broad range of business sectors gained in public and private sector leadership roles. 
A real passion for supporting the development of Womens’ enterprise and organisations entering global markets. 

 
Email christine@sbn.scot

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