EEDA - East of England Development Agency

Eden Project’s Smit tells how to ‘grow your own’ business at EEDA Ideas Exchange

23 September 2008

Tim Smit, co-founder of the Eden Project, joins an impressive line-up at EEDA’s next Ideas Talk taking place in Newmarket in November.

“The Ideas Exchange — redefining profit in the 21st Century” will feature inspirational business leaders including Timothy Campbell, winner of the first series of The Apprentice.

The event will be hosted by Liam Black, former chief executive of Fifteen, Jamie Oliver’s international apprenticeship programme for young people. It will give regional business leaders the chance to quiz the speakers on how they have achieved their success.

Richard Ellis, chair of EEDA, said:

“New businesses are created every day and share one thing in common, the need to make a profit to survive. But more often than not, it is passion that moves people to start a business and it is passion that continues to fuel that business.

“Small businesses are the lifeblood of the region’s economy and this exciting event is just one of the many ways in which EEDA is helping small and medium sized enterprises to grow and develop.”

Richard said the event, the seventh in the series of ideas talks, would provide an important networking opportunity for the leaders of the East of England’s small and medium-sized businesses.

One of the speakers, self-made millionaire Deidre Bounds, has been dubbed the perfect role model for business after building up and then selling an ethical travel company.

Karen Mattison, co-founder of Women Like Us, completes the line up. She set up a social enterprise, helping women with children find flexible work.

The event, on Thursday 6 November, will be held at Tattersall’s, from 3.45 to 9pm. Registration is free and the event includes a buffet supper. To find out more or register visit www.eeda.org.uk/ideas-exchange.

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