Tycoons Enterprise Final

PUBLISHED 18 November 2024

AKS continued their amazing track record in the Tycoons Enterprise competition sponsored by the Peter Jones Foundation by attending the finals day in Canary Wharf. ‘Christmas Crusaders’ was a business formed by 5 students in Year 12 and, with a change in business direction, they focussed on up-cycling condemned scaffolding planks. With a great deal of creativity and innovation the group produced a high-quality range of products that suited the Christmas market. 

The first stage of the finals was a marketplace, the students are now well versed in quickly setting up an effective stall with the bonus of a couple of production and reflection videos. Conversing with business leaders, patrons of the foundation and Peter Jones himself they were also quizzed over profit margins, teamwork, organisation and resilience. The AKS group won best business in KS5 (the best sixth form or college prize). This was fully deserved as they had also achieved an astonishing profit of £4250 in just 6 weeks, which was donated to Papyrus, a charity that aims to prevent suicide amongst young people. Well done to Stan, Jasper, Alfie, Daniel and James that was a fabulous effort and a superb experience. 

This has been the fifth time an AKS team has attended a finals day; the competition offers the students a practical and unique opportunity to form and run their own business and face the challenges and successes that may follow.  

Graeme McIntyre