Shell to expand its entrepreneur programme across Scotland

Oil giant Shell is expanding its enterprise development programme Shell LiveWIRE across Scotland after a successful launch in the North East.

Shell LiveWIRE aims to help entrepreneurs in the energy transition sector to overcome hurdles they face in growing their business. It offers coaching and mentoring to business leaders, as well as access to support and wider networks through Shell and through the global Shell LiveWIRE network.

The project was launched to support SMES in Aberdeenshire but is now going nationwide.

The national scheme, which will be delivered by Elevator UK, will begin in June and will continue with workshops and residential challenge days to bring participants together.

Programme and events operations manager, Karen Clark, who will head up the programme, said: “It has been incredibly inspiring to see the ongoing growth and development of our current cohort. A key benefit they are noticing from being part of LiveWIRE is the time away from their business that it warrants, because this gives them crucial space to reflect, bounce ideas around and return refreshed. This time commitment can be a daunting prospect for busy business owners, but the reward it returns is undeniable. I can’t wait to welcome our next cohort.”

Participating businesses must be SMEs based in Scotland and focus on providing energy transition-related products and services that benefit society. Applications will need to be completed by the end of this month, with the first challenge day in June.

Nassima Brown, who co-founded tech firm Fennex with her husband Adrian seven years ago, is a participant in the current Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire cohort.

She called the Shell LiveWIRE programme “a milestone in the Fennex journey”, and added: “From day one we saw Shell’s commitment and passion to the programme.

“The collaboration with Elevator is giving us the environment and the tools to think big. It’s not just giving us basic tools on how to manage our teams and initiate improvements, I’ll be walking out of the programme more driven and with a clearer focus. I’m fired up that we can achieve even bigger things than we thought we could.”

Elevator CEO, Professor Gary McEwan, said: “We are thrilled to be taking Shell LiveWIRE Scotland-wide after such a successful first intake. Teaming up with Shell UK to deliver the programme has shown how game-changing and tangible the impact a global organisation can have on SMEs.

“We’re proud to be showcasing the benefits of this kind of collaborative working through our engaged, ambitious cohort of business owners and leaders and look forward to continuing this journey with Cohort 2 and beyond.”

Anthony Harte, head of social impact at Shell UK, said: “We are delighted to begin our search for the next cohort of Shell LiveWIRE, our flagship global enterprise development programme. Our programmes aim to act as a catalyst for progress, fostering connections, driving innovation and strengthening local economies by promoting entrepreneurship and meaningful employment.

“We look forward to continuing our relationship with Elevator UK to empower another group of inspiring entrepreneurs from across Scotland.”

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