01 NOV 2012

UK Business Secretary Joined 10,000 Small Businesses Alumni in Roundtable Discussion

On November 1, 2012, Vince Cable, the UK Secretary of State for Business, joined six entrepreneurs from the 10,000 Small Businesses program in Yorkshire for a roundtable discussion on business growth, job creation and exporting to new markets.

Participants discuss barriers to growth and how to overcome them with Vince Cable

Outlining how 10,000 Small Businesses UK has helped them unlock growth potential in their own business, participants emphasized the power of the program’s networking effect, training and support.

At the event, Goldman Sachs launched the National Alumni Network, a 10,000 Small Businesses initiative designed to cultivate working relationships between participants. The network will link 10,000 Small Businesses participants across the UK through a series of national and regional conferences, themed workshops, networking events and online platforms structured around relevant and timely business topics.

Vince Cable, Viv Parry and Michelle Pinggera

 “Over 99 per cent of UK businesses are small and medium enterprises,” said Vince Cable. “I welcome Goldman Sachs’ 10,000 Small Businesses UK initiative as a real contributor to the wider support available.”

“Despite the difficult economic conditions, we need to do all we can to ignite the entrepreneurial spirit in people”, said Viv Parry, owner of Leeds-based Exquisite Handmade Cakes. “10,000 Small Businesses offers individuals the perfect opportunity to strengthen the skills and networks required to support the growth of their business.”

Later that evening, Vince Cable provided opening remarks at the Yorkshire Post Excellence in Business Awards where Nick Howard, Managing Director of Halifax-based 10,000 Small Businesses participant Limehouse, a communications agency, was named "Young Entrepreneur of the Year."