Ren’s passion to support equality through learning and providing opportunities has meant that she has been an advisor to Home Office, BEIS and the Cabinet Office. Other projects include supporting Syrian Refugees, Women and Girls in Business and Reducing the Reoffending rates. Ren has also championed policy changes and has four successes under her belt.
In 2013, Ren founded X-Forces Enterprise (XFE), the UK’s premier organisation for enterprise and start-up skills in the wider military community. She has held a lifelong passion for the Armed Forces and, in 2017, was appointed a Lt Col. in the Army Reserves.
In 2018, Ren formally took over the management of Soldiering On Awards which have since grown into a leading brand whose main aims are to Inspire, Connect and Elevate the talent from the Armed Forces Community. The Awards serve to recognise the outstanding achievements of those who have served their country, and the people and groups who work together within and alongside the Armed Forces Community.
A social entrepreneur, Ren has harnessed her experience to enable individuals and communities to support themselves and thrive through enterprise. In doing so she has brought together corporate, government, and charity stakeholders at the very highest levels.
May, 2024: appointed part-time as Director of Strategic Projects by the Federation of Small Businesses to support reducing economic inactivity and supply chain diversity.
January, 2024: appointed visiting professor at Anglia Ruskin University leading on enterprise and entrepreneurship.
2022: appointed to represent the small business community at the Office for Veterans Affairs, Cabinet Office.
2018: appointed the first ever volunteer Armed Forces Champion by the Federation of Small Businesses and sits on their Policy Team.
2017: joined the British Army Reserves with a specialism on Enterprise and Third Sector Orgs.
2016: awarded an MBE in the Queen’s 90th Birthday Honours List for service to Entrepreneurship.
2009: appointed National Champion for Business Administration and Finance by the Education Secretary working to bridge the gap between FTSE 500; Education and Young People.
Ren is a member of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Women in Enterprise on Education and Skills workstream.
The work and appointments Ren holds all lean towards supporting communities to prosper through enterprise and is keen advocate for social entrepreneurship.