From left to right: Michael Patrikalakis (CFE); Usman Iftikhar (Catalysr); Matt Smith (CFE); Charlie Fraser (TERN); Robert Osborne (CFE). On Friday, the Centre for Entrepreneurs brought together two international leaders in refugee entrepreneurship: Charlie Fraser, co-founder of The Entrepreneurial Refugee
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2017 in review
11th December 2017
The Centre for Entrepreneurs has focused on two highly distinct, yet equally fascinating research topics over 2017: prisons and universities. Our prison work began in May 2016 with the publication of ‘From inmates to entrepreneurs: how prison entrepreneurship can break the
CFE and NEF have joined forces! Here’s some more information on what we aim to achieve
14th November 2017
On November 15th 2017, CFE announced that it was joining forces with the entrepreneurship development charity, the New Entrepreneurs Foundation, to create a combined not-for-profit ‘entrepreneurship powerhouse’ in the UK. Why did we decide to join forces? The UK has seen
Why are we so reluctant to admit Britain has never had it so good?
17th September 2017
First published in The Sunday Times on 17th September 2017. Whether you regard the future optimistically or pessimistically determines the course of your life. By the nature of their job, entrepreneurs must adopt a positive outlook: they defer rewards now
Companies won’t get big by making their workers feel small
10th September 2017
First published in The Sunday Times on 10th September 2017. The most impressive entrepreneurs I’ve known have all been maestros of motivation. They don’t just know how to stay highly committed themselves; they are experts at motivating others. They understand,
It’s better to start off with nothing than to fret about money
27th August 2017
First published in The Sunday Times on 27th August 2017. Starting a business doesn’t have to be complicated. Sometimes, making it simple works better. To begin with, you don’t need a breakthrough idea. Lots of businesses start by chance rather
I’d rather be marked down as a gambler than never take a risk
20th August 2017
First published in The Sunday Times on 20th August 2017. What is the difference between investment, speculation and gambling? And does it matter? There are some who believe that the entire stock market is merely a casino, and that it
Holding power to account has turned into a bloodsport
13th August 2017
First published in The Sunday Times on 13th August 2017. I spoke at an annual conference for the chairmen and chairwomen of health trusts a few years ago. The view among the audience was that the gravest problem they faced was
Corporate giants will go the way of the dinosaurs
30th July 2017
First published in The Sunday Times on 30th July 2017. The global economy is growing and corporate profitability appears strong, yet the long- term prospects for many bellwether industries are bleak. I cannot remember a time when so many big
In the digital age, we rediscover the joy of working with hands
23rd July 2017
First published in the Sunday Times on 23rd July 2017. Builders ask each other: “Are you still on the tools?” which means actually working with one’s hands in the construction trade. I think it is a valuable metaphor for how
