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Ann Rushforth, MBE

 

 

 

Patron of Women Ahead

 

 

Ann Rushforth MBE is a qualified Nurse and Midwife, who in 1987 started her own Nursing and Care Business, Scotnursing. She had no money, a weekly allowance from a ‘Start your own Business’ Government scheme and a £1,000 overdraft with the bank. She had three children under 4 and worked initially from home. She had no business experience except as an Avon Lady whilst studying and as a Tupperware representative after the birth of her eldest son. Ann completed a ‘four week’ Business start up course with the Enterprise network prior to commencing this business. As the business grew, she completed management courses and a part-time Diploma in Community Care at Glasgow University.
 
Last year HALO Health and Lifecare options group had a turnover of £16 million. The company provides health and care services across all sectors. In 2004, she raised over a million pounds to accelerate the growth and in 2006 she bought back from the Venture Capitalists with the support of the bank. Over the lifespan of the company she has acquired five businesses and bought controlling share of another.
 
In 2000, she had modern premises in Clydebank built, and this operates as the Headquarters with 14 branches across the country from Inverness to Leicester.
In 2006, she received the award of the MBE for support to nursing and business; she was also inducted into the Leading Women Entrepreneurs of the World.
 
In addition, Ann has been recognised for a number of other awards including Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year and Scottish Businesswoman of the Year. She is a board member for the Princess Royal Trust for Carers. Ann also assists with the accelerator panel for The Prince’s Scotland Youth Business Trust, for their loan fund. She has been a guider for the Girl Guide Association since 1989.
 
She is married with three adult children. Two with their own businesses – one a group of children’s nurseries and the other Plant Hire and Landscaping, thus posing the question, are entrepreneurs born or bred? She acts as a mentor to them and a number of other businesses.
 
Ann is currently a board member of the Entrepreneurial Exchange and a director of the new company PWB Health which developed the award winning Breastlight. She believes her success comes from Passion, Vision, Innovation, Drive and Tenacity.
 

She has spoken as a Keynote speaker, at the Glasgow Concert Hall, for Scottish Enterprise, and Edinburgh Castle for The Bank of Scotland Corporate as well as numerous conferences and events for Scottish Enterprise, the banks, CBI and the Entrepreneurial Exchange.