Change at the top at SME support organisation Inspire

Business support organisation Inspire has announced two strategic developments in its executive team, with former CEO Rob Perks moving into a newly-created executive chairman position, and Pippa Richardson taking the helm as CEO.

Rob, who has been CEO for nine years, oversaw the rebranding of the Westbury-headquartered organisation from Wessex Association of Chambers of Commerce.

Alongside its chamber membership business, Inspire has moved into SME support, delivering a range of business development programmes.

These include Inspire Investment, attracting investment into client businesses, Inspire Consultancy, bringing subject experts to provide hands-on expertise, and the Inspire Virtual Board, bringing high-level non executives to develop effective boards within SMEs to accelerate their growth.

Its geographical reach has grown too, and it now supports SMEs in Somerset and Devon as well as Swindon and Wiltshire.

Rob will continue to play an active role in the business, working closely with Pippa, who brings a wealth of experience, having undertaken senior HR director roles in FTSE organisations for the majority of her career until eight years ago when she decided to operate as an independent consultant.

More recently she has chosen to work with SMEs in the South West; being part of the Inspire team as an associate director, where she supports them on planning for and undertaking organisational and cultural change.

Pippa said: “I am really excited about joining the team in a different capacity. I’m looking forward to leading a group of bright and driven individuals who are passionate about helping the SME market in the South West.

“It’s an extremely uncertain environment for everyone right now and we are absolutely focused on making sure we do everything we can to help our clients to broker the relationships they need to deliver their business strategies.

“Whether it’s access to funding, learning, skills and expertise or simply being part of a network of like-minded people going through similar challenges, we are here to help ease the journey for SME leaders by getting close to their businesses and identifying the right people with the right know-how to help at the right time.”