Member Article

The Sharp Project wins Enterprising Britain Award

The Sharp Project, Manchester’s digital content production complex, has won the Government’s Enterprising Britain Award in the ‘Improving the Business Environment’ category and is one of only two UK entries chosen to go forward to the European Enterprise Promotion Awards (EEPA) for 2014 held in Naples in September.

One of only four projects in the UK, and the only one in the North West, to be selected by Department for Business Innovation and Skills, The Sharp Project won the Enterprising Britain Award for its success in helping to create the business environment needed for small digital businesses to start and grow.

Sue Woodward OBE, Project Director for The Sharp Project said: “It is very exciting to be recognised nationally, and a huge pat on the back for the team who have worked so hard to create the right environment to help digital and tech start-ups flourish.

“We have developed a fantastic eco-system here, which we’re very proud of. We have so much talent under one roof and tenants collaborate and share skills and expertise which is very satisfying to see.”

Minister for Skills and Enterprise, Matthew Hancock said: “All these winners have helped to promote enterprise and entrepreneurs across the UK. This year we have seen efforts to engage everyone from young children to digital start-ups, which all helps with our long-term economic plan.

“Entrepreneurs and small businesses are the lifeblood of our economy and deserve all the help available to them to start-up and thrive.”

The other three category winners were Gower College’s Primary to Professional in Swansea (Building enterprise skills), the e-factor in Grimsby (Promoting entrepreneurial spirit) and the South Devon Export Network in Torbay (Support for exporting). Gower College is the other project to go through to the European Enterprise Promotion Awards with The Sharp Project.

Neville Reyner CBE DL Hon DLitt, Chairman Young Chamber: “The 2014 EBA competition produced a very strong field of entries with a high number from across the country being submitted.

“This year’s award winners should be very proud of their success. The EBA celebrate the enterprising endeavours of initiatives from across the UK and the support shown to these Awards by the Government emphasises the importance it places on developing enterprise throughout the UK.” The awards celebrate the wide range of activity across the country that stimulates and supports enterprise. This year’s awards produced a strong field of entries giving the judges a challenging task in deciding the winners.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Simon Malia .