News Leadership Symposium 22.11.2019

This month students from Collyer’s were treated to a once in a life-time experience when they attended the 2019 Leadership Symposium, sponsored by charities Working Options in Education and Grocery Aid.  Top CEO’s, entrepreneurs and a leading sports personality came together to offer motivational talks and question panels in a high-level business symposium held at the Rothamsted Research Centre, Harpenden.

Presenters included: Fiona Ball (Sky), Neil Campbell (Warburtons), Devie Mohan (Burnmark), Kate Swann (SSP Group); Andrew Thornton (Thornton’s Budgens), Sir Terry Leahy, Nicky Morgan, Ash Amirahmadi (Arla Foods UK), Andrew Hawes (Newton); Jenny Costa (Rubies in the Rubble), Steve Murrells (The Co-Op) and former England cricketer Matt Prior (One Pro Group).  The event was expertly facilitated by award winning Sky News presenters Anna Botting and Jeremy Thompson.

The Collyer’s students who attended took an active role and were hugely impressed. Jess Bhatti said: “I found the day very inspiring and I learnt a lot; it’s helped me have different options for my future.”

Matt Forster said: “I found the motivational speakers really engaging!”

The students learnt about the personal philosophies of these captains of industry, who also took time out during break-times to chat and offer best advice to the students in small groups.

Many topics were covered during this unforgettable event, and Collyer’s students and staff were inspired by award winning Sky News broadcaster Anna Botting, as she spoke passionately about gender equality and the need for resilience in the workplace.

Lucy Hargreaves, who is Employability programme Co-ordinator at Collyer’s, arranged for Collyer’s students to attend the event. She was thrilled: “We work very closely with Working Options in Education, who have run numerous workshops with Collyer’s.

“This kind of access to top-level business is such a privilege. The kind donation of thousands of pounds worth of tickets for this event made this a wonderful opportunity that our students simply jumped at!”

Deputy Principal Steve Martell, who teaches the Employability Programme at Collyer’s, was delighted: “We have enjoyed an amazing, inspiring day! Huge thanks to our very own Lucy Hargreaves for making this trip possible; thanks also to the amazing Lauren Monk at Working Options for her continued support of the important Employability work we do at Collyer’s. I am also incredibly proud of our students, who made a very positive impression indeed. One of the speakers, Ash Amirahmadi, who students chatted with during lunch, even gave Collyer’s a special shout-out during his presentation!

“Our amazing students really were a credit to Collyer’s and our region.”