Joe Lewandowski

Joe Lewandowski is the Director of the London SME Centre, Chief Executive of the East London sub-regional Chamber of Commerce (London East Chambers Partnership) and Chair of the London East Excellence Network.  Joe has considerable 'hands on experience' of SME development within local and sub-regional urban regeneration programmes, both in the UK and in mainland Europe.  He has worked with intermediary agencies in developing their capacity to provide an effective service offer to companies.  His particular areas of interest include: BME SME development, the role of business in urban regeneration and social sustainability, new media cluster and peer-driven business growth, social economic enterprises and the use of the EFQM Business Excellence Model in business development.  Joe is an Assessor for the EFQM European Excellence Award.  He is also currently a 'virtual secondee' to the EFQM, overseeing a number of projects and development areas on behalf of the EFQM.

Over recent years Joe has run two SRB, three ADAPT, three ESF and two LSC funded programmes and worked with two Phase 2 New Deal for Communities programmes.  In the latter case he had responsibility, working with the community and professional partners, for the production of the Business Plans, resulting in the capture of £53m and £58m of funding.    Joe has maintained his interest in community development and is currently a facilitator for the Renewal Academy, providing training and development for professionals and community activists involve in the urban renewal agenda.