Gordon Brown takes the stage

Start small ...think big, was the message enforced by chancellor Gordon Brown at Alan Sugar's concluding series of talks appealing for 1,000 'Enterprise Ambassadors'.

Chancellor Gordon Brown and Alan Sugar address more than 700 students during the Alan Sugar Enterprise Tour

More than 700 students filled the Great Hall to hear both men speak about the values of business enterprise. The event last month concluded a 20 city tour of schools and colleges during which Alan Sugar, knighted in the New Year's honours list, addressed thousands of students.

The chancellor ended the session by pledging the government's support for the 'National Enterprise Campaign' co-ordinated by the British Chambers of Commerce. Supporters of the campaign who also took the stage included James Dyson of Dyson Technology, Reuben Singh, the 23-year-old retailing entrepeneur and Martha Lane-Fox, founder of lastminute.com.

Other campaign recruits include Richard Branson, Prue Leith, Dr Chris Evans of Merlin Scientific and Simon Woodroffe of Yo!Sushi.