Bishop Fleming supports Young Enterprise

For the 6th consecutive year, Bishop Fleming has supported and sponsored young entrepreneurs in the region, who are taking part in the Young Enterprise Awards.

Students from Devonport High School For Girls (DHSG) in Plymouth clinched the title ‘YE’s Best Overall Company 2019’ at the Devon awards finals in April.

The event celebrated the achievements of students who have started fledgling businesses with the help of financial education charity, Young Enterprise.

The charity empowers young people to harness their personal and business skills. It makes the connection between school and the world of work, enabling young people to develop knowledge and attitudes they need to succeed.

Bishop Fleming, which delivers audit, accounting, tax and advisory services to businesses and private wealth advice to individuals, provides support in many ways to the Young Enterprise Charity, which has been its main company charity for several years.

The firm provides staff who work as volunteers and act as business advisers to various schools in the region taking part in the scheme.

Three senior staff members sit on the Young Enterprise boards, and Partner, Fleur Lewis sat on the judging panel at the event held at the Met Office in Exeter.

The South West final, which will be held on May 9, will see Bishop Fleming Managing Partner, Andrew Sandiford, as a judge.

Students from the Maynard School in Exeter were awarded with the Runner Up Trophy, sponsored by Bishop Fleming.

Mrs Lewis said: “I was delighted to be supporting and sponsoring the Young Enterprise programme, as it plays a vital role in providing financial education and experience to young people. I am proud to have played a part in that.

“The standard of entries this year was fantastic and deciding on the winners was a real challenge. I have been involved in Young Enterprise for several years, but this year the benchmark was better than ever.

“Sponsorship of Young Enterprise is one of the many ways Bishop Fleming supports financial education and as the UK’s top adviser to Academies and schools,  we have a keen interest in helping them to bridge the gap with the world of work.”

DHSG’s Young Enterprise company, Nemeton which will attend the May finals, beat off stiff competition from 5 other schools after presenting their company to the panel of judges, answering tough interview questions and showcasing their wares on a trade stand, as well as marketing their companies digitally.

The team impressed the judging panel with their potential solution to the EU’s proposed 2020 single-use plastic ban with its bamboo straw.

Managing Director of Nemeton, Bethany McGregor said: “We are very excited to be going through to the next round, but it wouldn’t have been possible without such a hardworking and passionate team.

“We are extremely grateful to our business advisers and Young Enterprise for this amazing opportunity.”