Clarehill Plastics Limited

News

Lord Mandelson Celebrates The Success Of British SMEs

17th February 2010

Brian McCann Managing Director of Clarehill Plastics Limited recently attended 10 Downing Street at the invitation of Prime Minister Gordon Brown, to celebrate the success of Britains small and medium sized businesses.

Business leaders from across the UK attended the event, which was hosted by Lord Mandelson, Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills. Also present was Lord Sugar, the Government’s Enterprise Champion and star of the popular BBC television show ‘The Apprentice’.

Lord Mandelson used the event as an opportunity to highlight the assistance Government is providing to British businesses in general and to the UK’s SME community in particular.

Speaking after the event, Brian said “Whilst large companies and corporations may make the news headlines, it is actually SMEs that are both the lifeblood and bedrock of the British economy. Organisations employing fewer than 250 people represent around 98% of UK businesses and employ almost half the working population. The SME sector is a powerhouse of talent and creativity. For instance, almost two thirds of patent applications come from within the SME sector.

“The national picture is mirrored regionally in Northern Ireland, witharound 99% of private sector employers are SMEs, with only 65 companies in the province employing more than 500 people.At a time whenNorthern Ireland in particular needs to reduce its dependence upon the public sector, SMEs will prove central to the future growth and prosperityof the province.In that context, it is reassuring to see the success and importance of the SME sector in the United Kingdom, is acknowledgedby Government.”

As well as his day job as Managing Director of Clarehill Plastics Limited, Brian is Vice Chairman of the Northern Ireland Polymers Association, serves on the board of Cogent Sector Skills Council, the Confederation of British Industry's (CBI) UK SME council, CBI NI Economic Affairs Committee,CBI-IBEC Joint Business Council, the Polymer Innovation Network, and the All Island Polymer Network.