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Dodson & Blake to lead Venture Wales Programme

1 Jul 2009

Dodson and Blake graduate to lead Venture Wales programme

Business support agency Venture Wales has made two key appointments to lead its graduate start-up programme after successfully winning the new Flexible Support for Business (FS4B) contract.

Phil Dodson, from Merthyr Tydfil, has been appointed as Manager of the Graduate Start up support programme and David Blake, 23, from Bridgend, as Liaison Support Administrator.

Based at the Venture Wales head office in Navigation Park, Abercynon, Phil will be managing a pan-Wales programme that encourages and supports graduates to fulfill their entrepreneurial aspirations in establishing businesses.

Phil has been with Venture Wales for over five years and has considerable experience in mentoring businesses from start-ups to growing organisations.

Prior to joining Venture Wales, Phil was personally involved with two start-up companies and held management and distribution consultancy positions within large Welsh businesses.

Phil’s business experience is supported by a recent MSc in Management from the University of Glamorgan and an NVQ Level 4 in Business Advice and Counselling. He is also a member of the Institute of Business Consultants and Chartered Management Institute.

He said: “With the jobs market shrinking, entrepreneurship is fast becoming a more attractive proposition for graduates. In my new role I’ll look to liaise with graduates, educational establishments and a network of advisers across Wales to create an environment where graduate entrepreneurship is promoted and supported with the best advice available.”

Phil will be supported by David Blake whose primary role will be to liaise with the HE and FE sectors organizing training events. David is a recent graduate from Swansea University with a BSc in Business Management.

Venture Wales’ managing director, Phil Cooper said: “Phil’s appointment not only strengthens our management team but also enables us to forge closer links between educational establishments, innovative graduates and business.

“In the current climate our graduate start-up programme can be integral to the future of a strong Welsh economy. Phil’s experience in nurturing early stage business and people development, as well as his personal experience of starting up businesses, make him the ideal candidate to drive this vital programme forward.

“As recent graduates both Phil and David have an excellent knowledge of the Welsh University and further educational systems which will enable them to forge links with the institutions and their graduates who will be key to the success of the programme.”