Olympic star urges region to go for gold
OLYMPIC hero James Cracknell has urged North West businesses to go for gold at the 2012 Olympics in London.
The rower attended an event organised by 2012 sponsor Lloyds TSB, aimed at showcasing his winning mentality to North West businesses and supporting aspiring young athletes from the region.
The double gold medallist said: “There are strong parallels between success in sport and success in business and I’m pleased to be able to help the business community in the North West discover how the London 2012 Games can benefit them.”
The event heard that so far 37 North West businesses have already secured contracts for London 2012, including: Manchester-based Icopal, a producer of roofing and waterproofing membranes; Liverpool-based Korec, a supplier of GPS solutions to the construction, surveying and GIS Mapping industries; Lanternhouse, a Cumbrian live arts company based in Ulverston; Macclesfield-based communications company, Media4Change and Bolton-based steelwork fabrication company, Watson Steel.
Dave Allanson, area director for Lloyds TSB Corporate Markets in Manchester, East Lancashire & East Cheshire added “This is one of the most challenging economic climates that many organisations will have ever experienced, but with the London 2012 Games, there is a massive opportunity to benefit.
“We’re keen to do all we can to support firms by helping them to take advantage of the opportunities, creating a positive economic ripple effect across the North West.”
LloydsTSB through its Local Heroes initiative is funding more than 270 emerging sports stars in the run-up to the Games.
Three rising stars from the region Oivia Oakes, a rower from Warrington, Abigail Irozuru a long jumper from Bolton and swimmer Adam John from Stockport, were introduced to the audience of business people at the event at the Lowry Hotel.
