Sixth formers from Canterbury and Herne Bay, who have embarked on a series of successful business ventures over the past six months, won a number of awards at the North East Kent Young Enterprise Competition.

The event was hosted by Canterbury Christ Church University in conjunction with the Young Enterprise Board.

Pupils from Herne Bay High School, who formed the company M8, were awarded both the prize for Best Company and the Most Innovative Product or Service; Kent College, who formed the company Caneti, received prizes for the Best Trade Stand and Best Company Report while the Kings School, who formed the company Take-A-Hike, received the award for Best Presentation.

Rex Erby, Herne Bay High School pupil and Managing Director of M8, said: “We are really pleased that the year of effort has paid off.”

Linzi Payne, Business Studies teacher at Herne Bay High, said: “This is recognition of a superb effort by an outstanding team which has remained consistently focused throughout the Young Enterprise company programme.”

The young people were supported by business advisors from a range of local companies including: Whitefriars Management; Canterbury Christ Church University; University of Kent; New Business Services; Kent County Council; Kent Works; HBOS; HSBC; and Amphenol Ltd.

Project Manager at Canterbury Christ Church University’s Centre for Enterprise and Business Development, Nicola Burr, said: “We are delighted to have hosted this year’s North East Kent final. The event demonstrated the University’s commitment to the enterprise agenda, encouraging young people to develop viable business ideas and ultimately strive for success.”

Chair of the North East Kent Young Enterprise Board, Jerry Metcalf, said: "The evening was an excellent opportunity for young entrepreneurs in the area to showcase their companies which were started from scratch only six months ago. They were required to produce and market a product, or deliver a service, keep their own accounts and run their own company, and they have all done a tremendous job. The future for commerce and industry in Kent is assured by young people of this calibre taking their places in the local business community.”

Schools or potential advisors who would like to become involved in the Young Enterprise company programme can contact chair@YE-NEKent.org.uk.

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