Entrepreneur Caan, made famous by his appearances on popular BBC programme Dragon’s Den, relinquished his role after three years at the head of the initiative.
During his tenure Caan oversaw 25,000 new businesses open their doors and vetoed almost £130million worth of loans to new firms.
Caan’s shoes will now be filled by his former deputy chair Luke Williams and Caan has called Williams “his perfect successor” and expressed his joy and pride at having served the group for the past three years.
“After stepping down as Chairman of Start -up Loans this week, I wanted to express how much I have thoroughly enjoyed the journey over the past 3 years and how immensely proud I am of what has been achieved to date,” he said.
“To have now started 27,000 new businesses and created 32,000 jobs in the process, we have crystallised the dreams of thousands of entrepreneurs and this has been a dream come true.
“Luke Williams is the perfect successor who will continue to take Start-up Loans from strength to strength.
“I have no doubt that this scheme will transform the face of entrepreneurship in the UK for years to come; inspiring a new generation of business owners to take the leap and become their own boss.”
Williams will now combine his role as Chairman with his role as Managing Director and founder of specialist investment firm Refined Selection.
Whilst admitting to having a few nerves, Williams revealed that he was very much looking forward to taking on the mantle left behind by Caan.
He said: “It is a great honour to have the opportunity to be Chairman of this vital and exceptional scheme.
“James will be a tough act to follow, but I’m relishing the challenge of increasing our loan output in 2015.”
The Start Up Loans Company is designed to provide mentoring and financial assistance to budding young business men and women.
By the end of March last year, 17,000 additional jobs had been created by the program, with the most successful firms helped now turning over in excess of £1 million.
Leave a comment