A Cardiff businessman who founded SuperStars, a child development organisation, has been appointed as Chairman of the Entrepreneurship Panel for Wales.
James Taylor, who lives in Penarth, has been selected to lead the Panel, which has been set up to provide the Welsh Government with strategic guidance and expertise on the development and delivery of the entrepreneurship agenda in Wales.
Other Panel members include Hayley Parsons founder and CEO of GoCompare, academics Professor Paul Hannon and Sue Poole and self-made multi-millionaire Kevin Green.
James Taylor, managing director or SuperStars, said: “I’m thrilled to have been appointed to the Entrepreneurship Panel as it’s a great honour to be able to help future entrepreneurs achieve their goals. Having set up SuperStars when I was 21, I know how daunting it can be to take the plunge and set up your own business.
“It is essential that future entrepreneurs are made aware of the help that is out there for them. All members on the Panel have a vast amount of experience and knowledge and together we should be able to ensure that future entrepreneurs are given as much support and advice as possible.”
Economy Minister Edwina Hart who set up the Panel said: “I am delighted that so many talented individuals have agreed to serve on the Panel. Between them they have an extensive range of entrepreneurial experiences and their expertise and knowledge will be invaluable in providing advice on shaping strategy and policy making.
“We want to instil a culture of entrepreneurship in Wales and create a ‘can do’ attitude throughout society for the ultimate benefit of the economy. Wales has a strong track record of encouraging entrepreneurship and innovation which forms part of the school curriculum and taught from primary school through to higher and further education.
“The Panel will monitor the progress of how we deliver these entrepreneurship programmes including the YES Action Plan.”
The Panel will meet four times a year with their first meeting scheduled for February 5th.
James set up SuperStars in 2005 at the young age of 21 with just £1,000. He had graduated with a degree in Child Psychology and travelled the world working with children and knew he wanted to make a real difference to children up and down the country.
The company and James have received an impressive amount of industry recognition over the years. They have won Wales’ Shell Livewire Young Entrepreneur of the Year, HSBC Start-up Stars, Daily Mail Enterprising Young Brit and The number one UK SME at the NatWest Start-up Awards.