Run by Investment in Young People (IiYP), on behalf of the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS), the Enterprising Britain Awards celebrate local initiatives which boost business and growth.

Reacting to the news that Buckinghamshire Business First has been ‘highly commended’ in the ‘Improving the Business Environment’ category at the 2016 Enterprising Britain Awards, Philippa Batting, Managing Director of Buckinghamshire Business First said:

“Achieving national recognition for making a difference to business in Buckinghamshire has been a great boost to the team and evidence that we must be doing something right!  Buckinghamshire is known as the ‘Entrepreneurial Heart of Britain’ and over the last two years we have supported nearly 9,000 businesses and helped to create over 1,400 jobs.

“In 2016 alone our team made over 200 referrals to 40 different organisations, over 1,500 entrepreneurs used the free workspace available at the growth hub and its satellite hubs and GVA for the year was over £10.7m. We have also delivered a major programme of sold out events, refreshed the board membership, opened a new business hub in Aylesbury and continually tried to do things better every single day.”

Small Business Minister, Margot James said:

“We have 900,000 more small businesses than in 2010 and they have an important role to play in building an economy that works for all. It’s great to see the support available for business owners making a real difference and driving entrepreneurial spirit across the UK.

“These awards recognise the value of local support and show what can be achieved when people who know their community best make their own decisions.”

Creating the right environment for new business to flourish across the country will play a vital role in the Government’s industrial strategy, as Business and Energy Secretary Greg Clark recently underlined with the appointment of Ministerial local growth champions in every area.

Founder investor and Chairman of Buckinghamshire Business First, Alex Pratt OBE said:

“We know it’s a big challenge to start and run a business, to embrace the fun of it all and to still come out smiling on the other side of the risks we take. We know you must fail many times to succeed and that it can be scary, but we feel those fears and do it anyway. 

“Buckinghamshire Business First is carved from our spirit, our effort and our competitive edge, so it is no surprise that we too live out the same entrepreneurial philosophy. A major investment into a completely new website now gives members access to valuable new features to make sure we get the right advice, sell ourselves better, can share what we know with others more easily, secure live contracts - and plenty more. The more a member business engages, the more we gain. It is that simple. Get involved!”

A brief history of Buckinghamshire Business First

Buckinghamshire Business First was created in 2011 by businesses, for businesses, to enable the local business community to play a key role in helping to shape the future economy of the county and to help businesses thrive and prosper. Perhaps exceptionally for an enterprise support organisation of this type, Buckinghamshire Business First’s board is composed solely of successful business people, all of whom run or own a company in the county. Uniquely, all the companies on the board have co-invested their own money in the project, to create a business led, business focused organisation that is capable of reacting quickly to the needs of business.

Get in touch for business support

Contact our business support team for any and all queries you have, whether to do with finance, premises, legislation, training, marketing...or anything else! Email BusinessSupport@bbf.uk.com or call 01494 927130.