As the managing director of BusinessLodge Stoke, Kate Holt oversaw the purchase and transformation of a former Npower building into high-spec serviced offices with an on-site gym.

The Staffordshire University Sports and Leisure Management alumni previously established and grew four similar developments in Bury, Lancashire, but had never forgotten her student days in Stoke-on-Trent and saw the opportunity to do something similar in the city.

In 2019 Kate headed up the project to convert Trent House in Stoke-on-Trent and is responsible for building a professional, friendly team who aim to go the extra mile for their clients at the Stoke-on-Trent and Bury sites.

Another BusinessLodge is being planned for the North West and Kate is also actively looking for a second Stoke-on-Trent building.

She said: “Working in Stoke-on-Trent is a bit like coming home. It’s lovely, a really nice warm feeling. I’m really proud to be based here again.

“The friendliness of the people is one of the reasons we expanded into Stoke-on-Trent. The way the business community has welcomed us has been incredible. People were delighted we were investing in the area and really supported us.”

Kate and her team ensure their clients are fully supported and each treated according to their bespoke needs as they grow, take on flexible working, move to larger accommodation or downsize. They range from a dog-walking company to an international gym equipment supply business.

The team organise social events, networking sessions and charity fundraisers for businesses based at the offices.

BusinessLodge Stoke won the Excellence in Customer Services Award (Midlands) and BusinessLodge Bury won the same award for the North at the 2022 FlexSA – Flexible Space Association Awards in November.

Now Kate has entered the Entrepreneur of the Year and Alumni Business Person of the Year categories of the Staffordshire University Business Awards.