If ever there were an antidote to the new warnings over the UK economy's fragile state, it would be listening to a group of entrepreneurs talk about their businesses. For although the IoD Annual Convention last month was considered an overall success, it was pioneers, including Justine Roberts, Sam Conniff, Jude Ower, Wilfred Emmanuel-Jones and Richard Noble, who stole the show.
They were inspiring, articulate and enthusiastic. I don't think there was one delegate whose heart didn't soar when they heard Noble explain how the Bloodhound SSC will be a unique vehicle, capable of accelerating to 1,000mph in 40 seconds—"way beyond Jeremy Clarkson territory". What's more, 4,400 schools are involved in the project, which Noble hopes will eventually boost the shortage of engineers and scientists in Britain.
Equally motivational was Emmanuel-Jones, who knew from the age of 11 that he wanted to own a farm, despite the utter lack of opportunity available to him. He stressed how important it is to have courage and a dream, ruthless focus and a positive attitude. If fear prevents people setting up a business, he said, then a remedy for that is passion. "Many people have gone out of their way to help me," he added. They're the type of people to grab and hold on to tightly.
Our profile is an ex-offender who spent time sleeping rough. John Bird now goes out of his way to help others through The Big Issue, not satisfied all the time there remains an "us and them" divide. He calls himself a "65-year old git" but says his life's work has only just begun. Why should the poor be looked upon as "another species", he asks.
And within industry there are heartening examples of directors willing to give employees the push they need to set up their own dream. As Innocent's Richard Reed sees it, nurturing entrepreneurialism is "inspirational". But if staff choose to stay, they're given autonomy to develop a product and take it to market. The result, says Reed, is bold results.
On the downside, we can't ignore the disappointing news released by the Bank of England that shows lending to small business fell again in the first quarter of this year. For those SMEs struggling to access finance through the banks, our special report looks at the alternatives.
Amy Duff, Deputy editor