The 2007 Trefor Campbell Enterprise Award

A new initiative to produce ethical, fair-trade underwear for men won Ryan Crewe the Trefor Campbell Enterprise Award this year. He was given £15,000 towards the start up costs of his business and intends to spend the money on product development and materials, as well as to conduct further research and development.

The Trefor Campbell Enterprise Award is part of the RSA Flying Start programme, a joint initiative set up by the RSA and the National Council for Graduate Entrepreneurship (NCGE) in 2006. This programme, also sponsored by Dr Campbell is designed to provide graduates with knowledge of the fundamentals of new business venture planning and start-up.

Andrew Summers, RSA Trustee and chair of the judging panel explained that Crewe won the award for his “passion, enthusiasm and risk taking” as well as the clarity and vision he showed for his business and brand. Crewe’s designs, whilst original and fashionable, also importantly use materials ethically sourced from India to be manufactured in the UK, judges said. His company is due to start trading in May, under the name of IDO, derived from the word idiosyncrasy.

Crewe’s background is in advertising. He was a member of the entrepreneur society at Bournemouth university, then became part of the RSA Flying Start mentoring programme and from there was short listed for the Trefor Campbell Enterprise Award.

Trefor Campbell has supported the awards for two years. When asked why these awards are so important to him he explained: “I had to start working when I was 16 years old and I really want to give the opportunity to young people who are entrepreneurial.”

Dr Campbell said that the standards were particularly high this year with businesses ranging from communications to furniture design. The winner needed to show both an understanding of market needs, but also the ability to progress and adapt in an ever changing market place.