Badgers Sett Enterprise Challenge 2015

The Badgers Sett Enterprise Challenge, supported by Hull City Council, the Hull Youth Enterprise Partnership and Ruth Badger is open to young people aged 24 or under, and has three age ranges - Primary Schools, Secondary Schools and Post 16 with individuals or groups able to apply.

Candidates must be living in Hull or the East Riding and have an enterprising idea such as a new business idea, a co-operative, a community enterprise project or an enterprising school or college project. The winners of each section will get the opportunity to pitch at Global Entrepreneurship Week to double their winnings against a panel chaired by Ruth Badger herself and receive business support from Ruth badger Consultancy. The deadline for entries is 31^st July 2015.

Prize money for the winners of each section is as follows:
Primary School section up to £500
Secondary School section up to £750
Post 16 - Business idea for 16-24 year olds up to £1,200 

Louise Upfold of Weasie Wears, winner of Badgers Sett Enterprise Challenge 2014, said:

"I was really surprised and pleased to win the Badgers Sett Enterprise Challenge 2014 for my bespoke tailoring business not only did I win a cash prize I also received support from local young entrepreneurs, including a new website from Kit Hargreaves of Apple Pear and Thomas Arran Photographer is taking photographs of my products, and of course it’s great to have access to such a successful businesswoman as Ruth Badger”

 “There is no doubt without the support of Ruth, I would not have got as far as I have with my business idea."

Councillor Martin Mancey, Portfolio Holder for Energy City, said:

"As a Council we have a real commitment to developing an enterprise culture amongst our young people with the Hull Youth Enterprise a Partnership so they in turn can benefit from future opportunities in our great City.

“I am pleased that once again Ruth has committed to support this enterprise challenge and we look forward to it producing great potential young entrepreneurs like Louise who won last year.”

Ruth Badger, added: "I am very passionate about enterprise and ensuring young people have the opportunity to engage in it! Out of all the cities and towns in the UK that I work with, I believe that Hull are the best at engaging real entrepreneurs and successful businesses in partnering up with future young entrepreneurs, and that is why I set up this competition in your area with the Hull City Council six years ago.

"I want to encourage young people in Hull and the East Riding, an area that I have adopted for its commitment to its enterprising young people, that are possibly are not at the stage where they feel can develop their idea on their own or need some extra confidence with financial resource and mentoring."

Enterprise time has come in schools, colleges & training providers! No more excuses

After over 10 years of campaigning, the Hull Youth Enterprise Partnership can be very proud that the latest DfE information for schools and colleges  on Careers Advice and Guidance has the following clear and unambiguous guidance for our colleagues in schools, colleges and governing bodies.

1. Schools should offer pupils the opportunity to develop entrepreneurial skills for self- employment – and make it clear to them that working for themselves is a viable option (in fact it will be necessary for many). Pupils should receive the advice and support necessary to build and develop their own jobs, and have a clear understanding of potential barriers – whether real or perceived. 

2. A clear focus on the enterprise skills, experience and qualifications that employers want can support preparation for work. Schools should help pupils gain the confidence to compete in the labour market by providing opportunities to gain the practical know-how and attributes that are relevant for employment.

3. Colleges should ensure that students understand that self-employment or setting up their own business is one of the options open to them. Colleges should consider the importance of developing an enterprising culture to help students obtain the skills needed to succeed in self-employment. 

In my opinion as an enterprise champion for 15 years, the work of the Hull Youth Enterprise Partnership, Be Enterprising Group of practitioners, development of training programmes and enterprise passport for pupils, our £5 Blossom programme and the Big 13 enterprise skills www.hullready.co.uk (developed with our colleagues in Rotherham) the Badgers Sett Enterprise Challenge www.hullbadgers.co.uk, by which pupils win real cash and advice from entrepreneurs, our young entrepreneurs network - Lets Talk Business and  Youth Enterprise Bank www YouthEnterprise.co.uk, as well as our events and activities in Global Entrepreneurship Week www.gewhull.co.uk, are tools that we have developed in Hull for our enterprising young people that schools should now make use of along with the many other enterprising programmes run by individual partners involved in the Hull Youth Enterprise Partnership www.youthenterprise-hull.co.uk 

So let's step forward "enterprise skills and entrepreneurship" time has come and we have a duty to our young people to support them when we can with the support of schools and when this is not possible through our various community based networks - we need to continue to recognise those schools that do this already through our Youth Enterprise Awards, encourage those that do not to get involved through our networks in particular the Be Enterprise Group www.beenterprisinghull.co.uk and challenge, in a positive way, those that are not carrying out their duties clearly identified in the recent Careers Advice and Guidance statements from Department for Education published March 2015.

I for one believe schools and colleges as well as training providers, no longer have an excuse in saying enterprise is not important as DfE are clearly saying something else, Hull has a long tradition of supporting enterprise education in those schools that get it - now we expect and hope all Hull schools, colleges, training providers and indeed all those across the Humber and the UK get it and that LEPs in particular our own starts to accept its worth investing in those organisations and partners who have championed this agenda for years in order to create a more enterprising workforce of the future and of course more young entrepreneurs - so come on schools, colleges, training providers and funding agencies its up to you now back us so we enterprise educators can make a real difference.

Prime Minister’s Enterprise Advisor Lord Young, published a report on the changing face of business over the past 5 years

A new report on small firms from the Prime Minister’s Enterprise Advisor Lord Young, published today, reviews the changing face of business over the past 5 years. Lord Young’s report on small firms  shows that small businesses are entering a ‘golden age’, with a record number of small firms now established in the UK – some 5.2 million, an increase of 760,000 since 2010 – and a record number of people in work.

It finds that our changing relationship with the internet has brought down barriers that might previously have stopped a good idea from being turned into a viable business. The government’s drive to roll out super-fast broadband around the country, which has now reached over 2 million homes and businesses, and the increasing use of tablets and smartphones providing on-the-go internet access have made it easier for those working for themselves to reach customers and make sales.

The report also charts a change in culture, with growing numbers of people choosing to be their own boss including young people not simply out of commercial necessity in particular young people, but because of conviction in their own ideas.

It also outlines how government policies providing more support for small firms and new enterprises have helped transform the business landscape over the past 5 years. As part of the government’s long term plan to back business, create jobs and build a more resilient economy, Lord Young was appointed as the Prime Minister’s Enterprise Advisor in October 2011 and asked to review support for small businesses and look at how new and developing businesses can grow.

Ross Bennett Chair Hull Youth Enterprise Partnership said

“Since his appointment as the Prime Minister’s Enterprise Adviser, Lord Young’s reports have helped inform our youth enterprise strategy and action plan in Hull to support enterprising young people.

We were particularly pleased to contribute to his report Enterprise for All, published in June 2014, which focused on the entrepreneurial spirit in education. It looked at how schools, colleges and universities work with employers to inspire and motivate young people and help them make the best choices for their future education and careers. It recommended that young people should have a digital record of extra-curricular achievements and business-related activity, an Enterprise Passport, alongside their exam results, which we are already developing a local version with teachers and tutors in the City.”

As a partnership we welcome the idea of a new company to bring coherence and leadership to enterprise learning in education, backed with £20m in the first year. The company will develop an Enterprise Passport and a network of Enterprise Advisers working with local intermediaries and the Humber LEP in our area to put in place a network of Enterprise Advisers, who will often be local business people, providing advice to head teachers on developing an enterprise offer for their pupils as part of their duty under the Careers Statutory Guidance."

Lord Young said:

In the last 5 years I have met countless numbers of inspiring young entrepreneurs and small firms including representatives from the Hull Youth Enterprise Partnership and members of your young entrepreneurs network  who presented me with a copy of Hull’s Enterprise Trail Game which I understand you are now developing as an APP to be made available to young people in your city.

My report reflects on the key developments that government and its partners have supported to raise ambition about enterprise and enable entrepreneurs to build successful businesses.

Put these together and you can see the transformative effect on enterprise opportunities in the UK today. This is the golden age for small firms – there has never been a better time to start and grow a business.

Further Information

The Report https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/report-on-small-firms-2010-to-2015-by-lord-young

National Youth Agency Commission into Young People and Enterprise

A commission that the Hull Youth Enterprise Partnership submitted evidence to and which had Katie Norman of Labrascals & Hull's Sheila Waudby Young Entrepreneur of Year 2014 as a commissioner has found that young people are discouraged from starting a business because it is perceived as risky was launched in London on Monday (26th January) The Commission, set up by the National Youth Agency found that parents and teachers encourage young people to find a job with a regular income rather than support them to set up an enterprise. In fact, the report continues, young people can help allay fears by transitioning into managing a business. Starting off small, young people can develop their ideas via projects in their community or engaging in online trading alongside day jobs or study, the Commission heard.


With youth unemployment higher than for any other age group, self-employment should be considered a realistic option for many young people and more signposting and specialist support needs to be made available, the Commission concluded. The Commission believes that youth workers, whose roles often demand these characteristics, are well placed to support young people’s enterprise skills, as well as act as mentors to inspire young people to consider enterprise as a career option. Commissioners are calling on youth workers to become stronger advocates for enterprise. There was also a correlation between entrepreneurial activity and community action – young people that establish a business are more likely to support volunteering and play an active role in their communities, the Commission found.

Chloe Smith MP, Chair of the Commission, said;

"This commission believes passionately in young people and their prospects. It can be an exciting, rewarding choice to set up your own business, and we want to see more young people do it.

The changing patterns of today’s economy mean that young people expect different things from their first job – and why does that job have to be working for someone else? Young people are ready to take risks, and the attitudes and skills that come with it are a solid foundation for life.

Yet young people need help to develop these entrepreneurial characteristics, such as tenacity,resilience, communication skills and risk taking - behaviours which contribute to success in running a business, the report continues."

Katie Norman of Labrascals who sits on the Commission said;

"Enterprise is not only about budgets and cash flow. Youth workers and are skilled in helping young people to believe in themselves and as well as technical

knowledge, running a business or being self employed demands self confidence and lots of it.

"I was very honoured to have represented Hull on this Commission and to outline how Hull City Council has a real commitment to supporting its enterprising young people via its support for the Hull Youth Enterprise Partnership, the Youth Enterprise Bank, Global Entrepreneurship Week, iDEA Award and the Lee Creamer Youth Enterprise Club. The Commission heard that for many young people, their interest in running a business was sparked by a desire to support an issue that they felt passionate about. Their business idea came later, that was certainly true in my case when I set up my science party business as I have a real passion for science."



Ross Bennett Chair Hull Youth Enterprise Partnership said;

" We have proudly supported over 350 young people with the support of Hull City Council to develop their own enterprising idea in the last 10 years through the youth enterprise bank alone.There has never been a more important time to help young people get access to the hands-on mentoring and support that already exists – but often not seen by them - so that they can get help to turn a brilliant idea into a sustainable business.

We have therefore been proud to be part of the Commission into Young People and Enterprise, helping it to find out what we are doing in Hull to support our enterprising young people and illustrating how it could be replicated in other parts of the country, it was also great that not only was Katie a member of the Commission it heard from two of our young entrepreneurs Thomas Arran a photographer and Loui Fowler of Triple R Banners about the support available to them."

Hull Youth Enterprise Champion in Top 100

Every day entrepreneurs shape our business and personal lives in the UK; driving innovation, creating purpose and disrupting markets. The Fresh Business Thinking Power 100 represents those people who most impact on the lives of entrepreneurs; those who shape policy, create working environments, champion, mentor and promote entrepreneurs and entrepreneurship in UK plc.

Hull's Youth Enterprise Manager, Charles Cracknell, is listed at No 64 out of the top 100 influencers, movers and shakers in the world of entrepreneurship. It is a list of the most with power to impact on entrepreneurship. The list was drawn up by the Fresh Business Thinking editorial team and their trusted advisors from their conversations with their readers at events and through social media.

The ranking is based on multiple components; power and policy, promotion of the entrepreneurial cause, championing and mentoring, social influence and day to day engagement with the entrepreneurial community. For the most part they have not included more than one individual from any organisation, so the individual chosen probably best represents a blend of power, influence, promotion and engagement.

Ross Bennett Chair Hull Youth Enterprise Partnership said:-

"It is fitting that Charles should be listed in the Fresh Business Thinking Power Top 100 as he certainly has had an affect on local, national and international stage relating to youth entrepreneurship.

In the last 10 years he has established Youth Enterprise Bank, the Youth Enterprise Partnership, as well as establishing the young entrepreneurs and enterprising teacher's networks - he is also the driving force behind Global Entrepreneurship Week as well as championing the Duke of York's iDEA Award and establishing enterprise links in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Mauritius."

Ruth Badger Patron of Hull Youth Enterprise Partnership said:-

"Charles commitment to supporting enterprising young people is infectious and he is relentless in his desire to support them, I often say that if each area in the UK had a Charles to galvanise a group to support young people with their enterprising ideas we would be a lot better off as a Country"

Charles has established a great team that the City should be proud of as they champion the city at regional, national and local level; he fully deserves to be listed in the Top 100 influencers alongside the likes of Lord Young Government Enterprise Adviser, Mathew Taylor Chief Executive RSA and Lord Digby Jones former Chief Executive CBI"

Charles Cracknell Youth Enterprise Manager Hull City Council said:-

"I was shocked and very honoured at the same time to be listed in this list of 100 national influencers in the enterprise agenda and it ranks with receiving the Queens Award for Enterprise Promotion in 2009 and my recent involvement with the iDEA Award."

"My work is made a lot easier because of the many enterprising young people and teachers in the City that I work with, along with the great members of Hull business community who are willing to step up and support our enterprising young people to achieve their dreams"

Global Entrepreneurship Week starts in Hull 2014

Hull City Council, in partnership with Hull Youth Enterprise Partnership has organised a series of events, which will take place from 17- 21 November 2014 to inspire the next generation of entrepreneurs. Every day in the UK people talk about making a change in their life and consider starting up a business. By connecting individuals to practical support and those who have done it already, Global Entrepreneurship Week 2014 will help turn these exchanges into the businesses of tomorrow. This year Hull will host former BBC Apprentice stars Ruth Badger and Claire Young, Andy Pickles of Jive Bunny and Tidy Boys fame, His Excellency the High Commissioner of Mauritius and Martin Green Chief Executive City of Culture Company as well as young entrepreneurs Katie Norman of Labrascals, DJ Ben Rainey, Amanda Hartley, Phil Benson of Xing Education, Phil Batty of Force 7 and Ross Bennett Engaging Education.




Hull is putting its weight behind Global Entrepreneurship week in order to show how enterprising its young people are. Global Entrepreneurship Week is the world's largest celebration of innovation and enterprise, active in 130 countries across the world and encouraging young people to get connected #GEWconnect



Global Entrepreneurship Week inspires people everywhere through local, national and global activities designed to help them explore their potential as self-starters and innovators throughout November Hull has organised 45 events and activities relating to the week



Although Global Entrepreneurship Week 2014 has a grand sounding name, the reality of the week is that it's all about the small things, and as the small acorn develops into a mighty oak, so it hopes that the ideas and activities put on during the week for many young people in Hull will one day take root and go on to become something much bigger.



Councillor Martin Mancey said:



"The City of Hull is already doing much to assist its enterprising young people through its support of the Youth Enterprise Bank which has the financial backing of KC and many local businesses through its Bondholder scheme, the Badgers Sett Enterprise Challenge, £5 Blossom and the Lee Creamer Youth Enterprise Club, to mention just a few.



We hope this sets an aspirational agenda for today's young people in Hull and the Humber sub-region to set up their own businesses, start social enterprises to improve their communities and be innovative employees themselves."



This year, the week is being hosted in the UK by Youth Business International.



Chief Executive of Youth Business International, Andrew Devenport says:



"There is a great need to provide opportunities today that help entrepreneurs pursue their dreams and build the businesses of tomorrow. Global Entrepreneurship Week 2014 is kick starting the conversations that are needed to make this happen. We are pleased that Hull City Council and its partner Hull Youth Enterprise Partnership gives its full support to this celebration of enterprise that takes place across the world - therefore showing Hull as an international hub for youth enterprise, we are particularly looking forward to hearing about the City’s live link up with entrepreneurs in South Africa"







Claire Young Patron Hull Youth Enterprise Partnership says:



“I'm delighted that Hull's Global Entrepreneurship Week is taking the message of enterprise and entrepreneurialism forward. It's important to recognise and to celebrate the success of pupils and schools and to promote greater involvement across the system"







"On recent visits to a number of schools In Hull, I have seen some excellent initiatives to promote enterprise amongst young people. It's great to see more schools, working with their partners, driving this agenda in Hull.”



Abhimanu Kudasamy High Commissioner of Mauritius and Patron Hull Youth Enterprise Partnership says:



"Global Entrepreneurship Week shows the world that the young people of Hull have got the ideas and aspirations that they need to succeed.



"Every year, these ambitious bright young people remind me why I am proud to support what you are doing in Hull. They are lucky to have such a fabulous team supporting them and helping them to develop their talents and creativity."







Further information







Global Entrepreneurship Week 2014 in the city will drive five major events throughout the week for encouraging, improving and supporting entrepreneurship and enterprising behaviour.



On Monday, The iDEA Enterprise Challenge will involve 120 students from Malet Lambert School who will be given brief to come up with digital solutions to issues they are given, this event is linked to The Duke of York's iDEA Award that enables young people to develop digital businesses and gain digital skills badges linked to the industry.



Tuesday is all about celebrating international links when, with the support of KC, those involved in the youth enterprise agenda in Hull will be holding a Google Hangout with colleagues in South Africa via The Hook up Dinner based in Johannesburg.



On Wednesday, primary school pupils taking part in the "Hull Our City and the Mail at the Heart of it" event at the Guildhall, will be practicing planning, promotion and delivery of the App that they are developing linked to Hull as they consider how they will handle the promotion of their idea to reporters and staff at Hull Daily Mail. Watching closely and available to support young people on the day will be senior executives of Hull Daily Mail and former BBC Apprentice star Claire Young.



The Post 16 Enterprise Masterclass on Thursday will see Ruth Badger again heading up the judges who will be examining in detail the results of a group activity to come up with a new design and a marketing campaign for a new Caravan for the Swift Group. The judges will decide who will walk off with a cash prize for best design and pitch. Also attending will be Martin Green of City of Culture



Bringing the week to a close on Friday is the Secondary Enterprise Masterclass, which will again see young people taking on the task of devising a convincing marketing concept for a new Media Wall for a classroom for the Sangwin Group and delivering a pitch to Ruth Badger and colleagues.



Further stimulation is guaranteed with a wide ranging group of speakers which include several young entrepreneurs, the High Commissioner of Mauritius, Andy Pickles of Jive Bunny and The Tidy Boys and of course, Ruth Badger herself.



The week in Hull has received backing from a number of high profile backers.



Ruth Badger said:



"It is great to see so many young people in Hull with the skill and motivation to get into enterprise with aspirations to start their own business



"I am pleased to continue my support to Hull Youth Enterprise Partnership as they drive forward their plans to give young, local people experience in enterprise. I hope that the project is a complete success and that we see a wave of young entrepreneurs developing in the area over the coming years and setting up their own successful businesses."



Budding entrepreneurs on Twitter can use #GEWConnect to share anxieties, post queries about starting a business and get support back from others.



Hull Youth Enterprise Partnership works year-round to encourage and support entrepreneurship, including running the Badgers Sett Enterprise Challenge, £5 Blossom, John Cracknell Youth Enterprise Bank, Lee Creamer Youth Enterprise Suite, the young entrepreneurs network Lets Talk Business and the Be Enterprising Group of teachers & tutors



The week is sponsored by a number of small and large private, public and charitable organisations including the John Cracknell Youth Enterprise Bank, ,London Youth Support Trust, Hull Daily Mail, London Youth Support Trust, KC, University of Hull, Prospect Training, Hull Training, Malet Lambert School, Hull College, Rank Foundation, Wykeland, C4DI, Swift Group, Sangwin Group, Reckitts (RB) and the week as a whole by Hull City Council

Winners of Badgers Sett Enterprise Challenge 2014 announced

I am pleased to be able to tell you the results of the Badgers Sett Enterprise Challenge 2014

 The winners of each section will now get the opportunity to go on to double their winnings during Global Entrepreneurship Week on Thursday the 20th November and Ruth Badger will be joined by Amy Archer Deputy Managing Director Swift Group, Harry Hopkins winner Badgers Sett Enterprise Challenge 2013, Mike Pennington Managing Director Hull Daily Mail, Nina Stobart Board Member Humber LEP,


The victors of each section will now get the opportunity to go on to double their winnings during Global Entrepreneurship Week on Thursday the 20th November and Ruth Badger will be joined by the winners who were:

Primary section, Ainthorpe Primary won £400  to go towards creating their book about the 80th Anniversary of the school the two runners up were Gillshill Primary for their a photo Book idea relating to City of Culture 2017 and Victoria Dock Primary School Enterprise Captains for their greetings card idea &  each win £150
Secondary school section was won by Theo Farrer for his App idea to help students manage their daily workload, who won £500 and will be supported by Kit Hargreaves of Apple Pear and Louis Thorley Digital Art Designer who won £200 and is to be commissioned to do some work for Hull City Council.

The Post 16 section was won by Louise Upfold for her bespoke dressmaking business & she won £650, a free website and photography session. Abbie Jackson came second and will receive £200, a free website and free photography session to further develop her jewellery and pet accessories business.

All the entrants had to present their idea to the first judging panel, made up of people from the public, private and community sectors. There were some fantastic entries, and many of them walked away with sponsorship deals and business opportunities.

It was a privilege to chair the pre judging panels of Ruth Badger Enterprise Challenge, we had some great enterprising ideas from all the different age ranges, many of which had a digital theme building on the recent launch of the Duke of York’s iDEA Programme, there is no doubt  that Hull is leading the way in nurturing future entrepreneurial talent and all the winners will sell their ideas in a clear and enterprising way to Ruth Badger and her colleagues.