Chamber member, Lisa Edge, founder of GB Shared, the UK’s first sustainable marketplace and supply chain register, has been honoured with a prestigious accolade for her ground-breaking contributions to business sustainability. The recognition, which will be permanently displayed at the University Centre of Blackburn College, celebrates her innovative approach to connecting businesses, promoting sustainability, and driving positive change across the UK.
In 2016, Lisa Edge made the bold decision to leave her career in the public sector and pursue a vision of creating a responsible business model that would connect local companies and centralise regional resources. The result was Lancashare—the first platform under GB Shared, designed with the philosophy of “sharing, not shire’ing.” This initiative encouraged businesses across Lancashire to join a membership-based platform where they could share job opportunities, news, events, funding, tenders, and more—all in one central, accessible place.
“Sharing is at the heart of what we do,” says Lisa. “We wanted to create a space where businesses could contribute, connect, and thrive together. It’s not just about transactions, but about collaboration and building sustainable local economies.”
The success of Lancashare was immediate. Within a year, the platform earned multiple awards, became a Northern Powerhouse partner, and expanded into new regions including Manchester, Cumbria, and Yorkshire. As GB Shared continued to grow, Lisa recognised the potential for even greater impact. In response to the challenges young people faced during the pandemic in 2020, GB Shared launched a national youth platform with funding from Innovate UK, allowing businesses to share career opportunities with future generations free of charge.
By 2023, the platform had expanded to cover nine counties, with businesses reporting significant sustainable impact, including increased local employment and strengthened local supply chains. GB Shared also introduced an optional global sustainability accreditation, helping members measure and demonstrate their sustainable practices, moving them toward a greener future.
One of the key turning points in Lisa’s journey came in 2023 when she won the Women in Innovation award. This recognition enabled GB Shared to rebuild its platform with national capabilities, addressing a critical market gap: the lack of a sustainable supply chain to meet the UK Government’s new Procurement Act, which requires sustainable procurement practices.
Lisa’s entrepreneurial journey is one of resilience and passion. Despite leaving school without formal qualifications and starting a family at a young age, she has successfully navigated the challenges of building a business while raising her children and serving as a foster carer. “Receiving this recognition today means so much to me,” Lisa reflects. “I hope it inspires others to realise that it doesn’t matter where you start. With determination, you can build something that truly makes a difference.”
The recognition will be formally placed at the University Centre of Blackburn College, serving as a source of inspiration for future generations of students and entrepreneurs alike.
