Emma Jones is the founder of small business support group Enterprise Nation, and the co-founder of the national enterprise campaign ‘StartUp Britain’. She has also recently been announced as one of the government’s trade ambassadors.
In her role, Emma will work with government and the refreshed Small Business Panel to identify remaining barriers to SMEs in doing business with the public sector.
She will also help SMEs bid for and win more contracts and identify new opportunities to get best value from SMEs.
The government says the hire supports its manifesto commitment to spend £1 in every £3 with SMEs by 2020.
Emma said: "I will be championing small business from within the heart of Government, but with a big emphasis on rallying the small business troops to connect and engage with government opportunities.
"I’ll be looking to simplify further the bureaucracy that small businesses can face, and increase awareness of opportunities so that start-ups and SMEs have more chances to build their businesses.
"Securing a government contract is a great way for firms to bring in a steady income stream that can really help a business to grow – especially with the Government’s pledge to pay within 30 days."
Minister for the Cabinet Office, Ben Gummer, added: "I am delighted to welcome Emma as the new Crown Rep for Small Business. I know how tough running a small business can be for entrepreneurs who have put their savings or pensions into their dreams.
"Government must be firmly on their side and do everything it can to make their lives easier. That’s why we made a manifesto commitment that £1 in every £3 of government procurement spending should go to SMEs by 2020.
"As the founder of Enterprise Nation, Emma has had enormous success campaigning on behalf of small businesses, so it is great that government can now benefit from her experience, enthusiasm and expertise. I can think of no one better to help us achieve our goal."
