South East England Development Agency (SEEDA)

The search to find the most enterprising place in the South East began on the 18th February 2008, with the launch of the Enterprising Britain 2008 competition.

The competition is run by Make Your Mark on behalf of the Department for Business Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (BERR), and in partnership with the South East England Development Agency (SEEDA).

Now in its fourth year, the competition celebrates and rewards the most enterprising areas in the UK; those places of enterprise excellence that have helped transform the social and economic fortunes of their area. The winner of the regional heat will go forward to compete in the national finals of Enterprising Britain 2008, where the overall UK winner will be selected.

Peter Jones, entrepreneur and Enterprising Britain 2008 judge, said: “As an Enterprising Britain judge, I have been extremely impressed by the strength, determination and innovative thinking demonstrated by those people who have used enterprise to transform the social and economic fortunes of their community. The Enterprising Britain competition is a great chance for enterprise success stories from across the South East to shine and I urge people from across the region to enter.”

SEEDA Executive Director of Smart Growth, John Parsonage, said: “The South East has long been a centre of enterprise and has a rich history of entrepreneurs. Enterprise is a vital part of the economy of our region and we are pleased to have the chance to show what makes working in the South East so special, and why the region is home to some of the most enterprising places in Britain.”

John added: “Over recent years the South East has cultivated a strong enterprise culture and we are looking forward to showcasing our success stories in this year’s Enterprising Britain competition. Being part of the competition is a huge privilege and a fantastic opportunity to show the rest of the UK why the South East is a great place to live and work.”

Last year’s South East winner, Slough Creative Academy, was chosen due to its success in helping local people secure employment and set up businesses in creative industries such as film, dance, and music.

Since 2003, the Academy has worked with over 5,000 local people and helped set up 30 young businesses, including the Fusion Dance Company, Full Circle Films and Two Left Feet. Now an integral part of the local community, the Slough Creative Academy has given disaffected local people the opportunity to become part of the current and future economic success of the town, and many of the companies they support are young businesses set up by ex-Academy students.

All entries for the South East’s regional competition must be received by Friday 18th April 2008. Once the 12 regional winners from across the UK have been selected, they will be visited by members of a high profile national judging panel, including Peter Jones and Lynne Franks. Together the judging panel will decide who should be crowned the national Enterprising Britain 2008 winner.

For more information about Enterprising Britain 2008 and how to enter, please contact Helen Cook on tel: 01483 500784 or email helencook@seeda.co.uk helencook@seeda.co.uk or visit www.enterprisingbritain.org.uk