Supporters
A number of the UK's most successful entrepreneurs and business people are supporting this year's Enterprising Britain competition. Find out why they got involved.
Peter Jones, Entrepreneur
"Enterprise is the key to the UK's future economic growth and success in today's global market. I have successfully managed to create my own businesses by adopting a 'can-do' attitude and ensuring that I never lose sight of the end goal. It is vital that we, as a nation, encourage people to believe in themselves and that we nurture their passion, drive and enthusiasm."The Enterprising Britain competition is a great opportunity to celebrate some of the enterprise success stories around the UK. It raises awareness of those peole who really have made a difference to their communities, and helped to create a more dynamic enterprise culture for everyone. The initiatives highlighted by the Enterprising Britain competition should be encouraged and supported as much as possible."
Tom Bloxham, Entrepreneur
“Enterprising Britain 2008 is a great way to showcase examples of communities and organisations that have used enterprise and innovation to revitalise the places where they live and work. Regenerating derelict or rundown areas can also act as a catalyst to create exciting and unlimited possibilities for change. At Urban Splash we aim to make real communities and lasting changes and we do it with our heart and soul. The Enterprising Britain competition is made up of people who share those values, people who work to inspire and create long term sustainable improvements in the lives of their own communities. It’s a great competition and I am very happy to give it my support.”Lynne Franks, Entrepreneur and Social Enterprise Ambassador
"Having started my own company at the age of 21 and never looked back, I know the personal value that entrepreneurship can bring. What's more, through my work encouraging entrepreneurship amongst women through the SEED programme, I have also seen the difference it can make to society and our economy as a whole."The Enterprising Britain competition is a great way of shining a spotlight on the best work going on around the country to make Britain a more enterprising place. As a competition judge, I'll be looking for examples of where enterprise has been key in regenerating a whole area, and has had a really positive impact on all aspects of the local community. I'm looking forward to seeing all the excellent examples out there."
Karren Brady, Managing Director, Birmingham City Football Club
"As the first woman managing director of a football club, and the youngest managing director of a UK PLC, I'm used to being seen as a pioneer. That's why I feel entrepreneurship is so important - every entrepreneur out there is a pioneer, breaking new ground in their own way, and overall making a major difference to our society and economy."The Enterprising Britain competition is a brilliant way of rewarding the places around the country that are making entrepreneurship possible, and revitalising themselves and their communities as a result. I wholly support the aims of the competition, and look forward to finding out where the winner will be in September!"
Simon Woodroffe, Founder of Yo! Sushi
"Britain has always been a nation of entrepreneurs from the spice traders of the 18th century to our colonial empire of the 19th century to the export of The Beatles and Mary Quant in the 20th century."We are entering a renaissance of entrepreneurialism now in the 21st century, and we hold in our hands a purse of creativity and invention that is inspiring young and old to break out of the manacles of traditional employment and live out the dreams of fulfilled lives through enterprise and self employment. Enterprising Britain rides this wave, that, fuelled by the following winds of government, television and a new popular culture that celebrates success and even allows and embraces failure, will take us crashing through the surf onto a glorius beach of personal and national pride and fulfillment."
Sarah Tremellen, Founder and CEO of Bravissimo
"I'd always liked the idea of setting up my own business but it wasn't until I was 27 and pregnant that I had the idea for Bravissimo. In just over ten years the company has grown from a mail order business run from my living room to a multi-channel retailer. It's been an amazing and enjoyable experience and I'd recommend it to anyone thinking of setting up on their own. If you've got an idea you are passionate about, go for it."It's because of what we've achieved through Bravissimo that I'm supporting the Enterprising Britain competition. By showcasing and rewarding those areas of the country that are really helping entrepreneurs get set up and grow, Enterprising Britain should really help us become even more entrepreneurial as a nation."
Nicola Benedetti, BBC Young Musician of the Year 2004
"My family have lived in West Kilbride for over 30 years now, and have loved it there. For me, regardless of how far away my music takes me, or how long I have been away, my strong desire to return home never changes. It is my home town, and I am so proud to be witnessing its transformation led by craft and design. Art has the power to do great things for a community, and I am honoured to be from a town, which is actively embracing this. Seeing the transformation that has taken place at a local level is a perfect example of why entrepreneurship is so important and it proves that enterprise really makes a difference to our society and economy. "I am both delighted and proud that West Kilbride Craft and Design Town was named Enterprising Britain winner 2006.The Enterprising Britain competition is a brilliant way of rewarding the places around the country that are making entrepreneurship possible, and revitalising themselves and their communities as a result. I wholly support the aims of the competition, and look forward to finding out where the winner of Enterprising Britain 2007 will be."
James Murray Wells, Glasses Direct
“Enterprise is vital to the success of the British economy. As a nation we are blessed with a plentiful supply of creativity and innovation, but it is important that we trust our instincts and have the confidence to turn our ideas into tangible entrepreneurial ventures.
“That’s why initiatives like Enterprising Britain are so important. By showcasing successful enterprises from across the UK, the competition inspires other projects and organisations to take the plunge, have faith in their ideas and start putting their business plans into action.
“I strongly believe that through initiatives like Enterprising Britain we can raise the profile of enterprise in the UK and begin to create a more dynamic and colourful enterprise culture that can be enjoyed by everyone.”
Read more about James in Make Your Mark's inspiring stories section
Justin Ryan and Colin McAllister, interior designers and TV presenters
"Today, the UK is bursting with all the creative spirit, innovation and passion needed to produce successful entrepreneurial ventures – often all we need is a small nudge of encouragement along the way."That’s why initiatives like Enterprising Britain are so essential; by showcasing entrepreneurial communities from across the UK others will be motivated to take the plunge, have confidence in their ideas and develop them into tangible, successful projects.
"As fellow designers, we are especially pleased that last year’s Enterprising Britain crown went to the West Kilbride Craft and Design Town, a project which has injected a new lease of life into the community by attracting and supporting creative and art-based businesses."
Wilfred Emmanuel-Jones, farmer and entrepreneur
“As someone who has been able to realise their lifelong ambition by starting a successful farming business, I am really pleased to be a national judge in this year’s Enterprising Britain competition. Being a farmer requires a range of entrepreneurial skills and I look forward to finding out how such qualities have been used to create jobs and opportunities - in many cases reviving whole communities in the process."From my own experience of mentoring young people, I strongly believe in the power of leading by example and I hope that the winning areas this year inspire more people to transform their communities through enterprise and innovation.”