enterprise
enterprise
in tHe Air.
[COntinUeD]
Pressure Technologies now exports around 90 per cent of its output Week, which is supported by Yorkshire Forward and the Young
and has command of the supply chain. Hayward puts the company’s People’s Enterprise Forum – the organisation created to inspire
success down to his team’s innovation and ideas and advice, and equity youngsters in business. One highlight was the Real Business
investment through the South Yorkshire Investment Fund from Challenge, a competition won this year by enterprising youngsters
Yorkshire Forward when Hayward and other managers bought out a from Brigshaw High School in Castleford. They created a new
division of Chesterfield Cylinders in 2004. “Yorkshire Forward were soft drink for the 2012 Olympics in the contest supported by
brilliant, they gave us the advice and the equity investment through the Coca-Cola Enterprises.
South Yorkshire Investment Fund to buy the company and modernise The event, now in its fourth year, began with 82 schools from
it. We have since then increased the turnover six-fold.” across Yorkshire and Humber submitting a presentation pitch
to launch the Olympics in Yorkshire. McWhirter is keen to add:
EMBEDDING THE CULTURE OF ENTERPRISE
“Of course, enterprise takes place 52 weeks of the year – not
Alex McWhirter, assistant director – business at Yorkshire Forward,
just during Enterprise Week.”
outlines how enterprise is being encouraged in Yorkshire and Humber:
“Firstly, there is the cultural embedding of the concept of enterprise in ADVICE ON HAND
everyone, particularly the young, which starts as early as primary The second part of the enterprise agenda involves giving
school pupils. Secondly, it is about giving people the right advice and would-be entrepreneurs advice and support, which is where
support when they start off. Thirdly, it is about helping people access Business Link has a crucial role, as Jules O’Dor, director of
suitable finance.” enterprise services for Business Link Yorkshire, explains:
Going back to the first, a scheme in Rotherham is taking the concept “We have a dedicated team of 50 business advisors in our
of enterprise education to new levels. Backed by £1.4 million of customer information centre, so if people call for any advice
funding from main sponsors Yorkshire Forward, Rotherham Ready surrounding starting a business we can get them off to a good
involves all Rotherham schools and colleges and aims to engage all start. Our advisers take calls from right across Yorkshire and
young people, aged four to 19, in developing enterprise skills. Humber and offer practical advice, business information and
The programme is breaking new ground in business engagement, the key support needed to help businesses along the way.
developing personal skills such as creativity and risk management and Our events team also operates in the centre and can book
opening young people’s eyes to the diversity of enterprise. Rotherham entrepreneurs and businesses onto a wide variety of free
Ready has been so successful that the model has now been rolled out workshops and seminars which can help them to focus on their
to Hull, with other areas to follow. business issues. If more support is needed, we have a team of
Young people were also the focus of the November Enterprise business advisors that meet with businesses one to one to discuss
infOrm JANUARY 2009 pAge 16
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