With small businesses making up an overwhelming
majority of all businesses in the UK, this council
brings together representatives from SMEs and start-ups
to provide their unique perspective on how companies
can invest, grow and succeed.
The Prime Minister heard from the co-chairs, James
(CEO of Timpsons), Brent
Hoberman (Co-Founder and Chairman of Founders’ Factory)
and Emma Jones (Founder of Enterprise Nation) on
progress since the council’s inaugural meeting in March
and the opportunities ahead.
The council began with a focus on how to encourage and
support small businesses to go global and scale-up
internationally.
They discussed boosting the competitiveness of the UK’s
tech sector and accelerating technological innovation,
alongside government’s role in attracting young people
to this industry and encouraging entrepreneurship as a
career choice.
The council also welcomed discussions on how smaller
companies can create a rewarding work-place culture and
encourage corporate social responsibility and
philanthropy.
The Small Business, Scale ups and Entrepreneurs
Business Council meets three times a year. Work on the
issues discussed is ongoing and they will meet again
later this year to take forward their proposals in
further detail.
Council members:
-
Emma Jones, Enterprise Nation
-
James Timpson, Timpson
-
Brent Hoberman, Founders’ Factory
-
Stan Boland, FiveAI
-
Mike Cherry, FSB
-
Ben Francis, Gymshark
-
Amit Gudka, Bulb
-
, TownSquare
-
Grainne Kelly, Bubblebum
-
Alastair Lukies, Motive Partners
-
John Roberts, AO.com
-
Richard Walker, Iceland
-
Sherry Coutu, Founders4Schools and ScaleUp
Institute
-
Karen Friendship, Aldermans
-
Matthew Moulding, The Hut Group
-
Rebecca Pick, Pick Protection
