Royal bank’s call for more apprentices

Nearly one-third of entrepreneurs (32 per cent) cited this as the main change needed, with around a quarter calling for more “on the job” skills training (27 per cent) and the development of enterprise classes in schools (24 per cent).

The coalition has launched Start Up Britain to promote growth at early-stage companies. The scheme is designed to support entrepreneurs and growing businesses by giving preferential rates for services including advertising, IT and advice.

Richard Brown, client partner for Coutts in Leeds: “What’s important is to get real life entrepreneurs and business owners together with school pupils and university students to help set up apprenticeships and mentoring schemes to grow the sector.

“StartUp Britain has been building such connections as part of its agenda. As well as practical support like this, our own research shows that the top personal traits attributed to entrepreneurs’ success as business owners are perseverance and drive, passion and ambition.”

Coutts has pledged support for the scheme. Other backers include Barclays, O2 and serviced offices group Regus.

The survey also showed that cutting regulation was the change entrepreneurs wanted most for Britain.