Business owner joins a diverse team of FSB volunteers across the county

Local News 3 Aug 2022

Business owner Sue Tonks joins a diverse team of FSB volunteers across the county

The Federation of Small Businesses has appointed Sue Tonks, from HydroVeg Kits based in Nuneaton, to head up the group’s grassroots activity and represent the voice of small businesses in the West Midlands.

Sue has become FSB’s Regional Chair for the West Midlands, joining a diverse team of FSB volunteers across the county who act as ambassadors for the FSB and for small businesses with local government, amongst others.

Sue steps into the shoes of Hollie Whittles, founder of Telford-based Purple Frog Systems, a data analytics consultancy, who completed two years in office before moving into a new national role as FSB’s Skills Champion.

Sue is the inventor of award winning HydroVeg Kits, which helps people grow veg at home using 70% less water than soil based growing, and grows 30% faster, taking up little garden space. She joined the FSB at the start of her business 6 years ago. She is an avid fan of the FSB and the support FSB has given to her as a small business particularly the help, support and guidance throughout the Covid 19 Lockdown periods. Sue won FSB “Start Up Business of the Year” in 2018 and went through to the National Finals representing the West Midlands. In 2018 she also won Coventry Telegraph “New Business of the Year” and won the Coventry Telegraph “Green Business of the Year” award in 2020.  

Sue said “I'm extremely proud and fortunate to have been appointed to this key role to both support and promote small businesses and the FSB. The FSB holds the same values as I do, and this was the reason for me joining as a member some years ago. I am passionate about promoting and supporting small independent businesses and I look forward to working with all our local members, to ensure we stay at the heart of the local debate and at the forefront of business policy decision-making.”

Sue will tackle key local business issues, leading a network of local volunteers and be part of wider FSB discussions throughout the UK. Sue will be working alongside Leamington based Rob Harrison, who has been appointed as FSB Policy Champion for the West Midlands, adding the line-up of the West Midlands representation on FSBs regional team.


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