Initiative for small businesses gets global reward

The Goldman Sachs Foundation and Leeds University Business School have won a trophy in the Excellence in Practice category at the 2012 European Foundation for Management Development (EFMD) Awards.

The award is in recognition of the work carried out by the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses in Yorkshire and the Humber scheme, which is run in conjunction with the business school.

In 2010, Goldman Sachs announced that it was funding a business education programme in Yorkshire to help small businesses grow during the worst financial crisis in generations.

It is part of a broader programme by Goldman Sachs to provide support for 10,000 small businesses.

More than 100 small business owners and social enterprise leaders have either already graduated or are enrolled on the programme in Leeds, and the fourth ‘cohort’ is now running in the region.

Supporters of the Leeds-based project have included Lord Kirkham, who established the Doncaster-based sofa business DFS.

Most of the courses have taken place at the social enterprise centre Shine in the Harehills district of Leeds.

Under the programme, entrepreneurs go on a four-month business and management course which has an emphasis on real-life practical experience.

Businesses that have participated in the programme include Create, a Leeds-based social enterprise which supports disadvantaged individuals by providing employment training through its academy.

Prof Peter Moizer, the dean of Leeds University Business School, said yesterday: “We are delighted to learn that this joint initiative with Goldman Sachs has been recognised.

“An award such as this demonstrates how our research into how entrepreneurs learn can be put into practice to support the small business community.

“Our partnership with Goldman Sachs has shown how the academic and the corporate world can work together to create an impact on society.”

Michelle Pinggera, the chief of staff for Europe, Middle East and Africa at Goldman Sachs, added: “We could not be more honoured and delighted that EFMD have chosen to recognise our collective achievements.

“We accept the award on behalf of everyone who has worked so tirelessly to make 10,000 Small Businesses a success and every small business and social enterprise that has participated in the programme.

“This is recognition of their important efforts.”