TGt Meets... Ollie Collard

For the latest edition to our series of TGt Meets Business Leaders interviews, we spoke to Business West's Ollie Collard, about his job role and what he thinks about this city.

Describe your job role.

I support entrepreneurs to develop sustainable and thriving businesses. I do this by helping people to hone their business models, develop robust business plans, produce financial forecasts that stack up and get investment ready.

I deliver the government backed Start-up Loans Scheme, working with Virgin StartUp to help entrepreneurs access finance. I also deliver a monthly business planning and finance workshop in Bristol. Over the last five years, Business West has supported 470 businesses to access over £4.1M in Start-up Loans.

What do you think attracts business people to Bristol?

Bristol has been ranked the 2nd best city to start up a business, alongside London. The city has a very engaged start-up community, meaningful networking events, high survival rates, amazing people and world class clusters.

What are your professional goals?

To help more people turn their ambitions into sustainable start-up businesses, then support these entrepreneurs to scale up, to create local economic growth and jobs.

What’s been your biggest achievement to date?

Not my biggest, but my most recognisable achievement was in 2013 when I was presented with the MITIE exciting futures award at Vodafone’s HQ – for corporate partnership development.

How do you spend your free time in Bristol?

Eating, playing sport, attending all the amazing events Bristol offers and cycling around the city.  

Where is your favourite place to eat in Bristol?

There are simply too many good places to eat (I’m not complaining!), for Japanese - Nomu, for steak – The Ox, for Mediterranean – Souk Kitchen and I also love all the places at Wapping Wharf.

What is one characteristic that you believe every leader should possess?

The ability to help others fulfil their true potential.

What is the biggest challenge facing leaders today?

Today - issues around political uncertainty/Brexit. Tomorrow - changes in technology which will have massive consequences for labour markets worldwide.

What advice would you give someone going into a leadership position for the first time?

Read: Leadrs Eat Last – by Simon Sinek.

Describe Bristol in 3 words...

Diverse, loud and gurt-lush!