Josh Robinson

The EiR scheme helps students and staff to succeed in today’s business world.

7 March 2022

3 min read

The University of Portsmouth has recruited an additional 11 entrepreneurs to join its Entrepreneurs in Residence (EiR) programme that offer business start-up advice to students, alumni or staff to launch or grow their business.

The new entrepreneurs are:

Simon Gardiner
Rebecca Beard and Kay Coombes
Josh Robinson
Ben Fisher
Andrew Martin
Jeffrey Lawrence
Marianne Withers
Shaheed Peera
Adrian Norman
Ana Ambika Pindoria

New EiR and University graduate Ben Fisher said: “I am forever grateful for how the University of Portsmouth supported me when I first set down the road of entrepreneurship, and I am honoured to be able to work with the next generation that choose to pursue innovation.”

Ana Ambika Pindoria said: “I am deeply honoured and thrilled to mentor and support enterprising students and entrepreneurs helping to build their confidence, magnify opportunities, challenge their approaches, and assist them further to evolve and grow entrepreneurial minds.”

I am really excited to be delivering this year's Big Networking Night. The past 18 months have been very challenging for everybody, especially for small business owners. I wanted this year's event to be delivered with a difference.

Jaimes Harrington, Small Business Officer

The EiR scheme helps students and staff to learn from local entrepreneurs to develop business ideas and deal with challenges, about the impact of change and the skills needed to succeed in today’s business world.

The team of 30 experienced entrepreneurs and senior level business executives use their experience to help others plan, develop, network and market their new business. In return, the EiRs benefit from access to our research, events and partnerships across the University.

The EiRs engage in activities including mentoring student businesses, guest speaking and aiding academics in their research. EIRs can mentor and advise groups of students, particularly those in the early stages of starting their business. EIRs can also assist students in developing their proposed business ideas, identifying markets, and even obtaining funding.

Working with staff and alumni who are seeking to commercialise their research, the EIRs can help access new ideas and grow their business networks. They can give inspirational talks to students, help with curriculum development and support the University’s focus on entrepreneurship.

I am forever grateful for how the University of Portsmouth supported me when I first set down the road of entrepreneurship, and I am honoured to be able to work with the next generation that choose to pursue innovation.

Ben Fisher , New EiR and University graduate

Jaimes Harrington, Small Business Officer who manages the EiR programme, said: “I am really excited that we have our newly-appointed entrepreneurs to join the EiR family. Each entrepreneur offers their unique expertise, a willingness to share their experience and all have a passion for working with the University.”

Find out more about how our EIRs can help you or contact Jaimes Harrington at eir@port.ac.uk

If you know an entrepreneur or business executive who could inspire our staff, students and alumni, nominate them to become an EiR at eir@port.ac.uk