Four companies, formed by students from four local schools, will go head to head in a bid to become this year’s champions and lead Dover’s charge at the county finals and maybe beyond.  The students have spent the past year establishing and running real companies, funded by the Port of Dover and mentored by Port staff as well as advisers from other companies, in order to gain invaluable business experience.

The companies are:

• inTEQuk (Sir Roger Manwood’s School)
• Revolution (Dover Grammar School for Girls)
• GEM (Dover College)
• Start Upz (Astor College for the Arts)

Port of Dover’s Lesley James, Chair of the Dover Area Board, said: “The standard produced by the students continues to amaze me and this year we have some incredible innovation on display, showing how Dover’s young people are capable of becoming business leaders of the future.”

Tim Waggott, the Port’s Chief Executive is guest speaker and he will also be presenting the awards at the end of the evening.  Lisa Dixon from CREABILIS (and judging panel chairman), Barbara Buczek from the Port of Dover and Jenny Lorimer from P&O Ferries are the judging panel.

As last year’s winners, Astor College for the Arts is hosting the event, which also provides some of the College’s other students studying A-level Business with the opportunity to plan and implement the final as a business-related event that contributes to their course.

Alison Shopland, Director of Vocational Education, Astor College for the Arts, said: “We are delighted to host this great event for Dover that celebrates our major businesses and education working together to support Dover’s stars of the future.”

The Port of Dover wishes all those taking part and those organising the event a successful evening, and hopes that parents, friends and teachers will come and support them and their enterprising efforts which are helping to put Dover on the map.

 ENDS

Issued by Port of Dover External and Corporate Affairs on 01304 240400 (ext 4410 from 8.30 – 17.00)

Notes to Editors

• Port of Dover has been major supporter of Young Enterprise in Dover District for the past eight years, providing funding and mentoring to local schools. 
• The charity is also supported in the Dover area by Megger and P&O Ferries as associate supporters.