Help to Grow: Management Alumni Event – Guest Talk by Aaron Phipps MBE

On Wednesday, 3 December, we had the pleasure of hosting another Help to Grow: Management Alumni event, featuring an extraordinary guest speaker, Aaron Phipps MBE.

Now, you might wonder: how does Aaron fit into the picture? What does he have in common with the average SME professional who participates in our Help to Grow programme? The answer is: quite a lot.

SMEs form the backbone of the UK economy, with 5.5 million businesses driving innovation, growth, and financial prosperity nationwide. Yet, they face immense pressure in today’s financial climate. To thrive, they must demonstrate resilience and perseverance, overcoming challenges and continuing to grow even with limited resources.

Aaron’s story embodies these qualities. A three-time Paralympian and gold medal-winning champion from the Tokyo 2020 Games, Aaron plays Wheelchair Rugby, which is the only full-contact disability sport, often called “Murderball.” His team went from being 5th in the world to becoming the best on the planet, all during a global pandemic.

Aaron’s journey is nothing short of inspiring. At just 15, he had both legs and most of his fingers amputated due to meningitis-related blood poisoning. Yet, he refused to let adversity define him. In 2016, he became the first person in the world to scale Mount Kilimanjaro on his hands and knees. He is also a passionate fundraiser and has been named among the top 100 most influential people in the UK with a disability.

Do you see the similarities now? Just like SMEs, Aaron has shown that resilience, determination, and a refusal to give up can lead to extraordinary achievements.

We would like to thank Aaron for delivering such an inspirational talk to our Help to Grow: Management alumni. His message is one every leader, whether in an SME, a large corporation, or a micro-business, should remember:

No matter what life throws at you, there is always a way to overcome it. Don’t wait for perfect conditions to reach your full potential.