Ignata CEO receives OBE for supporting start-up SMEs

The CEO of a London-based recruitment agency has been awarded an OBE for services to small and medium-sized enterprises.

Luke Williams, CEO of recruitment agency Ignata, was recognised for his part in creating and developing The Start Up Loans Company, an independent company funded by the government to provide start-up loans to people wanting to launch a business in the UK.

The business offers pre-business support, low-cost personal loans and mentoring aimed at helping people in the early stages of their business development and growth.

Commenting on his recognition, Williams said: “I joined the business when it was merely an idea and a £10m pilot scheme. I left following the merger with the British Business Bank, when we had provided £400m of lending to help set up over 50,000 new businesses. The scheme has been very successful, reaching all part of the UK and it has provided a strong Value for Money impact for the UK and delivered £4 of economic benefit for every £1 spent. I am hugely proud to have played a part of this UK success story.”

Last week, Recruiter revealed the identity of three agency leaders recognised in this year’s honours list. They include Suki Sandhu, founder and CEO of Audeliss and INvolve, and the CEO of Urbanis, Abolade Abisogun, who picked up OBEs, and Angela Middleton, CEO of MiddletonMurray Group, who was awarded an MBE.

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