Small businesses need mentors, says expert

Date: 10th August 2010

Small businesses in the UK would have a better chance of achieving success if they had mentors to help them out, it has been claimed.

Tim Campbell, chief executive officer of the Bright Ideas Trust, has said that having an expert to look up to could help some small business owners avoid making the same mistakes as firms that have been in operation before them.

The expert, who won the first series of the BBC business talent competition The Apprentice, said: "Most small companies are happy to be one-man or two-man bands because that is the lifestyle they've chosen, but for those companies that do want to grow there has to be the finance in place and knowledge to support them.

"Jobcentre Plus should be on hand to make sure they are providing the right staff and training and support."

The comments follow the appointment of Mr Campbell as a "training ambassador" for mayor of London Boris Johnson, a role which sees him charged with getting more people in the capital back into work.

Posted by Thomas Fletcher