Member Article

Start-up firm is an education

A start-up education business has won a major contract with Sunderland City Council just months after launching.

Apex Learning was set up by Denise Hepplewhite, a former delivery earning co-ordinator with Durham County Council, to provide adult and community learning. The business is now rolling its services out across Wearside after picking up the Sunderland Council contract.

Denise said: “I set up Apex Learning as I am passionate about adult and family learning and my vision was to deliver and develop bespoke learning packages for individuals and families.

“I envisaged Apex as being the pinnacle of success, one of the best providers of opportunities for supporting individuals to start or restart their learning journey, to recognise as well as achieve their ambition.”

The scheme will provide family learning in schools and in the community, such as healthy cooking, family film making and arts and crafts, plus outdoor, exercise and safe internet workshops.

Although experienced in the education sector, Denise had never set up a business before. She received support from advisor Chris Craig at the North East Business and Innovation Centre (BIC) in Sunderland.

“I have a lot of experience in the field as well as a team of highly motivated, enthusiastic and qualified tutors that wanted to support Apex,” she said.

“But I lacked the business knowledge required to make it on my own, therefore I spoke to the Jobcentre who referred me to the BIC. The BIC’s help has been really invaluable, Chris was fantastic and helped me create the business plan - it was such a learning curve. I also attended a couple of workshops at the BIC too which again I found to be very beneficial.”

Business advisor Chris said: “At our first meeting it was clear that Denise knew exactly what she wanted and knew what she was doing. She has a real drive which is ultimately what will lead to more success. I wish her all the best for the future.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Karen Dent .