Tim Campbell, the winner of BBC2's The Apprentice in 2005, launches one-to-one business and motivational advice sessions at the British Library's Business & IP Centre
The British Library, 7 August 2006 - Tim Campbell has followed up his participation in the Library's 'Winners - The Rise and Rise of Black British Entrepreneurs' event on 15 May by announcing a series of one-to-one 'Ask an Expert' sessions to take place in the recently-launched Business & IP Centre.
Tim's six-month programme of advice sessions aims to inspire and motivate budding entrepreneurs and innovators to pursue and exploit their dreams, realise ambitions and formulate creative ideas. Half of Tim's sessions will be open to younger adults (16 years and above), a requirement that Tim was very keen to have included.
Tim's 'Ask an Expert' sessions are part of a wider programme of clinics at which successful business people, role models and professional advisers give tailored one-to-one advice to aspiring entrepreneurs on a variety of topics.
The first session is due to take place on Thursday 21 September 2006, with further dates to follow through September and October. Anyone interested in finding out more about the 'Ask an Expert' sessions and how to take part can visit: www.bl.uk/bipc
Tim Campbell, 28, was born in East London, where he still lives with his family. Tim achieved instant recognition when he secured a £100,000 a year job with Sir Alan Sugar after winning the first ever UK version of BBC2's award-winning show The Apprentice in 2005. Tim's current role is as Project Director of Integra, a face care system for Amstrad's health and beauty division.
Tim's 'Ask an Expert ' clinics will take place over a six-month period. During each half-day session, he will meet one-to-one with people aspiring to become the entrepreneurs of the future and small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) needing advice on creative areas, such as marketing, new product development, public relations and personal perseverance, drawing on his experiences after a year and a half with Sir Alan.
Tim Campbell, announcing his 'Ask an Expert' sessions, said: "I can't wait to meet people who are passionate about their dreams and who want to see them turn to reality. I was given a massive opportunity when I won The Apprentice and now that I have matured and grown both professionally and personally I want to share my knowledge and experience with those who feel that it will be beneficial. I especially want to speak to young adults as this can be where the greatest creativity lies dormant. I know I will get as much out of the experience as, hopefully, those who attend will."
Lynne Brindley, British Library Chief Executive, stated: "I am delighted that Tim has agreed to take part in the Business & IP Centre 'Ask an Expert' series to share his experience and expertise with people who will form the next generation of entrepreneurs in the UK. Tim's commitment, enthusiasm and charisma were a winning combination in The Apprentice and I'm sure this will be just as much in evidence to the people who attend the 'Ask an Expert' sessions."
For further information please contact: Ben Sanderson at the British Library Press Office (telephone +44 (0)1937 546126, email: ben.sanderson@bl.uk)
Notes to Editors
1. The British Library - is the national library of the United Kingdom. It provides world class information services to the academic, business, research and scientific communities and offers unparalleled access to the world's largest and most comprehensive research collection. Further information is available on the Library's website at www.bl.uk, which currently records almost 2 million 'hits' or visits per month. Access to the British Library's Business & IP Centre is free. Users must apply for a Reader Pass and be over 18, unless exceptional circumstances can be demonstrated. For how to apply for a Readers Pass, please visit: www.bl.uk/bipc
2. Tim Campbell - Tim Campbell, 28, was born in East London, Plaistow where he still lives with his family. Tim achieved instant celebrity status when he secured a £100,000 a year job with Sir Alan Sugar after winning BBC2's The Apprentice in 2005. No doubt his psychology degree from Middlesex University helped him to win the series. Tim's current role is as Project Director of Integra, a face care system for Amstrad's health and beauty division.
3. The London Development Agency is the Mayor's agency for business and jobs. The LDA prepares the Mayor's business plan for London and mobilises the support and resources of hundreds of partner organisations to help build a thriving economy for London's people, businesses and communities. The LDA is dedicated to improving sustainability, health and equality of opportunity for Londoners.
4. In May 2005, the Centre was awarded a £1 million capital injection by the London Development Agency to help fund its transformation from a successful pilot project to a permanent national resource.The enhanced Business & IP Centre's refit launched on 9 March offers:
- Impartial library information experts trained in the needs of SMEs and entrepreneurs to guide users to the full range of resources
- Workshops run by British Library and its business partners on subjects including: using intellectual property resources to check if ideas are novel, capitalising on market research resources, financing, marketing and selling skills, and pinpointing customers. These will also include creative workshops and legal updates. Some of these workshops will have a specific focus on supporting the needs of women, black and minority ethnic groups, and entrepreneurs with disabilities.
- Business partners supporting the Business & IP Centre include ABi Associates, Business Link for London, Business Plan Services, Camden Business Forum, Chartered Institute of Patent Attorneys, Dynamic Asian Women's Network, Everywoman, ideas21, Innovation Central, Institute of Trade Mark Attorneys, London Chamber of Commerce & Industry, oneLondon, Own It, UK Patent Office
- A networking area for SMEs to meet and network with other SMEs, find out about the Library's full range of services and get inspiration from success stories about products and services conceived by other Centre users.
- Wireless internet access (WiFi) so users can connect to the internet and access e-mail from the Centre by using the Library's own pay-as-you-go service
- Large-scale role model events - featuring successful entrepreneurs - to inspire entertain and guide aspiring entrepreneurs on setting up and running a successful business and for SMEs to network. Previous examples include the sell-out 'Winners - The Rise and Rise of Black British Entrepreneurs', 'Desperately Seeking Finance' and the 'Inspiring Entrepreneurs' series of events, in association with HSBC, which began in July with 'The Asian Advantage - Discover the Formula for Success'. For more details see: www.bl.uk/bipc/
