Enterprising Entrepreneurs

Budding entrepreneurs new to the UK and interested in starting up, developing or expanding their own business were invited to “Kick-start Your Business”, a series of free learning events under one roof which took place at the Thames Innovation Centre in Yarnton Way in May, supported by Trust Thamesmead.

Held over three days, guests were able to hear from inspirational speakers, take part in business seminars and attend business advice and support workshops led by industry professionals who recognise what a young business needs to know before it gets started and in order for it to grow in the UK.

Trust Community Development Officer Linda Delieu, who helped organise the event, said: “Kick-start Your Business is part of ‘Cultivating Communities in Thamesmead', a partnership between charity Groundwork London and the Trust  that is providing a programme of activities and support for people new to the UK, from outside Europe.

“The exciting programme kicked off with an evening reception featuring two well-known speakers, the inspirational David Mwanaka, one of only two black agriculturists in the UK, who spoke about his experience of moving here from Zimbabwe in 1991 and establishing a successful farming business selling white maize, white sweet corn and other exotic produce grown in London. The other was businessman David McQueen who founded All Things Magnificent, a company providing advice to start-ups and growing companies, who provided an inspirational seminar to give delegates a real sense of how to realise their ambitions here in the UK.”

Lucy Geldard, Area Manager, Groundwork London said: “We were excited to welcome business minds in our community to Kick-start Your Business and hope those who attended are inspired to take part in this exciting new programme on how to set up, run and grow a successful business. Our professional team is on-hand to offer bespoke advice on business development, start-ups and finance, and we especially welcome non-EU entrepreneurs who have been in the U.K. for less than ten years.”
This project and its actions were made possible due to co-financing by the European Fund for the Integration of third-country nationals.