Emma Jones
Founder of Enterprise Nation
Since launching in 2005, the Enterprise Nation team has helped thousands of people start and grow their businesses. Led by founder Emma Jones CBE, Enterprise Nation operates in UK, Ireland, EU as a small business support platform and provider. Joining Enterprise Nation connects you with resources, community and connections you need to reach your business goals.
Enterprise Nation is owned by Sylva, a venture-backed company which grows global communities of entrepreneurs.
Books and events
Emma is the best-selling author of the business booksSpare Room StartUp,Working 5 to 9,Go Global,The StartUp Kit andTurn Your Talent Into a Business .
Awards
In June 2012 Emma was awarded an MBE for Services to Enterprise. Emma was awarded the rank Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in 2021.
In November 2015 Emma was appointed by the UK Prime Minister as a Business Ambassador with a focus on increasing international trade.
In July 2016, Emma was appointed SME Representative for Crown Commercial Service.
Background
Following a degree in Law and Japanese, Emma joined international accounting firm Arthur Andersen, where she worked in London, Leeds and Manchester offices and set up the firm's Inward Investment practice that attracted overseas companies to locate in the UK. In 2000, bitten by the dot.com bug, Emma left the firm to start her first business, Techlocate.
After 15 months, the company was successfully sold to Tenon plc when Emma was 27. The experience of starting, growing and selling a business from a home base gave Emma the idea for Enterprise Nation which was launched in 2005 to support the flourishing number of start-ups and SMEs.
The company has since expanded to become an active small business membership community, reaching more than 800,000 businesses each year with its powerful digital business support platform. Businesses benefit from free business building tools to start-up and support growth, legendary events and resources including the annual Start Up Show and daily Lunch and Learns. Its platform offers business owners in the UK, Ireland and across EU, the chance to connect with like-minded peers, professional business advisers and trained mentors. It links them to opportunities to expand through procurement sessions with Tier one suppliers. Enterprise Nation also presents a positive campaigning voice to governments and the media on behalf of its partners and members.
In June 2012, Emma was awarded an MBE for Services to Enterprise. Emma was awarded the rank Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in 2021.
In 2021, Emma was awarded a CBE for services to small businesses and entrepreneurs and has held several key advisory roles at the heart of the UK government, making the case for small businesses in the corridors of power.
In June 2025, Emma was appointed as the government's new small business commissioner.