Terri Sawkill

I have worked alongside my partner to assist, establish & develop his businesses. This began at first with the setting up of a UK based Chinese flooring manufacturer in Preston for a 3 month period – establishing all their HR, Health & Safety & Staff recruitment to be able to open & operate within the UK. In February 2016, my partner opened a Flooring Retail business which I assisted with running, more from the accounts point of view using Sage & again, establishing systems & processes needed to operate efficiently, transparently & robustly.

In June 2017, the site developed further when he saw an opportunity for better use of the space & we set up a Café/Ice Cream Parlour alongside the Flooring business. I worked operationally in setting this up from scratch & for a short while I worked operationally in this business, which I thoroughly enjoyed before recruiting to roles that then allowed me to take a step back to the heavy background workload needed – accounts, marketing, HR etc. In January 2020 he purchased a Soft play frame to further develop the site into a Café/Ice Cream Parlour with a soft play on site.

We opened this once all COVID restrictions were lifted July 2021. In May 2024, we took on a second site to offer a tranquil & welcoming experience by the river in Garstang for food & drinks along with it being a venue for private hire.

Business

Development, Accounting, HR & Marketing have been strong skill sets I have learnt, developed & shared in all my roles. I have always had a passion for cooking & in this last 18 months I have particularly enjoyed creating home cooked quality food for our customers from breakfasts, to grazing boards, to desserts.

Business Owner & Operator - Partner's Businesses - Preston, Garstang

(2015-10 - 2026-07)

I have worked alongside my partner to assist, establish & develop his businesses. This began at first with the setting up of a UK based Chinese flooring manufacturer in Preston for a 3 month period – establishing all their HR, Health & Safety & Staff recruitment to be able to open & operate within the UK. In February 2016, my partner opened a Flooring Retail business which I assisted with running, more from the accounts point of view using Sage & again, establishing systems & processes needed to operate efficiently, transparently & robustly.

In June 2017, the site developed further when he saw an opportunity for better use of the space & we set up a Café/Ice Cream Parlour alongside the Flooring business. I worked operationally in setting this up from scratch & for a short while I worked operationally in this business, which I thoroughly enjoyed before recruiting to roles that then allowed me to take a step back to the heavy background workload needed – accounts, marketing, HR etc. In January 2020 he purchased a Soft play frame to further develop the site into a Café/Ice Cream Parlour with a soft play on site.

We opened this once all COVID restrictions were lifted July 2021. In May

• Established HR, Health & Safety & Staff recruitment for UK based Chinese flooring manufacturer
• Managed accounts using Sage for Flooring Retail business
• Established systems & processes to operate efficiently, transparently & robustly
• Worked operationally in Café/Ice Cream Parlour setup from scratch
• Managed accounts, marketing, HR & business development
• Opened Café/Ice Cream Parlour with soft play facilities after COVID restrictions lifted July 2021
• Developed second site in Garstang with food & drinks offering and private hire venue capabilities
• Created home cooked quality food for customers including breakfasts, grazing boards, desserts

Chief Executive Officer (Interim then Permanent) - Age UK Blackpool & District - Blackpool

(2009-07 - 2015-07)

• Senior Manager for Social Enterprise - took forward the Charity's fee based services offer
• Involved in business development, bid writing, strategic planning
• Took interim CEO role in 2011, made permanent 12 months later
• Reviewed all activities and streamlined operations
• Ensured systems & processes became more robust
• Took organisation through difficult change management process
• Worked on secondment basis within national project at Age UK in London

Business Development Manager - Fylde Coast YMCA - Fylde Coast

(2009-10 - 2009-07)

I worked as Business Development Manager for Fylde Coast YMCA on a part time basis, assisting the work of the CEO. During my time there my particular focus was on tender writing and the vast business development needs around the Lakeside project, based in the Lake District.

• Assisted the work of the CEO
• Focused on tender writing
• Managed business development needs around the Lakeside project based in the Lake District

Centre Manager - Great Eccleston Village Centre - Great Eccleston

(2007-01 - 2009-07)

• Day to day management of the centre
• Managed volunteer team and development opportunities
• Introduced a range of courses as an income stream for the Charity
• Developed partnerships that saw an increase in room revenue

Community ICT Tutor - The Adult College in Lancaster - Lancaster

(2004-05 - 2009-03)

I returned to a part time teaching role for The Adult College in Lancaster. I was a Community ICT Tutor, delivering a series of short courses at village centres & libraries – assisting in the development of courses within the Community & developing progression opportunities for learners. I was also involved with the delivery of a short course for a group of older disabled learners, based around the use of Digital Cameras.

In August 2004, I took on an 18-month contract with the Lincolnshire & Rutland Hub (Learndirect), supporting Sage Line 50 learners, on-line.

• Delivered series of short courses at village centres & libraries
• Assisted in the development of courses within the Community
• Developed progression opportunities for learners
• Delivered short course for older disabled learners based around use of Digital Cameras
• Took 18-month contract with Lincolnshire & Rutland Hub (Learndirect) supporting Sage Line 50 learners on-line

Business Support & Training Consultant - Family Business & Freelance - North West

(2003-10 - 2004-03)

Predominantly, I had time out from Further Education to help with the expansion of a family business. This enabled me to become involved on a part time basis, with the setting up of rather a complex stock control system which was a very rewarding challenge. At the same time, an opportunity also arose for me to assist in the development of a small company where I carried out freelance training projects across the North West – mainly for the small business market.

This was also on a part time basis – in all areas of computers, including Sage products. I also became involved in the promotion & support of Learndirect courses working in partnership with a Lancashire based Learndirect Business Centre.

• Helped with expansion of family business
• Set up complex stock control system
• Carried out freelance training projects across the North West for small business market
• Training in all areas of computers, including Sage products
• Promotion & support of Learndirect courses working in partnership with Lancashire based Learndirect Business Centre

Lecturer & Curriculum Leader - Blackpool & The Fylde College - Ashfield Road, Bispham

(1996-10 - 2003-10)

• Taught A Level Business Studies, Advanced GNVQ Business, Intermediate GNVQ Leisure & Tourism, Start Your Own Business course, RSA Bookkeeping Stage I
• Worked part-time at two Adult Centres delivering: C&G 7261 Level 2, CLAIT Stage I, IBT Stage II, ECDL (including corporate training), Desk Top Publishing
• Developed Adult Education Computer Courses (Beginners - Advanced covering main Microsoft applications)
• Created non-vocational & vocational computer course for people with mental health problems
• Curriculum Leader for Sales, Occupancy & Part Time IT Curriculum Development
• Oversaw part time vocational IT curriculum across all College sites
• Responsible for marketing, staffing, timetables, course planning, new programme ideas, contracts & enrolments
• Member of steering committee to encourage departments to work together with course planning

Teaching Practitioner - St John Rigby R.C. Sixth Form College - Gathurst Road, Orrell

(1995-10 - 1996-03)

• Observations and experience with Lower & Upper Sixth
• Delivered Advanced GNVQ Business Units
• Delivered Leisure & Tourism Units
• Delivered A Level Business Studies

Teaching Practitioner - Montgomery High School - All Hallows Road, Bispham

(1995-01 - 1995-06)

• Observations and team teaching
• Special Needs teaching
• PSE careers
• Organised visit to Mosque
• Participated in Duke of Edinburgh
• Organised visit to large company for GCSE pupils
• Delivered lessons for GCSE Information Systems, IT & Business Studies

GCSEs - General Education - Highfield High School (1985-09 - 1990-05)

AS Level - English Literature/Language - Blackpool & The Fylde College (1990-09 - 1994-05)

A Level - English Literature/Language - Blackpool & The Fylde College (1990-09 - 1994-05)

HND - Business & Finance - Blackpool & The Fylde College (1990-09 - 1994-05)

BSc (Hons) - Business Education - Edge Hill College (1994-09 - 1996-06)