About us
About The Aspire Academy
We exist to close the gap between ambition and achievement, for everyone, regardless of background, budget or circumstance.
Why we exist
We are not a training company that built some slides
The Aspire Academy is a mission to make commercial success accessible to everyone, not just those with the budget, the background or the connections to get there.
With the support of funding providers we make a real difference to the local business community we serve. We drive the skills that create competitive advantage, create the best possible career start for young people, and give ambitious founders a framework to scale.
We are practitioners. We have built businesses, led sales teams and worked with hundreds of organisations across every sector, so everything we deliver is grounded in what works rather than what sounds good in a boardroom. Since May 2025 we have delivered seven cohorts of sales training, supporting more than 150 businesses and individuals across Essex.
Our business model is geared to scaling, so our surplus is reinvested directly into expanding the Aspire Hub network and creating further opportunities.
What we stand for
Our core focus
Growth without the disruption
The skills and resources small businesses need to grow, without pulling the business apart to get them.
Practitioner-led
Delivered by people who have done it and lived it, not just taught it. Real experience, real results.
Community rooted
We serve the local business community and the people who want to be part of it. Local, real and always present.
Accessible by design
Funded routes for qualifying individuals and cohorts. Money should never be the reason someone misses out.
Our track record
What 18 months
of delivery shows
Funded delivery across Essex since May 2025, measured at every cohort.
The Aspire team
The people
behind the Academy
Built around six areas, each led by someone who does the job for a living.
Academy, Hub and programmes
Lisa Ansell
Founder and Director
Lisa brings decades of commercial and sales leadership experience to The Aspire Academy. Having built businesses, led teams and worked across every sector, she founded the Academy to make the skills that changed her career accessible to everyone, wherever they are starting from.
Sales
Ben Miller
Director of Growth Strategy
Having worked with hundreds of businesses on their sales and marketing strategy, Ben brings commercial focus and an understanding of what growing businesses need to succeed. At the Academy he works with future employers to make sure they are commercially ready to take on an apprentice, and drives our own sales and marketing.
Education and events
Jayne Sheehan
Education Lead
Barrister turned teacher turned education boss. Jayne spent 13 years in law, then 20 years in education, from A Levels to apprenticeships, rising to Vice Group CEO at South Essex College. Now she is making sure our apprenticeships are brilliant. Education for all. No exceptions.
Information and technology
Luke Stillwell
Luke has run businesses for 19 years and builds the systems that sit behind them, from CRM and reporting to automation and AI. At the Academy he leads information and technology, turning manual processes into digital ones that keep running without anyone chasing them.
People, and Responsibility and Representation to follow.
Sponsors and partners
The people
backing the Academy
Our sponsors give their time, skills and services so that our programmes stay accessible.
07 Heaven Marketing
Marketing and systems
Recurve Creative
Brand and design
Ready to take
the next step?
Whether you want to start a business, grow your career or build your sales team, we are here to help. Most programmes are fully funded for people who qualify.
