Business in Reading - Business Friendly MP Award

Rob Wilson Short-listed for ‘Business Friendly MP’ Award

Reading East MP Rob Wilson has been short-listed for the Forum of Private Business’ (FPB) 2008 ‘Business Friendly MP/MEP’ award. The award, now in its third year, is sponsored by England’s regional development agencies and recognises the work of MPs and MEPs in representing the needs of smaller businesses.

Established in 1977, the organisation represents 25,000 UK-based private businesses, employing more than 600,000 people.

The ten short-listed MPs and MEPs, which includes Shadow Chancellor George Osborne, will be assessed by a panel of judges and the winner will be announced on 14th May at a ceremony held in Westminster.
Before Rob became an MP, he successfully built up several businesses in the health and the communications sectors. Rob’s experience has played an important part in his motivation for supporting local businesses in their struggle to survive in the UK’s over-regulated business environment.

Since his election in 2005, Rob Wilson has been fighting hard for investment in Reading’s infrastructure which the region badly needs to attract and support companies operating in the Thames Valley.

In May 2007, he set up the Portcullis Club, a business networking organisation which provides businesses in his constituency with the opportunity to meet other senior executives, talk to shadow ministers and influence policy development. Rob also works closely with the Thames Valley Economic Partnership, the Central Southern England Rotary Club, and the Federation of Small Businesses.

“I am honoured and delighted to have been nominated for this award,” said Mr Wilson, “small businesses are the real engine of Britain’s economy and a vital source of new jobs and innovation.”

“The FPB is a commendable organisation which campaigns for a fair deal for smaller businesses and works extremely hard to lobby the Government over issues affecting them directly, so it means a great deal to be recognised by their members.”

Mr Wilson added, “I am disappointed that this Government isn’t doing more to help small businesses, especially during the current downturn in the economy. The Chancellor simply isn’t doing enough to tackle issues such as unfair competition, red tape and unfair tax changes on small businesses.”

Rob Wilson on 0118 3759785