Greater than half of younger Britons are unable to call a single entrepreneur, in keeping with new analysis that campaigners say highlights a worrying disconnect between the UK’s startup tradition and the following era.
A YouGov survey carried out for Enterprise Britain discovered that 56 per cent of 18 to 25-year-olds couldn’t identify an entrepreneur, founder or chief govt. Amongst those that may, Richard Branson was essentially the most incessantly cited, named by 16 per cent of respondents in that age group.
Lord Sugar was recognized by 6 per cent, whereas simply 2 per cent talked about Steven Bartlett, the Dragons’ Den investor and host of The Diary of a CEO podcast. Throughout all age teams, 33 per cent of UK adults named Branson, whereas 32 per cent couldn’t identify any entrepreneur in any respect.
The findings come as youth unemployment has climbed to its highest degree in additional than a decade and because the Treasury finalises a session on how entrepreneurs are taxed.
Enterprise Britain, a foyer group based by enterprise leaders together with Stephen Fitzpatrick, founding father of Ovo Vitality, and Brent Hoberman, co-founder of Lastminute.com, has launched a marketing campaign titled “Time to Act” urging stronger authorities help for entrepreneurship.
Baroness Lane Fox, co-founder of Lastminute.com and a member of the group, mentioned the time period “entrepreneur” might really feel distant to many individuals. “It has taken on a grandeur,” she mentioned. “Individuals suppose you must construct a worldwide big to rely. Entrepreneurship can take many varieties and could be economically rewarding for people and communities.”
The survey additionally discovered that 74 per cent of respondents imagine the UK’s place within the world financial system is in decline, underscoring broader considerations about development and competitiveness.
Enterprise Britain is asking for the creation of a devoted minister for entrepreneurship and for insurance policies to broaden entry to capital, together with expanded worker share possession schemes and higher pension fund funding in high-growth UK firms.
Fitzpatrick mentioned: “Britain has a fantastic financial engine. However whereas we have now one foot on the accelerator, the opposite is on the brake. We have to take the brakes off so bold companies can drive the nation ahead.”
The marketing campaign displays rising debate over tips on how to foster entrepreneurial ambition at a time when financial uncertainty and rising employment prices are reshaping the labour marketplace for youthful Britons.

