Press Release | 06 Nov 2023

Vodafone Business extends partnership with Steven Bartlett to help SMEs boost their growth potential through the use of digital technology

Vodafone Business has today announced that it has extended its partnership with Steven Bartlett for a further 12 months.

The partnership extension will see Steven continue in his role as a Vodafone Business Ambassador with the goal of helping as many small businesses as possible realise their growth potential through making better use of digital technology.

Having initially partnered in 2021, Steven has worked tirelessly with Vodafone to demonstrate ways in which small businesses can boost profitability and efficiency through the better use of digital technologies including online marketing, digital payments, and accounting software. Steven has conducted keynotes to an audience of entrepreneurs at Vodafone marketing events and has even carried out a tailored mentoring session from the comfort of his own home as part of the winning prize of a Vodafone Business competition.

Steven Bartlett and Kat Pither on how entrepreneurs can survive tough times

As the UK economy is roiled by choppy waters, powerhouse entrepreneurs Kat Pither and Steven Bartlett gave their advice to other small business owners at an event marking the launch of Vodafone Pulse Connect.

With so many SMEs still recovering from the COVID-19 outbreak and dealing with rising inflation and a flat market, research from Vodafone Business found that a guidance gap was beginning to form with many not aware of the range of support that was available to them.

To help address this issue Vodafone created the V-Hub small and medium business support platform which provides an extensive digital skills knowledge centre covering everything from starting an online business, finding customers and cybersecurity.

Vodafone also launched business.connected offering free online training courses for SMEs with the aim of helping 800,000 successfully digitally transform their business by 2025.

Vodafone Business Ambassador Steven Bartlett said: “Managing a small business can be challenging, but Vodafone V-Hub’s no-cost digital assistance empowers entrepreneurs to adapt and flourish. I’m excited to extend my collaboration with Vodafone, who are doing incredible work in assisting SMEs with marketing and social media strategy and offering indispensable tools and guidance to simplify the path to business success.”

V-Hub: Helping small businesses become the best they can be

Nick Gliddon, Vodafone's UK Business Director, reflects on the success of the company's advisory service for small businesses as it celebrates its third birthday and a million users.

Vodafone’s V-Hub is a free online support service that provides expert guidance, knowledge, tools and training. SMEs can discover how to take the next step on their digital journeys by talking to a team of V-Hub Business Advisers. Click here to find out more.

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About Vodafone UK

Vodafone UK is a technology communications company that connects people, businesses and devices to help our customers benefit from digital innovation. Our services span mobile, fixed-line connections, home and office broadband, and the Internet of Things (IoT).

We have a strong track record as a tech pioneer, making the UK’s first mobile phone call, sending the first text message, and making the UK’s first live holographic call using 5G in 2018. We were the first to start carrying live 5G traffic from a site in Salford, Greater Manchester and now have 5G in locations across Germany, Ireland, Italy, Spain as well as the UK. Meanwhile, our 4G network coverage currently reaches over 99% of the UK population.

Today, Vodafone serves more than 18 million mobile and fixed-line customers in the UK. Vodafone is the largest provider of full fibre in the UK – our superfast broadband services are now available to nearly 12 million homes across the UK.

Sustainability is also at the heart of what we do: as of 1 July 2021, 100% of the grid electricity we use in the UK is certified to be from renewable sources.

For more information about Vodafone UK, please visit: www.vodafone.co.uk.

Vodafone UK Media Relations

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