Leicester graduate named Midlands Entrepreneur of the Year 2015

A University of Leicester graduate has been named Midlands Entrepreneur of the Year 2015.

James MacFarlane, 26, was awarded the highly-esteemed accolade at the recent Midlands Business Awards 2015 held in February after setting up a number of new business ventures.

This follows on from the success of a previous student – Suleman Sacranie – who received the award last year and was also named Young Midlands Entrepreneur of the Year back in 2012.

James has enjoyed a successful start to his entrepreneurial career. He set up a website that hosts a network of family planning sites, including: Babynames.co.uk, Pregnancy.co.uk and Babies.co.uk  He is also a founding member and director of Inbound Digital Marketing (inbound.co.uk) which is based in Leicester and employs a further 10+ people.

The impact of the Enterprise Inc programme has been of great benefit to James, where he received coaching and a bursary to help get his business ideas off the ground.

James said: “Enterprise Inc has really developed and opened my business mind to a new level. We have explored new untapped roads and opportunities because of this programme. The mentors and trainers of Enterprise Inc have given me invaluable lessons not only in business, but also in my everyday life.”

Rajinder Bhuhi, Enterprise Manager in the University’s Career Development Service, said: “Through Enterprise Inc, University of Leicester had been able to offer business start-up support where students and graduates can freely access the quality training, support and resources needed to help develop business skills and make ideas become a reality. We are delighted to have nominated James for the award; he continues to be a great ambassador for his University, as he regularly returns to give talks and support graduates and students developing their new business ideas. ”

The Career Development Service, through the Enterprise Inc project (which has now come to an end), has supported 45 new business ventures created by students and graduates of the University.

Graduates and current students of the University thinking of starting a business can take advantage of a wide range of support and resources available through the Career Development Service. This includes access to specialised networking groups on LinkedIn, opportunities to interact with influential entrepreneurs through regular business start-up cafes, and a chance to receive expert entrepreneurial training through its pioneering Launchpad Leicester Online programme.

For more information please contact Rajinder Bhuhi (Enterprise Project Manager) on Rajinder.Bhuhi@leicester.ac.uk