Hull's Youth Enterprise Bank, supported by Hull City Council, is a Finalist in the Entrepreneurs Champion of the Year section of the GB Entrepreneurs Awards 2014, and winners will be announced on Wednesday 19th November at Old Billingsgate in London. There are 20 different categories to support entrepreneurs and entrepreneurship across the country – over 60 different entrepreneurs and organisations have been shortlisted in these awards
The winner of the Entrepreneurs Champion section will be an individual or organisation that encourages, nurtures and provides solutions to entrepreneurs and their businesses, and that can demonstrate clear examples of assisting British entrepreneurs in their development.
The Youth Enterprise Bank was founded in 2003 following consultation with young people on what support they needed to realise their enterprising idea, in the 11 years of its operation it has supported over 330 enterprising young people within Hull and the East Riding area with a grant and access to a mentor. Three years ago it received £60,000 investment from KC in order to build on its work.
Hull Council has a commitment to supporting young entrepreneurs in Hull offering a range of services including office space and mentors for young entrepreneurs as well as helping with Let’s Talk Business the young entrepreneurs’ network
InYou
Cllr Martin Mancey, Portfollio Holder said:
"This is great news following on from the highly successful visit of HRH, The Duke of York, KG to see our enterprising young people, Hull City Council are, like KC, very proud to be partners with the Youth Enterprise Bank in supporting our talented young people, who with the right encouragement are able to realise their dreams to be the business owners of the future in Hull"
Ruth Badger, Patron Hull Youth Enterprise Partnership said:
"It is a fantastic achievement that Hull's Youth Enterprise Bank is recognised in this way, the GB Entrepreneurs Awards have a national reputation for celebrating everything that is right about entrepreneurship, I have always said that Hull City Council working with the Hull Youth Enterprise Partnership is making a real difference to young people's lives in helping them to become more enterprising"
Sean Royce, Managing Director of Technology, Service and Operations at KCOM Group said:
"The Youth Enterprise Bank provides hope, reassurance and confidence to the aspirations of so many young people who are keen to embark on exploring a life of entrepreneurship. KC is delighted to provide funds to the YEB to follow the proud tradition of Hull-based entrepreneurs who founded business such as Smith & Nephew, Reckitt Benckiser and more recently The Gadget Shop."
Simon Burton, founder of the Great British Entrepreneur Awards, said:
“The entries for this year’s Great British Entrepreneur Awards have quite literally taken our collective breaths away… They are inspiring, exhilarating, heart-warming and humbling. British Entrepreneurship is alive, well and kicking the established order."
Further information:
The Youth Enterprise Bank in 2014 it has supported 12 young entrepreneurs with a range of ideas ranging from Abbie Jackson who makes modern jewellery and pet accessories, Jade Smithson who makes bags including ones from old football and rugby shirts, Evie Molley with her professional / apprentice development programme and Louise Upfold and Becky Adamson who make wedding dresses and associated accessories all of which were recently presented to HRH, The Duke of York.
