Becky Phillips
Tenacity is led by Becky Phillips, a business studies graduate and three-time entrepreneur with over 30 years of local, national and international business management experience. Poole born and raised, Becky began working in hospitality at 13 before moving to London after graduating from Brunel University. Her early career spanned the London Tourist Board, hotel sales and event management, before discovering her passion for recruitment.
In 1998 she founded ESP Recruitment, an event-industry specialist agency, growing it to a £1m business with a team of 12. Committed to supporting the next generation, she regularly partnered with universities on employability and industry engagement. After 11 successful years, she moved to Dubai to open the company’s Middle East office, navigating the 2008 recession and ultimately establishing ESP as the region’s leading event recruitment agency. During this time, she also served as President of ILEA, leading a board, expanding membership and speaking internationally across India, Singapore, the US and Turkey.
Post-pandemic, Becky transitioned into the public sector as Strategic Lead for Dorset Careers Hub, managing a team of nine and delivering programmes that connected young people with the world of work. She gained invaluable insight into public-sector processes, funding, stakeholder management and project delivery, knowledge she now brings back into the small-business space.
After a life-affirming solo travel sabbatical in Australia and New Zealand, Becky joined Evolve Advisory, delivering start-up programmes, leadership development, coaching, mentoring and peer-group facilitation. Two years later, she returned to self-employment, bringing her career full circle.
Becky is at her best working with small business owners and leaders. Known for her relaxed professionalism, pragmatism and empathy, she quickly gets to the heart of challenges and turns barriers into opportunities. Her “back to basics, just do it” approach creates clarity, confidence and momentum, driving meaningful and lasting impact for both people and businesses.
