CBI backs campaign to help young enterprises

The Local Business Accelerators (LBA) campaign will identify dynamic fledgling enterprises and work with them to help achieve their growth potential.

John Cridland, director general of the CBI, described the campaign as “an innovative scheme to help promote much-needed growth in our local communities”.

He said: “Small and medium-sized businesses across the country have the potential to grow and create many new jobs and by joining forces in this way local newspapers can help provide valuable practical support.”  

The CBI’s backing follows messages of support from Prime Minister David Cameron, Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt and Professor David Miles, a member of the Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee.

Leading business figures from Yorkshire have agreed to support the campaign by volunteering to act as mentors to selected companies.

They are Paul Ayre, managing partner of Gordons law firm, Kevin Hollinrake, managing director of Hunters Property Group, and John Tordoff, managing director of JCT600 motor group.

The Yorkshire Post will provide additional support to those companies in the form of a substantial allocation of free advertising space to showcase their businesses to a wide and influential audience.

The Newspaper Society is coordinating the campaign which has been replicated by nearly 500 newspapers across the country. The scheme attracted 1,000 entries in the first week.

The campaign is open to all businesses that are active in Yorkshire, between one and three years old and full of potential.

They may have a great idea or product, or even found a new market. They must be the kind of businesses that will create new jobs and pride in their communities.

Visit www.accelerateme.co.uk for more information on the scheme and how to enter. Entries close on November 14.