The search is on for 2 entrepreneurs in residence
The Department for Business is on a quest to appoint 2 successful entrepreneurs to advise government on the needs of small businesses.
The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) is once more recruiting 2 successful entrepreneurs to help the government address the needs of small and medium sized businesses, and keep the country ahead in the global race.
The roles will be quite distinct and will include acting as consultants to advise government by helping to deliver specific projects or programmes and be ambassadors for BIS.
The recruitment for the 2 roles started today (28 March) and the closing date for applications is 29 April.
Scale-up Entrepreneur in Residence role
BIS is looking for someone with substantial experience of starting and scaling-up businesses, to help the government in its mission to help small businesses grow. The department and the Entrepreneur in Residence will work together to develop a programme of activity on the full range of issues that affect small businesses, from finance to skills, exports to regulation. The ‘Scale-up’ Entrepreneur in Residence will be expected to cultivate networks within and outside government, speak at events and help officials develop policy to boost business growth.
SynBio Entrepreneur in Residence role
The winning candidate will have a strong background in technology based start-ups in sectors of relevance to synthetic biology (SynBio). He or she will help the government develop a flourishing UK industry in Synthetic Biology (SynBio), which is expected to benefit the life sciences and energy sectors. The department and the successful applicant will together develop a programme of activity, which will include networking with SynBio start-ups and research and innovation centres, promoting collaboration and informing the work of the SynBio Leadership Council.
The Entrepreneurs in Residence will be the second pair to fill the post and will spend a year working closely with the department helping us to design and guide policy.
The outgoing Entrepreneurs in Residence
The outgoing Entrepreneurs in Residence at BIS are business owners Lawrence Tomlinson and Rekha Mehr, who fought off competition from over 200 other applicants.
Experienced Leeds-based entrepreneur Lawrence Tomlinson runs businesses in a number sectors including construction, software, chemicals, cars, and care homes.
Rekha Mehr is the founder and owner of Pistachio Rose, a London-based business creating high-end Anglo-Indian cakes and sweets, and Moonrekha, a business support consultancy. She was hired to be a voice for start ups.
She said:
Becoming an Entrepreneur in Residence has allowed me to use my own knowledge and experience to champion other entrepreneurs within the heart of government.
As part of my role I’ve travelled with trade delegations, contributed to the design of new initiatives, discussed policy with the decision makers, and met incredibly inspiring business owners. It’s been a fantastic experience, and I would recommend it to any entrepreneur looking to contribute towards positive change.
Launching the recruitment process, Skills and Enterprise Minister Matthew Hancock said:
In launching our search for 2 new Entrepreneurs in Residence, we are asking for business people to tell us what more we can do, and I hope the programme proves to be as popular as it was last time.
The GREAT Business campaign has a wealth of advice and information to support small businesses. There are also some compelling case studies of firms that are succeeding and growing.