Shell Livewire History


Shell founded, and has supported Livewire for more than 20 years, as a response to a concern it shares with the UK government and the business community in the UK – namely, the need to do more to support young entrepreneurs.
 

When the programme was launched in 1982 it was targeted specifically at the young people of Strathclyde, helping them to start their own businesses and enhance career prospects in difficult economic times. 273 people entered the programme which was then expanded across Scotland and Northern Ireland.

One year later, in 1984, Shell Livewire responded to this success by launching the service in England and Wales. In the same year Scotland ran the first Shell Livewire ‘Young Entrepreneur of the Year Awards’, won by Stewart Graham of Gael Force Marine. The inaugural UK-wide Young Entrepreneur of the Year Awards took place in 1985.

Shell UK continues to support the programme 23 years on as it recognises the contribution small businesses, and in particular pioneering young entrepreneurs, make in creating a diverse, successful economy.

The programme’s formula has proved so successful that in the last 10 years it has broadened its horizons overseas. Shell Livewire now operates in 22 other countries, including Chile, Oman, Iran, Nigeria, Brazil, Indonesia and the Netherlands.
 

www.shell-livewire.org