Bournemouth, Business | Posted on December 9th, 2025 | return to news

Bournemouth-based entrepreneur wins national award for SEND work

Nicole Bateman received the award for the achievements of her business, The Friendly SEND Advisor.

A Bournemouth-based entrepreneur and educator who helps children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) has received an award for her business, The Friendly SEND Advisor.

Nicole Bateman was named a winner of the prestigious Allica Bank Great British Entrepreneur Awards in the Early Stage Stand Out category.

Now in its 13th year, the Allica Bank Great British Entrepreneur Awards, often described as “The Grammys of Entrepreneurship” was held on Monday 17 November at London’s Grosvenor House. The ceremony brought together 1,350 industry leaders, innovators, and changemakers to celebrate the achievements of this year’s winners. The awards honour remarkable stories of entrepreneurial success, perseverance, and vision.

Bateman’s accolade recognises her entrepreneurial achievements, resilience, and the impact she has made in the children’s activities industry and community.

She founded The Friendly SEND Advisor to help professionals create environments where every child can feel included, and she hosts the podcast ‘Conversations with a SEND Mum’, sharing honest stories and practical insight from families navigating support systems.

After receiving her award, Bateman said: “I am so pleased to have won at the Great British Entrepreneur Awards, it means a lot to have my mission — to ensure that no child misses out on activities that they love — be recognised in the Early Stage Stand Out Category.

“Building up your business at the start is hard work, but I am so grateful that I have been able to run neuro-inclusion training for lots of great children’s activity providers in this first year as The Friendly SEND Advisor and I can’t wait to work with even more in 2026. “

Bateman offers in-person and online training for organisations around the UK that work with children and she has a CPD Certified Inclusive Activity Provider Training Course. She also offers consultancy services and downloadable toolkits with strategies via her website: www.nicolebateman.co.uk.