Lord Leigh of Hurley

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Founder, Cavendish Corporate Finance

Lord Leigh started his career qualifying as a chartered accountant and tax advisor at Deloitte Haskins+ Sells. He then started their M& A group before leaving at age 29 to found Cavendish Corporate Finance.

Cavendish has always specialised in working with entrepreneurs seeking to sell their business and has advised some 600 businesses. A particular expertise has been sourcing overseas buyers through Oaklins our international grouping. In 2000 Cavendish merged with finnCap Group plc , the largest Nomad advisor on AIM where it is itself  listed. He is the Deputy Chairman.

Lord Leigh was appointed as a Treasurer of the Conservative Party by William Hague and continues to serve the Party as its Senior Treasurer having worked closely with the last six leaders of the Party.

In 2013 he was elevated to the Peerage as Lord Leigh of Hurley where he speaks out regularly on business matters and advocates the case for entrepreneurs.

Additionally Lord Leigh chairs four charities and is a Trustee of the Henley Festival and regularly runs 10ks and half marathons for Water Aid.

Why do you support The Entrepreneurs Network?

The case for entrepreneurs needs to be constantly made. As a Vice Chairman of the All Party Parliamentary Group for Entrepreneurship I know that we are under represented as compared to the lobbying undertaken by multi nationals and big business. But we employ more people and are vital to the success of this country’s economy. The Entrepreneurs Network is a powerful forum for our concerns and views to be heard.

What research should people read?

The Institute for Economic Affairs and the Centre for Policy Studies are a good place to start. I have just joined the Board of the new Campaign for Economic Growth. It will be a strong voice for entrepreneurs and is already publishing useful articles.

Why is the UK an attractive place to grow a business?

This could be the best time and place in the world to start a new business. We have a Government which is keen to help business thrive and we could be uniquely positioned in the world, independent yet connected to all the great trading countries. We have certainty of law, the English legal system, a culture which allows entrepreneurs to start a new business with the minimum of fuss and licence combined with a fluid labour market with a huge range of sources of capital.