Janice Ross MBE
A local TEDCO business advisor with the North Tyneside Business Factory has been announced as a recipient of the Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE).
Janice Ross (50) has been bestowed with the honour for her services to small and medium-sized enterprises and the community in the 2020 New Year Honours list.
Working tirelessly in the region for over 30 years, Janice has built a successful career providing support to new and existing enterprises and organisations both in a professional and a voluntary capacity.
Since 2014, Janice has been working on the North Tyneside Council enterprise support programme, The Business Factory, and clients include award winners Little Acorns Childcare (2019 Winners of North Tyneside New Business Award), Gail Curry of Happy Planet Creative Arts CIC (2019 Regional Winner of the Entrepreneurial Spirit Award of Natwest Great British Entrepreneur Awards) and 2017 North Tyneside New Business Award winners, LEDA Transport Solutions.
Janice has long been a driving force for the Borough’s businesses and the news of her MBE was applauded by the many entrepreneurs, enterprises and organisations that she has supported over the years.
Commenting on the honour, Janice Ross said, “I was so surprised and shocked when I found out about the award that I cried! I don’t even think about what I do, I just like making a difference. When the Cabinet Office called to run through the projects I’m involved with, I was astonished by how it all added up and I was surprised that anyone had even taken notice. It seems that my friend Ann Clement had been collating endorsements from our connections for over a year. This generous act has made me reflect on my work.”
“I have always believed that everyone has at least one special quality but lack of confidence often keeps it hidden. If I can encourage someone to find and acknowledge their special quality, then their self-confidence starts to sparkle and they begin to believe they can succeed. Ironic then that I carry out my work in the background. To quote my Dad, ‘It seems you’ve been found out!’
“When we apply those principles to enterprise and community, the ripple effect spreads further. I’ve been privileged to be part of some incredible experiences. To be recognised for this is certainly the highlight of my career.”
John MacWhirter, director of LEDA Transport Solutions commented: “Janice has always been a massive help to us, especially in the early stages of setting up our business but she has continued to support us beyond the start-up stage whenever we’ve needed her advice. This is a very richly deserved honour for someone so well-respected by the business community for all she does and I’m sure I’m just one of many businesses offering my congratulations to Janice on her well-deserved MBE.”
Although principally a business advisor with the North Tyneside Business Factory programme, Janice also works in a voluntary capacity for several other organisations and not-for-profit businesses. She is a key member of the National Women’s Network and was Regional North-East chairwoman before taking on the role of National Chairwoman from 2012 to 2017. She is also Advisory Member of the Management Committee of Wallsend based charity Baby Equipment & Loan Service and Toy Library. She is also the co-founder of Take Away the Tears CIC, a North Tyneside based charitable organisation dedicated to supporting dogs and other animals that have been abused, neglected or abandoned by providing much needed supplies to the volunteers who rescue them. Elsewhere in the region, Janice has been pivotal in a series of community initiatives in Burnhope, her home village in County Durham.
Carole White, chief executive of TEDCO Business Support, responsible for delivery of the North Tyneside Business Factory programme commented: “I have known and admired the work undertaken by Janice for many years and she is a trusted pair of hands for the Borough’s businesses. I know I speak on behalf of the many new businesses, entrepreneurs and organisations supported and assisted by Janice over the years when I say her MBE showcases the level of commitment and passion she has for the work she does. Congratulations Janice, we are delighted to have your as part of our team.”
Janice Ross will now join other recipients from the New Year Honours list at a ceremony at Buckingham Palace to receive her MBE from a member of the Royal family.
The post Janice Ross Announced as Recipient of MBE in New Year Honours List appeared first on The Business Factory.