Master Cutler’s pledge to create a spirit of unity

Bill Speirs, who is the chairman of Sheffield-based Proturn, said he wanted more community groups to use the Cutlers’ Hall, which dates from the 17th century.

He also launched a competition which he hoped would help local youngsters to escape from the poverty trap.

Mr Speirs said the Master Cutler transcended political boundaries.

He told the Yorkshire Post: “Our desire is to unify and create wealth for the Sheffield city region.

“The Cutlers’ Hall is open for business..I will not tolerate internal fighting because we’ve got an external issue (the economy) to deal with.

“I want people to work with me. I’m not interested in internal politics. If somebody tries that, I will knock their heads together. We need to be unified and looking outwards.”

He said many businesses were concerned about the lack of funding.

He added: “It’s not banks and lending, it’s funding which is a broader issue than an overdraft...Growth requires cash. Otherwise, we are stymied.”

He said possible sources for funding included private equity, and asset-based lending.

Mr Speirs said he wanted to encourage entrepreneurship in young people by holding the Master Cutlers’ challenge.

The Master Cutler will lend £50 at a launch event in the Cutlers’ Hall on Monday, March 28 to any business, organisation or school which commits to getting involved. They will be asked to use their entrepreneurial flair to grow this amount, raising as much money as possible over the next few months. The challenge culminates in a celebration event at the Cutlers’ Hall in September, when the Master Cutler will present certificates to those who have taken part.

Mr Speirs said: “My passion is finding, developing and using talent.

“My challenge this year plans to give young people opportunities to develop their talent and to raise as much money as possible with the principal aim of improving the employment prospects of 1,000 young people in the region.

“We need growth to bring increased wealth to our region. Currently, some youngsters are trapped in a cycle of working poverty or detached from the labour market.

“This is a waste of talent and economic potential which we need to address. Young people deserve a decent and productive job from which to build a better future.”

The Company of Cutlers in Hallamshire was established by an Act of Parliament in 1624 to ensure high standards of workmanship in the cutlery industry, which dominated manufacturing in the Sheffield region at that time.