Awards
Shell LiveWIRE Award
The company won the Shell LiveWIRE 'Young Entrepreneur of the Year' award (2002) and also the JCB & Prince's Trust 'Business of the Year Award' (2002). We were nominated for the 2005 Shell LiveWIRE 'Significant Progress Award'.
In Shell LiveWIRE, the UK's longest-running support service for all 16 to 30-year-olds considering starting, or already running a business, it is a competition that has run for 23 years, and recognises and rewards the UK's most outstanding young entrepreneurs with prizes across the UK, including the top prize of £10,000. Since the awards began, over 10,000 young entrepreneurs have taken part, and previous winners include the smoothie drink manufacturer 'Innocent', and fast-growing internet tyre-fitters 'Black Circles'.
Shell founded Shell LiveWIRE in 1982 to help young people realise their potential when considering starting and running a small business. Through the Shell LiveWIRE service young people can gain expert business advice, find links to local support, and use the unique online mentoring system for advice from successful business people who draw on their own experiences. Duncan Robbie, a director of Shell LiveWIRE, commented:
The Shell LiveWIRE service is an excellent way of encouraging young people to develop the skills needed to start and run a business, and help them make their plans a reality. Every year the national Awards celebrate the best young business talent in the UK and provide an opportunity for young entrepreneurs to shout about their successes.
Shell LiveWIRE is the first and only service of its kind that speaks to all young entrepreneurs in a way that works for them. Shell LiveWIRE stands apart from traditional business advice by providing all 16 to 30 year olds with guidance and advice tailored to them. Over more than 20 years it has evolved to meet the changing needs of young people, and now also offers fast, accessible advice online.
Shell founded and has supported LiveWIRE for more than 20 years. The service responds to the need, recognised by government, the business community, Shell and its delivery partners, for more to be done to support young entrepreneurs. It recognises the vital contribution small businesses, and in particular young entrepreneurs, make in creating a diverse, successful economy. To win the award was a massive compliment for New City.