A number of the region’s business leaders have joined together to help the next generation of business minds to develop and to prepare for an ever-changing changing business future.
Young Business Minds (YBM) Inc. is a new incorporated association in the Hunter set up to energise tomorrow’s creators, innovators and entrepreneurs.
Chairperson, Cheryl Royle said the new group is seeking business community support across a range of planned activities to help develop and promote creativity and entrepreneurship skills in the region’s youth. One of the first initiatives YBM is planning is the 2018 Hunter Young Business Mind Awards to be held at the end of this year. The awards were an initiative of the region’s business chambers and were held for the first time in December 2017.
Cheryl said YBM was born out of that initial, successful awards program to create a professional governance structure to develop programs now and into the future.
YBM is looking for sponsors for the awards as well as business people to get involved in mentoring and supporting participants and winners.
There are four awards open to school children who have a business idea or a developed product or service. There is also a $3,000, $2,000 and $1,000 award for schools who are creating the best learning experience to encourage creativity, innovation or entrepreneurism in students. Local Harvey Norman franchise owners, last year’s sponsors, have resigned as the sponsor of the School Awards.
“Investing in this type of skills development for school children and young people benefits those kids, but it also benefits the region’s business community and economy over the longer term,” Cheryl said.
“We need to create a range of activities that not only help young people but also help schools, parents, current business people and community leaders to develop stronger relationships to create the right environment for young people to better learn to innovate and to be entrepreneurial.”
The new YBM Management Committee consists of experienced and connected men and women with demonstrated experience in management and boards within government, industry, large and small business as well as start-up enterprises.
The committee includes:
- Cheryl Royle – CEO, Finer Line Pty Ltd and Hunter Entrepreneurship Facilitator;
- Bob Hawes, CEO, Hunter Business Chamber;
- Trevor John, Executive Officer, RDA Hunter;
- Cassandra Kavanagh, CEO, Rethink Group;
- Suzie Leask, Associate Director, Australian Business Lawyers & Advisors;
- Melanie Nicholson, Director, Melanie Nicholson Consulting;
- Gabe Robinson – Founder & Director, Hunter Institute of Fashion; and
- John Sayhoun, Vice President, Mid-Coast Business Chamber.
IMAGE | YMB Chairperson and Hunter Entrepreneurship Facilitator, Cheryl Royle speaking at the 2017 Hunter Young Business Mind Awards.
