In Bournemouth, a new generation of business leaders is emerging with fresh ideas and a sustainable mindset — and Elliot Hyams is helping guide the way. As director of SPS Pouches Ltd and co-founder of the NextGen Leaders Network, Hyams is offering calm, clear leadership to support the growth of UK SMEs navigating economic uncertainty and environmental responsibility.
The NextGen Leaders Network, launched in collaboration with the Bournemouth Chamber of Trade & Commerce, is drawing attention for its grounded, no-nonsense approach to business growth. At its latest event in May at Neo, attendees included startup founders, young directors, and solo entrepreneurs all seeking strategic leadership built on purpose, not performance.
“There’s a huge appetite for new young leadership,” Hyams says. “People are tired of the showmanship surrounding entrepreneurship and networking — the chasing, the stress, the image. They want to build things that work, with good people surrounding them.”
At SPS Pouches, Hyams also works hands-on with SMEs to transition to eco-friendly pouch packaging solutions — providing insights on how to meet sustainability targets without sacrificing cost-efficiency or design standards. His approach, as outlined in the British Plastics Federation, focuses on removing misconceptions that often prevent smaller companies from going green.
Whether helping a startup founder map out next steps or guiding businesses through packaging innovation, Hyams offers a steady, thoughtful style of leadership. As sustainability regulations tighten and financial pressures increase, initiatives like NextGen are becoming key to building resilient, forward-looking businesses in the UK.
