MAKE YOUR MARK UK

Consultancy, training and coaching for businesses and charities

MAKE YOUR MARK UK is a training, executive coaching and consultancy service that works with businesses and charitable organisations. Its approach is to offer practical support so that each organisation can develop its own project, without resorting to jargon or generic solutions, and by tailoring guidance to each client's specific needs.

The firm was founded in 2017. Since then it has delivered training courses in the South Yorkshire region and beyond, run staff development sessions for CAST Theatre and worked with the Barnsley & Rotherham Chamber of Commerce on its policy work, among other projects.

Consultancy services

The consultancy service is aimed at those who run a charity, social enterprise or business and need to focus on their priorities. The company presents its involvement as a way to save time and resources thanks to its experience and sector knowledge.

Among the situations it addresses are getting started in fundraising, the need to develop more effective and confident teams, the lack of a clear action plan and feeling stuck when it comes to moving forward.

In-person and virtual training

The training offer ranges from online networking sessions to optimising your LinkedIn profile, as well as developing management and leadership skills. The target audience includes charities, SMEs and larger organisations.

The content can be delivered in person or virtually. The company adapts the duration and format to the client's preferences, from full-day courses to short workshops, also adjusting to the available budget.

Profile of the person in charge

Mark, CEO of MAKE YOUR MARK UK, created the company with the aim of combining working with people and generating real change. His career includes senior leadership roles, and he is an active member of several professional organisations: Doncaster Chamber, Barnsley and Rotherham Chamber of Commerce, Sheffield Chamber of Commerce, European Mentoring and Coaching Council UK (EMCC UK) and Chartered Institute of Fundraising.

His qualifications include a BSc (Hons) in Psychology with Counselling from the University of Hull, the Mental Health First Aider certification (Mental Health First Aid England), the Level 3 Award in Education and Training (The Chartered Institute of Environmental Health), a Diploma in Volunteer Management (BTEC), a Diploma in Business Improvement Techniques, a Certificate in Executive Coaching and Mentoring and the Level 7 Accredited Senior Practitioner accreditation with EMCC UK.

Podcast and outreach activity

The company produces the podcast series MARK MY WORDS, in which it interviews entrepreneurs, business owners and charity founders about their journey, tips and insights. The content is available on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcast and other platforms.

Awards and recognition

The company was a finalist in the Excellence in Customer Service category at the Doncaster Business Awards 2021 and was shortlisted in the same category at the Celebration of Business Awards (Barnsley and Rotherham) 2022. In 2023 it won the award for Best Charity Leadership & Development Consultancy at the Northern Enterprise Awards. It has also been shortlisted in the Excellence in Corporate Social Responsibility category at the Doncaster Business Awards in 2020, 2021 and 2022, and in the Business Community Impact category at the Celebration of Business Awards (Barnsley and Rotherham) in 2022 and 2023.

Social responsibility and charitable collaborations

MAKE YOUR MARK UK runs an annual collaboration programme with a charitable cause. Nominations for the 2024 edition remained open with a deadline of 23 September 2024. In previous years, support has consisted of developing fundraising strategies, organising team building activities, preparing business plans and providing executive coaching to charity leaders.

Among the organisations supported are Rotherham Talking Newspapers, SCCCC, Rothacs, Mums In Need and b:friend. Its most recent charity partner is EvesTrust, a cancer charity based in Doncaster that offers wishes and individualised support to local families receiving a cancer diagnosis. Clynton Johnson, former operations manager at EvesTrust, said that, after having worked with Mark through Doncaster Chamber, they were excited to collaborate more closely with MAKE YOUR MARK UK.

As part of its commitment to corporate social responsibility, the company states that it seeks to reduce its carbon footprint by sponsoring tree planting and supporting other climate projects.

Volunteering projects

Mark has held various voluntary roles at Junior Chamber International (JCI), from president of JCI Sheffield to regional chair of JCI Yorkshire and national president. In 2020 he was appointed international vice president of JCI Europe.

He is also a trustee of Citizens Advice Sheffield, where he regularly advises on its policies. Through Opportunities Doncaster (Doncaster Chamber), the company has guided students on careers in the charity sector and on the steps to start a business, as well as organising mock interviews so they can gain experience before applying for their first job.

In the field of mental health, Mark has taken part in several high-level panel discussions, such as the Mindful Matters conference of JCI UK, and regularly collaborates with helplines that support people in difficulty.