Lord Mandelson thanks South West recession busting small business – Fluvial Innovations.
Secretary of State for Business Lord Mandelson is thanking a recession busting South West businessman for helping to move the UK economy back into the black.
Lord Mandelson met Simon Phelps, entrepreneur and founder of flood protection company Fluvial Innovations, at a small business reception at Number 10 last night. Simon established Fluvial Innovations in 2006 to commercialise a flood protection system he had developed in his final year at Bournemouth University. Simon has been assisted by several schemes to develop his FLOODSTOP system, which was named the ‘Most Innovative Product of 2009’ by the Emergency Planning Society.
Lord Mandelson said:
“Small businesses are the lifeblood of the British economy and we recognise what an important role they have played in getting the country through the recession. Simon Phelps is an inspiration to his community and a good example of why support from Government was so crucial over the downturn.”
The South West Regional Development Agency provided a grant which enabled Mr Phelps to spend his first year in business focused on research and development.