Newcastle University

Angela McLean, who has worked with Newcastle University Business School teaching entrepreneurship, enterprise and marketing for over 12 years, was invited to Number 10 Downing Street last week to exhibit Baggers Originals and meet the Prime Minister, David Cameron, at a reception for British entrepreneurs.

The team from Baggers Originals were invited to London, along with ten other newly established businesses from the UK, to demonstrate how the North East-based company was established and what it has achieved.  Baggers Originals were chosen first, by the Prime Minister himself, to meet and discuss what the Baggers brand has to offer.  Mr Cameron was so enthusiastic about the brand and its products, that his three children now have their own set of Baggers Original rainwear.  

Angela commented on the day:

“I would like to say a big thank you to everyone at Number 10 and especially David Cameron, Start-Up Loans, Lord Young, James Caan, Alastair Campbell and our MP, Guy Opperman, for being so supportive of Baggers Originals.  It was a memorable day, and one we won't forget.  It makes all the hard work worthwhile!

“We are delighted to have support from the Prime Minister in helping people to start their own businesses, as this will help to create jobs and boost the economy.”

After only three months of trading, Baggers Originals was highly commended in the National Student Employer of the Year awards in July 2013.  Their student intern Natalie Diver, a Newcastle University Business School business management student, was announced as the national overall winner of the Student Employee of the Year awards.

The Prime Minister also took the time to sign the new book that Angela and Newcastle University Business School lecturer, Dr Panos Piperopoulos, edited for the School's Business Enterprise module, entitled: Student Entrepreneur.