Tony Robinson OBE

Tony Robinson OBE is a British business speaker, author, entrepreneur, and advocate for micro-enterprise. Robinson has promoted best practices in enterprise skills and small business support nationally and internationally for more than two decades. As a multiple founder and business owner since the mid-1980s, his career includes executive roles in multinational corporations, where he became a CEO by age 31, followed by a series of entrepreneurial ventures. Robinson has spent nearly four decades supporting small businesses in the United Kingdom, building on his experience in senior corporate positions.

Robinson was honored with an OBE for services to small firms and training. He founded SFEDI Group, the Sector Skills Body for Enterprise, which includes the Institute of Enterprise and Entrepreneurs. Robinson is also the co-founder, with Tina Boden, of #MicroBizMatters Day, an annual global event that engages millions of participants both online and offline in recognition, action, and learning for micro-businesses. He later co-founded The Micro Business Alliance, an organization representing more than 1.5 million micro business owners and 4 million indirectly. Robinson has focused on addressing the unique challenges faced by micro-businesses, defined as those with zero to nine employees, which are often overlooked by guidelines targeting SMEs.

Robinson developed the business philosophy of Happipreneurship, featured in the book "The Happipreneur," co-authored with Taryn Lee Johnston. Together, Robinson and Johnston updated the philosophy and business principles inspired by Schumacher's influential work, "Small is Beautiful," emphasizing enterprise with a human focus. In addition to co-writing "The Happipreneur," Robinson has authored seven business books, three fictional satires including "Freedom from Bosses Forever" and "A Perfect Little Gift" (both available on Audible), and the novella "Loose Cannon." His creative work also includes the satirical book "20/20 Visionaries: Dead Celebrity Interviews," which blends humor with critique to explore contemporary dilemmas.

Robinson has received lifetime achievement awards for enterprise from the IAB and Start Your Business Magazine, as well as the National Enterprise Network's Enterprise Support Champion Award and the Hull City Council Youth Enterprise Champion Award. He is regularly recognized among the top 100 UK influencers in entrepreneurship. As a corporate speaker, campaigner, and writer on leadership, workplace culture, enterprise, and entrepreneurship, Robinson draws on decades of experience. He is the founder of EntrepreneursUK.com and chair of Yorkshire in Business Limited. His advocacy includes the #PayIn30Days initiative and a directorship with the National Organisation for Responsible Businesses. Robinson's work emphasizes that enterprise is fundamentally about people, purpose, and the willingness to pursue independent paths.