
SMALL BUSINESS
AMBASSADOR
Dean is the Small Business Ambassador for the South East Region and is actively engaged with small businesses, founders and entrepreneurs to hear your views on issues, opportunities and ideas for post-COVID recovery.
Small Business Ambassador
Dean has been appointed as a regional Small Business Ambassador.
The scheme was unveiled to mark Small Business Saturday in 2020 to enable MPs to be a voice to enterprises and help shape crucial government policy.
Dean is one of twelve Members of Parliament hand-picked to represent Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and every English region. The team is designed to bring a wide range of experience and represents every region, reinforcing the commitment to level up across the country.
Dean wants to hear from small businesses across Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire and Essex to join roundtables and engage to inform government policy.
When you get in touch, Dean can provide insights into local activities including opportunities for roundtables to engage directly with policy makers and share yours views on your industry or sector.
To find out more about roundtables in your area or how Dean can help you as a Small Business Ambassador, email Dean at:

Small Business Minister Visits Watford
Paul Scully, the Minister for Small Business was in Watford with Dean Russell to see how messaging service WhatsApp are helping local businesses creatively use their app.
The visit marked the launch of the UK’s first “WhatsApp High Street” on Market Street.
WhatsApp is delivering a bespoke training programme on the WhatsApp Business App for local small businesses, to help them navigate the ongoing challenges posed by the pandemic, including social distancing and customer retention.
Following the visot Dean commented: “It’s great to see small businesses in Watford using WhatsApp Business. This partnership is a great way of supporting small businesses and our High Streets and local economies. Market Street is home to a wonderful variety of local businesses, and it is fantastic that they have a new tool to help them engage with their customers and grow their business.”
Put
Dean
on your Team
Would you like to put your local MP to work on a shift in your school, business or charity?
'Put Dean On Your Team' does what it says on the tin! Get Dean to join a shift with your team and help promote your work.
From serving customers to filing documents, doing a spot of cleaning to helping load your van, no job is out of bounds.
Get in touch to 'Put Dean On Your Team'.
Dean is actively involved in the community and is leading local and national campaigns and initiatives to make a difference for people across Watford and around the UK. Use the links below to find out more. If you don't see something important to you, let Dean know via a quick community survey here.
Funding For
Watford General
Find out about Dean's successful lobbying for £400m funding for West Herts Hospital Trust.
Infrastructure &Transport
From Woodmere Avenue to local infrastructure and transport. Find out about Dean's local work.
Mental Health
& Wellbeing
Find out Dean's plans for mental health & wellbeing across our town.
Safe Streets &
Fighting Crime
Find out about Dean's work to put victims first, tackle crime and ensure our streets are safe.
Tackling Homelessness
Dean has helped secure over £4m to end homelessness in Watford.
Education, Skills & Jobs
Find out about the latest initiatives for skills and jobs from kickstarter schemes to training.
Environment & Waste
Join Dean in ending the use of single use plastic and waste across Watford.
Share Your Views
What are your priorities? Dean wants to hear your views, complete this quick survey now.