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Bolton Students Runners-Up in Mosaic Enterprise Challenge

High flying secondary school pupils from Ladybridge High School in Bolton have been revealed as runners up in the Grand Finals of the Mosaic Enterprise Challenge 2015.

The prestigious national event, held at Hogan Lovells LLP in London, was hosted by TV presenter and broadcaster Natasha Kaplinsky.

The Mosaic Enterprise Challenge, supported by the Apax Foundation and Nectar Trust as well as the Department of Communities and Local Government, is a fully-funded programme that helps young people living in the most deprived communities between the ages of 11 and 16, to raise their aspirations, self- belief, business acumen and employability.

Over 4000 secondary school pupils from over 100 schools across the country participated in the competition before the final five were shortlisted to compete in the Grand Finals. Over 400 volunteer business mentors from organisations such as Marks & Spencer, HSBC and Jaguar Land Rover were allocated to the teams, guiding and developing their business concept whilst improving their understanding of business in general.

The students pitched their ideas to a judging panel including Claude Littner, visiting professor at the University of West London, Claude Littner Business School, and candidate interviewer and recently announced as Lord Alan Sugar’s right hand man on BBC’s ‘The Apprentice’, Mohammed Amersi founder and CEO of Emergent Telecom Ventures and Perween Warsi CBE founder and CEO of S&A Foods.

After a four month battle, the students from Ladybridge High School impressed the judging panel with their business concept and secured third place in the competition, winning £1,000 for the school. Presenting as ‘Team Bake Inc’ the students from Ladybridge High School gave a convincing presentation of their business concept - a baking business within their school community that would help internal catering students gain invaluable practical skills, whilst tending to the needs of their school community.

On the road to the Grand Final, they competed against 4,000 other students in Britain to earn their place in the final five of the national Dragon’s Den-style competition, under the guidance of mentors appointed by Mosaic.

The competition was won by Skinners’ Academy in London.

Jonathan Freeman, Managing Director for Mosaic, said: “Congratulations to the team from Ladybridge High School who gave an excellent pitch on the day. The standard this year was the highest we’ve ever seen. It was a very close decision in the end and all of the participating teams in the Grand Final did their schools, their region, their mentors and themselves proud.

“Thanks again to everyone who has made the Mosaic Enterprise Challenge a huge success this year, not least of all the hundreds of business mentors that freely give their time to support the young people involved, and our sponsors.”

Chairman of Judges, Claude Littner said: “The standard of professionalism and creativity shown by the finalists was truly exceptional and the judging panel really did struggle to separate them. It’s encouraging to see such ambition from the students and the Enterprise Challenge certainly brought out their competitive spirit. Their mentors and teachers can be extremely proud of their achievements here today.”

After winning the North West regional final to secure a place in the Grand Final, team member Khadija Toppa speaking on behalf of Ladybridge High School commented; “The whole day was pretty nerve wracking and we really can’t believe we made it through to the Grand Finals in London, it’s so exciting! We’ve worked pretty hard with our mentor and think we’ve come up with a great idea so I think we’ve got a good chance!”

Mosaic mentor at Ladybridge High School, Maqsood Khan, Crown Prosecution Service, said: “I am overwhelmed by the journey that these young people have been on. From the first mentoring session where we met shy students, lacking in confidence to the impressive, self-assured business pitches they have made today makes me believe in the impact of mentoring and the difference we can make”.

Mosaic is an initiative of Business in the Community and was founded by HRH Prince Charles in 2007. Mosaic’s programmes are supported by MPs for business and education, as well as schools and Ofsted, who all see the benefit of opening doors for young people in to the corporate world. Creating opportunities for young people of all backgrounds growing up in some of the most deprived communities.

If you would like to help inspire and guide these young adults to help them reach their potential and would like further information about mentoring or any of the Mosaic programmes, please call 020 7566 8734 or email: mosaic@bitc.org.uk

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Terry Gilligan .