Sharon Davies, Chief Executive of Young Enterprise, will be passing the reins to her successor later this year, following 15 impactful years with the team.
Announcing her decision to staff and trustees, Sharon called the role “one of the greatest honours of my life” and reflected deeply on her time working with an incredible team of staff, volunteers and supporters at Young Enterprise.
After serving as CEO for the last five years, Sharon is planning to spend some time out before considering new plans.
Sharon said: “I’m so proud of the progress we’ve made increasing access to opportunity for young people facing the greatest barriers, and the creation of a new strategy for 2024-2030 that focuses so clearly on tracking the long-term impact of doing so.
“After a difficult time recently of personal loss, I’m planning some time for reflection after the end of the year. The next 8 months will be spent supporting trustees and the team to deliver on several exciting developments and ensure the very best of transitions. We have achieved so much together, and there is so much more to do to ensure all young people can build the skills and mindsets to earn and look after their money.”
Sharon has agreed with the Board of Trustees to stay in the position until the end of December 2024.
Simon Lewis (OBE), our Chair of Trustees, confirmed: “Sharon has done a fantastic job as CEO over the last five years and the board is enormously grateful for her energy, commitment and leadership over that time. It has been a pleasure as Chair to work with Sharon and she will be handing over to her successor an impactful, financially resilient and high performing charity.”
Further details on the CEO role recruitment process will be shared shortly.
Thumbs up to applied learning from teachers across the UK
According to research commissioned by Young Enterprise, 94% of UK teachers feel it is important for young people to have opportunities to apply their learning as part of their school education.¹
Applied learning is an active process in which learners use existing knowledge and understanding to address practical, real-world challenges. It can involve building more problem-solving and scenarios into lessons, through to arranging bespoke activities and events which get learners to put their knowledge and ideas into practice. It can be used across a wide range of subjects, age groups and settings, and it is cost-effective and practical given it is changing how teaching is delivered, rather than adding new content to an already packed curriculum.
Evidence shows that applied learning can increase learner engagement, improve attitudes to learning and build transferable skills. It helps learners to make the connection between what they learn in the classroom and how this can be valuable for them in the real world.
This research gives us, for the first time, an understanding of teachers’ level of support for applied learning from a representative sample across the UK, and it also finds that strong support for applied learning exists across all nations, key stages, school types and subjects.
When asked what makes the biggest difference by providing applied learning opportunities, separate research by Young Enterprise² finds that teachers highly value applied learning because the context is real and relevant, and it gives young people the opportunity to solve problems and be creative.
It is not only teachers giving the thumbs up to applied learning
Young Enterprise recently organised a letter to the Education Secretary and the Chancellor of the Exchequer advocating for more recognition in the curriculum, teacher training and better support for schools to deliver applied learning opportunities, including as a means of addressing the UK’s £22bn skills gap³ and enhancing productivity of the UK’s future workforce. We were delighted that more than 40 other youth and education organisations also signed the letter, increasing our collective voice and highlighting the strength of backing in the sector.
For more information about the benefits of applied learning, and to add your support to our campaign, please visit: https://www.young-enterprise.org.uk/applied-learning/
_______________________________________________________
¹ All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc. Total sample size was 1009 adults. Fieldwork was undertaken between 9th – 19th February 2024. The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all UK teachers (aged 18+).
² Young Enterprise (2021) Annual Teacher Survey (Total sample size of 231 UK teachers).
³ Skills Builder Partnership (2023) Essential Skills Tracker, https://www.skillsbuilder.org/file/essential-skills-tracker-2023
Enterprising Birmingham and Black Country
Severn Trent Community Fund awards Young Enterprise a £75,000 grant
Severn Trent has awarded £75,000 to a charity that helps young adults in Birmingham and Black Country gain the skills and confidence that will lead to securing future employment.
The water and waste company has awarded the money to Young Enterprise through its Community Fund. The charity supports young people to succeed in the world of work by equipping them with the skills, knowledge and confidence they need to thrive, through practical programmes and real-world experiences.
The funding will go towards a new project in Birmingham and the Black Country, where the charity will work in partnership with schools, to provide young people with opportunities to help them realise their career goals and ambitions.
Young Enterprise works with local employers to connect young people to careers and reduce any potential barriers to employment. In today’s competitive jobs market, Young Enterprise’s programmes help to level the playing field for young people living furthest from opportunity.
Dani Saunders, Young Enterprise Regional Education Partnerships Manager for the Midlands commented:
“This is an amazing opportunity for young people to gain skills, confidence and enterprising mindsets from our programmes. Our support equips young people to understand their talents, build on their strengths and feel well-prepared for their future careers.”
Viv Couche, Philanthropy Manager from Young Enterprise added:
“We were delighted to receive this support from Severn Trent, enabling us to work in partnership with Birmingham and Black Country schools, to reach more young people in greatest need of our support to fulfil their true potential. Our programmes develop the skills young people need to transition from education into employment, and help them understand how they could set up their own business in the future.”
Natalie Cunningham, Community Fund Officer from Severn Trent said:
“I’ve seen at first hand the difference that Young Enterprise’s programmes make for young people. We’re proud to support this impactful project, that will give young people across Birmingham and Black Country the opportunity to gain valuable employability skills, and build their confidence and self-esteem, in a truly supportive environment.”
Severn Trent’s Community Fund was created for community groups and projects that aim to improve community well-being:
To find out more about the fund, and what projects have been awarded, please visit: stwater.co.uk/communityfund.
Young Enterprise, the national charity for financial and enterprise education, has appointed John Sills and Lorna Gibb to the Board of Trustees, with effect from the 25th January 2024.
John Sills brings experience as Managing Partner at the customer-led growth company, The Foundation, and author of Leadership Book of the Year 2023, The Human Experience, while Lorna Gibb is currently VP of HR & Legal at Nokia. Lorna has over 20 years of generalist global HR experience in a variety of sectors ranging across financial services, travel, aviation, telecoms and technology.
They join Young Enterprise at an exciting moment in its history. In 2023, the charity celebrated its 60th anniversary at Downing Street and launched its ‘What Applied Learning Really Looks Like’ report in partnership with The Entrepreneurs Network. Over 1.3 million young people have accessed over 1.6 million financial and enterprise education opportunities over the last four years of the charity’s No Time Like The Future Strategy. Young Enterprise will continue its mission in 2024 to showcase the benefits of applied learning and provide more meaningful and practical learning opportunities to young people, through which we aim to increase social mobility for underserved communities.
Simon Lewis (OBE) Chair of Young Enterprise said: “We are excited to welcome John and Lorna to the Board of Young Enterprise. We have chosen two impressive business leaders with relevant experience and a commitment to supporting Young Enterprise. I am sure they will make a real difference and I am delighted they will be joining our Board”.
John Sills started his career on a market stall in Essex, but now works with companies across industries and around the world delivering the customer experience, in innovation teams designing the propositions, and global HQ teams creating the strategy. Before joining The Foundation he spent twelve years at HSBC, latterly as Head of Customer Innovation. His first book on the topic, the Human Experience, was published by Bloomsbury in February 2023, and his writing has been featured in The Guardian, The FT, and Management Today.
Lorna Gibb has a track record of strategic, collaborative HR leadership alongside a dedication to fostering a positive workplace culture and a passion for driving organisational success. In particular, she has spearheaded numerous cultural transformation programmes and multiple inclusion and diversity initiatives, particularly centred around social mobility and gender equality. She is dedicated to team and individual development and to creating an environment where all employees can reach their potential, thrive and truly belong. Lorna is also extremely passionate about creating holistic employee experiences centred around flexibility, mental health support and focus on wellbeing.
John Sills said, “I am delighted to have been asked to join the board and be part of an organisation that has had such an impact on my own career. The most important future business skills will be the ability to think creatively with an enterprising mindset, to react and adapt in a fast-paced world. That’s why I believe in Young Enterprise’s mission to encourage learning through real-world experiences, and am excited to help continue to grow the confidence and skills of the next generation of business leaders.”
Lorna Gibb said “Young Enterprise’s work continues to inspire young people up and down the country to build successful careers and futures. I am passionate about people in business and why building and fostering a positive workplace culture is so crucial to success. We want young people to thrive in what they do but also feel valued in the environment they work in. That’s why I couldn’t be more excited to get started and to help reach more young people with our vital work.”
We strongly back the House of Commons education select committee’s inquiry (“MPs launch inquiry into UK financial education”, Report, FT.com/flic, November 16). Many indicators point towards the fact that financial education has not been integrated into secondary schools’ curriculum as had been hoped when it was introduced in England nine years ago. We believe that educators need a greater level of support from government to embed financial education in a sustainable way.
With the pandemic proving the catalyst for a cashless society, and financial strains being created due to inflation and the continuing cost of living crisis, young people continue to be vulnerable to new financial challenges and threats.
We must engage educators, as well as support parents and carers, to teach the next generation about potential economic pitfalls and equip them with the necessary skills to be financially confident. Armed with the skills to apply financial education, young people and adults can be better prepared to manage their finances. Without this knowledge, the next generation are at risk of online scams, bad credit scores, and a lack of savings.
Research has found that children begin to form their mindset around money habits between the ages of three and seven, so it’s essential we educate children about money and finances while they are at primary school, so that they have confidence in handling money and a good understanding of basic transactions from a young age.
Financial education can make a significant contribution to financial freedom, help young people to develop responsible money habits, make informed career choices, navigate the complex financial landscape, and build resilience for the future. It is, therefore crucial to increase pressure on the government to strengthen provision of financial education in schools by supporting teaching staff to deliver it.
Sharon Davies, Chief Executive, Young Enterprise, London WC1N, UK
Minister for Small Business and Enterprise, Kevin Hollinrake MP, has today joined former Education Secretary Rt Hon Justine Greening and a team from Young Enterprise, including Chief Executive Sharon Davies, alongside leading Purpose Coalition businesses to explore the importance of applied learning, and equipping young people with the skills they need to get on in life.
The roundtable was an opportunity for the Minister to learn more about the work of private sector organisations and the benefits of Young Enterprise for teachers and young people across the UK.
The joint roundtable, held in association between the Purpose Coalition and Young Enterprise, also explored ways in which organisations can support and improve enterprise education in schools and colleges to unlock the skills potential of young people. The event brought together senior leaders from Purpose Coalition organisations, including Virgin Money, Sodexo, and Adecco.
Applied learning is now particularly important in a post-pandemic landscape, and allows students to apply their knowledge and skills from the traditional classroom setting to real world projects. Earlier this year, Young Enterprise published their new report ‘What Applied Learning Really Looks Like’, highlighting case studies to show teachers and policymakers how applied learning can be integrated into school timetables and across the curriculum.
Mina Karshala, now on the Young Enterprise Board joined the roundtable, and is a 2013 Young Enterprise alumna who took part in the Start Up Programme whilst studying for her Leadership and Management degree.
Through hands-on employability, enterprise and financial education programmes, Young Enterprise works directly with teachers, parents and businesses to help reduce youth unemployment, and help young people realise their potential beyond education, empowering a generation to learn, work and live.
Chief Executive of Young Enterprise, Sharon Davies said: “Since 1962, over 7.2 million young people have accessed Young Enterprise Financial and Enterprise Programmes and Services. As we enter our 7th decade of supporting young people, access to opportunity has never been more important in helping them to build their futures. Especially, in the current economic climate where real-world learning opportunities are key to developing young peoples’ confidence, attitudes, and employability skills.
Our report released earlier this year on ‘What Applied Learning Really Looks Like’ showed that 96% of teachers believe that being able to apply learning in real-world contexts is important.
Through this roundtable in partnership with Purpose Coalition, we urge policymakers, educators, communities, and the government to recognise the fantastic work already taking place in schools and work together on a renewed push to increase opportunities for young people to apply their learning in real world settings across the country.”
Chair of the Purpose Coalition, Rt Hon Justine Greening, said: “Entrepreneurship not only generates business and jobs for communities, it encourages aspiration in individuals. It can help boost levelling up and improve skills training. Since 1962, Young Enterprise has empowered generations to learn, work and live, and it’s been brilliant to host today’s event alongside Chief Executive Sharon Davies, and to welcome the Minister for a practical, real-world discussion.
“Young people today grow up in a highly connected environment with access to new technology, new markets and new ways of communicating, but all too often feel they lack the skills, experiences and networks to take advantage of them. When government, business and organisations like Young Enterprise work together, we can improve applied learning, boost skills, and deliver a shift in mindset where entrepreneurship becomes the norm.”
Mina Karshala, YE Alumna and YE Trustee, said: “In a classroom setting, whilst we had great teachers, what we as pupils naturally did, was follow instructions. Such as instructions to complete homework or instructions to learn a specific chapter. But when I took part in Young Enterprise, I realised that when you run a business there isn’t really anyone giving you such specific instructions… so if you aren’t proactive, or don’t think outside of the box, your business will stay stagnant. You will stay stagnant. Learning this at a young age is key to potential success in later life.
Young Enterprise allowed me to gain the confidence to take risks and gain those self-led learning skills, it allowed me to also apply what I learnt at school, to real life. Being honest, I still got things wrong, and often still do. But the confidence to just give things a go and take everything in your stride as learning opportunity, has made the biggest difference.
If every young person across the UK had the same opportunity to access applied learning, the possibility of what the next generation could achieve is incredible.”
Young Enterprise’s Welsh Company and Team Programme of the Year Awards took place on Thursday 25 May in partnership with the University of South Wales (USW).
Since Young Enterprise’s Company Programme began 60 years ago, 7.2 million people have participated the programmes and 1.1m companies have been created.
Eight teams of young people, aged 15 and above, who took part in Young Enterprise’s Company and Team Programmes came together to compete against each other for a special place at the UK National Company of the Year Final to be held on 6 June 2023.
There were teams of young people from across Wales representing mainstream secondary schools and special educational need schools.
Judges from HR Department, Princes Trust, Transcend Packaging, NatWest, Principality Building Society and USW crowned Dan Draed, from Ysgol Bro Teifi in Llandysul, as the overall winners and they will now go on to represent Wales at the UK National Final.
The winners in all the categories were:
Sera Evans, USW’s Associate Director of UK Student Recruitment, said: “We’re absolutely delighted to be working in partnership with Young Enterprise to host the Welsh Company and Team Programme Final, especially as this year’s event aligns with the charity’s 60th anniversary. Congratulations to all the winners, and good luck to Dan Draed in the UK Final.”
Sharon Davies, CEO of Young Enterprise, said: “Taking part in our Company and Team Programmes helps to prepare young people for the world of work. It was wonderful to see so many young people from across Wales, who have developed such strong enterprising mindsets and set up such fantastic businesses.
“At Young Enterprise, we are passionate about creating meaningful opportunities, which support young people to build confidence and critical skills that have real potential to enhance their futures.
“We believe that giving young people opportunities to develop and apply new learning within a practical, real-world setting has the potential to make a real contribution to the future productivity of Wales. Benefitting them, their families, their communities and the economy overall.”
Charity celebrates historic achievement at an event to celebrate long-term partnership with HSBC UK
Young Enterprise has provided 7.2 million young people with practical financial and enterprise education opportunities since being founded in 1962.
The leading financial and enterprise charity announced the landmark statistic at an event in Birmingham yesterday to celebrate its partnership with HSBC UK, one if its longest-standing supporters.
This comes after achieving a target to help one million young people since 2020 – in time for its 60th anniversary year.
The event, hosted by Ian Stuart, CEO, HSBC UK Bank, which has partnered with Young Enterprise for over 40 years, brought together business leaders, teachers, students, and policymakers at HSBC UK’s headquarters in Centenary Square, Birmingham.
Andy Street, the Mayor of West Midlands, delivered a speech in which he discussed the importance of providing young people with opportunities to become more financially capable and better prepared for the future.
Young Enterprise and HSBC UK have developed the award-winning Money Heroes Programme which has enabled over 550,000 children to date to learn about financial education.
Since it was founded in 1962 Young Enterprise has provided 7.2 million young people with financial and enterprise opportunities, including 1.1 million young people who have started Young Enterprise businesses.
Andy Street, Mayor of West Midlands, said: “It’s genuinely inspiring when we reflect on how Young Enterprise has helped millions of young people to realise their potential over the last 60 years. Financial and commercial literacy can play a tremendous role in personal and professional development, and it is fantastic to see a programme that equips young people with those skills.
“I also want to pay tribute to the partnership between Young Enterprise and HSBC UK, has helped to secure a brighter, more stable future for so many young people here in our region – and indeed right across the UK over the last six decades. Long may it continue.”
Sharon Davies, CEO of Young Enterprise, said: “Young Enterprise is thrilled to have achieved the ambitious target we set for ourselves in 2020 to support over one million young people in time for our 60th anniversary this year. Access to opportunity has never been more important in helping young people build their futures, and our significant progress to date has been made possible to a large degree through our partnership with HSBC UK.
“With 7.2 million young people reached since we were founded in 1962, we aim to continue breaking down barriers to social mobility, and we have exciting plans in development for the rest of this decade. We want to ensure our partnerships are contributing to a larger ecosystem of partners committed to investing in the UK’s future workforce.”
Ian Stuart, CEO of HSBC UK Bank, said: “We are proud to have supported Young Enterprise build the future skills of young people across the UK for the last 4 decades. Evidence tells us that children’s attitudes about money are well developed by the age of seven, so starting early really matters. Our partnership with Young Enterprise to create the Money Heroes programme has led the way in teaching children about money in a fun and engaging way – with an important focus on children from higher areas of deprivation, special educational needs or accessibility requirements.”
Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal meets student entrepreneurs at University of Salford Business School
On Wednesday 10 May, Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal joined student entrepreneurs at the Young Enterprise UK Start-Up Final, hosted by the University of Salford Business School, at its Peel Park Campus.
During her visit, The Princess Royal met with the next generation of pioneering business leaders who are creating ground-breaking concepts that will be instrumental in supporting the UK’s goal of becoming a global hub for innovation.
At the Institution where her father, Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, was the first Chancellor, she was joined by students from across the UK, including the University of Salford Business School’s Young Enterprise UK Start-Up finalists, Thalia Guest, Oliver Scragg and Samuel Ball, the Founders of Making Sense, which provides sensory toys for adults with disabilities. The Princess Royal also met University colleagues and industry partners, the team from Young Enterprise, as well as the Civic Mayor of Salford, Councillor Ann-Marie Humphreys, the Lord-Lieutenant of Greater Manchester, Diane Hawkins JP LLB, and the High Sheriff of Greater Manchester, Mary-Liz Walker.
The event, which coincides the 60th anniversary of Young Enterprise, saw Loughborough College’s students crowned UK winners with their business Tiaki, a sports protection business that aims to address the lack of protective equipment available for female athletes. The team will now progress to the European Start-Up final in Istanbul, Turkey in July for the final stage of the competition which has seen in excess of 300,000 students from across the continent compete.
Hosting the prestigious awards ceremony was Young Enterprise Trustee and alumna, Mina Karshala, who was joined by the national financial and enterprise education charity’s Chair of Trustees, Simon Lewis OBE, Dean of Salford Business School, Professor Janice Allan, and guest speaker, Founder of One File, Susanna Lawson.
Dr Jonathan Owens, Senior Lecturer in Operations and Supply Chain Management, and Young Enterprise lead at Salford Business School, commented: “We’re absolutely delighted to host the Young Enterprise UK Start-Up Final, especially as this year’s event comes in tandem with the charity’s 60th anniversary. Salford Business School is very much a new arrival to the Start-Up programme. However, our students have proven to be trailblazers, being crowned European champions for 2022 and making it all the way to the UK final for 2023.
“The attendance of The Princess Royal, just days after King Charles III’s Coronation, is an amazing student experience and a great opportunity for our students to be part of a pivotal moment in the country’s history.”
Alongside the team from Salford Business School, the Young Enterprise UK Start-Up Final saw 13 student teams compete from the likes of Manchester Metropolitan University, University of Hertfordshire, Edge Hill University, and University Centre, Blackburn, with a diverse mix of businesses including everything from marketing and a fancy dress retailer, to multiple tech businesses comprising HealthTech and wearables for pet safety.
Sharon Davies, CEO of Young Enterprise, added: “Having The Princess Royal here today at the University of Salford Business School where her father, Prince Phillip, was the first Chancellor, provides an incredible opportunity during our 60th anniversary for young people to share their experiences of setting up their Young Enterprise business. The students have also been given a valuable opportunity to really demonstrate the skills and enterprising mindset they’ve developed on their journey.”
Salford City Mayor Paul Dennett said: “I am proud that the University of Salford Business School is hosting the Young Enterprise UK Start-Up Final and I would like to wish the best of luck to all those taking part. The University plays a vital role in encouraging innovation and developing young entrepreneurs and organisations, and the community of Salford benefits hugely from the skills that students learn.
“I am delighted to hear that Thalia Guest, Oliver Scragg and Samuel Ball from the University of Salford are in the final, helping to empower adults with disabilities, tackle stigma and raise awareness of Angelman Syndrome and conditions of this nature.
“I’d like to extend a warm welcome to Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal on her visit to the city, which is helping to put a positive days spotlight on the finals just days after the Coronation of King Charles III.”
Young Enterprise were delighted to welcome over 100 guests to an event at Grosvenor’s Eaton Estate near Chester.
Young people from seven schools across Cheshire and Warrington competed for awards as part of their Young Enterprise Company Programme experience, with two teams selected to progress to the Northwest Final in May.
Company Programme is Young Enterprise’s flagship entrepreneurship programme, through which teams of young people set up and run a real-life trading business over the course of an academic year.
Combining this event with Young Enterprise’s 60th anniversary celebrations, the charity was pleased to welcome supporters and guests from diverse organisations to help recognise the young people’s achievements and celebrate their success.
Alick Salomon, the grandson of the founder of the charity, Sir Walter Salomon, welcomed attendees at the start of the event Alick noted how his grandfather founded Young Enterprise in 1962, inspired by the Junior Achievement Programme in the USA, which aimed to foster work readiness, entrepreneurship & financial literacy skills. Alick observed that his grandfather probably never imagined how the charity would evolve over the next 60 years, making a direct and meaningful impact for over 7.2 million young people in that time.
A panel of judges from the Westminster Foundation, Bentley, Encirc, Tata Chemicals Europe and Climbing Hut were responsible for assessing the teams and determining the winners of each award.
Encirc’s Sustainability Award was won by a team from Christleton High School, whose company ‘GlowIt’ recycled glass bottles into decorative ornaments, incorporating fairy lights for added glow.
Encirc also awarded the Runner-Up award to a team from Alderley Edge Girls School, whose company ‘My Little Lab Box’ created a box containing the components needed to create 13 experiments. This box linked each experiment to one of five female scientists and included an e-book about the lives of each woman, handwritten and illustrated by members of the team.
The Innovation Award, presented by Tata Chemicals Europe, was awarded to a team from Ellesmere Port Catholic High school. Their company, Gift a Mood, created bespoke gift boxes aimed to lift people’s moods and to mark events that would not normally be celebrated, such as divorce and failing a driving test.
The Teamwork Award, presented by Caroline da Cunha on behalf of the Westminster Foundation, was awarded to Iceberg Coffee, a team from Cheshire College South and West. Judges observed how this team had overcome a number of obstacles and pulled together to create a successful product.
Robbie, the Managing Director, commented: “Throughout Young Enterprise I have learnt resilience when working with the team, even when times got tough. I have also learned the value of teamwork with everyone giving great ideas while working together. Our ability to bounce back with our work, from changing the objective from pencil cases to coffee kits was impressive when we only had limited time left.”
The team from Abbey Gate College, Paws 2 Palm, whose business created dog leads from recycled climbing rope, picked up the Best Presentation and Marketing awards.
Ben Wilkins from Bentley, who presented the Marketing award, commented: “We were all really impressed by the professionalism of Paws 2 Palm, who created a truly unique and sustainable product, using resources that would otherwise go to landfill.” Paws 2 Palm were awarded Overall Winners for the Cheshire and Warrington Final, progressing with Runners Up award winners My Little Lab Box, to the next stage in the competition.
Concluding the event, YE’s CEO Sharon Davies commented: “We are truly grateful to the Westminster Foundation, not just for the opportunity to host our event here at Eaton Estate but also for our five- year partnership with this organisation and the sustained impact this enables us to make. It was a great privilege to be joined by Alick Salomon this evening as part of our 60th anniversary celebrations. His words truly brought to life how the skills of resilience, overcoming challenge and making the most of opportunities remain as important for young people today as they were for his family in the 1930s.