Business Person of the Year - Finalist Alison Knowles

Business Person of the Year award.

Ali Knowles has been named as one of the finalists for Business Person of the Year in the Cambridge Business Awards 2024.  

Ali left school at about 15 with little ability to read or write as she has dyslexia.  Ali did it tough but through building on her key strengths she made it to the top of her then career in commercial sales within the demolition industry. 

After having been made redundant several times she decided to follow her passion to help others be the best version of themselves and trained to be a therapist.  Initially, she just worked privately before launching Ollie, training people in our therapeutic model to become Ollie Coaches.

"It's a huge pat on the back to be recognised for our groundbreaking work in mental health," says Ali "and as a lass who is neurodivergent and left school with no qualifications, it's pretty special to be shortlisted for an award that will be presented in the hallowed grounds of King's College."  

Ali trains people from all backgrounds to become Ollie Coaches (emotional well-therapists).  And the company also provides emotional well-being services to schools, and organisations working with children and young people to help regulate their emotions and also to train staff to better support the children in their care.  The company has also just run a successful NHS trial supporting patients who were highlighted as having mental health issues.

The award will be presented on the 26th September at a function held in the Great Hall, King's College, Cambridge.