A GROUP of successful business people have taken up a unique role at the University of Worcester, supporting and mentoring the next generation of entrepreneurs.

The University’s Business School has created an Entrepreneurs in Residence scheme, bringing local entrepreneurs together with students over a three-year period. Mark Richardson, head of the Business School and deputy pro vice chancellor (academic portfolio), said: “We are delighted to welcome our new supporters to play their part in growing entrepreneurship, both within the University and more broadly across the county and region. Our Entrepreneurs in Residence have already demonstrated excellence, ingenuity and creativity in their own fields; we can now look forward to benefitting from their wealth of expertise and experience in taking these new business ventures to the next level.”

The first group of selected entrepreneurs include Dr Adrian Burden, the founding chief executive of the first spin-off from the Institute of Materials Research and Engineering in Singapore and co-founder of Key IQ Ltd, Philip Fowler, founder of The Move Master, a one-stop shop for companies to project manage their office moves, Ian Harris, group chair of Vistage UK, a peer-group of local business leaders, Michael Pique, general manager of the Pear Tree Hotel, Richard Williams, head of partnership development at Airstream Consultants and John King, an experienced business leader who currently runs a mentoring and consultancy business offering advice to new and established businesses in the country.

Dr Burden said: “I think it is vitally important to promote entrepreneurship in the community and genuinely wish to help students at the University develop their skills and knowledge to enable them to successfully start, grow and exit their future businesses.”

The Entrepreneurs in Residence will support the activities currently in progress within the Business School in promoting and supporting entrepreneurship among its undergraduates and graduate communities. The roles will allow contributions to the curriculum through inspirational talks, mentoring support for new business starters and informing policy and practice in this increasingly important area of the University’s work.

The Business School is seeking more business leaders to join the new scheme. Entrepreneurs in Residence are appointed for three years in the first instance and all entrepreneurs appointed to the scheme will be able to access the University’s resources and other development opportunities free of charge in return for playing a part in supporting and encouraging student entrepreneurs. Anyone interested in applying for this opportunity should contact Lisa Loudon for an informal conversation about the role on 01905 542445.