NES Hailed as Beacon of Excellence

The New Entrepreneur Scholarship (NES) programme for which MMU Business School is the regional contractor, and run through the Centre for Enterprise, has been hailed as a beacon for excellence at the Regional Graduation on 19 April.

Over 250 guests attended to network and celebrate NES achievements at the NES Regional Graduation hosted by MMU Business School.

MMU Deputy Vice Chancellor, Professor Barry Plumb also attended this annual celebration and said: “Tonight is a very special occasion for MMU as it celebrates the success of both NES graduates and university staff involved in helping them. It recognizes the enormous personal dedication everyone has put into achieving success. Sometimes people from disadvantaged backgrounds face difficulties getting the financial guidance and support they need to launch a business, but NES provides that opportunity.”

Beacon of excellence

He added: “NES is a beacon of excellence. Education is about confidence and it has taken courage for some scholars to come into a university and embark on a course. Education is very important – it is the key that unlocks barriers to social inclusion, prosperity and growth. Success is down to entrepreneurs’ personal dedication and work, with help from the NES teams across the region. I’d like to thank everyone involved for their excellent and outstanding work in helping create the new businesses of the future.”

There have been around 1000 NES business start-ups in the North West since the NES programme began in 2000, and over 5000 business start-ups nationally.

“In fact, the North West has supported the greatest number of NES businesses and has the highest average turnover for NES businesses in England,” pointed out Kevin Boles, Chair of the North West Regional Partnership and event host.

Guest speaker

Special guest speaker Jayne Lawton, Director of Grobox Gardens and British Female Innovator of the Year 2006, gave NES entrepreneurs inspiring advice. A trained horticulturist with the Royal Horticultural Society and a qualified horticultural lecturer, Jayne has extensive experience teaching all ages and backgrounds with differing special needs and abilities. She described how her business began over 2 years ago when she was teaching partially sighted students about horticulture and identified a gap in the market for a designer growing box product.

Jayne demonstrated her award winning Grobox which is unique, biodegradable, ethical, organic, sustainable and a charity giving gift. She’s also had amazing success with her patented product, won a large number of awards and announced that Grobox is about to be sold through Sainsbury’s.
NES Business Competition

The NES Business Competition winners were also announced at the event, with Furness businesswoman Lorraine Corrance of One To One Personal Care fighting off stiff competition from other Area Winners to win the title of NES Entrepreneur of the Year 2007. Lorraine also scooped the £1,000 prize money which was presented by Jayne Lawton.

“It was a tough decision because all of the finalists were winners in their own right and presented very robust business plans,” explained John Monaghan, North West Regional Manager of The Prince’s Trust and Chair of the Judges Panel. “Lorraine stood out because she’s really worked hard to contribute to her community, and brings enormous passion and commitment to her business.”

The other finalists were also commended by the judges and received £250 each. They were Rochdale entrepreneur Chris Foster of Chris Foster Photography and Liverpool scholar Ita O’Keeffe who offers bespoke training in mental health issues.