Petra Eddison

First Enterprise

With over 15 years of experience across international business development, partnerships, and enterprise support, I specialise in building commercial relationships, leading teams, and helping organisations grow.

As co-founder of an international education consultancy, I scaled the business to £1m+ turnover in year 3 by leading business operations in the UK and Middle East, negotiating contracts with over 100 UK universities and securing 800+ student placements across the UK market. As International Business Development Manager at the University of Derby, I grew international student recruitment by 30% in the first year through strategic partnership development across the MENA region and Hong Kong.

In my current role, I work directly with founders and SME owners, helping them simplify their business planning, build realistic financial forecasts and cash flow models, and access funding. To this date, I have supported over 250 businesses and facilitated access to more than £2.5m in business finance.

I am a commercially focused leader who works best in roles that combine partnership development with people management, building and developing teams while maintaining direct responsibility for commercial relationships and outcomes.

Currently completing an MBA with a Psychology specialism at Sheffield Hallam University, further developing my expertise in organisational leadership and strategy.

Open to senior partnerships, business development, enterprise management or general management roles -hybrid or remote across the UK