Dragons’ Den star James Caan has been appointed as co-chair to the Department of Business’ ethnic minority task force.
The task force aims to foster growth among black and minority ethnic (BME) firms, and boost economic participation by BME entrepreneurs.
Caan will take up the position for 12 months and his responsibilities will include providing a strategic direction to the task force, and opening up discussions with banks and financial institutions on ways in which the government can better support BME business owners.
The appointment was announced by Lord Mandelson, secretary of state for business, on Friday. Caan’s appointment has been welcomed by members of the Chambers of Commerce and by development agencies across the country.
James Caan said: “The entrepreneurial sector of the economy has always been where my passion lies and to which the ethnic minority group makes a very valuable contribution. I am looking forward to using the same skills that I apply across all my business ventures to deliver tangible results.”
Caan has been behind successful businesses such as headhunting firms, Alexander Mann and Humana International, and private equity firm Hamilton Bradshaw. He has won many entrepreneurial awards and has been named one of the 100 most influential Asian people in the UK by the Asian Power 100, a list compiled by the Institute of Asian Professionals.
Caan has joined the panel of BBC’s Dragons’ Den for the show’s fifth series.
© Crimson Business Ltd, 2009
