The UK is one of the most important trading centres in the world and we all play a crucial role as the hub of a fantastic range of businesses. Despite all the supposed doom and gloom, the rate at which businesses are starting up is strong, with a 30% increase in the number of businesses since 2000.

However, our ability to scale up existing businesses still poses a big problem. There are 4.5 million small and medium sized enterprises employing more than 13 million people in the UK. Yet although small businesses create the majority of new jobs in the UK, 75% are still one-man bands. Just think of the potential boost to Britain’s employment levels if they started to expand.

With new challenges ever emerging for small businesses, what and where are the opportunities for growth?

I believe that right now, high profile entrepreneurs can play an important part in championing the needs of our small business community and provide it with the tools it needs to sustain and thrive in this difficult climate.

So I’m really proud to be helping entrepreneurs every week in my column in the Evening Standard – Ask James.

I want to do my bit to ensure that as a business community we all play a part in supporting the next generation of entrepreneurs coming through. The opportunity to write for a national press column every Monday is a fantastic opportunity and I really hope to be able to help as many people as possible in their business journey.

This is my invitation to you. If you have any burning issues that you would like advice on please write to me at askjames@standard.co.uk and you could be featured next week.

James Caan