Rob Whitwood (Co-Founder)
I qualified as an Accountant in 1999, and for the last 20 years I have held various Senior Finance roles in organisations like Mars Inc, AVIVA, British Sugar, as well as many SMEs in the UK. In 2009 I took the step into business consultancy, supporting a variety of organisations covering Commercial & Third Sector.
Running your own social enterprise gives you real hands-on experience of strategy, operations and really importantly, income generation. Throughout the 10 years of running social enterprises, I have always shared my experiences and expertise with others that are growing their own social organisation, now I am pleased to be able to dedicate more time to support some amazing causes around the world. This journey has now evolved into the Social Enterprise “Be Inspired Today”, and our digital community “SE Folk”.
Gary Dickenson (Co-Founder)I packed my bags and together with my family, and left the UK back in 2018 and now live in the middle of nowhere in a forest in north Latvia. I had a total and radical life-changing opportunity and took it and am now running with it.
Alongside developing SE Folk, I’m building a YouTube channel around my new life ‘Baltic Homesteaders’ and that’s working out just grand, be sure to check it out.
Chelsey Moss (Operations Assistant)
Hello! I am Chelsey, the operations assistant at Be Inspired Today and SE Folk. I joined the team in 2022 and my role is to help assist Rob managing the general operations of the businesses, as well as helping with the social content too.
If you have taken part in the Be Inspired Today Resilience Program, you have probably spoke to me when booking in your sessions.
Since joining the Be Inspired Today/SE Folk team, I have learnt all about the social enterprise world and have become aware of so many incredible initiatives. The social enterprise community is fabulous, and through working with Rob, I have had the pleasure of speaking to so many amazing social entrepreneurs each week. Everyone is so supportive, and I am delighted that I am part of such an impactful community.
Alongside being the operations assistant for Be Inspired Today/SE Folk, in my other work I own an online stationery business. The focus of it is all about getting organised, so I love using my organisational skills and experience from this in all areas of my work, I really do love organising!
So if you are booking in sessions for our Resilience Program, or are commenting over on our socials, I will be delighted to chat with you. I look forward to speaking with you soon!
Kim Furnish
Kim Furnish is a Life Coach and Director of Instar Coaching C.I.C, a social enterprise with the mission to bring positive psychology to life. Kim is passionate about positive psychology, self-care, relationships, and social entrepreneurship. She regularly brings her knowledge and skills to the Campfire sessions as a workshop facilitator. Kim co-presents a Podcast, Positivity: A Work in Progress, which covers topics related to positive psychology, and personal development.