LDC CEO Darryl Eales will chair the newly re-branded E2Exchange, a forum for entrepreneurial development which was previously known as the London Entrepreneurial Exchange.
In its new form, E2Exchange, which stands for ‘entrepreneur-to-entrepreneur exchange’, will serve as an advice and support service for entrepreneurs on aspects of business ranging from starting up to exiting.
Eales has been installed as the body’s new chairman alongside fellow new recruit Hugh Chappell, who will serve as a board director. The E2Exchange’s honorary president is Virgin founder Richard Branson and has a board including Dragons’ Den investor Duncan Bannatyne and Quintessentially co-founder Aaron Simpson.
E2Exchange has previously led initiatives including ‘SME Manifesto for Britain’ and ‘2012 Policy Package’ and claims to champion the efforts of not only entrepreneurs in London, but also those in regions around the country and Wales.
The new name, the body says, ‘more accurately reflects the true nature of its activities’, as it looks to expand in scale and range in more regions, cities and towns.
Its first reception outside of London was held in the summer of 2012 when Birmingham held an event. Going forward, E2Exchange will also be offering ‘Dragons’ Den style’ forums for entrepreneurs as well as enhancing the online members’ forum.
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Eales, a chartered accountant by background and CEO at mid-market private equity firm LDC since 2003, comments, ‘I hope my private equity experience will prove beneficial in accelerating the development of E2Exchange.
‘Longer term, I believe the E2Exchange can make a real difference in transforming the entrepreneurial culture of the country and help foster a new enthusiasm for enterprise and wealth creation which is essential for the future health of the UK.’
Chappell, who will now act as a board director, worked for Apple in the 1970s before spending 18 years heading up Taxan (Europe), a subsidiary of Kaga Electronics. In 2003 he set up TrustedReviews.com, a website providing technology reviews, before acquiring bit.tech.net, an online publication for computer enthusiasts.
He says, ‘Having been fortunate to have founded and run a number of successful companies I am keen to give back and help other entrepreneurs succeed with their businesses.’
E2Exchange CEO Shalini Khemka says that the industry body now has a name which ‘truly reflects’ its role for entrepreneurs pursuing advice, contacts, mentoring, NEDs or funding.
