How are entrepreneurs perceived?

Risk takers, achievers, innovators and creators is how eight out of ten Britons think of small business owners and entrepreneurs, according to new research by Lloyds TSB Business.

But only just over one in ten people (13 per cent) identify with business owners and think of an entrepreneur as being someone like them.

A quarter (24 per cent) of Brits view entrepreneurs as innovators or creators - somebody with creative flair, imagination and a desire to break new ground and only two per cent say that they are 'fly-by-night'.

Men are most likely to respect entrepreneurs as risk takers (32 per cent compared to 26 per cent of women). Women, on the other hand, are more likely to applaud business owners as achievers (29 per cent compared to 23 per cent of men).

Stephen Pegge, head of communications for Lloyds TSB Business Banking, says: "It's good news that people have such a positive image of entrepreneurs. But this will only be translated into more business start-ups if people can identify with entrepreneurs and have confidence in their ability to do it themselves."

The age group that most clearly identifies with business owners is the 45-54 year olds, with sixteen per cent saying that their image of an entrepreneur is of 'people like me.' This compares with only nine per cent of 16-24 year olds.

The research was conducted using around 3000 respondents.