The search for the UKís most enterprising place kicked off today, with the launch of Enterprising Britain 2008. Now entering its fourth year, Enterprising Britain shines a spotlight on areas of enterprise excellence from across the UK; those places that have helped transform the social and economic fortunes of their community.
Shriti Vadera, Minister for Business and Competitiveness for the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (BERR), visited Port Vale Football Club Enterprise Centre as part of her visit to North Staffordshire to officially launch the Enterprising Britain 2008 competition. The Enterprise Centre is a fitting venue because it is one of the many exciting enterprise initiatives made possible by 2007ís Enterprising Britain winner, North Staffordshire Regeneration Zone (NSRZ).
Enterprising Britain is run by Make Your Mark on behalf of BERR and in close partnership with the Regional Development Agencies (RDAs) and the Devolved Administrations of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, and it is a key part of the Governmentís drive to increase rates of entrepreneurial activity in the UK.
Having suffered an irreversible decline in their traditional industries, last yearís national Enterprising Britain winner, NSRZ, helped reverse the economic decline of the area by setting up various innovative enterprise initiatives. As well as supporting over 500 new start-up businesses, and helping to create more than 1,000 new jobs, NSRZ, set up numerous enterprise education projects, including a ìliveî fruit trading floor game for primary school students that teaches the basics of profit and loss.
Shriti Vadera said: ìEnterprise, especially small businesses, start ups and growing companies are the heart of the UKís economy. I support this grass-roots campaign, which identifies and celebrates the regions where enterprise has created jobs, brought communities together and made a real difference to local business and local people.î
James Capper, Enterprise and Innovation Strategy Manager, North Staffordshire Regeneration Zone, Enterprising Britain 2007 winner said: ìWinning Enterprising Britain in 2007 was an incredible achievement and we are extremely honoured to be hosting the launch of the 2008 competition. Through passion, drive and sheer determination, the North Staffordshire Regeneration Zone transformed the area from the worst place in the country to start a business into a hotbed of enterprise activity; a feat that I hope will inspire other communities to set up enterprise initiatives that will benefit them and the next generation.î
Peter Jones, entrepreneur and Enterprising Britain 2008 judge, added: ìAs an Enterprising Britain judge, I have been extremely impressed by the strength, determination and innovative thinking demonstrated by those people who have used enterprise to transform the social and economic fortunes of their community. The Enterprising Britain competition is a great chance for enterprise success stories from across the UK to shine - I am really looking forward to finding out what 2008 holds in store.î
The regional heats for the competition will run from 18 February 2008 to 31 May 2008 and projects can enter via their local Regional Development Agency or Devolved Administration.
For more information about Enterprising Britain 2008 and how to enter, please visit
Search is on for UKís most enterprising place
.
