Member Article

Peterlee woman has 'essence of an entrepreneur'

A North East woman has been named as one of the UK’s 20 most outstanding entrepreneurs. BT Business announced the winners of the 2007 Essence of the Entrepreneur competition last week, and Peterlee-based Kate Welch was among them.

Acumen Community Enterprise Development Trust Limited, was developed by Kate as a social enterprise. It aims to achieve social and economic regeneration through learning, enterprise and employment. A team of community engagement staff, learning tutors, employment advisers and business coaches work across the North East to encourage people who have low skills and have not worked for some time to realise their potential.

Now in its second year, BT Business Essence of the Entrepreneur celebrates the achievements of small businesses that have demonstrated exceptional dedication and have found new directions to succeed in business with the help of technology.

Entries came from businesses across the UK, and the final 20 were selected by a panel of experts, including John Dunsmure from the British Chambers of Commerce, Matt Thomas, Editor of Startups.co.uk, William Berry, founder of accommodationforstudents.co.uk and James Lohan from boutique hotel guides Mr and Mrs Smith.

Gary McLean, Director BT Local Business North-East, said: “Technology has developed so rapidly in the business world and it is great to see small business enterprises embracing it to help grow their companies. By utilising technology such as broadband, VoIP (Voice over the Internet Protocol) and advanced web sites small businesses such as Acumen Community Enterprise Development Trust Limited have managed to reach a wider customer audience and expand their product.”

For more information on the winners or to view their photograph, visit www.businessclub.bt.com/entrepreneur.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .