AWARD WIN PUT US ON THE MAP
NEWS
Pictured : vice chair of Durham County Council Cllr Patricia Jopling ( front row , with brown blazer and chain ) with students and staff from the schools taking part in this year ’ s Future Business Magnates competition , and representatives of supporting businesses .
FUTURE BUSINESS MAGNATES
Inspiring County Durham ’ s budding entrepreneurs
A
popular competition that aims to inspire enterprise among County Durham schoolchildren is back for its
20th year .
Future Business Magnates ( FBM ), which is organised by Durham County Council ’ s business support service , Business Durham , will see students from 13 schools compete to create a winning business idea .
This year ’ s theme is ‘ Reimagining the High Street ’ and tasks pupils with creating a business that will breathe new life into the high street and help transform their local community .
Each team of students is expected to research what their community wants , identify what is missing and design a business that brings people back to the high street and into the destination , whether that be for arts , food , entertainment or innovation .
Cllr Elizabeth Scott , Durham County Council ’ s cabinet member for economy and partnerships , said : “ In the 20 years since this fantastic competition first launched , more than 2,000 students from almost every secondary school in County Durham have taken part .
“ This is a fantastic achievement , but also reflects our commitment to encouraging enterprise in young people and raising aspirations among future generations .
“ By providing a range of innovative opportunities and resources , we are helping to create brighter futures for students and future economic prosperity for the county .”
The year-long competition , which will see students supported by a range of County Durham businesses , including Waterstons , Robertson Homes , Stiller and Co-op Distribution among others , is the only one of its kind in the region .
It also reflects the council ’ s priorities in the County Durham Inclusive Economic Strategy which highlights the importance of raising aspirations in young people so they can excel in business and their careers .
Students will be able to celebrate their success at a ceremony held at the end of the academic year where the winners will also be crowned .
For more information about Future Business Magnates and how to get involved , visit futurebusinessmagnates . co . uk
MAKE YOUR MARK 2025 – KEY INFO
Entry deadline : February 25 , 2025 . Shortlists announced : W / c March 10 , 2025 Awards night : May 8 , 2025 ( Hardwick Hall Hotel )
Details : aycliffebusinesspark . co . uk / awards or scan the QR code .
To enquire about sponsorship opportunities , email martin @ resolutionpublishing . co . uk
AWARD WIN PUT US ON THE MAP
We were very surprised to be nominated as Newcomer of the Year at the 2024 Make Your Mark Awards .
Being in an education setting , we don ’ t necessarily see ourselves as a business , but the nomination itself really brought home to us the impact Forest Park School was already having across Aycliffe Business Park .
We have always used local businesses to support our school wherever we can and as we have grown and developed over the past 12 months , our collaboration has spanned across the business park . Winning the Mark Your Mark Award really propelled our vision and values to the forefront of the minds of business owners who have been proactive in offering opportunities for our students to make visits , supporting the delivery of our outdoor curriculum and attending our charity fundraisers .
Winning the award has supported us in recruiting staff . We have been inundated with applications for our vacancies and , in a challenging climate for education , recruitment have been able to employ a team of highly-skilled , specialist staff who will drive our business forward .
Over the next academic year , we aim to have work experience placements for all of our students in KS4 , supported by local businesses .
In short , winning Newcomer of the Year put us on the map , got our story out there and opened doors to new opportunities .
I ’ d encourage all businesses ( and organisations ) on the business park to get involved .
Find out more at aycliffebusinesspark . co . uk / awards .
Jackie Reynolds Head teacher , Forrest Park School
The magazine for Aycliffe Business Park | 7