BT Launches Busine Mentor Programme

DC13-090 March 21, 2013

BT LAUNCHES BUSINESS MENTOR PROGRAMME BT Business today announced the launch of its BT Business Mentors' programme, designed to celebrate successful small and medium-sized businesses across the UK, and to encourage them to share their experience with others.

The first mentors selected to join the scheme are Kerrie Murray of Pins & Ribbons and Richard Phillips of CUP Classic Cars, who have launched and grown successful companies both on and off-line.

They will be sharing their learning and experience with business owners and those who are thinking about starting off on their own, with regular Q&As, comments, articles and advice videos. In addition, they will take part in roundtable discussions with BT Business looking at how technology can work for people and solve workplace challenges.

Murray, a former police inspector, based her hand-made and bespoke soft furnishing business in Stockton-on-Tees, expanding from the kitchen table into a dedicated workshop facility and boutique.

Pins & Ribbons now sells via its website and shop, as well as utilising specialist online marketplaces and supplying luxury stores, including Liberty.

Based between Cambridge and Norfolk, Phillips started his first business whilst still working as a merchant banker in the City. Having sold that, he founded an outsourced transcription service OutSec, which he continues to run alongside CUP Classic Cars a company that specialises in exclusive British cars, including Aston Martin, Bristol and Jaguar.

Although CUP has a specialist showroom and workshop facility just outside King's Lynn, a large proportion of its sales come from the internet both via its own website and specialist classic car sales sites.

Claire Sadler, General Manager for Marketing & Communications, BT Business, said: The aim of the programme is to work with successful entrepreneurs to inspire and help closet entrepreneurs' seriously look at how they can set up their own businesses by benefitting from the experience of people who have done it before.

The mentors will also highlight their own learning's, and work with BT Business to help owners to understand how technology and market conditions can help their businesses thrive.

Kerrie Murray, managing director, Pins & Ribbons, said: I set up the company like many other entrepreneurs whilst working in a career and selling hand-made products over the internet. This was a great way to start, but I then made a very conscious decision to focus on the business as my full time job. I received a lot of good advice along the way, and the mentor programme will allow me to help other people in the same position.

Richard Phillips, managing director, CUP Classics, said: Technology has been at the heart of every business I've started and run, and CUP Classics is no different. Business is all about spotting opportunities not just a niche or a product idea how you can reach customers, and that's where technology comes in. Being a business mentor gives me the opportunity to help other businesses spot their own niche and know how to exploit it.

Emma Jones, campaign director, StartUp Britain, said: At whatever stage your business is at, theres something invaluable in seeking counsel from someone whos trodden the path before you.

Experienced entrepreneurs have wisdom and knowledge and can hopefully offer words of advice to guide you. Ultimately business owners make their own decisions, but these can be well-judged ones with a little help from a friend!

For more information about the BT Business Mentors programme or to register your interest in getting involved, visit http://www.insight.bt.com/en/features/bt_business_mentors.

-Ends-

Notes to editors

BT is one of the world's leading providers of communications services and solutions, serving customers in more than 170 countries. Its principal activities include the provision of networked IT services globally; local, national and international telecommunications services to its customers for use at home, at work and on the move; broadband and internet products and services and converged fixed/mobile products and services. BT consists principally of four lines of business: BT Global Services, BT Retail, BT Wholesale and Openreach.

In the year ended 31 March 2012, BT Group's revenue was £18,897m with profit before taxation of £2,445m.

British Telecommunications plc (BT) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of BT Group plc and encompasses virtually all businesses and assets of the BT Group. BT Group plc is listed on stock exchanges in London and New York.

For more information, visit www.btplc.com

About Pins & Ribbons

Pins and Ribbons Ltd is an award-winning North East manufacturing business, specialising in high quality soft furnishings, fine furniture and home accessories - all handmade to order from start to finish in England.

Founded in 2006, the company's range includes lampshades, bean bags, cushions, armchairs, footstools, headboards, fabric doorstops, aprons, draught excluders, memo and pin boards. As well as a separate manufacturing unit and successful internet-based operation, Pins and Ribbons supplies hundreds of trade stockists throughout the country, including small boutiques and high-end department stores.

The full Pins and Ribbons collection can be ordered online at: www.pinsandribbons.co.uk), as well as via select UK stockists, or by phoning (01642) 786777.

About CUP Classics

CUP stands for Cato - Ungless - Phillips. That is Stephen Cato, Gary Ungless and Richard Phillips. We are three classic car enthusiasts with a shared passion for Aston Martin and other British car manufacturers from the halcyon days of motoring. What we bring is a fresh approach to buying, owning and maintaining a classic car.We ai

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