Catherine Gannon

Founder

Who I am

Very proud to be the Founder of Gannons which was a start up once upon a time but now employs over 21 people with turnover in the millions.

I am constantly fascinated by the motives of those prepared to take a risk which any business is. My role is to run a firm which calculates and confines risk for our clients. It feels good to know I am actively contributing to Brand GB and giving back. I have learnt much along the way and have been very privileged in working with some industry greats. I pass their knowledge onto my team who pass it onto our clients – another great feeling. What is there not to like?

As a Founding Member of The Prince’s Trust Enterprise I am part of the group of socially conscious entrepreneurs who want to give back philanthropically. The Prince’s Trust Enterprise network helps young people to start a business. I know that being around the right people can really help inspire the shape and correct mindset to move forward. The Founding Members all share a common goal – to help less advantaged people become tomorrow’s entrepreneurs and business leaders.

Click on the logo above to find out more

The Prince’s Trust Enterprise Programme provides 18 to 30-year-olds with all the help they could need when starting a business. They offer training, mentoring, funding and much more, to help young adults get their own business off the ground and drive it forwards to success.

Recently the Enterprise Programme ran a national fundraising challenge called Million Makers where teams of employees from corporate partners, design and implement a business plan, full of innovative ways to turn £1,500 of seed funding into £10,000 or more for The Prince’s Trust.

Collectively, Million Makers aims to raise cash to change the lives of young people across the UK. As well as raising money, the challenge provides an opportunity for participants to be entrepreneurial, creative and connect their colleagues around their company’s charitable initiatives.

As a Founding Member and ambassador for the Enterprise Network, I was selected to be a judge on the panel for the Million Makers initiative. Teams pitched their fundraising plans to the panel – in a set up much like everyone’s favourite business programme ‘Dragons’ Den’ – and received invaluable feedback from the panel experts, drawing on their entrepreneurial nous and business acumen.

My job was to drill down to uncover the savviest fundraising ideas which will enable Million Makers to reach and exceed fundraising targets. The Million Makers initiative enables a two pronged approach to charitable work; it provides opportunity for team members to learn from experienced entrepreneurs on the judging panel while also contributing their fundraising to the great work of the Trust.

I am proud of the work the Enterprise Network does to help young adults make their mark in business. Check out how to get involved in the UK’s biggest entrepreneurial fundraising challenge here, where you can read about how Prince’s Trust partners have fundraised for the challenge.