Turkeys Don't Vote for Christmas

Dear <<First Name>>​,​​

Philip has departed for warmer climes – all founders need a break from time to time. It has been left to me to make sense of the week's events (thank you, Philip).

Super Saturday began auspiciously and with unexpected victory – for the England rugby team. Politically, however, we witnessed an anticlimax to rival season eight of Game of Thrones. The Letwin Amendment, an "insurance policy" to ensure Britain would not crash out of the EU without a deal, passed by 322 to 306. On Titanic Tuesday the bill seeking to put into law Johnson's deal was passed by MPs, but just 20 minutes later they voted against the government's programme motion. The compressed timetable – essential fo the Prime Minister to stay true to his "do or die" rhetoric – was rejected.

We are now told that Johnson will launch a fresh bid to hold a general election on 12th December to "get Brexit done". His fate is partly in the hands of EU leaders, who today agreed to a delay of unspecified duration. Of course, passing the Withdrawal Agreement will be just the beginning. Some fear that, having taken 40 years of membership to get to this point, it will take another four decades for us to untangle ourselves from the world's largest economy. 

Unlike the focus group who were stunned into silence on Monday when informed that the wrangling, double-dealing and persistent threat of crashing out without a deal after the transition period are set to go on and on, entrepreneurs know all too well that we're staring down the barrel of medium to long-term uncertainty.

Looking Up

That's the bad news. But as Jimmy McLoughlin, former special adviser to Theresa May, wrote in The Times this week,  it has never been easier to start a business – regardless of demographic or geographical location. Some entrepreneurs thrive in uncertain economic conditions while large companies decrease investment: see Microsoft or Apple, both started during recessions.

Fifteen years ago, McLoughlin explains, entrepreneurs needed relevant experience and the support of a local chamber of commerce to turn an idea into reality. "It was likely you quit your job on the Friday and started your business on the Monday." Today, two-thirds of founders start up while in full-time employment.

Citing our Future Founders research, McLoughlin draws attention to the fact that just 15% of young people say they've never thought about starting a business (and never will). Over half of 14-25 year olds, meanwhile, have thought about starting (or have already started) a business. Call it the end of the job for life. Call it progress. McLoughlin calls it a revolution. 

Britain Needs Talent: What Next for Entrepreneurs
7 November 2019
8.45am to 10.15am
FREE 
Kingsley Napley
Enquire about a place

We are hosting a breakfast roundtable with Kingsley Napley looking at the potential impact of Brexit on the immigration system, and considering the needs of founders and the employees of fast-growing companies. toucanBox founder Virginie Charles-Dear and Duco co-founder Christian Nentwich – both at the helm of two of the UK's fastest-growing businesses – will share their experiences.
 

Global Entrepreneurship Week Roundtable: Next Generation Entrepreneurs
21 November 2019
12pm to 1pm
FREE 
Child & Co, 3 Fleet Street, London EC4Y 1AU
Enquire about a place

To coincide with Global Entrepreneurship Week we are hosting a roundtable on supporting the next generation of entrepreneurs. Hosted by Paul Thwaite, MD of Commercial Banking at Child & Co, the event is aimed at a select group of politicians, policymakers, experts and entrepreneurs already supporting the next generation.

Friends of the Network

Telegraph Women Mean Business Live
5 November 2019
8am to 6.30pm
The Brewery, London
Standard Ticket £149+VAT
Find out more
A day of debate and networking, with speakers including Samantha Cameron, Tina Brown and Rt Hon Liz Truss MP, to overcome the barriers that all too often prevent female-led businesses and professionals from reaching their full potential.



IoD Liverpool, An Audience with Steve McNicholas
6 November 2019
8.30am to 11am
Rathbone Hall, Liverpool
Members Free, Non-members £15
Find out more
A networking breakfast and opportunity to hear about Steve's "code to success".


Precious Awards
8 November 2019
6.30pm to 11pm
Waldorf Hotel, London
Cost: Various
Find out more
The PRECIOUS Awards celebrate and applaud the achievements of women of colour in the UK's business and wider environments.

Next Gen Fest
16 November 2019
10am to 6pm
Fest Camden
£15
Find out more
A one-day festival for budding young entrepreneurs, designed for anyone interested in setting up a business, side-hustle, or wanting to grow an existing business.


NACUE's Student Enterprise Conference 2020
15-16 February 2020
9.30am-4.30pm
Loughborough University London
Early Bird tickets £15
Find out more
A two-day conference aimed at empowering the next generation of entrepreneurs, innovators and future thinkers.


Next Level: Business Growth Conference
15 November 2019
9am to 6pm
Google Academy, London
From £39 (Code TEN20 for 20% discount)
Find out more
A conference with experienced entrepreneurs sharing how they grew their businesses, the mistakes they made and lessons learned along the way.