Chancellor Gordon Brown Announces Winners of the Enterprising Young Brits competition
Tom Savage and Alasdair Harris from London received Special Commendation in Social and Community category
Twenty-four finalists from across the UK gave presentations to the judges in a ‘X Factor’-style final this morning, as part of a flagship Enterprise Week event run by the Make Your Mark campaign.
Tom Savage and Alasdair Harris, both 26, set up Blue Ventures, a pioneering marine conservation and development organisation based in London and Madagascar, two years ago. In this time the company, which employs 20 members of staff has established one of the world’s remotest underwater research centres and hosted 180 international volunteers on 17 separate six-week expeditions. www.blueventures.org
The competition is part of the Make Your Mark – start talking ideas campaign and recognises young people who have turned their ideas into reality.
Chancellor Gordon Brown says; ‘All of the finalists are winners – they are creating new opportunities and advancing new ideas to create an enterprising society. You are showing that Britain is an enterprising economy.
‘Do not underestimate the power you have to encourage others – you are making your mark by showing that enterprise is changing the face of Britain.’
Kevin Steele, of the Make your Mark campaign and competition organiser, says, ‘All of the finalists in today’s Enterprising Young Brits competition are truly inspirational young people and we wish all of them well for future. On behalf of all the judges our congratulations go to the five winners James Murray Wells, Ali Clabburn, Calypso Rose, Oliver Bridge and Anna Cowley. I am sure we will be seeing a lot more of all of today’s finalists as their enterprises continue to flourish
and their stories will inspire many others to make their mark.’
Enterprise Week (14-20 November) is a national celebration of enterprise, with over 2,000 events taking place throughout the UK.
Anyone interested in finding out more about the Make Your Mark – start
talking ideas campaign and what is happening during Enterprise Week
should go to www.starttalkingideas.org
