Sirius closes after 27 years - but its enterprise legacy will power FEO’s future support for entrepreneurs

Hull and East Yorkshire business-support agency hands its legacy to FEO after helping an estimated 5,000 local businesses.

After 27 years supporting entrepreneurs across Hull and East Yorkshire, Sirius is closing - but its commitment to helping local people start, sustain and grow businesses will continue through a legacy donation with For Entrepreneurs Only (FEO).

Founded by BP Chemicals at Saltend in 1999, Sirius has chosen FEO to carry forward its mission through mentoring, events, peer-led support and a new generation of practical resources for entrepreneurs.

Sirius has supported an estimated 5,000 businesses during its lifetime, helping people move into self-employment, launch ventures, access finance, overcome challenges and create jobs. Its active clients will now be welcomed into FEO’s wider community, with access to business programmes, guest-speaker events and further support opportunities.

The legacy donation will enable FEO to develop interactive business toolkits, flexible learning, podcasts and vodcasts featuring local entrepreneurs, and AI-enabled guidance informed by FEO’s collective expertise.

Digital Resources

The new resources will provide 24/7 access to practical information and guidance, helping people at different stages of their business journey - from developing an initial idea to addressing day-to-day challenges and planning for growth.

They will complement, rather than replace, the personal contact that has always been central to effective entrepreneurship support: mentors, entrepreneur-led events, peer learning and conversations with members who volunteer their time to support entrepreneurs.

Resources developed through the donation will carry Sirius Legacy branding, ensuring the organisation’s name remains associated with enterprise, opportunity and local economic growth.

Sirius was originally created to encourage entrepreneurship and generate local employment following changes at BP Chemicals’ Saltend site. What began as a three-year initiative developed into a 27-year commitment to local enterprise, providing one-to-one advice, mentoring, business planning support, training and access to fair finance.

Mark Stageman, Chair of Sirius, said: “After 27 years of supporting job creation and businesses in the Hull and East Riding area, Sirius is pleased that its legacy will continue through a donation to FEO.

“This will be used to enhance FEO’s digital platforms and other entrepreneurial business-support initiatives.”

Alan Gordon-Freeman, Chief Executive of Sirius, said: “Sirius was created to help local people create opportunities for themselves, build businesses and generate employment in Hull and East Yorkshire.

“The greatest satisfaction has always come from seeing people succeed - meeting someone years later and hearing that they have taken on new premises, created jobs or built a thriving business.

“We are closing Sirius, but we are immensely proud of the difference it has made since 1999. Our mission has always been to make practical business advice, ongoing support and fair finance accessible to local entrepreneurs.

“FEO will now take up the baton, and I am confident it will continue Sirius’s commitment to giving local entrepreneurs the support, confidence and opportunities they need to achieve a brighter future.

“Starting and running a business can be difficult and, at times, lonely. It is important that people have somewhere trusted to turn when they have a problem, an opportunity or simply need someone to help them think through their next step. FEO is well placed to provide that support long into the future.”

David Hall, Chair of the Board of Directors of FEO, said: “We are honoured that Sirius has chosen FEO to carry forward its enterprise legacy.

“Over nearly three decades, Sirius has helped people turn ideas into livelihoods, overcome barriers, build confidence and create businesses that support themselves, their families and the wider local economy.

“This legacy donation will help FEO expand the way people can access business support. Some entrepreneurs will want to attend an event, speak to a mentor or learn alongside peers. Others may need a useful resource late at night, a structured toolkit to test an idea, or guidance that fits around employment, family life or the demands of running a business.

“By combining new tools with human experience, mentoring and peer connection, we can help more people take their next step with confidence.”