Ideopolis Internationa

Entrepreneurial Halls of Fame

It would be hard to exaggerate the impact that entrepreneurs have had on British life. Against this background, it is remarkable that this contribution receives such scant recognition. There are now Halls of Fame to recognise the achievements of pop stars, race horses and footballers, but - until now - no comparable recognition of the entrepreneurial architects of the region's greatness. This has been addressed with the creation of the Merseyside Entrepreneurial Hall of Fame, with plans to extend to the North West, and UK.

The overall vision for the Entrepreneurial Hall of Fame is simple - to acknowledge, understand and disseminate the achievements of those entrepreneurial women and men whose risk taking, innovation and creativity shaped and continues to shape our communities. For some, commercial success and wealth creation was the spur, for others it was the betterment of others that prompted their efforts. Their achievements occurred in the public as well as the private sector, but they shared this entrepreneurial vision. Little wonder that entrepreneurship is at the top of economic agendas around the world.

"... The key to our future economic success and social cohesion - is a country where enterprise is truly open to all, a nation of aspiration and ambition united in encouraging and celebrating innovation and enterprise... the best inspiration is to see other people who have made ideas happen" From a Speech by the Chancellor of the Exchequer Gordon Brown. Enterprising Britain policy summit, London 2004.

"We must encourage risk-taking and the spirit of enterprise. Remove the economic and social stigma facing Europe''s would-be entrepreneurs... See that their risk-taking is applauded, as well as rewarded". Kki Liikanen, EU Commissioner responsible for Enterprise and the Information Society, 6 Sept 2000

"We promote entrepreneurship in this administration. Every time a small business is started in America, somebody is achieving the American Dream." George Bush, Campaign quote, Pennsylvania, 21/10/04

"The United Nations has played its part in creating special economic zones, removing trade barriers, supporting entrepreneurs, and in the development of small and medium-sized enterprises. In all of these areas we have a proud record." Kofi Annan, Address to the World Economic Forum, Davos, Switzerland, 1 February 1997

The Entrepreneurial Hall Of Fame is made up of contemporary and historical entrepreneurs who embody the spirit of enterprise and have made an enduring contribution to life in the UK. The goals of the Hall of Fame are many, but two are especially important. First: to highlight the contribution of entrepreneurs to that locality, the region, the country and the world. Second: to communicate the importance, value and accessibility of entrepreneurial achievement to all communities and groups, especially the young.

We currently face an entrepreneurial deficit that can only be tackled if the young, in particular, understand both the importance of entrepreneurship and the opportunities enterprise offers them. Powerful links with schools, colleges and universities are a vital part of the agenda for the Entrepreneurial Hall of Fame. Its role, however, extends far wider - on one level to communicate a global vision of the entrepreneurial environment, where the achievements of the past are being matched today - on other levels to educate and inform policy makers, public officials, educators and others of the continuing dynamics of the entrepreneurial vision. Entrepreneurial achievements provide lessons for policy and action today. Prime minister TH Right Honourable Tony Blair has already pledged his support for the project.

These are wonderful stories that are seldom told. The Hall of Fame not only recognises these achievements and tells their stories, but uses them to understand and disseminate the entrepreneurial process.

Back Button