Partner Article

Search on for North East enterprise champions

North East locations have only two weeks left to get in the running to be crowned the UK’s most enterprising place.

Business Minister Lord Mandelson is calling for ‘hotspots of innovation’ to enter the Enterprising Britain 2009 competition and have their efforts recognised on a national scale.

The Enterprising Britain competition aims to reward villages, towns, cities, and neighbourhoods which have what it terms ‘enterprise excellence’.

Lord Mandelson said: “Enterprise is a long-term investment for the future and crucial for success in the current economic climate. In a downturn, it is more important than ever that entrepreneurs are supported and have the confidence they need to develop their ideas.

“Enterprising Britain allows communities to share their experiences of innovation, inspire others and drive forward enterprise.”

The winner of last year’s national Enterprising Britain competition was Scarborough, where seasonal unemployment has been stamped out, new industry sectors created and more than £200m of private sector investment attracted.

Last year, Tynedale Enterprise Network was named the North East’s most enterprising place before going on to compete in the national final.

Tim Pain, One North East Head of Business, Enterprise and Skills, said: “Now more than ever, we need to tap into examples of what is working in places across the North East supporting, encouraging and maintaining enterprise.

“Entering the Enterprising Britain competition is the chance to shout about achievements and to ensure that other small and medium sized businesses, communities and enterprise projects can learn from success.

“The competition helps highlight and spread best practice in enterprise across the UK and I would encourage all the innovative projects out there that have used entrepreneurial spirit to make the North East a better place to live and work, to enter and have a chance at being crowned the UK’s enterprise champion.”

More information can be found at www.makeyourmark.org.uk/enterprisingbritain.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .