GEN UK has today appointed SME champion and former Dragon, Piers Linney, as its first ever Ambassador.

As the first person to take on the role, Piers will be representing the organisation to the outside world – presenting the face of GEN UK to government departments, NGOs, commercial enterprises, business communities and other bodies in the UK and on occasion internationally.

GEN UK will work with Piers to garner in-kind and financial support and collaboration from prospective partner organisations to enable GEN UK to increase its capacity to create positive impact through its events and activities such as Global Entrepreneurship Week. As part of the role of Ambassador and to support GEN UK’s expansion plans, Piers will also offer strategic advice to the board about the organisation’s evolving role and direction.

Piers is also currently a Non-Executive Director for the British Business Bank and is a champion of entrepreneurship, SMEs, technology, with personal and professional experience on all sides of the table as an entrepreneur, adviser, executive or non-executive board member, investor and lender.

​​Piers is at the heart of the small business community in Britain and has been a key campaigning voice for small businesses. He’s been using his profile, experience and knowledge to champion entrepreneurs and SMEs, and delivers campaigns that highlight the importance of SMEs to the success of the UK economy. He’s passionate about boosting diversity levels within the business community, and will be using his role as Ambassador to attract an even more diverse and inclusive group into GEN UK.

Marc Ortmans, Chair of GEN UK, commented: “We are hugely excited and honoured to have Piers joining our team. He brings invaluable business experience and counsel to the table, and we look forward to working together. GEN UK is going through a period of expansion, and it’s vital we have support from the biggest names in British business to help SMEs and entrepreneurs grow during these challenging times.”

Piers Linney, newly-appointed Ambassador of GEN UK, commented: “I’m delighted to accept the role of Ambassador for an organisation doing such key work for the UK’s small business community. The entrepreneurial ecosystem here in the UK, and indeed across the world, is all about mutual support, connection and sharing of expertise to fuel growth. I’m keen to get started in my new role, and see a great opportunity in working with GEN UK to help create a thriving and diverse SME community.”