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Dragons’ Den

Published: 21/05/2014

Local politicians and community leaders gathered to support Communities First’s Dragons’ Den event at Coleg Cambria. Entrepreneurs were invited along to pitch their business ideas to five business Dragons’ who took part in Dragons’ Den Cymru. The Dragons, all local business owners, offer people with potential business ideas six months voluntary one to one mentoring to grow their business or get it up and running. This year’s Dragons were Askar Sheibani, CEO of Deeside-based Comtek, Christine Sheibani, Director of Comtek, Leyla Edwards from KK Fine Foods, Paul Maddocks previously of Parkway Telecom and Adam Butler from Easy Online Recruitment and seven people will receive the mentoring programme as a result. The event was part of an Entrepreneur Information Day where people could access advice and support for business start-ups. Other organisations supporting the event included local education providers, Jobcentre Plus, Careers Wales, Business Wales and Flintshire County Council. Councillor Derek Butler, Cabinet Member for Economic Development said: “By joining together to support this event it emphasises the importance of offering local people support and advice for their own business ideas. The Dragons have done a marvellous job, giving up their time to mentor others. Not only are we encouraging people who work for themselves, we are also building the local economy as once businesses grow they provide jobs and opportunities.” Askar Sheibani said: “I am immensely proud of the successes we have seen so far from Flintshire’s Dragons’ Den events and Enterprise Clubs. These community-led initiatives provide a stage for local talented people to showcase their business ideas, find support and guidance, as well as inspire others to do the same. As a Dragon on this year’s panel, I have been impressed with the creativity and vision of our community’s budding entrepreneurs and I am delighted to help them nurture this talent, build better businesses and, in turn, create a more prosperous society.” The Communities First team also organise the Flintshire Enterprise Club that meets every other Friday at John Summers High School community campus from 10am. The club is for local business people and people who are thinking of setting up a business and offers advice and support as well as guest speakers and inspirational workshops. For more information contact Communities First on 01244 846090. Photo caption L-R: Patricia Carlin Flintshire County Council, Adam Butler, Cllr Andy Dunbobbin, Paul Maddocks, Lord Barry Jones, Askar Sheibani, David Hanson MP, Mark Tami MP, Leyla Edwards, Christine Sheibani, Cllr Derek Butler, Cllr Ian Dunbar and Cllr Paul Shotton.