NEF & CFE merge to create an ‘entrepreneurial powerhouse’ in the UK
The New Entrepreneurs Foundation (NEF) announced today (15th November 2017) that it has joined forces with the Centre for Entrepreneurs (CFE) to create a new combined “entrepreneurial powerhouse”. NEF, whose vision is to transform UK business by developing the entrepreneurial leaders of the future, wants to tackle some of the challenges that are holding back the wider take up of entrepreneurship in the UK. The new not for profit combined entity, will be managed by Neeta Patel, CEO of the NEF, and has been made possible by a donation of nearly £1 million over three years by LetterOne, the international investment business, co-founded by entrepreneur Mikhail Fridman.
The aim of this new national entrepreneurial powerhouse, which will now be a leading entrepreneurship advocate in the UK, is to develop skills, deliver original research, impactful campaigns and development programmes: it will train the next generation of the UK’s entrepreneurial leaders and social entrepreneurs to realise their potential, start businesses, create jobs and prosperity; deliver original research to identify gaps in current provision; bring together organisations to devise programmes to address these gaps, and input into UK policy around entrepreneurial support.
NEF will focus on delivering its successful future entrepreneurial leaders development programme. It looks for the UK’s brightest, most entrepreneurially minded young people and provides them with the UK’s leading training programme, where they are mentored by entrepreneurs and businesses, to fast-track young, talented, aspiring entrepreneurs to start their own businesses. Since NEF’s launch in 2011, nearly 200 young entrepreneurs have gone through its programme: they have launched 92 new businesses, raised £27m in funding, and created over 1,000 new jobs.
CFE will promote the role of entrepreneurs in creating economic growth and social well-being. It will maintain its entrepreneur-related research, the CFE Founders Club and best practice networks including the CFE Prison Entrepreneurship Network and the Incubator and Accelerator Network. Its recent research advocated the role of universities in supporting high-growth graduate start-ups. The report suggested universities could boost graduate retention, job creation and economic growth in their regions by providing business incubation to graduate entrepreneurs.
UK well placed to take advantage of the 21st century digital economy
The UK is well placed to take advantage of this shift to a 21st century digital economy. The Indigo Index (powered by LetterOne) measured more than 150 countries entrepreneurial eco-systems, using a range of broader socio–economic factors such as; the levels of education, the ‘cloud’ or infrastructure for doing business, and digital infrastructure. It showed that the UK ranked 5th in the world, and therefore was well positioned to take advantage of the shift away from capital-intensive industry.
Commenting on the announcement, Neeta Patel, CEO of the New Entrepreneurs Foundation, said, “We want to encourage more people, particularly women and students, to see entrepreneurialism as a natural career choice and enable them to realise their potential and start businesses. By combining our expertise – in NEF and CFE – as a leader in entrepreneurial training and socio-economic research – we are well placed to more actively champion, support and develop the economic and social case for entrepreneurship in the UK.”
NEF is governed by a formal board of trustees led by its chairman Oliver Pawle. The current board will remain in place with an additional two new board members being selected to govern the merged organisation. NEF is also planning a new advisory board to assist with strategic and development activities. Luke Johnson, previous chairman for CFE will join the advisory board of the combined organisation. Robert Kelsey, previous deputy chairman of CFE will chair the research council. The combined organisation has 9 full time staff and a number of part time and project staff. The team will co-locate to a new office in Shoreditch in December 2017.
About the New Entrepreneurs Foundation
The New Entrepreneurs Foundation, home of the Centre for Entrepreneurs, is a charitable organisation focussed on entrepreneurship education, entrepreneurship research and skills development. Its goal is to encourage the role of entrepreneurs as a driver for growth in the UK economy through the creation of jobs and employment.
For further information visit www.newentrepreneursfoundation.com
About Centre for Entrepreneurs
The Centre for Entrepreneurs (CFE), which launched in 2013 and joined the New Entrepreneurs Foundation in November 2017, undertakes research and campaigns to promote the role of entrepreneurs in creating economic growth and social well-being.
For further information visit www.centreforentrepreneurs.org
About LetterOne
LetterOne is an international investment business, co-founded by entrepreneur Mikhail Fridman. LetterOne’s Global Perspective series publishes and supports a range of thinking and research around digital entrepreneurship.
For further information visit http://global-perspectives.org.uk
