Business Strategy meets Community Cohesion: Lessons from Staffordshire

This project, led by Dr Tolu Olarewaju, addressed the interconnected social and economic challenges affecting SMEs and communities across Stoke-on-Trent, Hanley and Newcastle-under-Lyme. It responded particularly to concerns around social cohesion, discrimination, prejudice and business resilience. Keele University Keele Business School, Keele University partnered with Staffordshire Black Business Network and stakeholders to host free in-person business and community cohesion workshops. The project brought together SMEs, minority-business representatives, community organisations, policymakers and researchers through a programme of co-produced workshops and policy engagement. Its objectives were to strengthen entrepreneurship and sustainable business development; enhance resilience and social inclusion; improve relationships between academia, businesses, policymakers and communities; and generate practical recommendations for more inclusive and resilient local economic development. Participants learnt practical skills in #BusinessStrategy, #BusinessGrowth, #SocialInclusion, #CommunityCohesion #Marketing, #Finance, #Sustainability, and more! The final event, held at Keele University on 6 June 2026, included workshops examining the changing demographic profile of the region and approaches to addressing hate crime and promoting community cohesion. The event also facilitated a panel discussion and engagement between participating business owners, community stakeholders and representatives from key local institutions, including local MPs, the police, the council, the YMCA, refugee and asylum seeker support organisations such as Asha, and senior staff from Keele University, including the Vice-Chancellor. Thanks to the business owners, aspiring entrepreneurs, policymakers, community members, and community leaders across Stoke-on-Trent, Newcastle-under-Lyme, Keele, and surrounding areas that joined us. Special thanks to: Adam Jogee MP, MP for Newcastle-Under Lyme David Williams, MP for Stoke-on-Trent North Gareth Snell, MP for Stoke-on-Trent Central Gody (Godefroid) Seminega, Asha North Staffordshire, CEO Peggy Bareh, CEO Passionate Cleaners LTD Ch.Insp Tim Norbury, Head of Prosecutions Staffordshire Police Nnaeto Onwuzurumba, Head of Missions YMCA Staffordshire Dr. Grace Adeola Atobatele Dr Stephen Jones Ben Hibbert Professor Kevin Shakesheff, Vice-Chancellor, Keele University #BusinessStrategy #BusinessGrowth #Entrepreneurship #Community #KeeleUniversity #Keele #Newcastleunderlyme #Stoke #Tamworth #Staffordshire #BusinesWorkshop #SocialInclusion #BusinessGrowth #Education #CommunityCohesion #BusinessGrowth #Entrepreneurship #Community #KeeleUniversity #Keele #Newcastleunderlyme #Stoke #Tamworth #Staffordshire #BusinesWorkshop #SocialInclusion #BusinessGrowth #Education #CommunityCohesion