Young entrepreneurs praised for their enterprise

A leading accountant in the South West has praised young entrepreneurs in the region for displaying skills and determination at the regional finals of the Young Enterprise Awards on 14 June 2017.

Students from Exeter School and Devonport High School for Girls in Plymouth were among eight teams taking part in the competition at the Renishaw Innovation Centre, near Gloucester.

Awards judge and Managing Partner of top 40 accountants Bishop Fleming, Matthew Lee, congratulated students who had made the regional final for their "sterling endeavours" in setting up and running companies over the academic year.

There was a Team Work award for the girls at Devonport High School for their company - Iridescent - which produced an innovative water bottle called ‘Hyduration' that allows the user to track their water intake during a normal working day. It can also track water intake on a 10-mile run.

Bishop Fleming, one of Britain's leading specialist in serving schools, sponsored the Best Report award which went to team Luna & Sol from St Mary's in Calne, Wiltshire. The students created a contemporary range of loose-leaf teas for the traditional market and a fresh range of bubble teas for a younger audience. The team will go on to represent the region at the national finals in July. Matthew Lee presented them with a £500 prize.

Young Enterprise is the UK's leading charity that empowers young people to harness their personal and business skills. It makes the connection between school and the world of work, enabling young people to develop the knowledge and attitudes they need to succeed.

Bishop Fleming has seconded eight of its staff, as volunteers, to act as business advisers to various schools in the region taking part in the scheme. The volunteers provide weekly mentoring visits to schools, as well as acting as board members on companies set up by participating schools.

Spirax Sarco was recognised as South West Supporter of the Year, receiving their award from Matthew Lee, who both supported the award this year and won the award in 2016.

Mr Lee said: "It is always a privilege to be asked to judge the Young Enterprise South West finals. The skills and determination showed by all the teams is quite humbling and gives great confidence that the entrepreneurial spirit shown by them all will manifest itself in the next generation of successful businesses. The program has clearly stretched them in ways that the normal curriculum cannot and it is a pleasure to be involved."

Bishop Fleming is among the UK's top three advisers to Academies and schools, with more than 400 clients in the sector.