James Caan | Ethnic Minorities Business Task Force

By Maxine Myers (Source: The Voice)

ENTREPRENEUR AND star of TV show Dragons' Den, James Caan, has been appointed co-chair of the Government's Ethnic Minorities Business Task Force.

The task force will form strategy to assist ethnic minority-owned businesses across the UK, and is the country's most influential team working on behalf of ethnic minorities in the business arena. Caan, who made his name and fortune in the recruitment industry, before moving into private equity, says ethnic minority businesses of all sizes can contribute a whooping £30-£40 billion to the UK economy each year.

In these credit crunch times- it is one of the key areas of the economy that's actually growing. "There could be as many as 100,000 new BME [black and minority ethnic] businesses created over the next 12 months alone, and part of the task force's job will be to make' sure Government support is communicated to the right people in the right way, encouraging these entrepreneurs as well as signposting very practical Government packages that are in' place to help them," he explained.

DELIGHTED

Caan, who has first-hand experience of ethnic minority businesses, says he is delighted to take the role and feels he is the right person for the job. "This particular task force is focused on BME businesses, and that's where I'll be offering my insight and experience. It's an area I have a close knowledge of and one that's close to my heart," he said.

The entrepreneur will be reporting his findings to business secretary Lord Peter Mandelson, who says he hopes the appointment of Caan will help remove barriers for ethnic minority business owners. "It's more important than ever that we create an environment where anyone with ambition, passion and a good idea, no matter what their background, can succeed," he said.