THE present Future Business Magnates (FBM) champions are vying to retain their crown by coming up with another innovative idea.

Last year, Framwellgate School, in Durham, won the competition by devising a business that recycled greetings cards and sold them on to benefit a local charity.

Now, the young business brains have gone for a different type of enterprise, called Simply Soxs, which makes bespoke covers – or “soxs” – for mobile phones.

As well as being eye-catching, the sox also prevent the phone being scratched.

The Framwellgate team, made up of year eight pupils, is being mentored by Helen Strangward, of Event Durham, who will help guide them through the competition’s six challenges.

Twelve schools, including a guest team from Bangor, in Northern Ireland, are taking part in this year’s contest, which will end with a 20- minute presentation before three leading business people from the Durham area.

The winner will be announced at an awards night at the Radisson hotel, in Durham City.

Schools taking part

BELOW are the schools and their sponsors taking part in the Future Business Magnates competition:

● Belmont School Community Arts College – JG Archibalds

● Bangor Academy (Northern Ireland) – Utopian Leisure

● Durham Federation – Bramwells Jewellers

● Durham High School for Girls – Prince Bishops Shopping Centre

● Durham Johnston School – Radisson SAS Hotel

● Easington Community Science College – Poplar Tree Garden Centre/ Brambledown Landscapes

● Framwellgate School Durham – Event Durham, Durham University

● Hermitage School – Mechplant North-East

● Park View Community School – Marriott Royal County Hotel

● Roseberry Sports and Community College – NatWest Bank

● Seaham School of Technology – Durham Business Club

● St Leonard’s Catholic School – Durham Markets Company Roving partner – STL Commercial