A-Star Sports, the ACCELERATE 250 and being an ambassador of the ‘vital 6%’

As an inaugural member of the ACCELERATE 250 group, A-Star Sports has been identified as ‘one of the key drivers of the British economy’ and an ambassador of the so-called ‘vital 6%’ of firms that are creating jobs at a time when the UK needs them the most.  Each ACCELERATE 250 member – from a range of sectors across the UK – has been chosen to serve as a representative of the nation’s fast-growth firms.

‘The accelerate 250 represents a unique group of businesses gathered because of their growth potential.  Personally invited by the Prime Minister’s Enterprise Advisor, Lord Young of Graffham, and former Tesco Chief Executive, Sir Terry Leahy, you are part of a unique family of British business leaders acknowledged because of your ability to create change, to disrupt and to innovate your sector.”

The ACCELERATE 250 met at ACCELERATE 2013, Britain’s first flagship festival dedicated to high-potential businesses held in Liverpool on June 27, attended by Sharon and Gary Bassett of A-Star Sports.  The festival aimed to raise the profile of the UK’s fastest growing businesses and their impact on the British economy, with the ACCELERATE 250 seen as key to mobilising wider support for entrepreneurs and start-ups.

On the day, valuable words of wisdom were shared by:  Jimmy Wales, founder of Wikipedia | Martha Lane Fox, co-founder of lastminute.com and chair of Luckyvoice | Lord Young, Prime Minister’s enterprise advisor | Lord Bilimoria, chairman of Cobra Beer | General Sir Mike Jackson, former chief of the general staff | Paul Lindley, founder of Ella’s Kitchen | Doug Richard, founder of School for Startups | Dr Shailendra Vyakarnam, director, CfEL, Cambridge Judge Business School | Dr Philippa Malmgren, president and founder member of Principalis Asset Management | Sean Fitzpatrick, former All Blacks captain | Robert Peston, broadcaster | and many more…

Lord Young and Sir Terry Leahy identified representatives from the UK’s fastest growing small and medium businesses, calling on them to work together in identifying solutions to mutual obstacles.  In the words of Michael Hayman, co-founder of Seven Hills and chairman of entrepreneurs at Coutts: ‘ACCELERATE gives the message that Britain is a can-do nation for entrepreneurs’.  And, in our words, A-Star Sports is a can-do franchise for people passionate about a business that can build the confidence, motivation and skills in children to enjoy sport for life.

And finally…not to miss a fun opportunity at the event, A-Star Sports managing director Gary Bassett competed alongside Lions legend Gareth Thomas in the rugby passing challenge.  It was close, with Gary losing to Gareth by only two seconds!

Click here for more ACCELERATE2013 photos.