The Duke of York is committed to supporting providers of entrepreneurially focused education, who strive to teach individuals of all ages the skill set required to pursue successful business endeavours. HRH highly respects the work of the Peter Jones Foundation in this area, and was delighted to become their Patron in 2012. On 6th February 2013 The Duke held an awards ceremony at Buckingham Palace for the winning teams of the Peter Jones Foundation’s national enterprise competition Tycoon in Schools.
The competition challenged young people across Britain to start a business while at school. With funding on offer, schools had the opportunity to submit business plans and apply for seed funding to launch their business ideas. Thousands of teams entered the competition operating their businesses throughout November 2012, looking to not only generate profits, but run businesses that could be sustainable in the future.
A panel of judges, led by Peter Jones CBE, selected five winning teams who were awarded their prizes by HRH at Buckingham Palace. The winners were then selected on a number of criteria including profitability, achievement, community engagement, sustainability and business concept.
Ultimate Tycoon in Schools award: Boo’s Bits and Bobs
Eleanor Bullough, a 14 year old student at The Da Vinci Studio School, Stevenage, set up an eco-friendly shop selling colourful paper garlands made from a renewably sourced handmade mulberry paper.
Best business concept award: Xpose@fcc
Sourced undiscovered work of local photographers and printed them onto canvas. Sales were then made to local businesses and contacts at a team organised art gallery event. The 4 student team came from Felpham Community College, West Sussex.
Sustainability award: Occasions by Ameena
Ameena Bibi from Nelson and Colne College, Lancashire made and sold bespoke candles and other products which had been decorated in henna designs.
Special award for community engagement: 4K
4K raised funds for Southampton General Hospital through the production and sale of Rastafarian inspired wristbands. The team from Avonbourne School, Bournemouth successfully engaged their local community and enlisted the support of high profile figures, including Levi Roots, maker of Reggae Reggae Sauce and contemporary poet Benjamin Zephaniah who wrote a special poem for the team.
Achievement award: HACA
A 16 student team from Haberdashers’ Aske’s Crayford Academy, Kent designed and made laser cut plastic jewellery and accessories built around popular images and words
The Duke really enjoyed meeting the winning teams, particularly as the competition was a great example of young people being encouraged to think entrepreneurially. HRH was also thrilled to hear how much the winners enjoyed the event and that a number of the teams planned to continue running and expanding their businesses beyond the competition.
“I was so happy to be able to receive my award at Buckingham Palace. The awards ceremony was amazing! I loved meeting Peter Jones CBE and His Royal Highness The Duke of York and talking about my business with them. I will continue this business and I am currently designing new products keeping with the biodegradable and organic theme, like cards, paper craft, bags and clothing. ” commented Eleanor Bullough, winner of the Ultimate Tycoon in Schools Award with her company Boo’s Bits and Bobs.
The Duke, as part of his work to support providers of entrepreneurially focused education encourages more schools and students to take part in 2013’s Tycoon in Schools competition. For more information about the competition please visit http://www.tycooninschools.com/
