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Newcastle University student appointed as Start-Up Loan ambassador

A Newcastle University Business School student has been recruited as one of the first ambassadors for the Start Up Loan scheme, which is backed by David Cameron, PM.

The £112m Government initiative aims to start 25,000 businesses by 2015 with a particular focus on entrepreneurialism and giving capital to early-stage businesses.

Start-Up Loans is the brainchild of Lord Young and will be chaired by former Dragon’s Den panellist James Caan, who chose third year business management student, Natalie Diver, to become one of the scheme’s ambassadors.

Natalie was invited to Mr Caan’s Mayfair offices and then went on to a reception given by the Duke of York at Buckingham Palace, where she was appointed as a student ambassador and to discuss how loans could be made more available to graduating students.

She commented: “I was delighted to be contacted and asked to represent Start-Up Loans on my own campus at Newcastle University.

“I am passionate about entrepreneurship and being able to help make self-employment accessible to all students following graduation will be very rewarding.

“It was great to meet James and the rest of the team, they have been very supportive and I look forward to working closely with them to help start many new businesses in the North-East.”

James Caan added: “Student entrepreneurship is a vibrant community and through Start-Up Loans, we can help foster the amazing innovation that is evident in Universities across the country by helping start successful businesses.

“Through the ambassadors who have all been selected, we will be able to catalyse enterprise amongst students.”

Natalie’s responsibilities will include giving advice on the Newcastle University campus to students hoping to set up in business, and giving guidance on funding.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Miranda Dobson .