Peter Smith, Managing Director of local business development consultancy, Oakbridge Associates Ltd, has been invited to join the panel of judges for the Young Enterprise Awards in May 2006.

Now in its 38th year, the East Midlands Regional Final and Awards event will be held at Walkers Stadium on 11th May, to celebrate and recognize the achievements of young entrepreneurs between 15-19 years old, who have taken part in the Young Enterprise Company Programme – in which they set up and run their own company for a year.

During the year, the youngsters attend a range of business workshops, elect a board of directors from amongst their peers, raise share capital and market and finance a product or service of their choice. At the end of the year, they liquidate the company and present a report and accounts for the Young Enterprise Examination.
Peter and the other judges will have a first run at judging 2 weeks before the event and score the teams on their commercial acumen and their company’s structure, strategy and achievements.

In the afternoon of 11th May, before the public arrive, the young entrepreneurs are interviewed at their company stands and awarded marks on the quality of the stands and their knowledge and understanding of their company reports. All are given the opportunity to deliver an 8 minute presentation and awarded their final scores. The top 6 teams make a presentation to the public and the winner of the East Midlands Young Enterprise Award goes on to take part in the UK national final and, if successful, the European final.

Lyn Wilson, who runs the Young Enterprise Programme, said, “Peter came to us by recommendation and has a wide expertise in developing businesses of all sizes. He and the other judges will be looking very carefully at each report and awarding points for true entrepreneurial flair, commercial understanding and strategic thinking.”