Young entrepreneurs through to national final

A group of six formers from Wilmslow High School have won the regional final of the national Young Enterprise competition.

Their company 'What A Mug', which produces quality mugs with a unique design - enabling customers to enjoy a hot beverage specifically tailored to their requirements - took first prize at the North West Young Enterprise Final on Thursday, 18th June.

What A Mug came first out of 250 companies in the North West and will now represent the region in the national final on 3rd July at the British Film Institute in London Southbank.

Additionally, Sophie Davis won the Leadership award for best North West Managing Director.

Sophie Davis told wilmslow.co.uk "My team and I were overjoyed to discover that our young enterprise journey will continue at the national finals. On a personal level, I am absolutely honoured to have been presented with the Leadership award, it is such a rewarding feeling knowing all our hard work over the past few months has finally paid off.

"Young Enterprise has taught me to never give up and keep pushing both yourself and others to meet deadlines. After being announced as 'Runners Up' at the Cheshire & Warrington final it was essential that as a team we strive to ensure we could perform at our very best. What took at lot of hard work paid off as even though competition was exceptionally tough this year with some great teams we are proud to say that we will be going to London to represent the North West."

At the North West Final, the team had to give a presentation, display their trade stand and Sophie was interviewed about her role of Managing Director whilst the rest of the team had a group interview about her performance.

Julia McHarg, Curriculum Team leader Business and Enterprise, said "We are delighted that team What A Mug are taking WHS back to London! The team, led by their managing director Sophie Davis (sister of ex WHS student Jemma Davis who was part of the team that also made it through to the UK final 3 years ago) have impressed me since the day last September when they first sat around the boardroom table.

"They truly have the desire to win. After only getting to the NW final as runner up, (losing out to AbbeyGate College, Chester), the team used the short period of time between the last round and Thursday's event to up their game. They asked for feedback then redid the company report, made changes to the trade stand and the presentation and then got themselves out there to increase their sales turnover. I would like to say a huge thank you to all the local businesses who have supported What A Mug along their journey - whether it be as a customer purchasing mugs for the office coffee run or as a supplier."

The mugs produces by the company include a pen so you can not only write your name on the mug but also select either tea, coffee, herbal tea or hot chocolate as well as the desired quantity of milk and how many sugars you would like. If you are interested in purchasing a mug email the team at [email protected].