Young business aces net awards

Teams of budding entrepreneurs from schools and colleges across Shropshire were praised for their business acumen at an awards ceremony in Shrewsbury.

Business and civic leaders paid tribute to the teenagers who took part in the Shropshire Young Enterprise "Celebration of Achievement" evening held at the Prostar Stadium.

Youngsters aged 15 to 19 were competing in the Young Enterprise final after successfully setting up and running various companies over the past year. Guest speakers said that they had displayed outstanding business qualities.

They praised them for their creativity, drive, commitment and enthusiasm while "learning by doing".

Overall winner for the best company award, sponsored by the Shropshire Star, was Fair Bags from Idsall School, Shifnal.

The company also took two other awards with its design-your-own fair trade organic bags.

Ryan Jervis, who introduced the finalists, said 30 teams had enrolled last autumn with 19 reaching the final — by far the highest number since the awards were launched 10 years ago.

Shropshire Young Enterprise chairwoman Ann Johnson said she hoped people would be inspired by the teams' achievements to become involved in the efforts to encourage others to follow their example.

She said enterprise meant new ideas and new challenges.

"We need to embrace and support young people, harnessing their energy and moving forward," she said.

"With each generation we create new technology whether we look upon it favourably or not.

"I hope the young people here will take forward new ideas and enhance technology for the future."

Former managing director of Shropshire Newspapers Colin Spicer, who continues to promote local business, told the finalists at the event on Wednesday: "Young enterprising people like yourselves are our future. You are our leaders of tomorrow."

He said young people often received a bad press and it was refreshing to be able to acknowledge the dynamic energy and enthusiasm of all who had taken part in the Young Enterprise awards.

Mr Spicer stressed that business people in Shropshire had a duty to help in the business education of young people, including providing work experience opportunities.

The winners:

Teacher - Wendy Blower, Priory School, Shrewsbury.

Business Adviser - David Chiva, Orchard Properties (UK) Ltd.

Best Trade Fair - Under Wrapz, Priory School.

Excellence in Design - Kloks, Abraham Darby Academy, Telford.

Best Team and Demo - Loppmakers, Loppington College.

Best Product - On Edge, The Marches School, Oswestry.

True Grit - Season's Best, Lakelands School, Ellesmere.

Sarah Lowe Memorial Award - Scarlett Kelly, Grove School, Market Drayton.

Outstanding Commitment - The Big Bang, Concord College.

Best Written Report - Fair Bags, Idsall School, Shifnal.

Best Presentation on the night - Bubbles, Ludlow College.

Best Presentation - Fair Bags, Idsall School.

Best use of ICT - Prestige, Grove School, Market Drayton.

Best Customer Interaction - SelfScribe, Shrewsbury Sixth Form College.

Best Overall Company - Fair Bags, Idsall School.

By Business Editor Amy Bould