Young People Get a New Way to Talk Business

From early next year, young entrepreneurs under 24 in Hull will have a place to talk to peers about business and enterprise with the new entrepreneurs network “Let’s Talk Business”. The network is designed to be a collaboration of young people who face similar struggles. Let’s Talk Business aims to help young people in business by sharing anecdotes of problems they faced and solutions they found to them.

Let’s Talk Business will be operated on a private online forum where young entrepreneurs can post their own questions, news and anecdotes and receive feedback from the community. Partner businesses, established businesses run by young people up to the age of 30, will also be on hand to answer industry specific questions.

The network will be an extension of the offer of the Lee Creamer Enterprise Club, which already provides young people with business advice, a hot-desking facility and funding through the John Cracknell Youth Enterprise Bank. Let’s Talk Business members will also get special discounts from supporters, sponsors and members to help them make their business’ start-up cheaper as well as helping those businesses make their first sales.

Thomas Arran, owner of T Arran Photo and Let’s Talk Business member says;

"As a photographer, networking is essential for both producing business and creating new ideas.
“Being involved from the start, Let’s Talk Business is shaping up to be a fantastic opportunity to meet and communicate with other young entrepreneurs, provide support to each other as well as gain essential mentoring from already established young entrepreneurs."

As a network for entrepreneurs, by entrepreneurs, every member is looking to raise the profile of the outstanding work and the passion shared by so many young people in the city.

Oliver Wilson, 18, MD of Xuro Ltd. and Co-Chair of Let’s Talk Business says;



“I wanted to start my first business at 13 and felt stupid for thinking it could be possible. It wasn’t until my voice was heard by Charles Cracknell and Hull Youth Enterprise that I realised that there were so many other people like me already trying to make their dreams happen.

“In my eyes, the two aims of Let’s Talk Business are to show young people the sheer number of success stories in the city and to help those interested in business become one themselves by giving them the skills, stories and contacts to push them along the way.”

Let’s Talk Business has received backing from a number of entrepreneurs, including local entrepreneur Phil Benson and former BBC Apprentice star and international businesswoman Ruth Badger.

Phil Benson, co-founder of Xing Smoothies and Xing Health and Let’s Talk Business patron says;

“The support I received when I started my business in 2008 was great but there was no one to talk to my age that had recently had experiences like mine.

“It’s fantastic to see entrepreneurial spirit in Hull still going strong and it is important that we nurture that as best we can. It’s hard for ideas to grow if you “go it alone” which is why having people around you is the most important part in starting a business.”



Along side great work already done in the city with events such as Global Entrepreneurship Week, the hope is that more young people will come forward as entrepreneurs as a result of the increased level of support available.

More information about Let’s Talk Business will be available early 2013 on the Let’s Talk Business website www.letstalkbusinesshull.co.uk and on Twitter @ltbhull and Facebook (www.facebook.com/ltbhull). In the meantime, for more information, call Oliver Wilson on 01482 778834 or email letstalk@letstalkbusinesshull.co.uk.

For more information about the Lee Creamer Enterprise Club and the John Cracknell Youth Enterprise Bank, please contact Charles Cracknell on 01482 612983 or email charles.cracknell@hullcc.gov.uk.

Supporters Perspectives GEWHULL 2012

Here are a few supporters perspectives of Global Entreprenurship Week in Hull 2012 clearly showing why many people think its a great event that helps with Hull's campaign to to develop an entrepreneurial culture amongst its young people.

“On recent visits to a number of schools, I have seen some excellent initiatives to promote enterprise amongst young people. It’s great to see more schools working with their partners to drive this agenda. I’m delighted that Hull’s Global Entrepreneurship Week is taking the message of enterprise and entrepreneurialism forward, encouraging pupils to consider how they might run their own successful businesses in the future. It’s important to recognise and to celebrate the success of pupils and schools and to promote greater involvement across the system.”
Rt Hon Stephen Twigg MP
Shadow Secretary of State for Education

“Global Entrepreneurship Week shows the country that the young people of Hull have got the ideas and aspirations that they need to succeed. Every year, these ambitious bright young people remind me why I am proud to represent Hull. They are lucky to have such a fabulous team supporting them and helping them to develop their talents and creativity.”
Rt Hon Alan Johnson MP
Patron Hull Youth Enterprise Partnership

“It is great to see so many young people in Hull with the skill and motivation to get into enterprise with aspirations to start their own business. It is vital that we are able to harness this enthusiasm and provide the support and encouragement to young people so that we can inspire the next generation of entrepreneurs. I am pleased to offer my support to Hull Youth Enterprise Partnership as they drive forward their plans to give young, local people experience in enterprise.”
Rt Hon Vince Cable MP
Secretary of State for Business Innovation and Skills


“Global Entrepreneurship Week continues to be important in building connections between young people and business. I think it’s possible to nurture young people to develop some of the entrepreneurial skills that are needed to start up a business. Nurturing these skills supports the economic well-being of the country. Young people generally have the boldness and spirit of adventure that entrepreneurship can really tap into. Converting an idea or a product into a bottom line profit provides a buzz, a series of achievements, and, of course, more money!”
The Rt. Hon Eric Pickles MP
Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government

“At the University of Hull we are always encouraging our students to go beyond and develop their potential, and entrepreneurship is just one of those ways. Every year, hundreds of students choose to study a business start-up module as part of their degree and we provide a wealth of expertise and support to those who want to take the next step.

We are proud to be a sponsor of the Global Entrepreneurship Week, which brings together so many bright young minds and really shows the wealth of talent that exists in the young people of this city.”
Professor Calie Pistorius
Vice-Chancellor, University of Hull


“I strongly believe that such events held in Global Entrepreneurship Week not only help to foster an entrepreneurial spirit amongst all young people but also encourage school and college leavers to acquire the necessary skills to make them attractive propositions to a future employer – this is what the #FutureHull campaign is about.”
Mark Jones
Head of Economic Development and Regeneration, Hull City Council

“Cityworks was delighted to be involved in Global Entrepreneurship Week 2012. The events and speakers keep getting better year on year. It’s great to see so many enterprising young people in the city being encouraged and inspired by these events, our young people enjoyed their experience on the Post 16 event and we look forward to getting involved next year.”
Tracey Dervey
Director, Cityworks

“Once again Global Entrepreneurship Week proved to be a massive hit across schools and colleges in Hull. Giving school and college students the opportunity to hear and gain inspiration from business people, allowing them the opportunity to use their enterprising skills such as innovation and decision making as well as gaining an improved understanding about how the business world operates can only be of benefit to them and help them in the future. It was great to see how enterprising your future employees and future business leaders are; Hull is no doubt in my mind a very enterprising city.”
Ruth Badger

“Once again an outstanding set of events in Hull as part of Global Entrepreneurship Week. After spending a number of days in the region at events organised by the Hull Youth Enterprise Partnership, I'm astounded at the level of support and engagement that the young and future leaders of tomorrow both get and support in Hull; the events are testimony to the enterprising spirit that lives and breathes in Hull and this can only be a positive indicator for the future talent that has already and will emerge from the region in the future. More business leaders should support these important efforts in the region by taking part in the events and offer their expertise in the running of the events. I encourage all that feel they could offer insight, knowledge and support to contact the organisers for 2013.”
Kenton Robins
Regional Director, IoD Yorkshire & Humberside

“The week is a highlight of the year for those of us involved at the Hull Daily Mail. We have been involved with Global Entrepreneurship Week for three years now and each event has proved better than the last. The young people are inspiring and their depth of interest, ideas and imagination is remarkable. Whatever the current economic difficulties, these youngsters, through the terrific work of Global Entrepreneurship Week, are a shining light for the future.”
Jamie Macaskill
Assistant Editor, Mail News & Media


"Global Entrepreneurship Week was absolutely outstanding. It was a wonderful and extremely useful week which provided us with an insight into how young entrepreneurs work. I saw plenty of young people proving that they had what it takes to be an entrepreneur and their own boss, a brilliant week. The celebration event on the Friday to close the week was outstanding. I couldn't believe how many people were dedicated to turn up and show their support for the week. Massive thanks to everyone behind Global Entrepreneurship Week and I will definitely be there next year."
Kallum Green
Mosh News


"We attended two events @GEWHULL, both aimed at primary schools in Hull. The projects involved have clearly been successful in attracting considerable support from local business in terms of both finance and mentors who work with participating schools and support enterprise education events. In addition, there is well-planned and very effective participation from nationally known personalities such as Ruth Badger and Claire Young, both former contestants from The Apprentice. There was a very well thought out mix of speakers and activities, and both the venues and the presentations by guest speakers were excellent."
Jeff Jones and Alun Morgan
8-14 Consultants, Heads of Valleys Education Programme


“Being part of the Global Entrepreneurship Week was an honour and a privilege. It was personally rewarding to see the students working as a team in a professional manner and thinking through and discussing how they should bring to life their product and make it marketable and profitable. The decision processes and planning that went into the 30 minutes was a tough ask for them and they all embraced the challenge with vigour and commitment.”
Nick Sangwin
Managing Director, Sangwin Group

“Every year Hull surpasses everyone's expectations for Global Entrepreneurship Week with its five star deliveries of enterprise activity and 2012 was no exception! I work all across the UK with primary and secondary students and Hull has now established itself as a beacon for Global Entrepreneurship Week with many areas now waiting to see what the city is doing before they action their own plans. This huge compliment has been earned after years of hard graft, organisation, building strong relationships with schools and continually developing creative events to suit all ages.”
Claire Young

“The Global Entrepreneurship Week brochure was very informative and gave real insight and true reflection of the work which is currently happening across Hull. It has some interesting case studies which clearly highlight the enterprise journey from 4-19 in education and beyond. Many congratulations to you all in Hull, not only on such a successful Global Entrepreneurship Week but also on your continued efforts to drive and change the enterprise culture across the city thereby ultimately contributing to the long term economic growth of the region.”
Jackie Frost
Holder of the Queens Award for Enterprise Promotion and Enterprise Projects Manager, Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council

"The challenges the students were set seemed impossible to me. However they attacked them with great gusto and came out of them at break-neck speed with amazing results. Those chosen to face the panel, which would be a daunting task for any adult, gave a great account of themselves and raised a few eyebrows at some of the answers they were able to give. They also put some humour into their presentations which goes a long way with judges. I had a truly great time on the four occasions I attended and look forward to next year."
Lynda Brown
Lady Mayoress of Kingston upon Hull


“We enjoyed our week in Hull; it was inspiring to hear about the enterprising activities that young people from your city have been passionately working on. It’s important to give these children real insight and practical skills for all aspects of working in and running a business. Hull has become a vibrant city and it’s important that you continue to encourage and promote entrepreneurship. We have some great ideas to take back to Wakefield and we are pleased to be working with Clifton Primary on Make £5 Blossom."
Ross Bennett
Tellatale Educational Productions

“St Stephens has been involved with Global Entrepreneurship Week for the last few years and one of our highlights is the Hull Ready event. It is so uplifting to see the great innovation, energy and presentation skills of some of the youngest members of our great local school population as they recount their enterprising activities of the last year. The school pupils seem to revel in the opportunity to meet and work with the business people of the city and everyone in the room is better for the experience by the end of the session. In fact I would advise anyone who is inclined to criticise the work-ready potential of our local youngsters to lend some of these kids a fiver and just watch how they make it blossom!”
Jim Harris
Manager, St Stephen’s Centre

Hull Youth Enterprise Charter Supported

With a startling number of young people in Hull and East Riding out of work, the provision of high quality enterprise support and learning for young people has never been so important. Support from the business community will allow greater opportunity for successful transition from education into employment.


This support can be given in all manner of ways and the Youth Enterprise Charter aims to bring this all under one banner and to recognise and share best practice in a way that benefits young people in helping them to develop their enterprising idea and how businesses and organisations can help them.

Since the Youth Enterprise Charter was launched in September 2012 by former BBC Apprentice star Ruth Badger and featured during Global Entrepreneurship Week we have seen 80 local and national organisations support the aims of the Charter. Many of these organisations already have a commitment to supporting Hull’s youth enterprise agenda such as the University of Hull, Cityworks, Hull Training, Hull City Council, Force-7, British Land, Hull & Humber Chamber of Commerce, KC, the Co-operative, St Stephens, Claughtons, Goldings and Xing to name but a few

Ruth Badger Patron of Hull Youth Enterprise Partnership said                   

“Hull is one of the most enterprising cities in the country and that’s why I am backing the Youth   Enterprise Charter and this is clearly shown by the support the 80 organisations are willing to give to the City’s enterprising young people, though this is a great start we need many more in order to make a real impact and further develop the city’s entrepreneurial culture, so I would urge all the business leaders to find out more and support your future business generation ”

Blair Jacobs Chair of Hull Youth Enterprise Partnership said

“ It is very pleasing that so many organisations have already agreed to support the city’s youth enterprise charter, there is no doubt in my mind as the city commits itself to becoming a more enterprising place to do business and the embedding of the Big 13 Enterprise skills within our schools and colleges after yet another highly successful Global Entrepreneurship Week than more and more young people are going to need support in developing their enterprising ideas”


If you would like more information, or to sign up to the Youth Enterprise Charter, please visit www.youthenterprise-hull.co.uk or contact Oliver Wilson or Mike Notarantonio on 01482 612983.