Meet Jenn Crowther: The CEO Behind Yorkshire in Business

There's something quietly powerful about being guided by someone who has actually walked the path they're describing. Not someone who studied entrepreneurship from the outside, but someone who has built businesses, fought for high streets, supported thousands of founders, and still shows up every single day because they genuinely believe in what small business can do for a community.

That person, for us, is Jenn Crowther.

As our Chief Executive, Jenn is the driving force behind everything we do at Yorkshire in Business. We thought it was time you got to know her properly.

More Than 20 Years in the Making

Jenn didn't stumble into business support. She built her expertise over more than two decades, developing a deep understanding of what entrepreneurs actually need (not just what looks good on a programme brochure). That experience shapes how we operate as an organisation, with a focus on practical guidance, honest conversations, and real results.

She joined us as a Director in 2018 and has since led Yorkshire in Business through a significant period of growth and development. Under her leadership, we've strengthened our governance, expanded our programme delivery, and deepened our impact across the Yorkshire coast. Thousands of entrepreneurs have come through our doors for training, start-up support, workspace access, and specialist funded initiatives, including our involvement in a £1 million project focused on boosting women's participation in the workforce and entrepreneurship across York and North Yorkshire.

That's not small work. That's genuinely life-changing work for the people it reaches.

A Nationally Recognised Voice for Enterprise

Jenn's influence reaches well beyond Scarborough. She has served as a Director of the National Enterprise Network (NEN), where she helped shape national policy and champion frontline enterprise agencies across England. That role gave her a front-row seat to the bigger picture of how enterprise support functions at a national level, and she brought those insights back to strengthen what we do locally.

She also serves as a Trustee of Age UK York & North Moors, contributing to governance and strategic oversight and supporting the charity across finance and contracts. It's a role that reflects her broader commitment to community, not just business growth in isolation, but the full ecosystem of support that makes a place thrive.

Yorkshire in Business has received recognition through the National Enterprise Network Awards, and Jenn herself has been publicly acknowledged by prominent voices in the sector. Tony Robinson OBE has highlighted her role in helping create and grow multi-million-pound local businesses through dedicated, grass-roots enterprise support. That kind of recognition matters, but it's not what motivates her. The businesses that go on to succeed, the founders who find their confidence, the high streets that come back to life; those are the results she cares about.

Her Heart is in the High Street

In 2019, Jenn was awarded High Street Hero of the Year by the Great British High Street Awards. It was recognition of her hands-on work revitalising local high streets, supporting independent traders, and helping to build town centres that actually serve the people who live in them.

This isn't a side interest for her. It's woven into everything she does. We believe that strong local economies are built one independent business at a time, and Jenn's commitment to that idea has shaped our whole approach to enterprise support.

She's an Entrepreneur Herself

One of the reasons Jenn connects so well with the founders we support is that she is one herself. She founded Grind Coffee Shop in Scarborough and later co-founded its sister venue, Grind & Tonic, two independent hospitality businesses that reflect her values around quality, community, and creating spaces people genuinely love.

Running your own business while leading an enterprise agency gives you a perspective you simply can't get any other way. She understands the cash flow anxiety, the decision fatigue, the pride when something works, and the resilience required when it doesn't. That lived experience is present in every conversation, every programme, and every piece of advice that comes from our team.

Rooted in Scarborough, Shaped by Family

Jenn grew up in a large family where self-employment was the norm. Entrepreneurship wasn't a buzzword in her household; it was just how things worked. That upbringing gave her an instinctive understanding of what it means to back yourself, take a risk, and build something from scratch.

It's also why accessibility matters so much to her. Meaningful business support shouldn't be reserved for people who already have connections or capital. It should be available to anyone with the drive to build something, regardless of their background, sector, or starting point.

That's the mission she brings to Yorkshire in Business every single day.

What This Means for You

Whether you're thinking about starting a business, navigating a tricky growth phase, or simply trying to figure out your next move, you're in good hands with us. Our team brings over 100 years of combined experience to every advisory conversation, and our approach is always grounded in what's practical, honest, and tailored to where you actually are.

We're not here to sell you a generic plan or point you at a stack of theory. We're here to help you understand your market, sharpen your strategy, and build something that lasts.

If you're ready to take the next step, explore what we offer and get in touch with our team. We'd love to hear what you're building.