Business leaders react to Enterprise Week claims
BUSINESS leaders have reacted to claims that the Conservatives are planning to abolish Enterprise Week, a festival that promotes entrepreneurship across the globe.
In a report in yesterday’s Financial Times, shadow enterprise minister Mark Prisk hinted that Enterprise Week 2009 - which began yesterday - could be the last in the UK.
Mr Prisk could not be contacted for comment.
Teesside University graduate Daniel Richmond, who launched online retail operation Tic Trading Ltd in 2007, praised the festival for showcasing entrepreneurial excellence and setting an example for budding Richard Bransons to follow.
Darlington man Mr Richmond, who is planning to grow his company into a multi-million pound business within five years, said: “You have to promote young entrepreneurs. They generate jobs locally.”
However others say entrepreneurial activity and wealth creation will continue in the region regardless of whether the festival is axed.
Mark Blayney, a business turnaround specialist who runs Turnaround Help and Creative Finance in Darlington, questioned whether the scheme made much of a difference.
He said: “As someone who runs a business, I’ve never heard of it. I haven’t been sitting around at home waiting for Enterprise Week to be announced before starting my business.”
Established in 2004, Enterprise Week last year became part of a wider global movement, Global Entrepreneurship Week, which takes place until Friday.
The organisation which runs the initiative, Enterprise UK, was founded by the British Chamber of Commerce, the Confederation of British Industry, the Institute of Directors and the Federation of Small Businesses.
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