Britain's fast growth entrepreneurs are younger and better educated than owner managers of slow growth firms according to new research from Barclays out today.

The research suggests that these young entrepreneurs are building their businesses on a foundation of experience and bringing in experts to help them succeed.

Forum Response: Barclays

Mike Rogers, managing director of small business and start-ups, told ePolitix.com: "Fast growth businesses, regardless of their size, are the vehicle for Britain's elite group of high octane entrepreneurs. Like the leading Formula One teams they combine effort and determination with professionalism and a focus on their goals. Similarly, they believe that bringing in the best specialist staff and harnessing technology can give them competitive edge over their rivals.

"All businesses that make profits and create jobs are valuable, but a healthy stock of fast growth businesses is an integral part of a dynamic economy. These firms are focused, ambitious and groundbreaking, combining big aspirations with the expertise and ability to achieve their goals.

"As a bank, we are always keen to back success, lending more than £40 billion to the UK's small and medium-sized businesses. Fostering a spirit of enterprise requires the involvement of educators and legislators as well as financial institutions - but the prize is a big one, bringing benefits to the country as a whole."

Forum Response: Institute of Directors

George Cox, director general of the IoD, told ePolitix.com: "This research really confirms our faith in the whole entrepreneurial sector. Without the innovation entrepreneurs bring to business, nothing we value in society works. Business must constantly develop new ideas; new products; and new ways of working, to create the jobs and the wealth to pay for our education system; our health system; and our pensions."