We must let inspiration thrive in city (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

We must let inspiration thrive in city

9:08am Wednesday 10th November 2010 in Business By Linda Pollard

Bradford has a lot to be proud of, and nothing encapsulates this more than the recent successes of Sir Ken Morrison and Dr Olga Kubassova.

On November 4, Sir Ken, life president of the Morrisons supermarket chain, was awarded the freedom of Bradford.

He was born into a small, family-owned chain of grocery stores in the city in 1931.

The chain slowly expanded beyond Bradford and it is now a FTSE 40 organisation with more than 375 stores across Britain.

Sir Ken’s decision to keep the Morrisons headquarters in Bradford was a huge economic boost for the city, providing valuable jobs and helping to maintain both the identity of the Morrisons brand and the profile of the city.

Dr Olga Kubassova’s name might not be as recognisable, but her success is equally compelling.

She is the owner of Shipley-based Image Analysis, which produces software products and systems for users of MRI equipment.

She was nominated for the inaugural New York City Venture Fellows programme, a selective annual programme for high-potential entrepreneurs around the world, and will take part in a week-long programme of events in December, meeting international peers.

Bradfordians can rightly be proud of both Sir Ken and Dr Kubassova, but if the city is to continue to produce these inspirational individuals it must continue to foster an environment in which they can thrive.

That’s why it’s so important that University of Bradford’s Listerhills sustainable village development continues to forge ahead.

It’s why City Park will play a large part in revitalising the centre of Bradford, encouraging visitors to our city.

And it’s why we must continue to support new enterprises and help them identify opportunities for growth so that they can aspire to follow in the footsteps of Sir Ken Morrison and Dr Olga Kubassova.