Bernard Ginns: Goldman's initiative can prove a beacon in these tough times

I think I might have seen the answer, or at least part of it, in Goldman Sachs' pioneering project to help small businesses and social enterprises in Yorkshire and the Humber.

The world's most powerful investment bank might seem like an unlikely source of good news in difficult economic times.

But last week's announcement – made exclusively through the Yorkshire Post – that it is funding a business education programme for entrepreneurs in Yorkshire and the Humber was most welcome.

Goldman Sachs devised the scheme with Leeds University Business School and the Said Business School of Oxford University. Experts from the universities will deliver the training courses to entrepreneurs who are about to enter the growth phase. Social enterprises Leeds Ahead and Shine at Harehills are providing valuable help on the ground with contacts and premises.

The bank has had it critics in recent years, facing accusations of profiteering from the financial crisis, but its efforts to help entrepreneurs in this region are clearly winning fans. Tom Riordan, chief executive of Leeds City Council, is one.

He said: "This is a great initiative for small businesses and social enterprises to be involved in and I'm pleased that Leeds has been chosen to host the UK pilot.

"After meeting with Goldman Sachs I was convinced this was something we should support and I am sure that the expert advice, tuition and support that will be available to the 25 entrepreneurs will help them and the wider small business community go from strength to strength in the city."

Lord Graham Kirkham is another. Speaking to me before last week's launch dinner, where he was guest speaker, the founder of Yorkshire sofa retailer DFS said the support was "heaven sent". "What they are doing is great, because they are doing it for nothing," he said.

I asked Michelle Pinggera, who is chief of staff at Goldman Sachs for Europe, Middle East and Africa, if investment banks were under pressure to increase corporate social responsibility programmes following the financial crisis. She told me: "The corporate world generally feels that being being part of the societies in which they work is important."

Ms Pinggera and her colleagues are genuinely excited about the scheme. As well they should be. It is a very good thing that the bank is using some of its mammoth profits to foster enterprise at grass roots level.

The bank will be tracking the progress of the 25 entrepreneurs who form the first cohort of the programme. If it is successful, it could be rolled out across the UK.

The fifth annual Yorkshire Post Excellence in Business Awards were a timely reminder of the amazing talent and resources we have in this most enterprising of regions.

It was a stellar evening, featuring a line-up including Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne, Marks & Spencer chairman Sir Stuart Rose, TV impressionist Jon Culshaw and representatives from some genuinely world class businesses based here in Yorkshire. Special Award winner Sir Stuart Rose delivered an upbeat message full of confidence and optimism about the future prospects for the UK next year and beyond.

He expects the economy to keep growing through 2011, despite the Government's package of cuts designed to address the budget deficit.

"By the time we get to 2012, we have got the Olympics coming, the Queen's diamond jubilee, and we have the sunny uplands to look forward to so I'm greatly optimistic for my company, greatly optimistic for the UK and I wish everyone in Yorkshire bon voyage with their businesses. It's okay; keep going guys," he implored.

A wonderful message with which to close the black-tie evening.

Sir Stuart, a natural-born salesman, also couldn't resist the opportunity to use his time on stage to plug the M&S tuxedo: "We sell fabulous suits, 24 per cent of the market and at 179 it's all yours."

I would like to thank our sponsors for their invaluable support.

The main sponsors are DLA Piper, PwC and Yorkshire Bank. The associate sponsors are O2, Bradford University School of Management, Drax, Manufacturing Advisory Service and thebigword.

Thanks also to all the people who took the time to enter this year's awards. And congratulations again to the winners. Well done. See today's special supplement for interviews and photographs and go online to www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/video for full video coverage.