As has already been blogged, we were honoured with a visit from the Prime Minister to our launch of the Oxfordshire Hub last week. Not just because he is who he is, not just because this is his local constituency, but also because he endorsed so well what we have been saying for so long. Small is beautiful, it’s job creation among start-ups and small businesses that will carry us out of recession and our business model bringing together local knowledge and national scale, is indeed Big Society stuff.
This is nothing new to David Cameron – he has been saying this as an MP for years. That he has not departed from this message, even when it’s not been too popular – shows integrity. And for our Chairman, Paul Barry-Walsh, it’s vindication for his vision, born over 10 years ago.
Do we feel complacent as we celebrate our 10th birthday and our newest Hub? Not at all. Do we feel new encouragement and hope as we continue building to a sustainable future? Absolutely we do! So, thank you, Mr Cameron or an excellent birthday present, and thank all of those who took time off to join us for the party. No party bags, but plenty of businesses yet to be started. The gift that keeps on giving. Or lending anyway!
The launch event had a real buzz about it, there was real enthusiasm in the room. Then to cap it all off we get an endorsement from the PM.
I hope this all leads to people supporting us even more and Oxfordshire can be held up as a shining light in supporting entrpreneurs to succeed.