News and features

Wed, 10 Jun 2009

Sir Alan Sugar appointed enterprise champion

Entrepreneur and reality television star Sir Alan Sugar has been appointed to the post of enterprise tsar for the government.

Prime minister Gordon Brown has announced that Sir Alan Sugar will be taking the role of enterprise tsar for the government. Part of his role will involve providing assistance to small businesses in the country and ensuring that they take effective use of government support when running a business. The Federation of Small Businesses have welcomed the appointment, noting that there have been calls for a corporate mediator for some time.

John Wright, national chairman of the group, commented: "The appointment of enterprise champion Sir Alan, with his stature and no-nonsense approach, should help compel the banks to lend fairly to viable small firms.' Sir Alan's responsibilities might involve looking at and evaluating the conditions faced by those setting up a business. He will also be expected to promote the interests of small firms with banks and to be a figurehead for entrepreneurs in the UK. The star of BBC reality television show The Apprentice is thought to be receiving a peerage for his services to the government and people in the UK setting up a business.

Sir Alan has sold stakes in a number of high profile companies, including his stakes in Amstrad and Tottenham Football Club, to help ensure there is no conflict of interest. The BBC reports Mr Brown saying: "I can not think of a better person to be in place." Earlier this week, the final round of the most recent series of The Apprentice saw restaurant owner Yasmina Siadatan become the latest person to win the chance to work for Sir Alan.

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