Future Business Magnates
Building business brain gets behind school’s bid for title
A DURHAM school and its building
services mentor are looking to keep
hold of the title of Future Business
Magnates.
Belmont School Community Arts
College came top of the table in last
year's competition with its recycling of
denim clothing scheme.
Its new mentor, Whitfields Building
Services, is hoping to make sure the
school stays at the top.
The firm has been involved in the
competition since it was launched
three years ago.
Kevin Whitfield, from the company,
said: "We at Whitfields are always looking
for ways to get involved with the
local community and Future Business
Magnates fits very nicely into this
thinking.
"The teams we have had over the
past years have been great, but this one
seems to be the most enthusiastic yet."
"It's only our second meeting and already
they are very clear on which direction
to take and are getting to grips
with the tasks in hand."
More than ten businesses from the
Durham City area are taking part in
the project this year.
Mr Whitfield said: "I know there is no
official competition between the business
mentors. Having said that, we are
all successful business people and we
all want to win the competition.
"The main reason for Whitfields, and
the rest of the mentors, to be involved
is to pass on some expertise to the
groups and give them a flavour of the
real business world."
One of the youngsters involved is
Anna Lee Croft, who said she was enjoying
it.
"The ice-breaker and first challenge
was a great idea as it got the whole
group working as a team straight away.
"Having a mentor like Mr Whitfield
is great for us.
"Having seen his workplace, we
know how much work is involved in
putting a business together."
Mr Whitfield said: "This school won
the title last year and, although we
have a different set of youngsters, we
have a great teacher in Anita Patterson
and, hopefully, I can help them keep
hold of the Future Business Magnates
title."
The competition is sponsored by The
Northern Echo, City of Durham Council,
Lafarge and Yorkshire Bank.
The winning school will receive a
trophy and £3,000.
The competition will finish with a
gala dinner at the Ramside Hall, near
Durham.
2:48pm Tuesday 11th December 2007
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