MP Welcomes Small Business Champion to Westminster

Rossendale and Darwen MP Jake Berry welcomed the North West’s Small Business Saturday champion to Parliament this week.

Turton-based Lee Parker, an entrepreneur and CEO of Parker Sourcing Ltd, met the MP to discuss this year’s Small Business Saturday, going ahead on Saturday December 5.

Jake Berry said:

“I was really pleased to welcome Lee to Westminster and have a chat with him about what more I can do to support small businesses in the North West.

“Lee is passionate about promoting small businesses here in our area so it was great to talk to him about some of his ideas.

“I’ve always enjoyed taking part in Small Business Saturday so I’m already looking forward to this year’s event!”

Lee Parker added:

“Small Business Saturday plays a valuable role in focusing the minds of consumers and fellow business owners on what small businesses can offer in terms of range of products and services and levels of customer service.

“Most people in this country either own a small business, work for a small business or know somebody who does so I’m delighted to have been asked to champion Small Business Saturday 2015 in the North West and to do what we can to get people thinking small.”

CEO mentioned in SMI Insider

SME Insider Article

Bolton business owner named Small Business Saturday champion

by Liam Thorp, politics reporter The Bolton News

A SMALL business owner from Bolton has been named as one of twenty entrepreneurs around the UK to become a Small Business Saturday champion for 2015.

Lee Parker’s remit will be to promote locally this year’s event on Saturday December 5, when the UK’s 5.2 million small businesses are placed in the national spotlight.

Mr Parker, CEO of Parker Sourcing Ltd in Heaton, was a member of last year’s Small Business Saturday 100.

Parker Sourcing is one of the UK’s leading technical & construction recruitment companies offering engineering & construction recruitment solutions throughout the UK and Europe.

The 34-year old entrepreneur said:“Small Business Saturday plays a valuable role in focusing the minds of consumers and fellow business owners on what small businesses can offer in terms of range of products and services and levels of customer service.

“Most people in this country either own a small business, work for a small business or know somebody who does so I’m are delighted to have been asked to champion Small Business Saturday 2015 in the north west and to do what we can to get people thinking small.”

Now entering its third year Small Business Saturday is already the UK’s most successful small business campaign. Last year 16.5 million adults went out to support a small business on Small Business Saturday with 64% of the UK aware of the campaign. The UK’s small businesses between them provide 60% of private

sector jobs and nearly 50% of private sector turnover.

Michelle Ovens, national campaign director for Small Business Saturday UK, said:“This year’s strapline will be ‘5 million small businesses, one big day’.

“Last year, small business owners, local authorities, a wide range of other organisations and members of the public really embraced Small Business Saturday.

“It succeeded because people recognised the importance of having a vibrant and successful small business sector and not only came out on the day itself but got involved in the run-up to it in their local communities.

“Our champions have a crucial role to play in mobilising that support and in ensuring that Small Business Saturday comes to life for small business owners in their local areas. They are our feet on the ground.”

As with previous years, events will be planned throughout the UK in the run-up to and on Small Business Saturday itself, including an expanded nationwide bus tour, details of which will be announced later in the year.

Small businesses will once again be encouraged to get involved and create special events themselves to mark the day.

The build-up will include Inspire, a series of free workshops around the country led by prominent small business experts and entrepreneurs. These will be free to attend and will also be streamed live online.

Webcasts will also be available on the Small Business Saturday YouTube channel after each event.

Small Business Saturday, which is a grassroots, not-for-profit campaign also benefits from the backing of leading business organisations including the Association of City and Town Management, the Association of Convenience Stores, Northern Ireland Independent Retail Trade Association and the Federation of Small Businesses.

Message on Small Business from our CEO

Today sees the launch of Small Business Saturday UK 2015. 12 months ago I embarked on a journey to promote my business nationally with like minded entrepreneurs who shared the same vision and passion to promote Small Business throughout the UK. Little did I know that when I initially made my application for Small Business Saturday UK where it would initially lead.

As I disembark for my journey to London from Manchester this morning I’m taking part in 1 or 2 fantastic opportunities to not only promote Parker Sourcing but Small Business throughout the UK. With a meeting this afternoon with my MP I’m keep to understand what this current government are going to be doing to promote small business within the UK but also what I and fellow like minded individuals can do to get our message out there. Secondly i could not be more honoured to help launch Small Business Saturday UK as part of a panel discussion within the fabulous surroundings of the British Library.

Manchester has seen a significant growth in Tech startups and advance manufacturing post recession and nothing makes me prouder than to champion the North West as part of a fantastic organisation that is Small Business Saturday.

Many of you my friends and family run, work or know someone that is part of Small business. So please join me this year in promoting your success story, your passion for supporting small business because without all of you today and the success of Parker sourcing and Northern Small businesses the next 12 months as Small business Saturday Champion would not be possible. So swaying away from the norm of thinking big, lets “Think Small” and show the UK what Small enterprise is capable of.