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Furness named the most enterprising area in England’s Northwest

Furness Enterprise is now one step closer to claiming a National and European title after being named the most enterprising area in England’s Northwest, winning the regional round of Enterprising Britain 2008.

Earlier this year the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA), the Institute of Directors (IoD), Confederation of British Industry (CBI) and Ethnic Minority Business Forum North West, commenced their search to find the project or organisation in the Northwest that has helped transform a community and lead to improved economic prospects for the area.

Furness Enterprise wowed the judges with their desire to drive the development of Furness towards a stronger and more balanced economic structure, its positive contribution to the local community and opportunities for the future. The Judges also commented on the project’s successful focus on encouraging enterprise amongst young people that has resulted in more graduates and young entrepreneurs staying in, and returning to, the area.

Winning the regional heat will mean that Furness Enterprise becomes eligible for a grant of up to £50,000 from the NWDA to further develop its enterprise activity.

As the Northwest winner the organisation will represent the region at the national final in October 2008, providing a further opportunity to lead the UK in a European final at the European Enterprise Awards in May 2009.

Furness Enterprise and the 11 other regional winners will now be visited by members of the national judging panel over the summer with the national winner being announced at the awards event final.

Mark Hughes, Director of Enterprise Innovation and Skills of the NWDA, said:

“Furness Enterprise has clearly demonstrated a keen commitment to raising the economic capabilities of the area, looking to the future and driving forward regeneration.

“The Enterprising Britain Awards help to strengthen the enterprise culture in the UK by raising the profile of enterprise at a local, national and international level. The highly competitive nature of the regional awards establish an entrepreneurial spirit, provide examples of best practice and boost development on an individual and community scale.”

Harry Knowles, Chief Executive at Furness Enterprise said:

“On behalf of everyone at Furness Enterprise we are honoured to be presented with this award, which celebrates the organisation’s role in rejuvenating the area’s enterprise culture. We recognise the importance of such an award and are delighted to be given the opportunity to represent England’s Northwest on a national level.”

Enterprising Britain 2008 is run by the Department for Trade and Industry’s Small Business Service in partnership with the Regional Development Agencies and Devolved Administrations to identify enterprise champions, places that have created jobs, brought communities together, and made a real difference to local businesses and local people.

For more information about Enterprising Britain 2008 go to www.enterprisingbritain.org

Friday is the big day

Claire Dove, national Judge of the Enterprising Britain competition, will be arriving in Furness in less than 48 hours and Furness Enterprise is making all the final preparations to give her a warm and enterprising welcome.

Claire is a successful entrepreneur who runs Blackburne House, a leading social enterprise in Merseyside. She is also a member of the national judging panel for the Enterprising Britain Competition and she’ll be visiting on Friday to find out how Furness has achieved results through the ‘Encouraging Entrepreneurship in Furness’ project.

Arriving in Barrow-in-Furness at 11am, Claire’s first visit will be to Walney School, where she will meet Deputy Head, Helen Collis, who is taking the opportunity of the visit to launch a new enterprise scheme for students. Claire will have opportunity to meet John Duffin who also happens to be visiting the school that morning to offer his secrets to creative success. From Walney School, it’s off to Signal Films to meet a number of up-and-coming film editors and producers, as well as to view film footage of all the enterprising activity underway in Furness.

From there, Claire and her delegation will be escorted to the newly refurbished Duke of Edinburgh Hotel to meet with young entrepreneurs, local employers and representatives from public and regeneration bodies.

By the time she leaves town at 3pm, Claire will have had a true feel for Furness in an itinerary that brings the area’s competition entry to life.

We have had great support from the North West Evening Mail and we’d love to see your support too. To offer your comment on the area’s bid to become the most enterprising place in the UK, please post here.

John Barker, Furness Enterprise

Posted by Phil Powell on 4th June