The search is on to find the next enterprise champions

The search is on to find the UKís enterprise champions, with the launch of the DTIís Enterprising Britain 2007 competition. This yearís competition was launched by Industry and Regions Minister Margaret Hodge from West Kilbride, the winner of last yearís hotly contested competition.

The competition, a key part of the Governmentís drive to increase entrepreneurship in the UK, identifies areas of enterprise excellence: those places that have created jobs, brought communities together, and made a real difference to local businesses and local people.

Margaret Hodge said:

ìThere are cities, towns and communities throughout the country that have placed enterprise at their heart and helped make Britain a better place to live and work. Enterprising Britain is a great chance to celebrate this.

ìI encourage all those innovative projects out there that have used the spirit of enterprise to make a difference to peopleís lives to enter this yearís competition and have a chance to be crowned the UKís enterprise champion.î

Twelve regional winners will be selected in competitions run by Regional Development Agencies and Devolved Administrations around the country over the next four months. In September a panel of expert judges will select a national winner from the regional finalists and the winner of Enterprising Britain 2007 will be announced. The overall UK winner will then represent the UK in the European Enterprise Awards at the end of the year.

National competition judge, Lynne Franks, entrepreneur and social enterprise ambassador added:

ìHaving been involved with Enterprising Britain since it began in 2004, I have been thoroughly impressed with the innovative projects that have made a significant impact to the UKís economy and have created a ìcan doî attitude in society.

ìIt is a pleasure to recognise and reward these initiatives that have worked together, pooled resources and created sustainable communities. Iíll be looking for examples where enterprise has been key in regenerating a whole area, and has had a really positive impact on all aspects of the local community. Iím looking forward to seeing all the excellent examples out there.î

Enterprising Britain 2006 winner, West Kilbride, managed to overcome above average unemployment and a town centre blighted by empty and unkempt shops by using a specialised theme to revitalise and transform itself into a thriving community.

The regional heats for the competition will run from 31 January to 31 May and projects can enter via their local Regional Development Agency, the Welsh Development Agency, Invest Northern Ireland or Scottish Enterprise.