Jobcentre Plus

The increasing number of men and women who are turning their lives around by choosing to start up a new business are highlighted in the Barclays Trading Places Awards launched this week (April 9).

The government backed Awards, presented in association with The Prince’s Trust, feature practical examples of people who have taken control of their lives by deciding to go it alone.

Previous winners include a single mum who overcame physical abuse to set up a successful beauty business and a former policeman who lost an arm and his career but went on to establish a driving school for the disabled.

Whether it is overcoming a failed relationship, turning your back on benefits, or transforming your life when dealing with a physical disability we would like to hear from you.

The Awards are open to everyone who has been trading for a minimum of three months and a maximum of three years, with an annual turnover of less than £1 million.

Are you a business hero?

Launching Trading Places 2008, Barclays’ Marketing Director for Local Business, John Davis, said: “This is a celebration of unsung heroes who, in spite of great personal challenges, have taken steps to establish a sustainable business and in doing so changed the direction of their lives – for the benefit of themselves and their families. We are delighted to have this opportunity of celebrating the inspiring achievement of these individuals whilst highlighting an increasingly important sector of the business community – the sole traders and small business operations that underpin our economy.”

Other supporters are the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (BERR), Jobcentre Plus, The National Federation of Enterprise Agencies (NFEA) and Microsoft.

John Hutton, Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform, said: “I am delighted to once again have the opportunity to support the Barclays Trading Places Awards. The Government recognises the need to unlock enterprising talent amongst people of all sections of society and its role in encouraging people to have the ambition to start and grow their own businesses. I would like to congratulate all those involved in this year’s Awards and wish you every success for the event.”

Entries for the Barclays Trading Places Awards – now in their fourth year – must be in by May 30th. Nomination leaflets are available by calling 0800 085 3203 or visiting www.barclays.co.uk/tradingplaces.

Judges will select 10 National Finalists who will attend a prestigious Awards Dinner in London at the Marriott Hotel, Grosvenor Square, on October 7th, where they will each be awarded £1,100 worth of desktop software by Microsoft. The winner will receive a further £2,200 worth of Microsoft server software.

In addition the winner and runner-up, to be announced on the night, will receive £10,000 and £5,000 respectively, courtesy of Barclays.

For further information or to arrange an interview please contact Rebecca Deeny or Kate Polson at Aspect Communications on 0208 673 2020 / 07795 694 863 / 0785 290 271