Uni’s honorary doctor gets government call
Tue, 02 Apr 2013 17:22:00 BST
Ginetta boss Lawrence Tomlinson to join BIS as entrepreneur-in-residence
A LEADING entrepreneur with close links to the University of Huddersfield has been given a key Government role in which he will help to boost the small and medium-sized enterprises that are vital to economic recovery. Already he has pledged to help improve the flow of bank lending to business.
Lawrence Tomlinson (pictured right receiving his honorary award), who was brought up in Batley, is chairman and founder of the Yorkshire-based LNT Group, whose multi-faceted interests include care homes, software development, construction and the sports car firm Ginetta.
Mr Tomlinson, who was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of the University of Huddersfield in 2011, is also noted as a philanthropist. All of LNT’s 2,000 employees are made shareholders of the group and he is passionate about training and apprenticeships. He has donated money to help disadvantaged young people study engineering at the University of Huddersfield and has personally escorted them round the Ginetta factory, expressing the hope that some will return on work placements.
Now Mr Tomlinson has been appointed as one of two entrepreneurs-in-residence at the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS), headed by Cabinet Minister Dr Vince Cable, who said: “These appointments are about better involving businesses in government’s decision-making process, so that we can support their growth in a more intelligent way.
“I’ve already visited Lawrence Tomlinson’s company headquarters near Leeds and had exposure to his trenchant view on banks.”
Dr Cable added that Mr Tomlinson and his fellow entrepreneur-in-residence, London-based food manufacturer Rekha Mehr, will be important voices for businesses in his department.
“Having them on hand to offer feedback and advice will be a significant asset and help keep our focus firmly on the needs of entrepreneurs.”
Mr Tomlinson, who was awarded the title Overall Director of 2012 by the Institute of Directors said: “I’m thrilled to be joining BIS and I’m eager to get straight to work and support the department’s efforts to address the issues businesses are facing on the ground.
“My key focus in office will be to tackle some of the key concerns around access to finance and improving bank lending to business and I will share the views and experiences of my peers with ministers and officials on this issue.”
The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Huddersfield, Professor Bob Cryan, has congratulated Lawrence Tomlinson on his role at BIS.
“As Entrepreneurial University of the Year, we are fully aware of the contribution that dynamic, serial entrepreneurs like Lawrence can make to the economy” said Professor Cryan.
“I know from first-hand experience that Lawrence is a real mover and shaker who has had success in many areas of enterprise. His role at BIS is a very constructive appointment and I am confident that it will have positive results.”
