The Background
Politicians, business people and academics laud small business as the engine of the UK economy. Small businesses provide energy, enterprise and employment – Patricia Hewitt, Trade & Industry Secretary, claims that "we know that it’s small businesses that will create the jobs of the future" and make a substantial contribution to the success of UK plc.
Of the 3.7 million UK businesses, 3 million are small and medium sized. They provide work for 12.5m people and generate an estimated £400 billion of GDP.
Yet, despite this, small businesses and entrepreneurs are under-represented in political and business decision-making; don’t have a voice in media and political circles that matches the contribution they make to business and economic success; and are often hamstrung by unhelpful legislation and bureaucracy. They prosper - and help our economy prosper - despite, rather than because of the political and regulatory environment.
* Speech by Patricia Hewitt, Trade and Industry Secretary, Labour Party conference, Winter Gardens, Blackpool, Monday 30 September 2002.
The Forum
Tenon, the national provider of business services and advice to entrepreneurs, believes that it is in everyone's interest, up to and including Government, that entrepreneurs have vigorous and positive representation.
We have therefore established the Tenon Forum, an independent think-tank made up of representatives from the UK’s small business community, to help provide this. The Forum will provide a platform from which the rights, values and needs of a healthy entrepreneurial sector can be championed.
The Research
Every six months we commission independent research and act on its findings; respond to the requests of small businesses that link into it with practical solutions; and challenge the received wisdom that big business represents all business.
Our research focuses on both ongoing trend identifying areas, and topical questions based on specific issues at the time. It is one of the most in-depth surveys of its kind, interviewing 1000 MDs, FDs and other senior directors at small and medium sized business (between 5 and 499 employees) on bi-annual basis on a wide range of issues.
This year, the research was carried out by YouGov Plc, a recognised thought leader and innovator in online market research, and covers all business sectors across the whole of England, Scotland and Wales. The results are weighted to give a truly representative picture of the British economy.
The Report
The research is debated by the Tenon Forum think tank to produce analysis and commentary on the research, and make constructive recommendations for actions to improve the framework within which small and medium businesses have to operate. These are contained in the Tenon Forum Report on Entrepreneurial Britain, issued every six months
The Commitment
The Forum will work with entrepreneurs the length and breadth of the country to:
- Ensure entrepreneurs have the voice they deserve.
- Create the right legislative and regulatory framework for entrepreneurs to thrive.
- Battle the barriers that are holding entrepreneurs back.
We envisage a time when to be called an entrepreneur in Britain is the ultimate accolade.
If you require any further information regarding The Tenon Forum please contact your local Tenon representative.
Press Contact
Jackie McColl
Tel: 0141 272 8046 or 07800 617445
Email: jackie.mccoll
Phillip Ward
Tel: 01257 518000 or 07800 617069
Email: phillip.ward
