Fylde coast business stars can inspire future entrepreneurs

The BIBAs awards ceremony at the Blackpool Tower Ballroom

Prof Susan Smith at the University of Central Lancashire, said those individuals running firms could inspire young people starting up in business and those considering whether to take the plunge.

The university provides a hub to support fledgling firms including mentoring, incubation facilities and networking opportunities at its campus in Preston city centre.

Prof Susan Smith will be part of the judging panel which meets with applicants to the Business Person of the Year category on the Be Inspired Business Awards today.

She said: “The role model which our business leaders can set is hugely important, both in terms of setting an example of how to run a business and inspiring our young people to set up in business.

“At UCLan we work with people who are in both situations and they are influenced by their peers whether they are people they know or people they see in public life, and we try to bring them together with good role models.

“I am delighted to say the people who are running businesses in Lancashire are some of the most inspirational people I have had the pleasure to meet."