Robert Ashton - The Barefoot Entrepreneur

Robert Ashton is a passionate social entrepreneur, campaigner and best-selling business author. Intelligent, intuitive and influential, he helps audiences to see their opportunity within our fast changing enterprise world.

Driven by a strong sense of social justice, Robert works with charities, schools, housing associations and corporates. His project work takes from the sometimes sordid streets to often surreal meetings with Government Ministers. He makes it his business to understand and his mission to change the way we see the world.

Robert’s core skill is entrepreneurship. He takes his audience on a journey of exploration. He introduces uncomfortable truths with sensitivity and compassion. He enthuses, empowers and entertains, illustrating sometimes grim realities with humour and hope. In tough economic times he highlights opportunities audiences will believe they can achieve.

Robert challenges perceptions and offers fresh new perspectives. He advises Government, is a Guardian online columnist and blogs for Civil Society. His 13 books have been translated into 18 languages and sell in 86 countries. Two new books will be published later in 2012.

Motivating, inspiring, hard hitting and moving, Robert Ashton knows you don’t need to cross oceans alone or climb mountains to change the world. You need to be braver and confront what’s happening right now in our own cities.

Well that all sounds good, but what's Robert done in Norfolk?

• helped establish Norfolk Community Foundation and marketing lead Trustee for seven years;
• introduced Human Library to Norfolk, enabling people to explore their prejudices safely;
• brokered a number of successful charity mergers;
• developed a new post 16 enterprise apprenticeship for rural youngsters;
• led a successful campaign to re-locate a special needs school to a new campus;
• helped many entrepreneurs to see their situation differently and overcome their barriers to success.

So how can Robert help you?

• Independent, very direct, business advice if you're starting out or struggling;
• Innovative support if you're trying to move a charity from grant dependence to social enterprise;
• Practical advice and hands-on help if you're starting a community enterprise;
• Insider knowledge so that the social impact of your business can be a point of market difference.

Find us on Linked In: http://uk.linkedin.com/in/robertashton