James Caan has been approached by Lord Young, advisor to Prime Minister David Cameron on Enterprise, to help the Government drive an initiative to provide start up loans to young people across the country.

On appointing James as Chairman of the Board for StartUp Loans, Lord Young says:

“James Caan understands enterprise in this country and is passionate about helping young people to have the tools they need to start their own business. He’s also someone who gets things done, and with him as Chairman of StartUp Loans, I am confident that we will be able to kick-start the businesses of many young entrepreneurs contributing to a new generation of successful and growing UK small firms. ”

Also hugely passionate about helping young entrepreneurs, Bev James, CEO of The Academy Group, including The EBA, has also been selected as a Board Director on this initiative. Honoured to recieve the role of Director of Mentoring, Bev will be heavily involved in ensuring quality and impact on all mentors allocated to those who do secure a StartUp Loan.

Bev says:

“The mentors are a critical part of the programme. We aren’t just providing cash, but intelligent capital – a combination of money and expertise, essential to ensuring a greater chance of success in your business.”

Also assisting James Caan as Board Members of StartUp loans, are a ‘dream team’ of professionals including John Spence OBL DL, chair of the Spicehaart Group; David Hutchison, CEO of Social Finance; Julie Meyer, CEO of Adriane Capital; Roland Rudd, founder of Finsbury Communications; Duncan Cheatle, founder of The Prelude Group and co-founder of StartUp Britain; Jonathan Jenkins, CEO of The Social Investment Business and Philip King FICM, CEO of The Institute of Credit Management.

As Lord Young publishes his latest report on Small Firms in the UK, the first since 1979, the country finds itself in a position of 1 million unemployed young people.

Drawing on his expertise in running businesses, Lord Young’s initiative of providing small loans to young people to start their own business, aims to put the responsibility of creating jobs for the young, in the hands of the young people.

Young people across the country, from 18 – 24 years old will have the opportunity to access on average £2,500 to start their own business. Every recipient of the loan will be provided with an expert mentor who will be able to provide much needed guidance, a sounding board and networks to help the young entrepreneur along the way.

James Caan is committed to ensuring that the allocation of funds is treated in the same way as an investment. He says:

“Those who we have selected on the board are all experts in delivering results. Every individual has their own area of responsibility and therefore I’m confident that we will be able to reach the thousands of young people who are desperate to start their own business.”

The £82.5 million StartUp Loan scheme launched today will give our next generation of entrepreneurs the finance and support to potentially start over 30,000 new businesses, in a move to boost enterprise and economic growth.

Any young people aged 18–24 accessing the StartUp Loans can expect to receive expert and personal support to help develop a business plan and access training. Where the business plan is robust and approved, they will be able to access financial support in the form of a loan typically in the order of £2,500 with a repayment period of up to five years.

Board member Julie Meyer comments, “The best way to solve unemployment is to create employment. StartUp Loans is tackling the core of the problem by enabling young people to build the jobs which they’ll love. Loans are better than grants as they are an investment in the recipient, and an expectation is in place.”

Congratulations Bev James and James Caan on your involvement in this great initiative!