Robert Ashton
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Robert Ashton (born 1955) is an active campaigner for the development of social enterprises as the way forward in business and practises what he preaches in “giving something back”. He argues that tomorrow’s enterprise is a social enterprise, suggesting that the current corporate structures need to evolve, ‘soften up’ or become extinct.
As a well-known international author, specialising in advice for entrepreneurs, small businesses and charities/social enterprises he uses his extensive contacts to promote his commitment to the causes he believes in.
He also writes collective biographies, about people who share a common place or interest. He is recognised in the UK and increasingly around the world as a thinker, facilitator and social activist.
Robert Ashton donates 10% of his time unpaid to charities specialising in mental health issues. Currently he is chairman of UK mental health charity Rethink’sEastern RRG (Regional Reference Group) and of the Norwich Stuff Stigma campaign think tank (part of a national three-year, lottery-funded project to combat prejudice against people who have suffered from mental ill-health).
He is also chairman of the board of The Norfolk Exchange (the schools-business link facilitator), a trustee for the Norfolk Community Foundation (which provides funds for local community groups) and an investor in Foundation East (which provides loans to small businesses). Has been married to Belinda for 25 years and the couple have two grown up children.
Career
Robert Ashton studied agriculture and spent ten years working his way up the sales and marketing ladder of a major fertiliser manufacturer, followed by two marketing mobile homes. Became self employed 1990. He says: “On my own, with no network and undeveloped entrepreneurial skills I made a few mistakes. I also enjoyed considerable success. The first seven years were spent with a business partner who knew the ropes. Together we built a marketing company that remains successful to this day. Differing ambitions led us to amicably split in 1997 when I started a second company.
“This time, my focus was on the business support sector. With an excellent team around me, I challenged local and regional economic development players and created a business that bridged the gap between funded agency and knowledge hungry entrepreneurs. I sold that business to my team in 2003.”
Since 2003 Robert has built a reputation as a social activist and author of 6 books as well as being an innovative speaker, consultant, trainer and facilitator for small entrepreneurs and the not for profit sector.
He is currently working on two books, one of which will examine prejudice and the concept of what’s “normal” for the Norwich Stuff Stigma campaign against prejudice relating to mental ill health.
Ideas and Style
Eccentric, quirky, individual, entertaining and a highly individual thinker. Has no time for the conventions of corporate speak or corporate dress. Believes in making a commitment to the community and giving something back and increasingly focusing on issues of sustainability, global warming and waste minimisation. A generous friend, patron and workaholic with a very individual sense of humour, endless curiosity and an open mind.
An atheist who has donated his body to Gunther von Hagens for his bodyworks art and has also volunteered to be a Living Library “book” for a new organisation in London, using volunteers who "lend" themselves for a half-hour chat with library borrowers.
His thinking and writing are influenced by the work of:
Charles Handy
Ayn Rand
Rene Magritte
Drayton Bird
Ronald Blythe
Ricardo Semler
Books
The Entrepreneur’s book of Checklists
The Life Plan
The Life Guide (US edition of The Life Plan)
How to Sell
Copywriting in a week
Achieving Business Alchemy in a week
Teach Yourself Life at 50 (for Men)
Two new books in preparation for publication before December 2008
Links
Social Activist
Social Enterprise
Campaign against prejudice
Creating links between schools and business
Funding for community projects
Living Library
http://www.oxfordmuse.com/selfportrait/portrait49.htm
Funding for small organisations
Gunter von Hagens
