Enterprise partnership takes second place in Euro awards

Hull Council, One Hull Business Forum and Hull Forward were shortlisted for the European Enterprise Awards 2010 and chosen to represent the UK in the investing in skills section against projects from Belgium, Denmark, France, lithuania, The Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Spain and Sweden.

Despite being named runner-up behind a project in Halland, Sweden, the Hull team said it was pleased to have been recognised on the European stage.

Councillor Kalvin Neal, portfolio holder for employment and enterprise at the council, said: "I am delighted that Hull City Council and our partners have been recognised at this level, which demonstrates to a wider audience the success of Hull working in partnership to respond to the citys needs through a range of projects, including to help create jobs and businesses.

"Our partnership's flexible approach to meet the needs of individuals and businesses means we can continue to help Hull recover from the recession and continue to flourish in the future.

"It has been fantastic to share our good practice with hundreds of others from across Europe while learning from other shortlisted projects too."

As part of the awards and conference in Madrid, the Council's business programmes officer delivered a presentation to more than 400 delegates from 28 different countries at the invitation of the Spanish Presidency of the European Union.

Hull was shortlisted for its "Pride of Hull" project, which endeavours to boost enterprise and employment opportunities in the city.

According to the authority's figures, schemes including Job Shops, GROW and the Acorn Fund have helped create more than 3,000 jobs and almost 400 new businesses in the city.

A Council spokeswoman said: "Through projects like these the partnership is now well established, robust and flexible, able to anticipate and react to economic change.

"Whilst having specific roles playing to individual strengths, each partner focuses on a shared objective – to drive enterprise in the city, whatever the sector, field or business."