You're hired! New businesses get advice from an Apprentice (Dee Doocey)

You're hired! New businesses get advice from an Apprentice

May 8, 2009 12:00 AM

A London Assembly investigation is looking at how the capital's young entrepreneurs are getting all fired up to start their own businesses in the face of the recession.

Dee Doocey AM, Chair of the Assembly's Economic Development, Culture, Sport and Tourism (EDCST) Committee, met first winner of 'The Apprentice', Tim Campbell and some young entrepreneurs whose business ideas have been backed by his Bright Ideas Trust charity.

Bright Ideas Trust's young entrepreneurs, Amariyah Raheem and Fabien Soazandry, spoke to Dee about the barriers they faced in setting up their own businesses, and the ongoing challenges.

The visit to the Bright Ideas Trust was part of a London Assembly investigation into how much support is available to people who want to start a up a business in the capital. New businesses have an important role to play in London's economic recovery, replacing those that have fallen victim to the recession and providing employment for many.

Dee Doocey AM, Chair of the EDCST Committee said:

"I am hugely impressed with what I saw. Tim Campbell's hard work and enthusiastic 'can do' attitude is certainly evident - and is getting results.

"These young entrepreneurs have a real passion for making a go of their fledgling businesses and have clearly benefited from access to professional advice from the Bright Ideas Trust.

"This is why our investigation into what support is available to new businesses is so important - it can mean the difference between success and failure."

Tim Campbell, chief executive and founder of the Bright Ideas Trust, said:

"With the right advice and mentoring London's young entrepreneurs can succeed and turn their bright ideas into successful businesses - they just need targeted support.

"I'm looking forward to reading the Committee's report and hope that it will highlight the need for more support of the kind entrepreneurs themselves say could make a difference."

On the back of issues raised at its economic seminar in December last year, the Committee launched its investigation in February to look at the availability of advice, finance streams and accommodation to support new businesses - not just to get them started but to make sure they are well equipped to survive the recession. The Committee expects to publish its findings next month.