15 November 2006
Who will be the Next Big Thing?
• Ruth Badger from BBC's Apprentice and Sky's 'The Big Idea' provides keynote address
• Magazine aims to inspire potential entrepreneurs of the future
Over 500 14-18 year olds from schools, colleges and universities from across England's Northwest will be learning about how to start their own businesses tomorrow (16th November) at The Next Big Thing, an event hosted by the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) and the Institute of Directors (IoD) as part of National Enterprise Week.
The conference, hosted by Mark Edwardson, Broadcaster and BBC TV Presenter, will feature a panel of leading entrepreneurs, including Kieron Barton - Chilli Marketing; Vicky Martin - Vicky Martin Clothing; Lex Deak - Sell it Shack; Nick Wood - Fruitboost and Bryony & Cadi Catlow - 3 Bears Animation who will share their experiences of starting and growing successful businesses.
Ruth Badger, this year's runner-up in Alan Sugars' The Apprentice and currently appearing on Sky One's "The Big Idea" will provide the keynote address. Ruth, who is also chief executive of Ruth Badger Consultancy, based in Didsbury, will be talking about her journey from football steward to budding entrepreneur and hopes to offer some inspiration to delegates at the Next Big Thing event.
The event will also feature a panel of young entrepreneurs who are just starting out, who will provide advice on how to get started.
Mark Hughes, NWDA Executive Director of Enterprise, Innovation and Skills, said:
"Enterprise and entrepreneurship are essential elements of a successful economy and the NWDA recognises the importance of promoting an enterprising culture throughout the region at all levels, particularly amongst our young people.
The Agency is delighted to support this event as part of National Enterprise Week for the third year running. We hope that this innovative event will encourage more young people to consider enterprise as a career option and help to inspire the entrepreneurs of tomorrow."
Laura Wolfe, Regional Director of the IoD in the North West, said:
"The IoD is delighted to be involved in the Next Big Thing again this year; an event which makes such a significant contribution to National Enterprise Week. We are proud to add our support to the event, which gives such a valuable opportunity to our region's young people. The IoD and its members are passionate about creating a culture which encourages innovation and enterprise."
"If we can encourage just one of the five hundred young people attending the Next Big Thing to start their own business, we will have achieved something very exciting."
Attendees will also be presented with a special magazine produced by the NWDA featuring a range of entrepreneurs from the region, including some of the panel from the event.
The magazine - called 'Mint' - aims to inspire 14-18 year olds to coincide starting their own business and becoming Britain's next big entrepreneur and promotes the range of support available to young people who have ideas and want to make them happen.
-ends-
Notes to editors:
Enterprise Week 2006, a national celebration of enterprise, takes place this year from 13th - 19th November.
Enterprise Week is coordinated by Make Your Mark campaign: the first national campaign of its kind to kick-start a more enterprising culture amongst young people in the UK. Make Your Mark is run by Enterprise Insight, a non-profit organisation.
Ruth Badger - According to the BBC's website, Ruth doesn't pull any punches. She's a "high octane high achiever with a good deal of attitude and business credibility". All true. But there's much more to Ruth Badger than that. Straight-talking Ruth left school at 16 and took on numerous part time jobs including being a football steward Wolverhampton Wanderers FC and a local administrator for the Department Of Social Security.
For further information please contact Neil Roscoe, Senior Press Officer on 01925 400232 or 07980 713282 or neil.roscoe@nwda.co.uk
For further information and to view previous press releases visit us at www.nwda.co.uk
The Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) is responsible for the sustainable economic development and regeneration of England"s Northwest and has 5 key priorities: Business, Skills and Education, People and Jobs, Infrastructure and Quality of Life