Bank seeks rising university business stars
LLOYDS Banking Group is launching a new awards programme to search for the best small firms being born out of universities.
The bank has joined forces with the National Consortium of University Entrepreneurs (NACUE) for The Lloyds TSB Enterprise Awards.
NACUE is a representative body for university entrepreneurs – there are more than 55,000 businesses being run by current or recent graduates.
Two awards will be made – Best Enterprise and Best Start Up – and nominations will open in November and the national winners will recieve £50,000 in cash and business mentoring
John Robson, regional director for Lloyds TSB Commercial in the North and Midlands said: “As small businesses play such a vital role in the region’s economy, we know how important it is to support these enterprises and the people who run them.
“Universities are a major source of the next generation of business talent, and through their innovation and creativity these budding entrepreneurs can help the UK continue to prosper in a highly competitive world.
“We are launching these awards to celebrate their successes and hopefully inspire others.”
Hushpreet Dhaliwal, chief executive of NACUE added: “Universities are hotbeds of enterprise and innovation and they have a crucial role to play in securing the UK’s future growth and its role on the world stage.
“But we know that students want more support in bringing their business ideas to fruition. That is why is so important that we identify, and nurture the business talent that exists across these institutions.
