It’s no secret that the alumni of the Help to Grow: Management Course have gone on to realise amazing achievements. Many of the alumni successfully transform their business and this can lead to external recognition.
Our latest alumni to be recognised is Claudine Reid MBE, Director at PJ’s Community Services. Claudine's husband, Patrick Reid, founded the social enterprise in 1992 and she joined in 1995. Since then, Claudine and Patrick have helped thousands of people in various ways, from providing care staff, doing grocery shopping, training social entrepreneurs, and providing job opportunities for over 9000 individuals.
More than 20 years after starting the social enterprise, Claudine was keen to analyse its success and find ways to improve. To do this she joined the Help to Grow: Management Course at Brunel Business School. Quickly, she found ways to implement new technologies that would increase efficiency and she also used the learning models in the course to upskill her own staff.
This commitment to the continued development of her work supporting underrepresented people was celebrated at the Multicultural Business & Community Champion (MBCC) Awards in Birmingham. At the event, she won the Lifetime Achievement Award.
Speaking to Help to Grow: Management, Claudine said: ‘The event was electric, from the amazing hosts to the award-winning performers. With over 800 guests, 14 nomination categories, and 4 honorary mentions – I enjoyed hearing the transformational, impactful stories of the winners. ‘
On winning an award herself, she commented: ‘The Lifetime Achievement award feels like a high honour, to be recognised for contributing to society. At the same time, I am motivated to continue to contribute in a way that supports others to flourish.’
Despite an MBE and many other awards in recognition of her services to the community, Claudine is continuing to expand. Looking ahead, Claudine says: ‘I am exploring a few international opportunities that focus on enterprise and job creation. I feel like I have at least another 40 years (in my lifetime) of impact and contribution. I am keen to explore more partnerships and collaboration to accelerate the process.’
Evidently, Claudine is determined to build on her success, and with plenty of years planned, there will undoubtedly be more awards in the future.
