THE founder of the Cumbrian business accelerator programme Fusion Go has received national recognition.

David Jones, of Eaglesfield near Cockermouth, figures in the Maserati 100, a list of 100 philanthropists, investors, mentors and advisors who give their time to support the next generation of young entrepreneurs.

Mr Jones, 41, set up Fusion Go as a not-for-profit organisation in Cockermouth last year, to change the way individuals establish and grow businesses.

It offers a six-month accelerator programme – or a new three-month business impact programme – open to owners of businesses that have been trading for up to three years, including those yet to launch.

Mr Jones said: “The Maserati 100 award has been a total surprise but a welcome one.

“This is great recognition for the work we have been doing at Fusion Go with the entrepreneurs we have been supporting.”

He is the only Cumbrian entry on the list, which also includes John Caudwell, co-founder of Phone4U, Baroness Martha Lane Fox, of Lastminute.com and Richard Reed, of Innocent Drinks.

Mr Jones will receive the award on Thursday FEB 25 at the Mayfair Hotel, London.

Meanwhile, four Cumbrian firms figure in the 2016 edition of the London Stock Exchange’s 1,000 Companies to Inspire Britain report.

The baker Bells of Lazonby,  Dovenby-based recruitrment specialist NRL, Kendal hydro turbine manufacturer Gilbert Gilkes & Gordon, and catering wholesaler McClure's, of Windermere, all figure in the report, billed as a “celebration of the fastest-growing and most dynamic SMEs in the UK”.

Places on Fusion Go's latest programmes start in April. Apply online at www.fusiongo.co.uk/apply-here.html .