Winners of the Berkshire Area Finals

Reading Blue Coat School showed their business savvy and wowed the Young Enterprise judges, scooping the top award at the Berkshire Young Enterprise County Finals held at Bearwood College. ‘Infusion’ from Reading Blue Coat School also walked away with awards for Best Presentation 2008 and the ICSA Award for Good Corporate Governance. They will now go on to represent Berkshire at the prestigious South East Regional Finals in July.

Sarah Tattersall, MD of Infusion said: “We’re thrilled to have won – there have been ups and downs but overall it’s been a fantastic experience and we’re all looking forward to representing Berkshire in the next round.”

Infusion impressed the judges with their detailed business goals, strong focus and effective problem solving.  Infusion produced and sold a range of greeting cards featuring pictures of bridges from around Sonning. Infusion also sold innovative drinks helmets and hosted music events to raise money for their business. Infusion boast more than £1,500 in sales so far.

Slumberjacks from Downe House School, Thatcham were awarded the Berkshire Runners Up Cup 2008 for their branded pyjama trousers, t-shirts and rugs and also won the Institute of Directors Innovation Award. Other teams competing in the finals were E-UNIT from Bearwood College, R.A.V.E from Charters School and Clik from Herschel Grammar School.

Throughout the past year more than 900 students across Berkshire have formed 71 business teams via Young Enterprise, a national educational charity which encourages business know-how in schools. Each student team is assigned a business mentor from the local business community who donate their time for free.

Nick James, Reading entrepreneur and proud supporter of Young Enterprise said: “Each year the students raise the game in both their presentations and products. The standard of the finals presentations was amazing; it’s really great to see the students’ energy and passion as they present their businesses to the audience.”

Company Programme Manager for Young Enterprise, Berkshire’s Jenny Scully said: “Young Enterprise provides a unique opportunity for young people to develop a real practical understanding of what business is about.  They also learn about themselves and gain hands on communication, leadership, motivation and problem solving skills.”

Judges on the evening included the Institute of Directors Berkshire County Chair Mr. Chris Dodson, Richard Reger of The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association (representing the ISCA), Dale Peters, MD of GN UK Ltd, and Barry Lewis, MD of CADLine Ltd.

WINNER Infusion from Reading Blue Coat School Representing Reading

• Infusion beat 21 local student companies to qualify for the Berkshire County Finals with a range of greeting cards featuring bridges across the Thames, drinks helmets and music events
• Winner: Best Presentation 2008
• Winner: ICSA Award for Good Corporate Governance
• Winner: Berkshire Winners Cup 2008

Benjamin Ruddle, Operations Manager “I think the secret of our success has been our non-stop enthusiasm. We’ve all seen over the last year that you can’t make a business successful if you don’t believe in it whole-heartedly!”
Edward Hicks, Deputy Financial Director “This has been a really enjoyable and educational experience. Everyone has learnt something new, particularly about running a business, whilst having fun at the same time.”
Sarah Tattersall, MD “As MD, I’ve learnt that organisational skills are important, but so is getting the co-operation of your team – and this has been made possible with a little help from Krispy Kreme doughnuts! I’ve had a fantastic 9 months in business and have had fun at every stage.”  

RUNNER UP Slumberjacks from Downe House School - representing Newbury

• Slumberjacks beat nine student companies to qualify in the Berkshire County Finals with their personalised pyjama bottoms and t-shirts in a variety of patterns, aimed at the school and local community markets. Also produced ‘I (heart) NBY’ t-shirts in celebration of Newbury.
• Winner: IoD Award for Innovation 2008 (note: as part of this award, Slumberjacks have been invited to attend an event at the IoD HQ in Pall Mall along with other high profile entrepreneurs and business leaders)
• Winner: Berkshire Runners Up 2008

MDs: Susannah Moss and Chia Brewin Grace Regan, I.T Director  said “I have learnt many lessons from Young Enterprise about business and team work – I never thought that at the age of seventeen I would have already set up my own business.” Susannah Moss, MD “Although we faced many challenges, our ability to work efficiently as a team enabled us to make a substantial profit.” Keji Kola-Balogun, Marketing Director “I have learnt that when you undertake a challenge such as running a business, co-ordination, organisation and communication are imperative to the success of a company.”

OTHER FINALISTS

E-UNIT from Bearwood College - representing Bracknell & Wokingham came top of 13 local schools in Bracknell and Wokingham with their environmentally and ethically conscious ‘e-care’ cotton alternative to plastic bags and environmentally accredited cleaning ‘e-care’ cloths. Joseph Han, MD “I have learnt how to bring out the solutions when I have faced certain crisis situations and how to manage and organise a team when they are about to give up.”
Brian Chan, Operations Director “Young Enterprise is fun and useful for my future. I have learnt a lot and it has expanded my knowledge of business.” Kevan St.Brice, Secretary “This experience has greatly enriched my general understanding of the business world and its function in society. It has been very useful in my relationship building skills.”

R.A.V.E from Charters School - representing Windsor, Maidenhead & Ascot beat 11 local Young Enterprise companies with their screen and custom printed nu rave themed t-shirts aimed at the teenage school and social market Jack Oldfield, MD “I have found Young Enterprise to be a great experience and would love to repeat it.”
Alex Kay, Director of Design and Production “The Young Enterprise experience has been extremely interesting and has given me a great insight into the business world.”

Clik from Herschel Grammar School - representing Slough beat 14 local student teams to make it through to the final with a variety of innovative laser cut key rings in a range of designs and colours tailored to events throughout the year. Ishminder Deol, MD “Young Enterprise is definitely a scheme I would recommend to others. It teaches team work and organisational skills – which really help with school work as well. It was an excellent experience.” Arbab Anwar, Productions Manager “An insight into the complex world of business enhanced both my communication skills and the ability to work as one in a team.”