“… I have had the pleasure of working with HRH The Duke of York in various fields and always found him passionate and dedicated. His particular interest in education and getting young entrepreneurs going as epitomised by his excellent [email protected] programme for start-ups is a very good example of this…”
Ian Taylor, President and Chief Executive, Vitol Group of Companies
June 2016
“… The Duke of York’s relationship with The Outward Bound Trust extends far beyond the traditional remit of a Royal patronage of a charity. For more than two decades he has been the Chairman of The Outward Bound Trust, running the Board of Trustees and working closely with the senior management team. At times he has led the organisation, most famously when he pushed through his idea for the abseil down the Shard – which raised over two million pounds in a single day. At other times he has quietly supported the work of the charity by meeting and thanking donors, introducing new supporters to our work and visiting our residential centres in England, Scotland and Wales. He knows a great many of the staff by name and has an extremely detailed knowledge of the operation. However for me the most important attribute he brings to our work is his commitment and loyalty to it. During my ten years as Chief Executive of Outward Bound there have been a couple of hugely significant moments when, as can happen in any organisation, things have not gone according to plan. During these trickier moments he has been unwavering in his support for the staff and consistent in his leadership. It is no surprise therefore that The Outward Bound Trust has enjoyed twenty years of growing success, has fantastically motivated staff and now works with 30,000 young people each year, supported by a fundraising operation that raises many millions to ensure that financial disadvantage is never a barrier to participation…”
Nick Barrett, Chief Executive, The Outward Bound Trust
June 2016
HRH The Duke of York abseiling down the Shard to raise funds for The Outward Bound Trust
“… The University of Huddersfield is deeply honoured to have The Duke of York as its Chancellor. This is a UK University role that is often purely ceremonial but in The Duke’s case, one that is taken on with much energy, enthusiasm and full engagement with the University. HRH is a fantastic advocate of the University. The Duke visits several times a year and has given opportunities and support to many of our students and graduates. Examples of his support include offering students internships at Buckingham Palace; meeting our alumni whilst on overseas visits and allowing the University to establish Duke of York overseas scholarships. His Royal Highness is also inspiring the next generation of entrepreneurs through The Duke of York Centre for Young Entrepreneurs based in our 3M Innovation Centre. In addition, The Duke has also kindly invited the University to participate in two fantastic initiatives: [email protected], where young entrepreneurs get the chance to pitch their ideas to investors at St James’s Palace and iDEA, the inspiring Digital Enterprise Award, the brainchild of The Duke to engage one million young people in digital enterprise. The Duke is an outstanding Chancellor and we are immensely grateful for his support…”
Professor Bob Cryan CBE, Vice-Chancellor, University of Huddersfield
June 2016
HRH The Duke of York opening the 3M Buckley Innovation Centre, University of Huddersfield
“… I am honoured that HRH The Duke of York succeeded me as Chancellor of the University of Huddersfield. His commitment to providing young people with opportunities to succeed is well known, and that means he is a natural ally of the University, where entrepreneurialism is an essential part of our philosophy. As I said to him during his installation ceremony, I am sure he will enjoy the job. The people here are marvellous to work with, they are inventive and creative. I am sure our new Chancellor will help the University continue to go from strength to strength…”
Sir Patrick Stewart, Emeritus Chancellor, University of Huddersfield
July 2015
HRH The Duke of York presenting at the University of Huddersfield Graduation Ceremony
“… Encouraging a culture of entrepreneurship is vital to the ongoing success of the UK and Global economy – and that is why The Duke of York’s innovative [email protected] events, including the new [email protected] Africa work stream, are so important. The Duke’s drive, commitment and energy in supporting entrepreneurship is truly admirable…”
Sir John Peace, Chairman, Standard Chartered
June 2016
HRH The Duke of York talking to entrepreneur Eghosa Nehikhare at [email protected] Africa
“…The presence of His Royal Highness The Duke of York, with his daughters Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, at the Not Forgotten Association’s Annual Garden Party at Buckingham Palace on the 26th May was hugely appreciated by the 1850 wounded and disabled veterans, service personnel and their carers who attended. The Yorks spoke to a great many of our beneficiaries who really appreciated their interest and personal touch. It was a very special day.…”
General The Lord Dannatt GCB, CBE, MC, DL, President, The Not Forgotten Association
June 2016
HRH The Duke of York at the Not Forgotten Association Garden Party
“… I have seen The Duke adding real value to the UK economy in two very different ways over the past 10 years. The first was supporting major British companies (in my case, Shell) overseas, standing with the Russian President and Japanese PM, delivering an excellent speech, and also developing long-term relationships with key Middle Eastern leaders, in a way that does not usually happen with UK Ministers, given their relatively rapid turnover. The second has been his initiative in organising the excellent [email protected] events for aspiring entrepreneurs; a tremendous way of profiling their business start-ups, enhancing their pitching skills and giving them access to potential investors and mentors. The new move to take the Pitch events overseas should help open up new markets, and significantly enhance the UK’s reputation as a base for entrepreneurial activity…”
Malcolm Brinded, Chairman, Shell Foundation
June 2016
HRH The Duke of York with Dr. Hilonga at [email protected] Africa
“… As one of the UK’s largest IT companies, it is vital for Fujitsu to attract and retain young people with excellent skills and potential. The Duke of York has been a leading advocate of Apprenticeships, encouraging and supporting young people, particularly from disadvantaged backgrounds, and promoting further Apprenticeship places and opportunities with employers…”
Simon P Blagden CBE, non-executive Chairman, Fujitsu UK
June 2016
HRH The Duke of York meeting Apprentice Award Winners in Gloucestershire
“… I have seen The Duke work tirelessly supporting British businesses over many years. I first met him when we were co-chairs of the World Economic Forum in 2008, and saw him there enthusiastically working to build the image of UK business in the region. I’ve been a regular attender of his UK reception at the World Economic Forum in Davos, which has always been an excellent place for UK businesses to engage with key partners operating on the global stage. HRH has kindly supported my own Wikimedia Foundation and this support has really helped us take our engagement with key donors forward. Finally I have been able to attend a number of his [email protected] events and have been impressed – one doesn’t usually associate royalty with young and upcoming entrepreneurs but there he is, convening and inspiring young people to greatness – and this has all been done on a not-for-profit model…”
Jimmy Wales, Founder, Wikipedia
June 2016
“… It was the inspiration and leadership of The Duke of York which created The Duke of York’s Community Initiative (DOYCI) some 20 years ago. Since then, hundreds of community based organisations and charities have been recognised with a DOYCI Award, personally presented by The Duke. This focus on encouraging and supporting local based projects has made a significant impact on the communities of Yorkshire and ensured that many vital support groups have survived and grown…”
Simon P Blagden CBE, Chairman of the Board of Trustees, The Duke of York’s Community Initiative
June 2016
HRH The Duke of York presenting Community Initiative Awards
“… HRH Duke of York has been an enthusiastic supporter of TeenTech’s work since he became our patron in 2013. I know his first impression was the ‘wall of sound’ when he visited one of our events to see first-hand how enthusiastic young people of all abilities are about science, technology and engineering given the right stimulus and support. We have very much appreciated his generosity in hosting all the winners of the TeenTech Awards at Buckingham Palace every year and the very genuine interest he has taken in their ideas to make life ‘better, simpler or easier’. His endorsement and encouragement of their work stimulates not only the winners but all their peers at school to understand that becoming an entrepreneur or Nobel Prize winner of the future is open to everyone, no matter what your gender or social background…”
Maggie Philbin, CEO, TeenTech CIC
June 2016
HRH The Duke of York with TeenTech award winners
“… The Duke of York’s longstanding support and loyalty to Britain’s global businesses is recognised around the world. The personal energy and commitment the Duke is bringing to developing platforms for emerging British business and innovation through the [email protected] each year is remarkable. I have seen the enthusiasm ad confidence it brings to those with new business ideas and dreams. It is part of the exciting future of Britain…”
Robert Dudley, Chief Executive, BP
June 2016
“… The engagement of The Duke of York for start-ups is already having a huge impact, after only 2 years. His guidance, his creation of networks, his mobilisation of resources for start-ups, are invaluable, both in the [email protected] event and in his initiatives to encourage the entrepreneurial spirit in high schools. We in Cambridge, as just one entrepreneurship centre in one region, can feel how his work is helping us to increase our own impact. I am impressed by this example of leadership…”
Professor Christoph Loch, Director, Cambridge Judge Business School
June 2016
HRH The Duke of York talking to students at Cambridge Judge Business School
“… The Duke of York is a strong, helpful and effective supporter of the 14-18 year old University Technical Colleges. He likes them because the life chances of thousands of young people are being transformed as they acquire the skills, learning and attitudes which lead to jobs. The students are very impressed that such a senior figure from the Royal Family is so interested in their technical education and they appreciate his conviction in his unscripted speeches and his willingness to talk to any of them about their work. We have now launched annually The Duke of York Awards for Technical Education to recognise outstanding achievement and already nearly 500 students have won Gold, Silver and Bronze awards. He is the first member of the Royal Family since Prince Albert to promote the technical training which is so necessary for the Digital Revolution and jobs in the 21st Century…”
The Rt Hon Lord Baker of Dorking CH, Chairman, Baker Dearing Educational Trust
June 2016
“… I have known The Duke of York for many years. I have seen him consistently support British business both during his time as UK Special Representative and more recently as he has built up his own work to support British Prosperity. The Duke and a small group of businessmen and women including me regularly meet and discuss current issues facing the UK. It his strong and active support of British commercial interests at home and abroad that impresses me. For several years he hosted a very popular UK Reception at Davos; a significant event for the British business community and the fact that HRH was willing to continually commit to this was very valuable to many of us. More recently I have been extremely impressed by the entrepreneurs I have seen coming through [email protected] – the ideas and energy at this event are highly commendable…”
Michael Spencer, Group CEO, ICAP Plc
June 2016
“… HRH The Duke of York has been exceptionally helpful to me when I was Master of Wellington College, supporting and visiting our academy in Wiltshire, opening our first two schools in China, and speaking at a series of conferences at Wellington on why schools, universities and cultural bodies should set up branches abroad. He has helped secure the rights for Journey’s End to be returned to Britain from Warner Brothers so a highly talented group of British film makers can, with luck, put the film into production. His leadership of [email protected] has a direct tonic on entrepreneurs working with the University of Buckingham. I have always found him to be thoughtful, forward-thinking and hugely enthusiastic…”
Sir Anthony Seldon, Vice-Chancellor, University of Buckingham
June 2016
The Duke hears about Post-Doctoral research being undertaken in the Quantum Mechanics Laboratory.
“… The Duke of York is a tremendous champion of entrepreneurship and I’m delighted to have had the opportunity to support his work. The [email protected] initiative has inspired not only its applicants but also those of us who have had the pleasure of listening to what have been consistently professional and polished bids for support. Over the years, The Duke has brought together hundreds of talented tech entrepreneurs with those who have lived through the highs and lows of growing a business, often to a global scale. I know from my own experience how valuable the right advice can be and when we launched Aberdeen 33 years ago, I would have found it immensely useful to have had access to the strong pool of expertise that [email protected] provides today. Every business begins life as a start-up. I hope all budding entrepreneurs will consider applying…”
Martin Gilbert, CEO, Aberdeen Asset Management
June 2016
“…The Duke of York has always endorsed British companies internationally and more recently sponsored the financing of start-ups in the new economy through [email protected] In both instances the Duke of York continues to make tangible contributions to British business…”
Stuart Gulliver, Group CEO, HSBC
June 2016
“… I am incredibly proud to receive the support of HRH The Duke of York, who has been Patron of the Peter Jones Foundation since 2012. It has been amazing to witness first hand his drive, commitment and dedication in encouraging and supporting thousands of young people, helping them to achieve their entrepreneurial potential through initiatives like Tycoon in Schools and the Duke’s very own Pitch at the Palace. HRH is a leading light for encouraging the entrepreneurial spirit needed to realise Britain’s enormous potential as a great enterprise nation…”
Peter Jones CBE, Founder, Peter Jones Foundation
June 2016
HRH The Duke of York, Patron, Peter Jones Foundation, addressing the audience at the Peter Jones Enterprise Academy Graduation
“… The Duke of York takes a keen interest in developments around the world. His knowledge of how certain countries work has always been a benefit to Britain…”
Lord Hague of Richmond, former Foreign Secretary
June 2016
“… The opening of the International Convention Centre at Excel London was an occasion of major importance both for London and the wider UK economy. It represented a further major investment by the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre, and deserved some special recognition for the benefits it would bring. The Directors of Excel were therefore delighted that His Royal Highness readily agreed to host a dinner at St James Palace for our Abu Dhabi friends to mark this important occasion, and were most grateful for his hosting of a most successful evening…”
Lord King of Bridgewater, CH, PC, former Defence Secretary
June 2016
“… KPMG UK is privileged to have worked alongside the HRH the Duke of York over a number of years. We have really valued his passion for helping and supporting entrepreneurs, and providing them with a platform to connect to big business, investors and influencers. We are proud to be founding partners for [email protected] and look forward to continuing our work together…”
Simon Collins, Chairman and Senior Partner, KPMG UK
June 2016
