Young Enterprise Company 50th Anniversary Kent final.
Woolpack Fashion (Tunbridge Wells Grammar School for Boys)

by business editor Trevor Sturgess

School entrepreneurs who generated international orders for their specialist T-shirts struck gold in the 50th anniversary Young Enterprise Kent final.

Wolfpack Fashion, set up by 20 students at Tunbridge Wells Boys Grammar, was named Company of the Year last night after impressing judges with their use of website and social media to generate sales from the UK, France, Switzerland and Ireland.

They bought a £160 heat press to make T-shirts from a choice of 40 pre-set designs or customised to their clients’ wishes.

Paul Carey, the school’s head of economics and business studies, and Young Enterprise link teacher, praised their teamworking and diversity of skills.

“The boys just ran with it and they are so enthusiastic. It’s that collaboration and teamwork that has resulted in the win tonight.”

Wolfpack Fashion was one of six finalists from each of the county’s six areas competing for prizes at the county final held in the Pilkington Building, University of Greenwich, Chatham.

It was an appropriate venue because YE was launched 50 years ago in a converted ice cream factory in Old Road, Chatham.

It went on to become a national and international organisation.

Roger House, chairman of the Federation of Small Businesses Kent and Medway, chaired the judging panel.

He hailed all the finalists, who were marked on their display stand, company report and four-minute presentation, for professionalism, innovation and humour.

“The future is here with you Young Enterprise people,” he told them.

Earlier, the Mayor of Medway Cllr Vaughan Hewett, a YE entrepreneur in his schooldays, cut a 50th anniversary cake, saying YE had grown from “an acorn into a mighty oak tree.”

YE was founded by Sir Walter Salomon and started in Chatham by the late George Pritchard.

John Puplett, 66, recalled the first YE final as a 16-year old Dockyard Apprentice. His team had made egg cups and boxes for cups, saucers and plates at Brands Hatch.

“We were all 16-18 year old apprentices and we won the competition. It was a great experience.” Mr Puplett went on to become chief engineer at Scotland Yard.

Other finalists: Abstract, Dartford Girls Grammar, and Snack Back, Astor College for the Arts, Dover (Kent Foundation Award for Most Innovative Product); Snap, The Kings School, Canterbury (KCC Award for Best Trade Stand); Pink Ninjas, Bethany School, Goudhurst (Kent Messenger Award for Best Presentation); Youthopia, Rainham Mark Grammar (FSB Award for Best Company Report).