The next generation of business leaders gathered to celebrate the spirit of entrepreneurship at the Young Enterprise Grampian (YEG) finals dinner in the north-east last night.
Grampian is one of 17 Scottish regions participating in the Young Enterprise Company programme, which provides experience to fifth and sixth-year secondary school students on running a small business for a year.
Six finalists battled for the title of YEG 2015 winner at the Ardoe House Hotel near Aberdeen, but Top Glass, from Inverurie Academy, prevailed with its recycling and upcycling glass bottles to produce home decorations and plates and will now go on to represent the region at the Scottish finals in June.
YEG chairwoman Alena Fiddes said: “What a close fought battle it has been this year, with a really high standard demonstrated by all of the six finalists.
“We have a host of strong talent here in the north-east and I hope to see many of the participants setting up their own companies in the future.”
The other finalists competing for the title of Grampian’s finest young entrepreneurs were MIXJAR from Inverurie Academy, Roots and Against the Grain from Albyn School in Aberdeen, Matters Arising at Peterhead Academy and Chalk It from Aberdeen’s Hazlehead Academy.
Wood Group chief executive Bob Keiller delivered the keynote speech at the dinner, offering advice to young entrepreneurs.
He said that running a business “can be scary, frustrating, disheartening, challenging and ultimately rewarding,” but it was never dull.
Mr Keiller added: “It is a risk to back yourself; to put yourself in a place where you might lose out financially. You risk your reputation – your self-esteem and your sense of self-worth is on the line.
“If you are willing to move out of your comfort zone, if you have the self-confidence, drive and resilience to deal with triumph and disaster and treat those two imposters both the same, you can build a business, build a career and build a reputation.
“With a little luck you will develop and grow a really successful business.”