Khan surprises enterprise academy with £10,000 pledge

Businessman Ilyas Khan stunned visitors at the launch of Accrington & Rossendale College’s Stanhill Enterprise Academy when he pledged £10,000 to the audience member with the best business idea.

He also announced that he was offering two internships based in one of his companies, either overseas or in this country, as part of his involvement with the new Academy.

Khan was the keynote speaker at the launch of the academy, which was well attended by over 100 local people and learners. The event was designed to give potential entrepreneurs information and support which would help them start their own business.

Event coordinator Janice Hardman said: “We know that Pennine Lancashire is full of talented people who want to run their own business and it’s important that they’re supported and helped to make their ideas a reality. This event allowed those people to meet accountants, funding providers, banks and other business experts all in one place to get the practical information they need from people who are experts in their field. “Ilyas Khan, who sponsors the Enterprise Academy with two internships per year, stunned everyone when he announced the £10,000 prize for the best idea and you could feel the excitement in the room as imaginations went into overdrive. It was a very generous thing to do and, hopefully, it can make someone’s business dreams come true.”