Local entrepreneurs need help to flourish, says Hardman

ONE of the region’s leading thinkers on the future of the regional economy is calling for a concerted push to help identify entrepreneurial talent.

Dr David Hardman MBE, CEO of Birmingham Science Park Aston, says it is vital that the West Midlands has successful mechanisms to identify and celebrate such talent.

“It is also imperative that new businesses are inspired and nurtured by highly respected mentors and ambassadors, who are as passionate about giving something back to their city region, as they are about driving growth of their own ventures,” he said.

“Birmingham and the region needs them to build on our legacy, encourage new talent to start-up a business and stay here, and so create a magnet to aid inward investment. Such outcomes are all crucial to long-term economic success.”

Hardman is putting himself forward as an identifier of local talent by agreeing to be a judge at The BusinessDesk.com’s inaugural Midlands Business Masters awards.

“The Business Masters has captured this essence and it will be a great platform to build on as part of the ongoing need to drive Birmingham’s innovation agenda,” he said.

The Midlands Business Masters is a new event to celebrate outstanding talent, innovation and achievement across the region.

Nominations are now open for the awards, which as well as rewarding company success, will highlight all that is good about business in the Midlands, including the outstanding personalities who make the region’s economy thrive.

An independent panel of respected business experts will judge the awards which will celebrate and honour the most successful businesses and entrepreneurs in the region.

The six awards categories are:

West Midlands Newcomer – Best new business initiative in the region
West Midlands Manufacturer – Celebrating the region’s top manufacturing firms
West Midlands Pride – Most meaningful philanthropic initiative by a business, organisation or leader
West Midlands Innovator – Most creative or original business thinking
West Midlands Ambassador – Greatest contribution to business in the West Midlands
West Midlands Exporter – Recognising overseas trade success

If you would like to submit a nomination please click here.

Nominations close on Tuesday February 28. The shortlist will be decided by the judging panel and announced on the website. Readers will be invited to cast the final vote for the winners.

Tickets for the Midlands Business Masters, which will be held from noon to 3.30pm on May 10 at The Town Hall, Birmingham, are available for £125 per ticket plus VAT, sold in pairs. To buy tickets please click here.