Our aim is to unlock the potential of individuals and organisations and to teach directors the art of running a board and operating strategically.

We achieve this by working with individuals and organisations to:

• Motivate, inspire and enthuse
• Generate new ideas and perspectives
• Maximise profit and performance
• Develop and implement strategy
• Enhance and grow networks
• Deliver results by spotting opportunities and exploiting them
• Drive business or ideas forward

The Actif Team

The Actif team of Consultants cover all areas of business operation from marketing to finance, and people to processes.

Our practical experience in a range of business and community sectors is underpinned by the latest research and thinking in our chosen areas of specialism and interest.

Meryl Dodd

Meryl Dodd is a passionate and innovative consultant and researcher renowned for her ability to enthuse, engage and network.

She established Actif in 1998, having been inspired to set up her own businesses while studying for an MA in Entrepreneurship.

Prior to starting up, Meryl was a Senior Lecturer at Newcastle Business School. She has also worked as a Community Development Worker, Management Consultant, Researcher, Administrator, Chambermaid, Foreign Language Teaching Assistant, behind bars and food counters, and as a shop assistant in BhS! Experiences she classes as an invaluable part of her entrepreneurial apprenticeship.

Meryl is renowned for her ability to network, often making connections that others don't see. She was nominated for and awarded the Women in Business Networker of the Year 2003 award for her networking skills and her support work in the North East

In addition to running Actif Meryl is a Visiting Fellow at the University of Teesside Business School, and a Visiting Lecturer at Durham Business School, the University of Strathclyde and the University of Sunderland

She is also Chair of Service Network, a membership organisation for professional business service providers, and a Director of the Northern Business Forum and Social Firms North East.

Meryl is also a keen sportswoman, and is delighted to be representing the business community on the Regional Olympic Forum.

Julie Taylor

Julie is a Project Manager with 12 years experience and a strong practical background in all levels of business development and marketing from strategy development to implementation, to branding and event organisation and project management.

Julie joined Actif in 2006 to assist in the running of the business and to operate as a Project Manager. Prior to this Julie worked for Faithful & Gould, cost consultants and project managers, as a PA and Office Manager, where she was responsible for office and operations management, working on tasks as diverse as managing contracts, health and safety and event management, corporate parties and large scale conferences. Julie was also responsible for client management of her own accounts, and was responsible for the office staff management.

Working with Actif has enabled Julie to utilise her project and process management skills in devising and implementing projects, programmes, and events, as well as allowing her to organise the business systems and process internally, to ensure more effective management and customer service.

Dr Eleanor Shaw

Eleanor Shaw is a senior lecturer in Marketing, Entrepreneurship and Research Methods in the Department of Marketing, University of Strathclyde and is a director of Actif.

She is a highly active researcher and has presented and published her work in the UK, France and America. She co-authored two significant pieces of work – ‘Unequal Entrepreneurs’ published by the Industrial Society and ‘Unsung Entrepreneurs: Entrepreneurship for Social Gain’, published by the Barclays Centre for Entrepreneurship.

Most recently Eleanor has completed a large research project with a major high street bank, evaluating the ways in which they approach risk assessment with diverse customer groups. She is currently working with the client to assess how their procedures and practices can be improved to take on board the findings of the research.

In addition to her academic duties Eleanor undertakes a variety of external research, delivery and consultancy projects and has worked with a number of small businesses and support organisations throughout the North East of England and Scotland. Recent clients include Community Enterprise in Strathclyde, People into Enterprise, Shaw Howarth Ltd, Social Firms North East and Dundee Voluntary Action.